Very Simple Kite

Easy to fly and easy to build, I don't think it's possible to make a simpler kite than this! 

Watch as your kite performs exciting aerial manoeuvres and darts through the air with an agility rivalling that of the most acrobatic bird!

Step 1: Gather Materials

You will need:
- A rectangular piece of paper - A4 is good. Feel free to decorate it, either now or in step two.
- String - I used jute string in this example, but a reel of cotton works well too
- Something to make a hole in paper with - I used a hole punch, but feel free to improvise with a pen, a stick or whatever you have on hand

Optional extras:
- Sticky tape
- Decorations for paper - but don't weigh it down too much!
- A pen, pencil, stick or similarly shaped object
- A functional stapler and staples

Step 2: Fold Paper in Half Widthways

Bring the two short sides of your piece of paper together and press along the bend to make a crease.

Now is a great time to decorate your kite! Use pens, pencils, crayons, felt-tip pens, a printer, but be careful not to weigh it down too much. If it's too heavy it won't be able to fly!

Step 3: Bend the Front Corner of the Top Layer Down to Touch the Crease, Repeat on the Back Layer and Staple

The essential thing with this step is to only bend the corners down. If you fold them the kite will not work. The exact position of the corner is not critical, but will affect how your kite flies.

If you don't have access to a functional stapler and staples, you can pierce through the two corners and the body of the kite with your hole making device and skip to step 5.

Step 4: Make a Hole Near the Front of the Crease

The exact location of this hole is not critical, but it will affect the flight characteristics of your kite. This particular kite flew between roughly a foot and seven feet from the ground.

Alternatively, you could staple the string to the kite and skip step five.

Optional - If you have some tape, you may wish to use it to reinforce the hole. This may be particularly useful if you are using thin string, or if you intend to get a lot of use out of the kite.

Step 5: Thread String Through Hole and Tie It Off

The knot used is not important as long as it will keep the string attached to the kite. 

Optional - If using loose string, you may like to tie it to a pencil, pen, stick or similarly shaped object  and wind it around for ease of handling. If you're using a reel of cotton, you might like to thread a pen or pencil through the barrel, which will allow the thread to unreel freely.

Step 6: Go and Fly Your Kite!

Find somewhere with a decent steady breeze free from things that could get in the way, be damaged or injure you (including people, expensive vases, powerlines, trees). Release your kite with one hand while holding the string in the other. Your kite should take off!

Enjoy!

I'd love to see your kite! Please feel free to post pictures of your kite in the comments. Go on, show off your awesome decorating skills!

Comments

[a_si]

What type of kite is this? i need it for a proyect but i dont know what type of kite is it

[omarsageer2000]

its just really wonderful I support u

[Annie Fannie2468]

It was so easy to make! And it was fun.

[427721]

i will triy it now

[JulianB80]

Looks fab, right off to make this right now..... thanks..

[vjb12313]

I didn't try it yet but it sounds fanastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kartikbhat25]

this will work!!!!!!!!! :)

[wumpsdad]

A lighter, finer [less hairy] string will allow it to flow higher.

[Hannahkah]

yay now im not bored :D

[aecheverria3349]

You saved my grade thanks

[aecheverria3349]

Thanks this really helped my school building a kite project

[CreativeCrafts2015]

The kite was so easy to make!

[JessD1]

Haven't tested it yet, but it was super easy to make! Took me 2 minutes, literally! :) Awesome idea!!

[008906]

Me too it looks fun

[JessD1]

Haven't tested it yet, but it was definitely super easy to make! Took me 2 minutes!

[JessD1]

Sounds so easy! I'm sure all little kids would love it! For those people wanting a bigger kite, maybe you could just get a large piece of thin cardboard!?

[That One Eegit]

how far is it in the air in those photos?

[Verdantic]

About a metre and a half, I think. It tends to hover between about half a metre and two metres off the ground. It depends on where you attach the string in step five, but I couldn't tell you the optimum. It also stays higher in a lighter breeze. It does have a peculiar manner of flight compared to a more typical kite.

[TheFlyingKidney]

I've yet to test this kite fully, but I've seen another vid that suggests clipping at 2.5 inches and making the hole for the line at 5 inches (another 2.5 inches from the nose:).. I've yet to test this fully, remember the line or string has weight to it as well..
I'd be tempted to put a light tail on it as well for stability. The pull seems to work OK. Most kites would fly well in winds between 7 to 12 mph depending on size and surroundings. Gusts or steady breeze also adds another factor.

[leonroode]

love this idea so simple