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 by Sarah Bluvas
Grab a kite and watch the fun times take flight!
Flying kites is a great spring activity and
encourages your child not only to run around but
also learn about physics: Kites are lifted when air
is directed downward, resulting in a change in
momentum that creates an upward force, and kept in
flight by the string the flyer holds. The more
string your child lets out, the more drag will be
created and the higher the kite will fly.
Kite Safety
- NEVER fly kites near power lines. If the
kite gets stuck, leave it there!
- Avoid flying kites over people.
- Never fly kites near cars.
- NEVER fly kites in stormy weather or if a
storm is approaching.
- Always keep a safe distance between you and
other kite flyers.
Here are some wide open spaces that make for great
kite flying!
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
- Piedmont Park
- Stone Mountain Park
Making a Kite
Kite varieties include flat,
bowed
(bending the frame gives the kite a
bow shape and more stability),
diamond and weather. For a fun
at-home project for you
and your child, try
making a diamond kite.
Materials
- 2 wooden dowels, one 16 inches
and one 24 inches
- Strong, thin string
- 1 large sheet of paper
- Glue
- Markers, crayons, ribbons, etc.,
for decorating (optional)
1. Position the two
rods together at right angles, making a
cross shape. Bind the dowels together where
they meet with string, tying a knot and
cutting off the excess string.
2. (This step requires an adult). Use a
utility knife to cut notches in the ends of
both dowels. Place string through the notch
at the top of the kite frame, wind it around
the top of the dowel, and wrap it tightly
around the edge of the frame, making sure it
fits well into each notch. Secure the string
by tying the ends together at the top of the
frame.
 3. Place the
finished frame on top of the large piece of
paper and cut around it, leaving about
1/2-inch margin. Fold the edges over the
frame and glue in place.
4. Tie a length of string to both ends of
the longer dowel and tie another length of
string to both ends of the shorter dowel.
Each length should be a bit longer than the
corresponding dowel. Tie the two strings
together where they meet in front of the
kite; this is where the flying line will be
attached when it’s time to fly!
5. Decorate using
markers, crayons, etc., and make a tail by
gluing ribbons to the bottom of the kite.
Don’t forget to celebrate
National Kite Flying Day
with your child on June 15, which marks the anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s
famous flight in 1752!
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The Kite-Making Handbook