Spring is a great time to fly kites. I found a fun and easy kite making pattern* that is perfect for kids (today kids 2 to 9 used these kites!). They decorated their papers first before following these instructions to “assemble” their kites:
Easy Kite Making Instructions for Young Kids
Step 1: Gather materials (one piece of paper, a ruler, a pencil, some yarn or string, a stapler, and a hole punch)
Step 2: Fold paper in half
Step 3: Along the folded side of your paper, measure and mark off at 2 1/2 inches (point A) and at 3 1/2 inches (point B)
Step 4: Take two corners of your paper and staple them together at point A.
Step 5: Punch a hole at point B
Step 6: Tie a long piece of yarn through the hole you’ve just punched.
Step 7: Fly your kite on a windy day.
Step 8: Expect lots and lots of laughs, “Wows!” and running around.
These simple kites were so easy to make, and even easier to fly. I’ve never had a kite take to flight so easily or stay up for so long. Even the 2 year old could do it!
*Note: someone asked where I found this kite pattern. I actually stumbled upon it offline (back in the days when I had preschoolers and swapped ideas with other parents in the community). I know this isn’t an original idea, but we sure had fun making it and wanted to share! Enjoy!
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Sorry about the confusion on the pictures! This post was written 7 years ago, so the kids in the pics are now tweens…or else I would re-do the project with better photos. :) I agree that they don’t fly like a normal kite, but the kids loved how they caught the wind and stayed up without too much effort. It was a perfect kite for the preschool aged kids!
Made these this weekend with several kids. The Picture of the folded paper with the marks on it threw me for a few minutes because it LOOKS like it is a whole sheet not a folded sheet. Once I figured out that you need to put the marks on the folded edge of the paper the rest was easy. Kids had a ball BUT these do not fly like a regular kite. They are more like a really cool paper airplane that you can run around and fly instead of throw.
Totally worth making and I plan to do these again.
Sounds wonderful, I always wanted to fly kites, but I never had one! Thanks!
What a great project to do with your kids this summer, It is so simple and I don’t know if you just took the photos at the right time or if they really do stay up in the air like that.. I am amazed how something that simple and cheap can do that, when people spend quite a bit on a good kite
awesome i tried it
I saw this and thought, how much fun would it be if I could design faries instead of birds. my girls would love it!!!! But. I am not very talented, and making seems so much more work than your post. Any thoughts or suggestions?
https://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/paper-kites.htm
I LOVE your blog and all your photography tips!
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I know exactly what you mean! My friend and I were just as enthralled by the kites as our kids. It’s shocking that something so simple can work so well!
Thank you! We made these last weekend and I think I had more fun than my son :). Don’t worry, he had a blast too! It was perfect!
We made these after I read this post. They were a huge hit here as well. Then we made paper airplanes too. Also a huge hit. Who knew how entertaining paper was??
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That looks like a great craft! I will have to save it away for when my daughter is old enough!!
I’m your newest follower!
https://blogginmommadrama.blogspot.com
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That’s what I was hoping for. My only problem was waiting too long to take the pictures for this post (it was dark). :)
Isn’t it great to be warming up? Ejoy your time off track with the kids!
My word that looks easy. I’ll have to try that with my 4 year old. :)
How cute and fun. Great idea. It is warming up here a little and my kids are off track so we are looking for these kinds of fun ideas. Thanks!
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What a perfect day. :)
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What a terrific project!!
Your pictures to help with the instructions are excellent too. So often these crafts don’t have visual help included (or the visuals suck) and it really helps out.
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Very Cute! Love it, love it!
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Oh, that’s awesome! I’ve bookmarked it for this summer.
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The great thing is that they are so cheap and easy that it’s ok if they get demolished! And if they can survive an hour with twin 2 year olds, I think they are sturdy enough for most kids. :)
Those are too cool! I’ll make them and I can almost guarantee they will be demolished within minutes by my boys :)
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We have made several additional kites. Twizzler loved them, too.
And, yes, I did use the SEO tips! :)
Seriously, Evie will love it! Be sure to take pictures! :)
You’re welcome! I have never found such easy and successful kites (even the ones we’ve bought at stores). Plus, if these kites get broken or caught in a tree, just grab another piece of paper and make a new one in 2 minutes!
Those really work great!!! So cute!
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Very cool! Those pictures are precious! Have a great Wed!
This was super fun today! Thanks for getting the idea! (And I hope you used your SEO tips learned at Boot Camp for this one…I think it’ll be a big one for you.)
Butterfly just woke up this morning and is dying to go out and fly it now at 7am.
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Kite making is now on the list of things to do…and Evie will be in HEAVEN.
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Oh how much fun is that? Now that the wind has kicked up I’ll have to try that!
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What a great little kite! I’ll have to try this with Jake.
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thank you, thank you, thank you for this! My daughter is so excited for Spring because it’s perfect for kite flying. I’m going to make these tomorrow. Great photos too!
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