The Maximum Living Kite | Maximum Living | Q13.com | KCPQ TV

The Maximum Living Kite

Many years ago I used to go to the beach for the summers and stay with my grandparents. My grandpa used to help me make kites. Flying my kite high in the sky made me feel like I could do anythingâ€¦be anything, as I grew older life got in the way and I forgot about those times at the beach, well its time to bring those memories back. And for all of you who never knew how to make your own kite I am going to show you how, it is a great eco friendly sport, one that's great for the whole family! These are the Original Benjamin Franklin Instructions Supplies:
- one 24-inch wooden dowel or lightweight, straight wooden stick
- one 20-inch wooden dowel or lightweight, straight wooden stick
(hint: longer sticks can be cut to length with adult supervision)
- large piece of paper (at least 26" X 26") or a heavy duty trash bag
- tape
- lightweight string, twine, or fishing line
- craft knife (requires adult supervision!)
- Ruler or yardstick
- pencil, pen, or marker
- scissors
- ribbon Directions:
With the craft knife, carve a notch into both ends of each wooden stick. For an easier method you can also use straws or lightweight plastic sticks.

Step 2:Take the longer wooden stick. Using a ruler, mark off a spot that is 6 inches from the end (or 1/4 of the way into the stick).

Step 3:Take the shorter wooden stick. Using a ruler, mark off a spot that is 10 inches from the end (or halfway into the stick).

Step 4:Place the shorter stick crosswise over the longer stick, matching up the marks you just made. When the sticks are lying down, all the notches should run parallel to the ground.

Step 5: Take the string and wrap it tightly around the center of your sticks, binding them together. You will be making an "X" shape with the string. Double check that the notches remain parallel to the ground.

Step 6:Thread the string through all the notches, creating a diamond shape. Wrap it around twice; making sure the string is taut. This is the frame of your kite.

Step 7:Pull the end of the string back towards the center of your kite. (Make sure the frame is still taut.) Wrap your string tightly around both sticks (mimicking the "X" shape you made earlier with the string) and tie it off with a knot.

Step 8: Cut your paper or plastic bag or tissue paper so that it is slightly larger than the kite frame.

Step 9: Fold the paper over the string frame, and either tape or glue it down.

Step 10:Reinforce the top and bottom tips of your kite with tape. Then, using a pen or needle, punch a tiny hole through these reinforced tips.

Step 11:Cut a 2-foot piece of string. Knot one end of the string through the top hole and the other end through bottom hole. This will form the bridle of your kite.

Step 12:Take the remainder of your string. Attach one end of it to the bridle (about 1/3 of the way down). This will be your flying string.

Step 13: Either tape or knot a 2-yard-long string to the bottom tip of your kite. Or cut a rag or old tee shirt into strips, then take it and tie bows around the string. The tail of your kite will make your kite more stable in the wind, and don't forget, you can make the tail all different colors! Now it's timeâ€¦Lets go fly a Kite! Remember;YOU CAN DO IT!
Randy