Let’s go fly a kite
Ideas on how to make kites, with action rhymes to chant and stories
to read. Celebrate Japanese Children’s Day by making Carp Kites,
learn a Japanese song, find out about snow monkeys, travel on a
bullet train and write numbers to 10 in Japanese),
There are lots of ideas for making kites from quite complicated to
simple designs. This one from:
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mini-Kite-%28for-Kids%29 is a
simple, easy design to follow and requires the minimum of fuss.
Materials: construction paper, 1 X thicker wooden dowel rod, 2 X
thinner wooden dowel rods, (DT Dept. may be able to help)
wool/yarn, strong tape, tissue paper, ribbon
wooden dowel rods
rolls of crepe ribbon
wool/yarn
colourful ribbon
roll of strong tape
To make the kite
Stage 1
Lay out the dowels in a cross shape
Stage 2
Cut the construction paper into a square –
the length of the dowel stick will determine
the size of the square unless you are able to
cut the dowel to size. This will be the body
of the kite. Lay the paper in a diamond. If
cutting the dowel make sure that each dowel
fits into each corner.
Stage 3
Cut a generous length of yarn and tie one end
to the thicker dowel. Wrap the yarn around
the dowel leaving enough to secure the other
end to the kite.
Stage 4
Wrap that around the intersections of the 2
thinner dowels joining them together
Stage 5
Tape the dowels to the paper
Stage 6 Cut and staple long pieces of ribbon
together and staple/tape to the kite or
attach one length of ribbon and decorate
with tissue paper bows.
It is difficult for young children to get really involved in making a kite and they
will need support with every step of the way. However, they can help with
wrapping the yarn, sticking the dowels to the paper, cutting the ribbon lengths,
making the tissue bows and attaching them to the string of their kite.
To personalise their kite they could print a design on the paper that will form
the body of their kite.
Try printing with fruit or 3D shapes
Dip the fruit or 3D shapes into shallow bowls
of bright paint.
These ideas from Kite Crew http://kitecrew.com.au/:
I loved this idea – A grab and go kite for the playground
From: http://www.thissimplehome.com/2013/06/plastic-bagkites.html
To make your own plastic bag kite, tie the two handles of a plastic grocery
bag together with a piece of yarn or string. You will want to adjust the length
of the string for the age of the child. For young (2-3) I cut a three or four
foot string. For older children, I cut a 6+ foot length of string. Consider tying
a loop handle at the end of the string. You can place it on the child's wrist or
allow them to grasp it. Once assembled, give it to the child and tell them to
run! The kite will fly behind them!
You could also personalize each plastic bag kite by changing the colour of the
strings.
Note: Young children should be supervised at all times
For instructions on how to make this great paper bag kite
click on this link:
http://www.sophie-world.com/crafts/paper-bag-kites
Below – A template of a kite so the children can practise
their design.
An outline of a kite from:
http://www.crayola.com/~/media/Crayola/Coloring%20Page/coloring
_pages/1638.gif?h=560&mh=560&mw=540&w=442
Oh Go Fly A Kite!
-
hints on Kite Flying
Read more: Oh Go Fly A Kite! http://www.kidzworld.com/article/17101-oh-gofly-a-kite#ixzz3VyJrRmsV
Follow us: @kidzworld on Twitter | kidzworld on Facebook
How to launch and fly a kite!
Check the Weather
The first thing you need to do is make sure the weather is just right
for kite flying. You can turn on the radio or TV, go online or open up a newspaper
to find the current weather report. What you’re looking for is light to moderate
winds if you’re a beginner kite flyer, or gustier winds if you are an old pro. A
wind speed of 5-15 miles per hour is perfect for kite flying. Never fly a
kite during a thunderstorm.
Pick A Spot
You’ll have to look around for the perfect location to fly you kite. It should be a
large and windy open area that’s totally free of trees and power lines – these
two things are very dangerous for kites and their owners, so DO NOT FLY
YOUR KITE AROUND EITHER OF THEM!
Launch Your Kite
Hold the kite in both hands and toss it lightly into the wind until the wind
catches it. If that doesn’t work, let out a small length of kite string and, holding
on to the string in your hand, run with the kite flying out behind you until the
wind lifts it.
Let Her Fly!
Start letting more and more string out until the kite reaches a good height –
about 50-100 feet high. It’s crucial that you keep your eyes on your kite when
it’s up in the air and watch for sudden changes in wind. If your kite dips, run or
pull the string in a bit to give it a lift.
Landing Gear
When you’re done flying and ready to bring in your kite, lower it slowly to the
ground by winding in the string around the spool in your hand. When it’s close
enough, reach out and grab your kite in your hand before it hits the ground.
Crash landings may look cool, but they can damage your kite.
Action Rhymes and Songs on the theme of kites
From: http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/occasion-rhymes.htm
Kites
Try these two rhymes outside on a windy day.
Five little kites flying high in the sky (hold up 5 fingers)
Said, "Hi" to the cloud as it passed by, (wave to the cloud)
Said, "Hi" to the bird, said "Hi" to the sun, (wave to the bird & the sun)
Said, "Hi" to an airplane--oh what fun! (wave to the airplane)
Then whish went the wind, (arms up in the air)
And they all took a dive: (arms down to the ground)
One, two, three, four, five. (clap while counting)
Kites Go Up
Act out the words of this simple rhyme.
The kites go up, the kites go down,
In and around, all over the town
The children run and jump and play,
Because they love a windy day.
Bring your kites to the tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Bring your kites, it's time to play,
For the wind blows strong today!
High above the trees they'll fly,
Far above the houses high.
Now they're ready, up they go!
While we pull the string below.
Stories to watch & listen
The Bright Red Kite - A children's story by
Wendy Hargreaves
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJN4XSPzoUE
A story about Joey and Nellie, beautifully
illustrated in water colours.
MEG AND MOG MEG'S KITE
by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski
Another funny story about Meg, Mog
and Owl as they try to fly their kite.
Of course Meg’s spell does not go to
plan!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_juOhJZL4s
The Adventures of Spot - Spot's Windy Day by Eric Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1zSYo1b1A
It's a windy day, and Spot wants to fly his kite. He
has some trouble getting it airborne, and eventually
it gets stuck in a tree, too high for him to reach.
Suddenly a hat, blown by the wind, lands on his
head! It belongs to Mr Kangaroo, who retrieves
Spot's kite from the tree. Spot tries to fly the
kite again, and this time it goes soaring into the air!