Flying High: Kites for Kids
Introduce your child to the joy of kiting, and rekindle your own interest, with these easy-to-make kites.
Nothing brings a smile to a child’s face faster than spying a multi-coloured kite billowing and soaring across cloud and sky on a beautiful breezy day. Except perhaps having the chance to make, colour, and fly his or her own kite.
Every year in May, Fred and Carole Ellis give kids in the Campbellford area that chance. They’ve organized an annual Kite Day at Ferris Provincial Park for the last 10 years, providing instructions and supplies to a multitude of delighted kids. Kiting is a passion for the Ellis’s and they are happy to share the knowledge and skills they’ve gleaned over the years. Especially because they see kiting as a great bonding activity for families.
“When those kids are out on the field, and the parents are out there with them – and they’re running, getting this kite to fly – and you see the reaction between parents and the kids, and the look on [their] faces – that’s all the payment we need,” says Fred. “It’s just fantastic to see that.”
The Ellis’s make sure families have an experience that’s fun and free of frustration by choosing kites that are simple to put together and easy to launch, fly and retrieve. Their favourite is the Sled Kite because it’s easily constructed and, to the delight of kids and adults alike, a “high flyer”.
So that your family might experience the joy of kiting, we’ve provided below the Ellis’s expert instructions for making the Sled Kite. You’ll also find, in the sidebar on page 15, directions for the Butterfly Kite, a sweet little kite that will appeal to the youngest members of your family.
Happy flying!
The Sled Kite
This kite is perfect for beginners to build and use. It flies best in light to moderate winds – ranging anywhere from calm conditions to 30 km (18 mph). Simply running with the kite will get it airborne. The addition of tails will increase the kite’s stability somewhat, and will also make it look prettier in flight.
Young children can decorate the kite and help with the assembly. Kids ages 8 and up can likely manage this project on their own (though supervision while cutting the plastic with utility knife or sharp scissors is strongly recommended).
Materials:
- one rectangular piece of strong plastic material, 2 ft. x 2.5 ft . Options include: heavy plastic such as Tyvec (used as a vapour barrier), a used or new (check out the dollar store) plastic tablecloth (not too thin), plastic tarp, or a heavy-duty garbage bag.
- two wooden dowels, 1/8 inch thick and 24 inches long. For simplicity, purchase a 48 inch dowel that can be cut in half (available at hobby supply stores, hardware stores, etc.)
- 1 inch wide adhesive tape (e.g. filament tape; you can also use cloth tape, packing tape or duct tape trimmed as required to a 1 inch width)
- a spool or ball of braided nylon string, garden twine, or kiting string (available at hobby supply stores)
- a thin utility knife, or scissors sharp enough to cut easily through the plastic
- ruler or measuring tape
- single hole punch or wooden/metal skewer
- permanent markers for decorating the kite, or stickers if you use plastic bags (optional)
- two streamers or tails (long strips of paper, plastic, or ribbon that help to balance the kite in flight), 30-40 inches long, 1 inch wide
Directions: print out the sled kite pattern and other illustrations, by clicking here.
Step 1: Using the pattern. draw the kite outline onto the plastic material. The kite should measure 2 ft. high from top to bottom, and 2.5 ft. across at the widest point.
Step 2: Cut out the kite shape, including the circular vent hole, using utility knife or scissors.
Step 3: Decorate both sides of the kite – if it doesn’t have a pattern already – with permanent markers or stickers.
Step 4: Using single hole punch or skewer, make a small hole in each of the two corners labeled “C” in the diagram, approximately .5 inches away from the edge of the plastic.
Step 5: On the kite face (that is, the side of the kite that will face you when it is in flight), use tape to attach wooden dowels from point A (top) to point B (bottom) on both the left and right sides. Make sure to fold tape over the top and bottom edges so the dowels won’t slide out.
Step 6: Still on the facing side of the kite, make the bridle (the line attached to the kite and to the flying line that helps control the kite’s flight). Measure and cut a five foot length of twine or kiting string. Securely tie one end of the bridle string to hole “C” on the right side, then tie the other end of the bridle string to hole C on the left side. Use tape to secure the knots and reinforce the hole (to prevent tearing).
Step 7: Fold kite in half lengthwise, bringing the two holes (points C) together, and run your hand along the length of bridle to find the exact mid-point. Tie a knot to form a small loop at the mid-point.
Step 8: Unfold kite and tape the streamers, or tails, to the non-facing side of the kite at points B.
Step 9: Knot the flying line (the string that remains on the spool or ball) directly to the bridle, just behind the knot tied in the bridle at mid-point.
Your kite is ready to fly!
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Choosing a Flying Site: Safety First
Choosing a safe place to fly a kite is crucial. In general, you want to find a spot in a flat open area that is away from buildings and roadways. Kiting at the beach or in a park – without too many kite-eating trees – is ideal.
Be sure to observe local air safety regulations if near an airport or flight path. Never fly a kite near power lines! Don’t fly a kite during an approaching storm or in rain, since a wet line will conduct electricity; and for the same reason, never use wire (even if it is plastic covered) for a flying line.In addition, it’s important to consider a child’s ability before giving him a kite to fly; he should not fly a large kite that he is unable to manage. And take care to ensure a kite line doesn’t run through his hands quickly as it can result in abrasions (“rope burn”), or a cut.
If your kite happens to get caught high up in a tree, leave it there.
Getting More Advanced
Flying a kite that you build yourself can develop into a real passion. Other simple patterns, such as Delta style or diamond shaped kites, can be found free online. Building kites is a practical, but fun, way for kids to apply their budding math skills, and gain more understanding about geometry and proportions. Many early aviators started out building kites, and scientists have always found them a useful tool for finding out about wind and weather.
Your child may also want to try more complicated flying. Fred Ellis, a kiting enthusiast, has taught one of his granchildren how to fly a two-line stunt kite. (He has found that a 7 or 8 year old child is able to learn how to handle such kites with some capable instruction.) A stunt kite would require advanced building skills, so it’s better to purchase these. A small one (54 inches wide) can be found in sporting goods stores or online and retails for approximately $60. There is also a four-line “Bow-tie” shaped kite that can do lots of great tricks. With some practice, kids aged 8 and older can learn to use them too, says Ellis.
Kite Day at Ferris Provincial Park
Between 300 and 400 adults and kids turn out for this popular and fun event held spring. Participants can bring their own kites, or make a Sled Kite from a kit provided. There is no charge for entry to the park, but a small donation is appreciated to cover the cost of materials. Children must be accompanied by adults. Refreshments are available for purchase. Rain or shine (unless there are thunder storms); www.friendsofferris.ca
- Illustration by: Trish York
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