How to Make an Air-Flow Kite

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For nearly 3000 years, Chinese artisans have made kites. How do they fly? Air moveing quickly across the surface of a kite reduces the air pressure on the kite, making it light enough to float on the current. If the air stops moving, the air pressure increases and the kite falls to the ground. This is called the Bernoulli Principle. Kites are as challenging to make as they are to fly. This kite is sure to provide hours of fun.

Supplies

• String

• Ribbon

• Paper punch

• Clear adhesive tape

• Butcher paper

• Dowel stick

• Scissors

• Markers, crayons, colored pencils etc… for decorative purposes.

How to Build the Kite

1. Sketch a symmetrical kite shape (like a diamond) on a large sheet of butcher paper, newspaper, or heavy wrapping paper with a marker.

2. With the scissors, cut out the kite. Be sure to cut a small triangular vent, also, so your kite can fly.

3. Decorate kite as desired

4. Reinforce the edges of your kite with wide adhesive tape, so it won’t tear.

5. Securely tape two thin round dowel sticks in place. One stick goes from top to bottom, the other goes from side to side on your kite. Reinforce the two points on the side flaps with more tape.

6. Decorate the dowel sticks with gift-wrap ribbons.

7. Use a paper punch to punch string holes in the kite’s side corners, about a thumb width inside the taped areas. Attach hole reinforces on both sides of the paper

8. Tie an arm-length piece of string through each of the holes punched in the corners. Tie their open ends together.

9. Attach the tie the ends of those strings to your long kite string.

Once you are finished with your kite, take outside and enjoy. Remember do not fly kites over or near electric power lines, trees, buildings, radio-TV antennae, spectators, moving traffic, within 5 miles of an airport, or more than 400 ft high.

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