Diamond Kite

Get ready to make the kite that helped discover electricity! Join Cliff Quinn as he shows you how to make the kite Ben Franklin made famous!

plastic sheet 2 mil. thick or tyvek or fabric - 30"x30"
wood dowels 3/16"x36" (2 pieces)
string - 30 feet or more (packaging type)
tape (cloth)
hobby stick for fly line
plastic strips for tail 2" wide x 10 feet long
toothpicks (3 pieces)
scissors
ruler (yardstick)
pencil/pen
magic marker (permanent)
toothpicks (3 pieces)

REMEMBER THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS WORK UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION. SOMETIMES WE USE THINGS THAT CAN BE HARMFUL, LIKE SCISSORS, SO DON'T EVER ATTEMPT TO MAKE THESE PROJECTS ALONE.

1. Lay plastic sheet flat and draw lines on sail to cut. Cut out sail shape and mark locations for bridle attachment.
2. Do art decorating, and place stick on your sail, making a cross. Tape sticks at each end to the sail and wrap tape over tip of stick and onto opposite side of the sail.
3. Prepare 2 bow string tape tabs with toothpick re-enforcements. Tie both sticks together at cross with two wraps of string.
4. Make bridle by cutting string 60' long and attach through sail and around sticks.
5. Make bowstring by cutting a piece of string 30' long. Attach to each end of horizontal stick with tape tab re-enforced with toothpick causing stick to bow. When bowed properly, distance should be approximately 4' from center of string to point where sticks cross.
6. Make bridle adjusting loop by cutting string about 6' long. Tie ends with overhand knot. Place loop onto bridle with larks head knot.
7. Cut 25 feet or more of string and wind onto hobby stick. Attach fly line to bridle loop with 2 overhand knots.
8. Attach bridle loop so kite will hang slightly lower at tail end. the re-adjust to wind speed. make tail with plastic or cloth strips 2' wide and approximately 10' long.