A kite represents the whimsy of childhood, and as an art piece, it adds a playful focal point to a wall gallery. Pick out bright shades of tissue paper to fill in its diamond shape, and fashion a ribbon-adorned tail into an "S" that resembles one blowing in the wind. You can work on this craft with children of all ages, and once it's complete, hang the finished kite inside a nursery, playroom, bedroom or office. It will make any imagination soar!
Things You'll Need
- About 60 inches of yarn
- About 20 inches of ribbon
- Four 12 inch dowels
- two feet of wax paper
- Tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paint
- Paint Brush
- Hot glue
Cut Our Tissue Paper and Glue the Pieces to Wax Paper
Let your little artist cut small pieces of tissue paper in a variety of colors. Then, lay out two feet of wax paper. Add a splash of water to a small bowl of glue, and hand your child a paintbrush. Let the artist decide where to glue each piece of tissue paper, and it will create hours of fun!
Warnings
Children should be supervised and assisted while using scissors. If the child is too young for this step, cut the pieces yourself and move right to gluing the pieces down with your child.
Paint the Dowels in Bright Shades
Place four dowels onto a separate piece of wax paper and allow your child to paint each one. It's all right if only one side of the dowels get painted, since only one side will be visible when the kite hangs on the wall. The wax paper makes it easy to clean up the paint once your kid is finished.
Outline the Kite's Design With Yarn
Cut two pieces of yarn measuring about 15 inches and 11 inches long. Allow your child to dip them into the watered-down glue. Once the yarn is covered, remove it from the glue. Place the 15-inch piece vertically across the wax paper, and the 11-inch piece horizontally. Once the yarn is in place, allow it to dry overnight.
Create the Kite's Winding Tail
Cut a third piece of yarn measuring about 30 inches long. Dip it into the watered-down glue and lay it out on a separate piece of wax paper in the shape of an "S." Dry it in this shape overnight, and it will remain stiff once gently removed from the wax paper.
Glue on the Dowels
Using a hot glue gun, position the dowels in the shape of a diamond and fasten them onto the wax paper. You should now see your kite take shape!
Warnings
Hot glue guns should be used by adults only.
Cut the Excess Wax Paper Around the Dowels
Use scissors or a craft tool to trim the excess wax paper around the dowels, completing the shape of the kite.
Finish the Kite's Tail
After gently removing the stiff yarn from the wax paper, cut eight to 10 pieces of ribbon that are about two-inches long. Tie the ribbons into bows on the tail, allowing for a few inches of space between each one. Then, hot glue the finished tail onto the back of the kite.
Display the Kite Art
Use poster tack to hang the kite onto a wall or in a large window.
References
Writer Bio
As a former teacher and reading specialist, Kelly Smith combines classic educational activities with a modern twist on her blog Cloudy Day Gray, along with topics about parenting and caring for a pediatric transplant recipient. Smith has contributed to MarthaStewart.com and Apartment Therapy and works regularly as a copywriter for Altitude Summit.
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