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How to Make a Kite + 6 DIY Kite Ideas

Looking for a classic kite craft to build with the kids? You'll never make a kite any cooler than this!

Having the family build a kite is a fun spring activity that can be done with kids of all ages and skill levels. With this article, How to Make a Kite + 6 DIY Kite Ideas, older kids can make the entire thing themselves, while younger children will just enjoy decorating their own kite as you do the detail work. These paper plate crafts are surprisingly simple, and before you know it, your very own creation will be soaring in the breeze. Who would have thought that kites could be such awesome paper plate crafts for kids?

Estimated Cost$11-$20

Time to CompleteIn an evening

Primary TechniqueGeneral Crafts

Age GroupPreschool & Kindergarten, Elementary School

Materials List

  • Paper plates
  • Markers
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Kite string
  • Yarn or other string
  • Scrap fabric
  • Craft sticks

Instructions

  1. Cut a round hole in the center of the paper plate. You can trace anything round to get the shape. Please remember to be cautious with scissors and younger children.

  2. Use your hole punch to punch three holes in the paper plate.

  3. Allow the kids to decorate the paper plate with markers at this point. They can decorate one or both sides. Let them get creative!

  4. Once decorated, you will want to add a long piece of yarn to one of the punched holes. This will serve as a kite tail. It is easy to make a kite tail with leftover bits of fabric. Just cut or tear into strips and tie onto your yarn tail in random spots. This is another place where your children can customize their kite. Let them pick the colors of the yarn and the fabric bits.

  5. Add some kite string through the two remaining holes. Be sure to triple knot and tie tightly.

  6. Leave quite a bit of string for flying and wrap it around a craft stick. This will leave your child something to hold onto while flying the kite as well. You will want to make sure to tie the very end of the string to the craft stick to prevent the kite from flying away!

Kite Flying Tips

  1. Make sure you try to fly your kite on a windy day. Don't want to wait? You can try running around and see if you can get the kite off the ground a bit, but don't expect to really get it in the air without the wind.

  2. Stand with your back to the wind and hold the craft stick. Allow the wind to catch your paper plate kite and begin to lift it.

  3. Let out on the string as the kite begins to fly. See just how high you can get it!

  4. Can't get the kite up? Have a friend help by throwing the kite into the air while you hold the string. Again, make sure the wind is to your back.

  5. Have a contest and see who can get their paper plate kite the highest!

6 More DIY Kite Ideas

  1. Make a Kite Art Craft for Kids - Many grow up with memories of flying kites on warm breezy days, and your children can too with a kite they made from scratch. Follow this Make a Kite Craft for Kids tutorial, and you'll have a beautiful and functional, high-flying machine that will soar and swoop at your will.

  2. DIY Kite Flying Fun - This is the easiest way to make a kite! With this DIY Kite Flying Fun tutorial, learn how to turn a single sheet of tissue paper into an exciting kite your kids will love.

  3. How to Make Paper Bag Kites - Learn how to make a kite in a matter of minutes with these simple paper bag crafts. Homemade kites are some of the best summer crafts for kids because they're quick, easy, and tons of fun.

  4. Costless Kite - Let's go fly a kite, but not just any kite. The kite that you made! How do you make a kite that costs nothing, you ask? Use paper and items from nature.

  5. Recycled Cardboard Kite - Let's go fly a recycled kite, up to the highest height. Kids can now look into the bright, blue sky and fly a Recycled Cardboard Kite made from a FedEx mailing envelope.

  6. Let's Go Fly a Kite! - Let's Go Fly a Kite in the park! Amazing paper kites for kids are a cinch to make with free kite patterns like these cute kite paper crafts for kids.

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