Basic Sled Kite

Step-by-step instructions for a workshop classic.

You will need for each kite:

1 off Sheet of A3 copier paper; [See note on sizes]

2 off 12" (30cm) barbecue skewers;

3 off 2' (60cm) lengths of Crepe paper 2" (5cm) wide;

1 off Line Card;

3 feet (1m) sewing thread for the bridle;

18 feet (6m) sewing thread for the flying line.

You will need for each group:

Pencils;

Scissors;

Colouring materials (crayons or felt-pens are fine);

Some Sellotape;

Hole punch.

You will need to prepare the following beforehand:

Line Card(s):: You can wind these beforehand, or use the time when the 'artistic' activity is going on;

Crepe Paper Strips:: Roll the crepe up and cut through the roll to make long strips.

Fold the sheet of A3 paper in half...
Draw around the template, placing the long edge of the template along the fold of the paper...
Carefully cut along the two drawn lines to make the wing shape. Make sure both top and bottom pieces of paper are cut at the same time...
Fold the top wing back towards the folded edge, so that it just touches it...
Turn the paper over and fold the other wing in the same way...
Open out the kite and place it on the table so that the wings point UP...
Now colour in the kite! Using bright colours and bold designs is best, they show up well when the kite is flying...
Put a piece of sellotape over each wing-tip, then punch a hole in each piece...
Attach the sticks along the wing folds using 3 pieces of sellotape about 3cm long for each stick...
Tape together 3 lengths of coloured crepe paper strip to make a long tail...
Sellotape the ends of the tail to the bottom of the sticks to make a loop...
Get a length of thread (± 1m) and tie to the holes in the wing-tips...
Tie an overhand loop exactly in the centre of the thread to make the bridle...
Get a line card and tie the free end of the line to the small loop in the bridle...