Box Kite

Box Kite
Toby A. and Isaiah S.--2nd grade

This is how to make a box kite. First you read the directions and get supplies. large kitchen garbage bag, 4-36” dowels, 8 rubber bands, packing tape, yard stick, sharp knife or razor blade, and permanent markers.
After that lay the garbage bag on a flat surface. And then find the center of the bag in each direction. Fold it carefully in every way and crease it along the fold. Using a straightedge (yardstick) and knife cut the bag lengthwise along the center crease, so you have two double thickness pieces 12” high by
29 1/8” wide. Cutting through both layers, trim 1/4” off the closed long edge of each piece. Smooth out one of the pieces and find the center again by folding it in half top to bottom creasing the fold as before. Repeat for the other pieces. Then place a quarter piece over the center of the plastic where the creases cross. Cut carefully around the coin through both thickness of plastic; you might want to trace the coin first. Center the coin over the middle of each side edge of the piece and cut half-circles there too. These are the sails off your kite. Next, tape the sails (garbage bag) to the 4 longer dowels to make a rectangular prism. Make the shorter dowels in the shape of an X and connect to longer dowel with rubber bands. Tie the string where the dowels meet. If you want to decorate it use permanent marker. You can also tape on streamers. Tie the flying string on the edges.
Safety rules: Don’t fly in a storm. Don’t fly by electric poles. Tips: You need two people to fly it. Wear gloves and make sure your string is tied on tight! Have fun!

Specific plans for this box kite:
http://kckiteclub.org/DaveEllis/boxkite.htm

Dave Ellis’ site that gives links to kite sites:
http://kckiteclub.org/DaveEllis/TOC.htm

Good site for kites:
http://www.kites.org/zoo/class.html