Kitebuilding workshops

Here are some classes I have taught during summer time.   I can also organize small classes of 3 - 6 people in my home.  However, you can schedule one of these workshop classes at any time of the year, not just in the summer.  The cost for these classes vary according to the project, size, materials used, etc.  Most can be finished in one afternoon, or about 4 - 6 hours, depending on your sewing skills.  The average cost is about $25.00 for materials and instructions.  I do have sewing machines to rent if you do not have one of your own.  The rental cost is $2.00 per hour.      

Page one of a set of my workshop offerings               Page two of a set of  my workshop offerings

Our local club, the Kansas City Kite Club (KCKC) has several kitemaking workshops during the off season which is between September and April.  Watch for them, and be sure to join in on the fun.  Information can be found at http://www.kckiteclub.org

INDEX:

(Scroll down to view descriptions.  Left click on the link to see the actual photo, or plan.)

Schedule a workshop session      Schedule a class for you and a couple of friends.  I am a retired teacher so my time is quite flexible.  If there is a class that you, and a couple of your friends, would like to take, you can contact me at kiteguy@kiteguy.info  You can see the types of projects that are offered in these workshop classes in the pages linked at the top of this page.

Sled kite   I am often asked which kite is best for children.  I have two proven favorites.  The sled kite is excellent, and can be made from recycled materials.  that is a definite plus for me.  Here is a book in PDF format that has several sled kites.  The one I use most of the time is on page 4.  When the kite is less than 18 inches, from nose to back edges, I like to use recycled straws from the fast food place.  If you need a longer spar than the straw provides, just slit one side of a straw for about 3/3 inch and then squeeze it closed a bit and insert into the other straw.  When it is snug, wrap some Scotch tape around the joint to hold and  you have a spar that is nearly twice as long.  If you are using 7 1/2 inch straws your spar is perfect length!!  Use some plastic from a trash bag, or from a grocery bag, some straws for spars, and some cheap button thread for line, a bit of masking tape, and you are good to go.  Permanent magic markers work well for decorations.  Sled Kite Booklet

My all time favorite kid kite is the following.  With my help thousands have been made in the metro area of Kansas City.

Bumblebee kite     NOTE:  I have updated this project to include directions, and a full size pattern.  This kite got its name from the fact that it is short and a bit stumpy.  Sort of like a bumble bee.  All you need is a piece of copy paper.  (8.5X11 works, but 8.5X14 works better.)  You also need a piece of tape, and a length of thread.  You can run indoors with this kite and it will fly behind you.  Here are the instructions.  If the kite spins around like crazy, you may attach a tail made from a narrow strip of plastic.  Old tape from a broken cassette cartridge works well.  Or a strip cut from a plastic trash bag.  Make the strip 1/2 inch wide, or less.Bumble Bee Kite

Two Cent Sled Kite   Here is a specific plan for a specific sled kite.  On this one, low expense, and simplicity are the rule.  The plans calls for "welding" the kite skin to the plastic drinking straw longerons.  I don't do that, I just use a short length of plastic (Scotch) tape to hold the longeron to the skin.  I have found some very long straws at Sonic and Phillips 66 gas stations.  These are great for some larger two cent kites.  Two Cent Sled Kite

How big would the kite be if:...    Often I am asked what size to make a kite such as a sled kite, or a Rokokku kite.  There are a multitude of answers to that type of question.  Starting in 1996 I taught several math lessons using kite building to 5th - 7th grade students.  For one of the activties I had them use ratios to figure the size of a working kite based on the length of the available  main spar length. Feel free to use these ideas I have presented to explore on your own.  Of course there are other sizes that will work with these two kite types, but the ones I used are a good start.  The Rokakku kite uses the 3-4-5 ratio layout. The scaling of a Rokakku kite       The scaling of a sled kite

The above pages were used only for deigning a kite to a certain size.  No techniques, or details of building a kite were included during the class.  Actual building was done during latter sessions.  Feel free to use the above scaling pages for any of your own experiments.  Consider them as a good start on making your own kite design.

Tumbling box kite to dance in the sky.     A tumbling box kiteThis is a very small kite made from drinking straws for coffee.  You can make a larger version by using long straws like you might find at a QT store.  Just adjust the width of the plastic cover to match the straws.  This is a most excellent kite for ton of fun.  Using recycled straws you can make several of these kites for a dollar, if you have a Dollar store where you can buy the Mylar wrapping material.  Or  you can use plastic cut from a bag recycled from a discount store.     Tumbling Box Kite

Fairie Wings     Most excellent way to help children get more exercise.  This is not kite related, but the little ones love them, and they are easy to make.  These are really not plans, but a photo to help you see what they are.  If you are at all handy you can figure how to make them with a piece of material and a few ribbons from the bargain table at your local discount house.
Fairie Wings, designed to help your (Grand)children fly around getting exercise      Or you can see HIS wings, too.  He has wings, too

Bat kite     Or perhaps you would rather have a bat kite.  It, too, would make a nice treat in place of candy.  I give the kids their choice...kite or candy.  90% of them chose the kite!  Smart kids.   You can tape the kite to a pencil, and just walk about the room.  These little kties will fly along behind you.      Little Bat kite plan

Bedsheet kite     The bed sheet kite got its name from its appearance in the sky.  Very unusual design.  Sorry about the quality of the plan.  That is the condition it was in when I got it.       Bedsheet kite plan

Cellular Kite Designer  My son wrote a cellular kite calculator for me.  It allows me to play around with diameters, number of points, etc.  It gives me the measurements of each segment in the kite, etc.  However, it is up to me to provide the construction details.  That is a very personal thing anyway.  If you would like to explore the program, feel free to download it to see what you think.  Be sure to tell me how it works for you.  Kite Calculator

Valentine Kite  Want to give a special Valentine to someone?  How about one that will FLY!  Here you will find a pattern for a kite designed for our kite club people.  However, you can make one, even if you are not a member of the club.  All it takes is a sheet of copy paper, a length of thin string, or thread.  You can print out the kite I put up, or make one of your own design.  Have fun, and put your heart in the air!  Kite Valentine


Shamrock Kite  This is your Lucky Day!  You can make a shamrock shaped kite, and spread good luck throught the sky.  Maybe some will fall on you, as well as the world around you.  Good Luck!!  PS, construction of the kite is almost the same as with the Valentine kite above.    Shamrock Kite