Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
DIY - Make Your Own Kite
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
DIY Make Your Own Kite is a free printable craft activity for children aged 3 and over. Children make a kite of their own, then take it outside to fly. It is screen free fun for parents, teachers and home educators.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company. Read the sheet through yourself before you start. The help, stretch and talking ideas on this web page are our own suggestions, so they sit beside the sheet rather than on it.
What is on the sheet
Children make their own kite, then take it outside. It is a hands on craft. They get to make choices, follow the making steps in order and see the result in the air. Younger children, from age 3, will need a grown up beside them. Older children can lead more of the making themselves. The best part comes at the end, when the kite meets the wind.
Making the most of your kite
Choose your day
Pick a breezy but dry day to fly. A kite needs wind to lift it. Check the weather before you set out so the fun is not spoilt.
Make it yours
Let your child decide how their kite looks. Bright colours, patterns and pictures are all good. A kite that looks like theirs makes them proud to fly it.
Test and adjust
If the kite will not fly well the first time, treat that as a chance to investigate. Try a different spot, a different amount of wind, or ask what could change.
Share the flying
Take turns to hold the string. Younger children enjoy watching first. Older ones can try to keep the kite up for longer.
Why make a kite?
Kites have been made and flown in many countries for a very long time. Children still enjoy them today because the idea is simple. You make something, you take it outside, and the wind does the rest. There is no screen and no battery. It is a good way to get fresh air and move about after the making is done.
Making a kite also gives children a reason to plan and build. They follow steps, use their hands carefully and decide how to decorate. Then they find out whether it works. That last part matters. Learning that you can try again, and change something to make it better, is a useful lesson for any age.
Fly kites in a wide open space such as a park or field. Keep well away from roads, overhead power lines, trees and water. Never fly a kite in a storm or when lightning is near. If any part of the making needs sharp tools, an adult does that part. Do not let children wrap the string tightly around fingers or hands.
Kite facts for curious children
- A kite stays up because wind moves past it while the string holds it in place.
- If there is no wind, a kite will not lift well.
- Many kites have a tail. The tail can help the kite stay steadier in the air.
- Kites come in many shapes, sizes and colours.
- Open spaces are usually best for flying, because trees and buildings make the wind bumpy.
Skills and curriculum link
- Following instructions
- Fine motor control
- Creative design
- Trying and improving
- Outdoor play
- Talking about the weather
Ideas to talk about while you make
- WindWind is moving air. We cannot see it, but we can see what it does to trees, flags and washing. Ask your child how they know when it is windy.
- Light and heavyA kite has to be light enough for the wind to lift. Ask your child which things around the house are light and which are heavy.
- Shape and patternLook at the shapes and patterns your child chooses to use. Talk about colours, lines and any repeating designs.
- Test and improveReal makers try something, watch what happens and change it. Ask, "What could we change next time?"
Key words
- KiteA light object that flies in the air on the end of a string, held up by the wind.
- WindAir that is moving.
- BreezeA gentle, light wind.
- TailA strip that hangs from a kite and can help keep it steady.
- FrameMany kites have a frame. It is the light structure that holds the shape.
- GustA sudden, short burst of stronger wind.
How to use it
- Print the sheet and read it through yourself first, so you know what is needed before your child starts.
- Gather everything together in one place. Your child can help tick things off as you find them.
- Make the kite together. Let your child do as much as they safely can, and an adult does any tricky or sharp work.
- Take the finished kite outside on a breezy, dry day to a wide open space. Check there are no power lines or roads close by.
- Afterwards, talk about how it went. Ask what worked, what was hard and what your child would change next time.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Break the making into very small jobs and do one at a time. Show your child each step, then let them copy it. Praise effort, not neatness. If a younger child tires, stop and come back later. An adult can do the trickiest parts.
To stretch confident children
Make a second kite with one change, such as a longer tail or a different shape. Fly both on the same day. Ask your child which flew better and why they think so. Draw or tell the result.
Make it a game
Hold a gentle kite day. Each child takes a turn to fly their kite while others watch. Give small, fun titles such as brightest, funniest or highest. Everyone gets a title, so everyone wins.
Talk about it
- What do you think will make the kite fly well?
- How can we tell today if the wind is strong or gentle?
- Which colours and patterns will you choose for your kite, and why?
- What did you find hardest about making it?
- If the kite does not fly well, what could we change?
- Where is the best place near us to fly a kite, and why is it safe?
Take it off the page
Wind watching
Go outside and look for signs of wind. Watch leaves, flags, washing or clouds. Talk about which things move in a breeze and which stay still.
Ribbon streamers
Tie a few strips of ribbon or paper to a stick. Run or wave it and watch the streamers move. Talk about what makes them flutter.
Kite pictures
Draw or paint a sky full of kites. Use different shapes, colours and tails. Tell a short story about where each kite is flying.
Who it is for
Parents
Make time to do the making together, then go out and fly. A kite is a good reason for a walk to the park. Keep expectations light. The fun is in making it, trying it and talking about it.
Teachers
Use it as a design and make activity, a wet play or end of term treat, or a link to a weather topic. It fits the strands of designing, making and evaluating in design and technology. Check the playground is a safe place to fly.
Home educators
This works well for mixed ages. Younger children can decorate and hold the string, while older ones help with the making. It makes a good outdoor activity after a morning of table work. Pick a breezy day for the flying.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before making a kite, children benefit from simple craft play such as colouring, cutting with help and sticking. These build the hand control and patience needed to follow making steps. Talking about wind and weather on walks also gives them ideas to draw on.
After making a kite, children can move on to other design and make projects. They might build a paper plane, a windmill or a boat, and compare how each one works. They can also keep a simple weather diary to link their making to what they see outdoors.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is this kite activity for?
It is suitable for children aged 3 and over. Younger children will need a grown up to help with most of the making. Older children can do more by themselves and can help younger ones. Adults should always supervise the flying.
- Does my child need a screen for this?
No. The activity is made for screen free play. You print the sheet, make the kite and then take it outside. A screen is only needed if you choose to look up the weather forecast first.
- How long does it take?
The sheet does not give a set time, and it depends on your child and how much they enjoy decorating. It is a good idea to plan the making and the flying as two parts, so neither feels rushed.
- What do I need to get started?
Read the sheet before you begin and gather what it asks for. You will also need a dry, breezy day and a safe open space for flying. Keep any sharp tools for adults to use.
- Where is the best place to fly a kite?
A wide open space such as a park or field is best. Stay away from roads, overhead power lines, trees and water. Never fly a kite in a storm. Make sure an adult is with your child at all times.
- What if there is no wind?
A kite needs wind to lift, so wait for a breezy day. In the meantime, your child can decorate the kite, draw kite pictures or watch for signs of wind outside. Try again when the weather changes.
- Can I use this in a classroom?
Yes. It works well as a design and make task, a weather topic link or a special activity at the end of term. Check the weather and choose a safe, open outdoor space. Teachers should plan adult help for younger pupils.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.