How to Make a Kite Out of a Plastic Bag

Here's a very easy kite that you can make out of a plastic shopping bag. Whilst very simple to make, it will fly very high and you will get hours of entertainment from both making it and flying it.

Steps   

  1. Fold the plastic bag in half.
  2. Cut off the bottom of the bag. Cut as closely to the base of the bag as possible, but be sure to cut off the bottom.
  3. Cut the bag in the middle. Cut from the base to the center of the plastic bag. Then cut a slanting cut that goes up to the folded part of the bag. Open the bag out flat.
  4. Image:Kite_shape_323.jpg
    Kite shape
    Look at the photo and compare. You should have 2 pointed square-like shapes.
  5. Take the sticks and tape the first stick to the top. Before you tape the bottom part, stretch the plastic back a little and then tape the bottom.
  6. Image:Bent_stick_446.jpg
    Bent stick
    Tape the other stick to the left, on a slanting position. Then bend the stick carefully to make a bow. Tape the other end to the right. Keep the taping very tight. See the photo - the two arrows on each side point to where you will tape the stick while being bending it.
  7. Image:Tail_678.jpg
    Tail
    Cut the extra plastic in strips and tie together. Make it one meter in length (see the photo). You could use different colors as shown here (red and white).
  8. Tape the tail to the bottom. Look at the previous photo and focus on the end of the red part.
  9. Use a pointed item to make a hole at the intersection where the two sticks meet, as well as at the bottom.
  10. Cut a piece of string 1 foot (30 cm) in length. Push one end of the string to the intersecting sticks at the other side of the plastic. Tie firmly. Do the same with the other end. Now you have the "bridle".
  11. Make a knot with a hole in the bridle near the intersecting sticks.
  12. Image:Bridle_409.jpg
    Bridle
    Check the alignment of the kite. To do this, pull the string to one side and see if the knot is aligned to the intersecting sticks (see photo).
  13. Tie the rest of the string to the hole and fly it! To fly, simply throw the kite and pull the string as if you are fishing. Extend the string while doing this. You may need to give it some help to get into the air by running a little. If so, check that the ground ahead is free of obstacles as you are likely to be looking up as you do this and not concentrating on the ground!
  14. Check out how well the kite flies in action:


Tips   

  • If the kite is not flying well, attach more tail or remove some.
  • You can use different kinds of string, such as fishing twine (get the thinnest sort possible) or craft string. Do not use heavy string.


Warnings   

  • Power line anatomy
    Power line anatomy
    Be careful of powerlines. As you can see in this photo, the topmost is the most dangerous part so don't let your kite get stuck to these lines!
  • Do not fly the kite too high.
  • Never fly kites during a thunderstorm - don't attempt to copy Benjamin Franklin.
  • Don't fly your kite if the wind is too strong for the kite to handle. It might get destroyed!
  • You should be aware of the weather during your flying time. Do not fly your kite if the upcoming weather is going to be rainy or a storm. If you don't want to be caught out in it, neither does the kite.


Things You'll Need   

  • Plastic bag (lightweight)
  • Thin bendable sticks
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Tape - strong, transparent tape
  • Extra plastic (for the tail)