Build your own Kite

Make a Kite with Preschoolers

Spring is one of the best times to fly a kite, the weather is finally warm enough, and there is always plenty of windy days. Believe it or not, it's easy to make a kite, too! Your preschoolers will be even more excited to fly their homemade kite throughout spring. We have provided directions below to build a kite with your preschoolers. 

Materials:

• Assorted Tissue Paper, Cardstock, Plastic Table Covers
  
• Crepe Paper or Streamers
  
• Yarn or String
  
• Large Popsicle sticks
  
• Skewers or Chopsticks
  
• Glue
  
• Scissors 
  
• Washi Tape or clear scotch tape
  
• *Stickers -optional
  
• *Markers -optional
  

Directions: 

After gathering all of your materials, you will start by assembling the popsicle sticks or the skewers before you invite your preschoolers to join, if you choose to use glue. Or you can use string or yarn to bind them together at the cross section. As you know preschoolers get SO excited to start their projects so by completing this step ahead of time, it makes it easier to dive right in. 

Next

You will then want to pre-cut your tissue paper, yardstick or table cover into kite shapes. Or, if you are feeling up for it use a template to have your preschoolers cut their own for fine motor practice. *If you are choosing to use a template, I would recommend using yardstick as tissue paper/table covers can be a bit more difficult to cut as they aren't as stable.   

Having your preschoolers help you cut into kite shapes is an excellent way to include fine-motor work into the build a kite project. 

Then 

Use scissors to cut 8 inch to 12 inch lengths of crepe paper, yarn or streamers for the tails of the kite. Again, another great opportunity to have preschoolers assist with cutting. If you didn't have your preschoolers cut the kite out, it could be a great time to let them practice cutting because we are simply cutting strips. 

Next 

Then after the strips are cut you will add glue or other adhesive to popsicle sticks to adhere the tissue or cardstock kite shape. You can also attach these pieces with washi tape or clear scotch tape. This is a step that preschoolers can master with little to no help, just want to watch how much glue they use. Preschoolers love glue. 

And, don't forget to attach the strips! 

Attaching the tails is another step that preschoolers can help with. Note that using glue might require a bit of help because sometimes it can require a little bit of force to ensure the strips stay in place. 

Finally

Let your preschoolers finish their kites with decorating. You can use markers, stickers, or washi tape to personalize the kites. Remind preschoolers to color gently if using table cloths or tissue paper as the kite body because they can easily rip. And, then the best part...get outside and fly your kites. I recommend that if you used different materials to build your kites, have your preschooler make note of how the kites are different when you are flying.

Below are a few questions you can ask.

• Which kite flew the best
• Did any of the kites have trouble getting up in the air?
• What works better the kites with glue or the kites with tape?

Kids can learn about science, physics, and weather. Flying kites also help develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. And, there is something pretty cool about watching something you made soar through the sky! 

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