Make a Kite Craft

In this case it's OK to tell your kid to "go fly a kite!"

Submitted by
laura

Have your kid make this simple kite craft out of some tape, string, paper and a wooden skewer. You'll be feeling as chipper as Mary Poppins in no time.

One piece of 8½ x 11 construction paper or scrapbook paper
Markers or crayons
Glitter
String:
You'll need about 10 feet.
Hole punch
Masking tape
Pencil
Ruler
Streamers or ribbon
Stapler
One 8-inch wooden skewer:
Cut to fit if necessary.
A tissue box

Invite your kid to decorate the piece of paper with markers, crayons and glitter.
Then help her fold it in half so it measures 8 x 5½ inches.
Turn the paper so it opens like a greeting card.
Using the ruler, measure one inch in from the top left corner of the paper and make a mark.
Next, make another mark three inches in from the bottom right corner of the paper.
Use the ruler to draw a straight line between the two marks.
Then help your kid fold the top piece of paper along the diagonal line.
Next, fold the bottom piece of the paper back, along the same line, and match up edges with the first side. This will give you a kite-like shape.
Help your kid rip off a piece of masking tape and tape it down the length of the kite, through the middle.
Then lay the wooden skewer down perpendicular to the masking tape. The ends of the skewer should meet the corners of the kite.
Help your kid cover the skewer with masking tape to secure it.
Cut a tail out of streamers or ribbon and staple or tape it to the bottom of the kite.
Make sure the rudder on the bottom of the kite stands straight up. If it's tipped one way or the other, the kite won't fly.
Grab the hole punch and punch a hole in the top of the rudder about ½ inch below where the wooden skewer crosses the masking tape line.
Reinforce the hole with some masking tape to make it strong.
Then help your kid cut a long length of string and tie one end securely through the hole.
Cut the short side off of a tissue box and use it to wind up the loose end of the string.
That's it. You're done!
Invite your kid to head outside on the next windy day and fly the kite. Have her take a running start to get the kite really soaring!