Craft Project – Diamond Kite

This build is for a classic diamond kite as found in the Kite Flying badge.

Follow these instructions (and the video) to make your own kite and work toward your kite flying badge! 

Instructions (see video for details/example)

What You Will Need

Materials

  • Brown paper
  • Dowel (.25″ diameter x 25.5″ long)
  • Dowel (.1875″ diameter x 22″ long)
  • String
  • Ribbon
  • Scotch/Masking tape
  • Scissors
  • Saw blade or hack saw
  • Darning needle
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Cylinder/Stick (for handle)

About the project

1. Mark the center of the cross-spar (thinner dowel)

2. Make a cross, centering the cross-spar on the spine about a quarter of the way down from the top. Secure with knots and lashing.

(TIP: Add a dab of glue to the hitches for support.)

3. Cut grooves in the dowel ends with a saw.

The grooves must run parallel to the cross so that the string can wrap around it, fitting into each groove.

4. Lay the cross on top of a piece of brown paper.

Use a marker to place four dots on the paper, marking the ends of each dowel.

5. Use a straight edge to make four straight lines connecting each dot.

6. Use scissors to cut out the diamond shape, keeping roughly 2 cm outside of the lines.

7. Fold all four edges over the lines.

8. Flip the kite over and decorate!

9. Measure out a length of string that will wrap around the perimeter of the cross. Leave some extra for tying off.

10. Cut two grooves on either side of the bottom end of the spine.

11. Make a stopper knot at one end of the string (overhand knot). Then create a slip knot that can be looped around the end of the spine and fit into grooves.

12. Work the string around the cross, fitting it into each groove at the four ends of the dowels. Pull it snugly as you go, and tie it off at the bottom of the spine.

13. Fold a piece of masking tape over each dowel end.

14. Cut off the four corners of the kite.

15. Place the cross into the kite and secure each fold over the string with pieces of scotch tape.

16. Use a pencil to mark the top and bottom points of the bridle along the spine. Cover each mark with a strip of clear tape to strengthen the paper.

17. Measure a length of string for the bridle. Leave some extra for tying off.

18. Attach the bridle to the kite using a darning needle. Poke the string through the kite, around the spine, then back up through the kite at both markings.

19. Use slip knots to secure both ends.

20. Pinch the bridle and raise your kite so that it is level with the table. Move your pinch point up so that the tail touches the table and the nose is angled up about 15 degrees.

21. Make a simple loop at the pinch point.

22. Take four strands of long ribbon and tie them around the bottom of the spine.

23. Make two mounting tabs for the bowline using two strips of masking tape and toothpicks. Fold the strip over a toothpick leaving some sticky side exposed.

24. Using another toothpick, poke a hole through the folded tape just underneath the wrapped toothpick. Break off the ends of the toothpick.

25. Secure mounting tabs to the side corners of the kite.

26. Secure one end of the string to one tab. Thread the other end through the opposite tab and pull until the center of the string is about 3 inches from the kite. Tie a knot to hold the bow.

27. Find an appropriate area (and some wind) and fly the kite!

If you have any questions or comments about this video, please send them to info@calvinistcadets.org.