A kite in a windowsill.

Go Make a Kite

Plastic bags can be difficult to recycle, but they're hard to avoid. This craft repurposes a large plastic bag into a fun, outdoor activity: Flying a kite! 

Supplies: 

  • Two long sticks (you can use just about anything - from tree branches to garden stakes, as long as they are mostly straight)
  • A large plastic bag or tarp
  • String or yarn
  • Ribbon
  • Tape or glue (optional)

Steps: 

  1. Prepare your frame. Take your two sticks and cut or break one to be slightly shorter. Place them perpendicular to each other, so they make a lowercase T shape. The middle point of your shorter stick should be about 1/3 down the length of the other.
  2. Using your string, tape, or glue (or a combination), tie the two sticks together, making sure they form right angles. 
Two sticks tied together with string.
Set up the base of your kite by tying two sticks together at right angles (Credit: NOAA).
  1. Cut your bag or tarp to fit the frame. 
  2. Secure the bag to the ends of the frame using string, tape, or glue, making sure it's fastened tightly. 
A plastic bag wrapped around the frame of the kite.
Cut or fold the bag around the frame to make the sail of your kite (Credit: NOAA).
  1. Tie a piece of string from one end of the shorter stick to the other, leaving a bit of slack. 
  2. Tie the ball of string to bottom end of the longer stick, looping it under the string tied to the cross-stick. Tie a simple knot where they intersect. 
A close-up of a knot tied from the two short ends of the kite.
To finish the string of your kite, tie one piece of string to the crossbar from one end to the other, leaving slack, and tie the ball of string in the middle (Credit: NOAA).
  1. Attach ribbons to the base of your kite to help it balance. (If your kite is a bit heavy, you may also want to tie on a washer or other small weight.) 
  2. Find some wind and get your kite in the air! 

Note: Making this craft (and flying it!) can be a bit fussy, but you can easily turn it into an engineering project for the whole family! Try different shapes, materials, and construction methods to learn more about the science of kites. Approaching challenges with curiosity in the face of frustration will cultivate problem-solving skills and a growth mindset for everyone. Note: Making this craft (and flying it!) can be a bit fussy, but you can easily turn it into an engineering project for the whole family! Try different shapes, materials, and construction methods to learn more about the science of kites. Approaching challenges with curiosity in the face of frustration will cultivate problem-solving skills and a growth mindset for everyone. 

The finished kite sitting on the ground.
Ready to fly! (Credit: NOAA).
 

For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

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