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How to Make a Glider Kite

Chinese historians wrote over two thousand years ago that kites were used to carry ropes across rivers to help build bridges. Today kites are used primarily for entertainment. A simple diamond-shape or box kite is a good starter model. Kites, whether made from simple, found-around-the-house materials or from especially designed fabrics and fastenings, provide hours of entertainment for those who fly them and those who watch them. The satisfaction of making your own kite with the help of family and friends is heightened the first time the kite soars into the sky.

Things You'll Need

Plastic sheeting
One wooden dowel 24 inches long
One wooden dowel 16 inches long
Tape
Split ring
Hole punch
Kite string

Instructions

- 1
  Mark 24 inches along one edge of the plastic sheeting. Eight inches down from this mark, draw a line at right angles eight inches long. From the end of this line, draw lines to each end of the 24-inch line. Cut two triangles out of plastic sheeting to these measurements.
- 2
  Draw a line 18 inches long on the plastic sheeting. Draw a second line at right angles to the first, 6 inches from the end and 12 inches long. Draw lines joining the end of this line to each end of the 18-inch line. Cut out the triangle. This triangle is the stabilizing fin.
- 3
  Tape the two large triangles together along the long edge. Tape the long side of the smaller triangle to the join of the two large triangles, positioning it 3.5 inches from the wide end of the kite.
- 4
  Cut small triangles out of plastic sheeting and tape one triangle to each corner of the kite on the side without the fin. Insert the dowels into these pockets and tape or lash the dowels together where they intersect. Tape the dowel to the kite.
- 5
  Tape the right angle of the kite fin and punch a hole through the tape. Insert a split ring into the hole. Tie the kite string to the split ring.
- 6
  Cut four plastic strips 2 inches wide by 6 feet long. Pin two of them to the base of the kite with a safety pin. If the kite is not stable when flying, add the other two tails to improve stability.

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