Build your own diamond-shaped kite using simple household materials. You'll learn how the sail and tail work together to catch the wind and keep the kite stable in the air.

Tools

• scissors
• ruler
• marker

Materials

• heavy plastic sheet or plastic tablecloth (1 piece, approx 4x4 feet)
• wooden dowels (2 sticks, one slightly shorter than the other)
• strong tape such as duct tape or packaging tape (1 roll)
• thin string or yarn (100 meters / 300 feet)
• small piece of string (1 piece, approx 2x the length of the shorter dowel)
• cardboard or wood handle (1 piece, approx 4x4 inches)
• plastic strip for tail (1 piece, approx 2-3 feet long)

Safety

• Adult supervision is required when using scissors to cut plastic.
• Fly the kite in an open area away from power lines and trees.
• Be mindful of wind conditions to avoid being pulled by the kite.
• Adult supervision required for sharp objects.
• Do not wrap string around neck or limbs.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Lay the two wooden dowels across the plastic sheet in a cross shape. Position the shorter dowel horizontally and the longer one vertically, ensuring the horizontal dowel is placed so that one half of the vertical dowel is longer than the other.
2. Use the ruler and marker to draw a diamond shape around the dowels. Make the diamond slightly larger than the dowels to ensure a good fit.
3. Carefully cut out the diamond shape from the plastic sheet with scissors.
4. Tape the dowels firmly to the plastic sail, ensuring they are secure and the sail maintains its shape.
5. Tape the two dowels together tightly where they cross in the middle.
6. Poke two small holes in the plastic along the vertical dowel, near the corners but not at the very ends.
7. Flip the kite over. Thread one end of the small piece of string through one hole and tie it to the dowel; repeat for the other hole and dowel. Tape the ends of the string in place for extra security.
8. Tie the long 100-meter string to the middle of the shorter string and secure the knot with tape.
9. Wind the remaining long string around the cardboard or wood handle.
10. Cut a long, thin strip of plastic and tape it to the bottom of the kite to create a tail.
11. To fly: Have a partner hold the kite while you unwind 20 meters of string. Stand with your backs to the wind, let the partner release the kite, and pull the string to help it lift off.