Origami is the ancient art of paper folding. Kites were probably invented in China around 500 BC. Let's blend both crafts and make a simple, high-flying Origami kite.
It's feasible, and it only takes less than 10 minutes to get a small and stylish paper kite flying up in the sky.
It will impress kids and keep adults entertained for a long time.
Here's what you need to produce an eye-catching Origami kite:
Materials
- A square piece of colored paper
- Thin nylon/fishing string
- Tape
- Steel nail
- Straight pin
- Plastic grocery sack
Origami Kite 101
Now, let's create a real flying Origami kite:
- Make a Valley Fold, i.e., take your paper from one corner to the other, and fold it together;
- Now, you've got a triangle;
- With your paper facing with the opening out to the right, take the point of the triangle and fold it back to the crease or line;
- Flip the kite over and do the same on the other side, so it'll mirror the initial side;
- From the last fold made, take the point of the paper and fold it over to the opposite edge;
- Flip it over, and do the same on the other side;
- Both sides now look the same;
- Take hold of each of the flaps sticking out and pull them out so the kite can stand upright;
- Cut three pieces of tape and reinforce the areas where the three holes will go - one in the tail and two in the wings;
- Use the straight pin and then the steel nail to make the three holes through the tape;
- Thread the string from one wing to the other and tie two knots on both ends;
- Now, the tail: cut a ring out of a plastic bag and then cut it in half;
- Get one end of the plastic tail through the bottom hole of your kite;
- Put a piece of tape to hold it in place;
- Attach the main string onto the front of the kite;
See? Here's an Origami kite design that only requires a few folds. Now, get outside and fly it!