How To Build Kites

3 Extremely Simple Kites For Adults Or Big Kids!

If you want to know how to build kites, you are at the right place. These 3 super simple kites are quick and easy, yet fly really well.

To give you some choice in the type of kite, while still keeping things simple, I have chosen to do a Sled, a Diamond and a Delta.

Don't worry, the Delta is very basic!

Each kite is sized so that it should fit comfortably into the boot (trunk) of even a fairly small car. Or, someone in the back seat could hang on to it.

At the same time, they are big enough so you don't feel you are flying a 'small kite for kids'!

That's right, these designs are aimed at adults. Mainly because in fresh wind they will be too much for a small child to handle. A young teenager should have enough strength though.

By the way, if you have been here a few times and made one or more of these very basic kites... Perhaps you are ready to move right up to the Dowel Sled, Dowel Diamond, or Dowel Delta! These fully illustrated step-by-step eBooks show you how to build high-performance kites that are slightly bigger, at 1.2 meters (4 feet) across.

Anyway, enough waffle - on with learning how to build kites!

You will need the following materials...

• 2-ply plastic bags, at least 0.5 meters (2 feet) wide and 1 meter (4 feet) tall. The packaging will usually mention 'low-stretch', 'strong' or something similar, if the bags are more than 1-ply. Also, they will be at the top end of the price range for the size. But they are only plastic bags, so still very cheap compared to other materials! Another clue - the lightest bags are very see-through, but the multi-ply ones much less so, with stronger color.
• Electrical insulation tape. Black looks nice on orange sails!
• Hard-wood dowel, 5 mm (3/16 inch) in diameter. The ones available to me happen to be Tasmanian Oak. Just use whatever is available.
• Flying line. I recommend 50 pound Nylon or Dacron from a kite-shop. However, if you try any old string that you can't snap with your own strength, you should have some success!

And, the following tools...

• A ruler, with measurements in cm or inches.
• Scissors. Just about any type of ordinary paper-cutting scissors will do.
• A black marking pen. Preferably not too fine.
• A cheap hack-saw or fine-toothed wood saw for the dowels.

These are probably the bare minimum 'tools', if you can call them that, for learning how to build kites!

How To Build Kites - 3 Simple Designs

In addition to the instructions, these pages feature a short video of each kite in flight. It's motivating to see the end result floating about in the sky! Even though you're learning how to build kites in a very quick and easy way.

The MBK Simple Sled Kite.

Construction time: less than 40 minutes

The very first outing with the kite pictured was a great success!

The MBK Simple Diamond Kite.

Construction time: less than 30 minutes

The second outing with the kite pictured resulted in a good high flight at around 200 to 300 feet altitude.

The MBK Simple Delta Kite.

Construction time: less than 90 minutes

The first few outings with this kite were during much too windy weather for relaxing flying. Finally, some better weather turned up, and the Delta had a good high flight in moderate winds.

If you're curious, I've also put together a page on the reasons why it's a good idea to make your own kite.

Which Design Is Right For You?

Here are the strong points of these kite designs...

The Sled kite is the most convenient to take anywhere. The kite simply rolls up, takes very little space and is unlikely to be damaged in transit.

The Diamond kite is super-reliable in flight, even if you don't make it perfectly. The long tail keeps it pointing into the wind, even when the wind is fairly fresh.

The Delta kite will perform much better than the other 2. In other words, it will spend a lot of time at a steep line angle. Sometimes right over your head, if it encounters any rising air on a warm day!

Here are the weak points of these kite designs...

The Sled doesn't like the rough air near ground level. Unless you fly it at a beach, you might find it needs to get well above tree height before it really starts behaving itself and flying reliably.

The Diamond flies at a modest line angle most of the time. And that long tail can get caught in things if you aren't careful.

The Delta won't tolerate strong or even fresh winds. Too much wind will cause it to become unstable, and even break in extreme cases.

But these are minor problems! After learning how to build kites from the instructions here and getting a little flying practice, you'll soon learn to cope one way or another. I've just mentioned the pro's and con's here to give you a better idea of which design might suit your circumstances best.

How To Build Kites - And Fly Them!

All these kites are designed for fairly light to moderate winds. So, assuming there is a reasonable breeze blowing outside, head out with kite and flying line attached. If you can hear a little leaf noise in the trees, that should be fine. Stand with your back to the wind, and have a helper hold up the kite, some distance away. Say, 15 meters (50 feet). When they let go, the kite should climb away to above tree-top height - unless the trees are huge in your area!

If your kite refuses to fly properly, there could be too much wind. Or, a dowel or 2 might be very uneven in stiffness along its length. If a much longer tail doesn't solve the problem, just try making the whole kite again. Chances are, the new one will fly much better.

If you can hardly feel the breeze against your face, it's likely there is simply not enough wind to fly! Just wait for better weather, or act like a kid and tow the thing into the air! Sometimes, there will be more wind higher up, and you will be surprised to feel your kite pulling firmly on the line.

Now you can tell your friends you know how to build kites, and fly them as well.

Some Other Websites To Explore...

Learning how to build kites and fly them is a great hobby at almost any age - including during retirement...

ElderOneStop: An excellent one-stop resource for seniors and baby boomers, including hobbies, activities and crafts, retirement, health, housing, travel, financial, and more.

Retirement Hobbies - Outstanding Jobs After Retirement: This website provides other great ideas for retirement hobbies, volunteering or jobs for income during retirement. Follow your passion and LIVE IT during retirement.

Here's a website which describes how to make a kite from newspaper and dowel. This Diamond kite, with traditional bowed tail, flies well in moderate to strong winds. Handy for when your light-wind kites can't cope!

If you are in the U.S., one great region for flying kites is the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The famous Wright Brothers flights took place here, near the town of Kittyhawk.

Of course, making kites isn't the only way to get satisfaction from going the 'home-made' path. Here's a site that opens up a whole world of homemade crafts for you to explore!

MBK Flying Skewers And Plastic is a fun publication for kite lovers. Particularly single-line fliers! This FREE monthly newsletter will help keep you in touch... There's always something new being built or flown at MBK!

Your FREE COPY of a great 87-page eBook on popular kites is waiting to be downloaded. It's my way of saying 'Thank You' for subscribing.

Last updated: 21 May 2010