Summer is the perfect time to fly kites high in the sky. Join our Early Childhood Education (0-6 years old) section to discover 4 super simple ways to make paper kites with your child at home in the article below!

Flying Paper Kites and Their Surprising Benefits for Child Development

Flying a paper kite is a simple game, but it offers many surprising benefits for a child’s development.

To successfully make a paper kite, children must pay attention to every little detail, from how to fold the paper to how to tie the string and fly the kite. This helps children develop dexterity and spatial reasoning skills.

In addition, flying kites also helps children develop physically. When flying a kite, children will have to continuously move their hands and arms to adjust the kite’s height and direction. This helps children exercise their muscles and increase their body’s flexibility.

Flying kites also helps children develop perseverance. It’s common for the kite not to fly or to fall to the ground during play. However, to successfully fly a kite, children must be persistent and not give up. This helps children develop resilience and tenacity in life.

Not only does it benefit children’s physical and mental health, but flying kites also helps educate children about environmental protection. By using recycled materials to make kites, children will understand the importance of protecting the environment and take action to do so.

Ways to Make Paper Kites at Home for Kids to Enjoy Summer

As you can see, flying a kite is not only a fun activity but can also bring many physical and mental benefits to children. Summer has arrived, so parents, take this opportunity to make kites with your children. Here are some simple ways to make paper kites that you can refer to:

Simple Paper Kite Instructions

How to Make a Paper Kite

Making the Kite’s “Skin”

• Use a pencil to draw a 40 x 40 cm square on the prepared A2 paper, then use scissors to cut off the excess paper.
• After you have the square, cut paper strips measuring 3 x 25 cm and 4 x 60 cm to make the kite’s tail.

Creating the Kite Frame

• To create the kite frame, first measure and cut a bamboo stick 5 cm longer than the diagonal of the square you just cut. Then, bend the bamboo stick into the desired shape.
• To hold the curve of the bamboo stick, you can use string to connect the two ends of the bamboo together.
• Secure the bow to the kite with tape and glue so that the string runs along the diagonal of the kite.
• To ensure the kite flies high and stable, stick the remaining bamboo stick along the kite’s projection and perpendicular to the bow. Also, secure the edges of the kite to make the wings sturdy and ensure the kite skin is firmly attached, preventing it from being blown away by the wind.

Making the Kite Tail

A typical paper kite will have 3-4 tails. The main tail can consist of one or two tails in the middle of the kite and has the longest length, the remaining two are on the sides. However, to create a more beautiful tail, use different colored papers:

• Glue the 4 x 60 cm paper tail in the opposite direction of the bow in the middle of the kite to make the main tail.
• For the remaining two tails, use the 3 x 25 cm paper strips and attach them to the sides.

Attaching the String and Decorating the Kite

• Make a small hole at the intersection of the two frame sticks with scissors, then thread the prepared string through the hole and secure it at the intersection.
• Continue to secure two more strings on both sides of the bow-shaped bamboo stick and one string at the kite’s tail, then tie them together (each string is about 50 cm long).
• Use the remaining string to secure it to the four strings in the previous step to help the kite fly higher.
• Decorate the kite according to your child’s preferences with crayons, stickers, etc. Now, the paper kite making process is complete.

Simple way to make a paper kite for kids from A2 paper

Easiest Way to Make a Kite with A4 Paper

How to Make a Paper Kite from A4 Paper

• Fold the A4 paper in half lengthwise. At the two ends of the paper, mark two points about 2.5 cm away from the fold on opposite sides and connect them with a straight line using a pen.
• Fold the top corner of the A4 paper along the line you just drew. Do the same with the other side so that the two sides of the paper match.
• Use tape to secure the contact line of the two kite wings you just created.
• To create the frame for the kite, use a bamboo stick and cut it so that it is the same length as the width of the two kite wings. Then, secure the bamboo stick to the kite body with tape or glue.
• Turn the kite over and straighten the original center fold – the “spine” of the kite.
• On the “spine,” at the ⅓ length of the kite, mark a point about 1 cm from the edge. Use scissors or a needle to create a small hole, then attach the string for the kite.
• Finally, you can make a tail for the kite by cutting a ribbon about 15-20 cm long and gluing it to the bottom back of the kite.

To successfully make a paper kite, carefully and accurately follow the steps above with your child to ensure the kite can fly steadily in the wind.

How to make a paper kite from A4 paper that can still fly high

Making an Octopus-Shaped Paper Kite

How to Make an Octopus-Shaped Paper Kite

• Glue two sheets of paper together lengthwise, then fold along the center crease of the paper and cut to form an octopus shape.
• At the bottom of the paper, cut alternating triangles to create the octopus’s tentacles.
• Cut two red circles and two smaller white circles, then attach them to the lower body of the octopus. Use a black marker to draw the eyes.
• Use tape to stick a bamboo stick along the center crease of the paper. Bend the other bamboo stick and glue it to the octopus’s head to create the kite frame.
• Use two other bamboo sticks, crossing each other, to secure from the upper body to the lower body of the octopus.
• To make the paper into an octopus kite, at the intersection of the “spine” and the bamboo bow securing the upper body of the kite, make a small hole, thread the string through, and secure it. Then, make another hole about 5 cm from the octopus’s tail to tie the other end of the string.
• Next, cut paper into rectangular strips corresponding to the number of octopus tentacles, and use glue to secure them to create the kite’s tail.
• Finally, in the middle of the string just created, tie another piece of string securely. The paper kite making process is now complete.

Steps to make an octopus-shaped paper kite for kids

Please refer to the detailed video tutorial:

Making a Mini Sáo Kite with Paper

How to Make a Mini Sáo Kite:

Creating the Kite Frame

• Prepare a 1m long, 2cm thick bamboo stick to make the kite frame.
• Mark the midpoint of the bamboo stick, then break it in half to create two smaller bamboo sticks. Use a knife to shave and sand them until they become two smooth cylinders.
• At the end of each bamboo stick, sharpen it to ensure it can be bent at a 90-degree angle, and do the same with the other end.
• Use another shorter but thicker bamboo stick, place it vertically between the two bamboo sticks above, and secure it with 502 glue to create the kite frame.
• When making a paper kite, to make the frame sturdier, tie string around the contact points between the two horizontal sticks and the “spine.”
• Next, use string to secure the two wingtips at both ends of the kite.
• On the left wing, wrap the string around the kite’s “spine” once, then pull it to the right wing and secure it to create a temporary curve for the kite.

Creating the Kite Tail

• To create the kite tail, use a smaller bamboo stick, then tie and bend it into a bow shape and place it on the lower body of the kite, securing it with string and 502 glue.
• To help the kite remain stable when flying, use string to secure the upper and lower body frames at both wing sides.

Creating the Kite’s “Skin”

• Use a piece of paper longer than the kite body and use tape and 502 glue to attach it to the kite frame.

Tying the String

• Use the kite’s central spine as the midpoint, measure evenly to both sides of the wings, create two small holes, thread the string through, and tie it tightly.
• From the midpoint of the string just created, tie another string. Connect the other end of this string to the bottom of the kite’s central spine. The paper kite making process is now complete, and you can fly the kite with your child.

With this simple kite-making method, parents can make kites with their children instead of letting them play with plastic toys throughout the summer break.

“Frame” of a mini sáo paper kite that parents can refer to

What Should Parents Keep in Mind When Making a Sáo Kite with Their Child?

Making a paper kite is a fun activity that you can do with your child. However, to ensure your child’s safety, you should keep in mind the following important points:

• When making the kite, smooth the bamboo sticks carefully to prevent splinters that could cut your child’s hands. Also, do not let your child use knives or utility knives to avoid accidents. Instead, provide your child with safe items such as pens and scissors to participate in the kite-making process.
• Another important point is to avoid getting 502 glue on your child’s skin. When making a paper kite, make sure the glue is only applied to the paper and does not get on your child’s hands. If your child gets glue on their hands, use soap and water to wash it off.
• After completing the kite-making process, clean up any leftover materials with your child and wash your hands thoroughly with antiseptic solutions or hand soap. This will help ensure hygiene and health for both you and your child.

To make it more fun and engaging, you can choose different colors and shapes for the kite with your child. If you want, you can provide suggestions and detailed instructions to help your child complete their kite.

Above are 4 of the simplest ways to make paper kites at home. We hope that with these sharings from AVAKids, parents and children will have fun and rewarding experiences during the summer break.