Fun Family Activity: Have a Paper Kite Flying Competition!

Here are instructions on how to make the coolest paper kites you've ever seen!

Make a Paper Kite in 8 Simple Steps

Supplies

• A few sheets of brightly colored 8 1/2" x 11" multipurpose printing paper. 20Lb. bond
• A few 8" bamboo BBQ shish kabob sticks.
• 1 roll of fluorescent surveyor's flagging plastic tape, available at any hardware store. (A plastic bag cut in a 1" wide spiral all around will also make a great tail.)
• 1 roll of 1/2" wide masking tape or any type of plastic tape.
• 1 roll of string. (6 to 10 feet for each child.)
• A few pieces of 1"x 3" cardboard on which to wind the string.
• Scissors.
• Hole punch (optional).

Directions

1. Fold a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper in half to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". (click on the above diagram to view larger)

2. Fold again along the diagonal line A in Fig.2. This diagonal line can be determined by making a mark at the top 1/2 inch from the fold and a mark at the bottom 3 in. from the fold and drawing a line between these marks.

3. Fold back one side forming kite shape in Fig.3 and place tape firmly along fold line AB.(No stick is needed here because the fold stiffens the paper and acts like a spine.)

4. Place BBQ stick from point C to D and tape it down firmly.

5. Cut off 6 to 10 feet of plastic ribbon and tape it to the bottom of the kite at B.

6. Flip kite over onto its back and fold the front flap back and forth until it stands straight up.(Otherwise it acts like a rudder and the kite spins around in circles.)

7. Punch a hole in the flap at E, about 1/3 down from the top point A. This hole can be reinforced with an additional piece of tape.

8. Tie one end of the string to the hole and wind the other end onto the cardboard string winder.

Have Fun!

This is a fun activity that you can do at the park, or even in your own backyard. You can even invite some of your kids' friends and have them join in on the fun, or hold contests for the highest flying kite, or the longest tail or most original design. But, in the end, it's all about having a good time and building memories.

Don't forget to bring the camera!