Go Fly a Kite

 Go Fly a Kite

    Is flying a kite a pastime that you find extremely enjoyable? Follow these simple, concise instructions to make your own outstanding homemade kite.

Supplies:
    Two wooden dowels (one each at 20 inches and 24 inches), sheet of paper at least 26 inches square or a heavy plastic trash bag, tape or glue, lightweight string or twine, craft knife (for use under adult supervision), pencil, scissors, ribbon, ruler

Instructions:
    Using the craft knife under adult supervision, carve a deep notch in both ends of each dowel. Use the pencil to mark a spot located 10 inches from one end of the shorter dowel. Position the shorter dowel crosswise over the longer dowel, matching up the marks and making certain that all notches are parallel to the ground. Bind the dowels together by wrapping the string tightly several times around the center in an X motion.

    Build the kite frame by twice threading the string tightly through all the notches in a diamond shape. Then pull the string toward the center of the kite, wrap it tightly around both dowels in an X shape, and tie it with a knot.

    Cut the paper or bag slightly larger than the kite frame. Apply tape over the top and bottom tips of the kite, and use a pencil to punch a tiny hole through each tip. Knot one end of a two-foot piece of string through the top hole and the other end through the bottom hole. Attach your flying string to this two-foot piece. To assemble the kite tail, knot a six-foot string to the bottom of the kite and tie pieces of ribbon around the string.