The days are beginning to warm up, and the festival of Makar Sankranti is one sign of this! This celebration commemorates the sun’s passage into Capricorn, or Makara, and heralds the onset of milder weather. Kite flying is a key event for this unique occasion in many areas of India, and events are held.
Makar Sankranti is just a few days before International Kite Day, making it the ideal time for some simple projects for kids! In this article, we have made out a list of our best ideas of kite making for kids.
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Kite Making for Kids
Here are 10 ideas for kite making that are suitable for children aged 2 to 9. These pieces are beautiful and unique in their own way.
Kite Making Ideas for Kids
Cupcake Liner Craft
This is a nice little craft that even the youngest children can do with a little assistance. I Heart Crafty Things includes step-by-step directions for folding and attaching the cupcake liners to the background. Allow the youngsters to choose their favourite liners from a variety of colours.
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Stained Glass Style
Who knew coloured tissue paper could be used to make such a gorgeous craft? This Kinder-Craze craft is simple enough for kids of all ages to do – siblings may each construct their own piece! Simply place the paper in a black line on a glass that receives a lot of light and enjoy the sight!
Pasta Noodle Kite
Has some old pasta lying around? Then you should do this pasta noodle project from Crafty Morning right now! All you need are some leftover pasta and some paints to make kites with adorable bows in any colour you want! If you don’t have any spaghetti on hand, you can substitute straws.
Watercolour Kite
This activity from Little Family Fun should be simple to prepare if your child enjoys painting with watercolours. Fill the paper with colours and let your little painter do his thing, then cut it out and bow shapes. With a little rope, you have a personalised piece ready!
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Brown Bag Kite
It is a fantastic way to build a flying kite. Lovely Commotion teaches us how to make those lunch-sack design bags into joyful, colourful kites. You can personalise them however you want, and then have a blast playing with them! It’s ideal for elementary school kids.
Spring Style
Although it isn’t quite spring yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t make this wonderful kite out of playdough and Popsicles! All you’ll need are paper straws and card stock to get started. Make a couple in various designs and hang or paste them on your child’s chamber door or wall for a nice holiday decoration.
Mini Paper Style
One Creative Mommy’s simple craft is perfect for kids’ parties or playgroups. Hand the kids a variety of patterned and coloured card paper, as well as other basic craft items, and let them create their own masterpieces!
Windy Day Style
There’s a cool breeze these days, and if you notice a breeze, take advantage of it by making this craft from I Can Teach My Child! The craft is simple, and while preschoolers and older children can assist in its creation, even toddlers will love watching it flap in the breeze!
Plate Style
Paper plates aren’t normally used to build kites, but this activity from Kix Cereal is special! You’ll get detailed instructions on how to make it, as well as a dowel for a more secure hold for small children! You may also tie some string to it to make it fly higher on a gusty day.
Paper Style
It has a unique appearance, but that doesn’t make it any less effective! Pink Stripey Socks provides detailed instructions for making this adorable piece, which includes string on a Popsicle stick! The best part is that the kites actually fly! You may have to put in some effort to get them up, but the effort will be well worth it!
Interesting Kites Facts for Kids
Take these interesting takeaways for general knowledge:
When were Kites Invented?
Mozi and Lu Ban, two scholars who arrived after Confucius’ teachings, constructed kites during the early Warring States Period (475 – 221 B.C.). For many years, they were only available in China before the understanding of how to build and fly them expanded. Foreign powers launched numerous attacks during this time, as well as civil instability. They assisted the Chinese soldiers in gathering military intelligence.
Why were Kites Invented?
They were mostly used for defence purposes. The early kites were composed of light wood and cloth and were referred to as prototype pieces today. They were created to resemble the natural flying of a bird.
The early Chinese ones were used to measure distances, which proved beneficial for transporting big armies across rough terrain. They were used to measure and record wind data, and they served as a unique mode of communication akin to ship flags at seas.
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Historic Kite Styles
Wood, paper, and silk were used to make kites in China. They were first built from light wood variations and eventually evolved to include beautiful paper and cloth. In China, they are usually divided into three categories:
Wood Style
Mu yuan was the name given to wooden kites. The legend of Mozi (BCE 470 to 391), a philosopher, mentions this prototype kite, the avian design shown above. Mozi (BCE 551 to 479) lived a century after Confucius and was a staunch opponent of both Taoism and Confucianism.
Paper Style
According to another version, a paper kite known as the zhi yuan was employed as an emergency alert device. This happened a millennium later, during the siege of Nanjing, whenever it was flown to call for rescue. In China, paper ones are still flown, but they are considered more of a traditional art than a sustainable recreation.
Lighter Style
Lighter ones, originally constructed of silk and then of paper, did not arrive until the Tang (CE 618-907) Dynasty. It was during this time that the kite evolved from its humble military or practical roots to become a recreational tool.
Kite Construction
Making kites is an ancient Chinese tradition. Kites have evolved over time in terms of design. Modern kites have a significant advantage in flight due to new materials and a greater understanding of aerodynamics. The ancient approaches, on the other hand, are still fascinating and deserving of mention.
Ancient Kite Construction
The building of a kite is divided into three stages: framing, glueing, and ornamentation. When it came to framing, light woods like bamboo were frequently used to build the bones. These are light, sturdy, and malleable at the same time. Traditional depictions of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and also non-winged bugs like centipedes and legendary animals like dragons, were also popular.
Modern Kite Construction
Modern makers go beyond the norm, creating the ones that are only limited by the creator’s imagination. Bright colours and increased durability are possible with materials like plastic and nylon.
The kite flying and gazing experience is also enhanced with LED lighting and specialist noise producers. A hinged arrangement of pieces of the frame can sometimes be used to add movement to it, implying wing or tail movement, for example.
Conclusion
With these wonderful DIY kites, let your artistry soar this Makar Sankranti! These kiting ideas are sure to provoke peals of laughter and fun and are ideal methods for kids to embrace the spirit of Sankranti. This DIY hobby will have you and your family crafting lovely kites from scratch, saving you a trip to an expensive art store.
For more kids craft ideas, check out The Real School Of Montessori website.
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