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How to Build a High Flying Kite

Kite flying has a long history dating back more than 3,000 years to China. The hobby includes famous practitioners such as Benjamin Franklin. Building a kite that will soar requires a little experimentation. Kites can be of any shape or size to include three dimensional structures. A one-dimensional design of average size is ideal for a high-soaring kite. Well-built kites need solid foundations that are strong, yet light and durable.

Things You'll Need

2 feet thin piece of long split cane
3 feet thin long split cane
String
Glue
4-by-4 foot piece of Ripstop Nylon
Masking tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a slit on the top and bottom of each of the pieces of split cane, then place the two sticks into a "t" shape, like a cross. The longest piece of cane is placed vertically while the shorter stick is placed about a quarter of the way down horizontally across the longer piece. Make sure the horizontal stick is placed evenly to make the kite balanced.
- 2
  Tie both sticks together. There must be four, equal right angles at the location where the pieces cross. This area must be strong to maintain the kite's structure in the wind, so make sure the string is tightly wrapped around the wood multiple times and tied securely.
- 3
  Glue the string that is holding the two pieces of cane together. The glue will make sure the kite stays balanced and helps strengthen the frame.
- 4
  Starting from the bottom of the "t," tie string about a 1/2 inch from the end of the shaft. Use a piece of masking tape to hold the knotted string in place.
- 5
  Thread the string into the slit on the bottom of the "t," just below the knot in Step 4. After placing the string through the bottom slit, pull the string tightly to the right to insert it into the slit on the right side of the "t." Continue threading the string into the slits through the remaining corners until the string forms a diamond.
- 6
  Tie off the string when you are back at the base of the frame. The piece should be knotted around the initial string. Place some glue in each of the slits to help hold the string in place.
- 7
  Lay the Ripstop Nylon on top of the string structure. Wrap the excess nylon around the string and attach it to the underside of the Nylon with glue. Applying masking tape is another option, but too much tape can weigh down the kite.
- 8
  Tie individual pieces of string, about 6 feet long, around the four corners to create a bridle for the kite. Flip the kite so the underside kite is up. Take the four pieces of fastened strings and evenly join them together in the center of the kite. Attach the string that will be used to fly the kite to this central knot.

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