Have you tried flying kites with your child to only be disappointed that there is no wind? I have been there. Although there is something to be said for leisurely standing and watching a traditional kite fly above your child’s head there is an alternative when the weather will not cooperate. 

The paper bird kite craft is a favorite in our house and is quick to make. Once completed your child will be able to entertain themselves running about the yard with the kite flying behind them. This kite craft is a part of a week’s worth of lessons all centered around kite activities for preschoolers. Be sure to check it out at Kk is for Kite.

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A kite making idea for a preschooler.

A large, store bought kite is fun to assemble and fly with your child. The issue most parents run into is that the weather may not cooperate. If this is the case then one can resort to running and getting a kite in the air, however most 3-5 year old’s cannot run that fast to maintain the large kite above them. Another factor is spacing, whether that be from trees along a sidewalk or a smaller backyard. 

The first time I made this kite with my eldest we had a medium size yard with a lot of shade trees. Out front the sidewalk was lined with trees and our road was near the front of our suburban neighborhood. If I had wanted to fly a traditional kite with him we would have had to go to a park. In addition, my now 3 year old Mick was a baby and I was not certain I could accomplish the mission with such a little one with me. 

I decided to avoid potential disappointment and create a kite I knew would fly no matter the circumstances. Easy and effective, it was a success.  

The paper bird kite will fly no matter the spacing, wind, or number of trees surrounding you. The kite itself requires assistance from an adult since a stapler and hole punch is being used. Additionally, folding the paper correctly ensures the wings receive lift. But once the kite is complete, it can keep your child entertained and tire them out. 

Making a kite with your preschooler

Step 1: Materials

The first step is to gather your materials which include construction paper, stapler, tape, hole punch, and string(or yarn). Allow your child to choose their color of construction paper and then you will fold it hamburger style. Mick chose green because that is his favorite color. We made a couple more kites, one for Mo and I demonstrated on one that I could give to Marty, my eldest. Since he was out of the house for the day I knew he would want one of his own to fly with his brothers in the evening.

Step 2: Create the kite and allow for experimenting.

Next, Hold the paper so that the fold is at the bottom. Make a dot that is slightly to one side of the center, down by the fold to provide a guide for where your child will use the hole punch. Once the “almost-centered” hole is made, take a corner from the top (closest to the hole) and fold it down to the bottom, just in front of the hole. I recommend this way but you and your child can experiment with this step!

My boys enjoy experimenting with the hole and wing placement since we have done the activity a few times. The main pictures show the hole closer to the center and the fold in the front of the hole because that is the recommended way. Here is a throw back picture to making this with my eldest and when I was very pregnant with our third kiddo, Mo. The hole is close to the front and the corner is placed behind the hole. This flew well too. By experimenting with the placement of the hole and where the corner goes allows for creativity and more learning!

Back to the construction! The corner that is folding down should come from the side that is closest to the hole. Do the same to the other corner. Now, one side of the kite should have a funnel (narrow to wide) on either side. Holding these wings in place, and if you feel comfortable, allow your child to staple the wings in place, at the bottom, in front of the center hole. 

Mick did both these steps marvelously. He had me jumping a little bit with the hole punch to ensure he was on the dot. I also assisted with pushing the stapler down all the way. However he was very proud for doing it “entirely himself.” 

Step 3: Make it a bird.

Now create more of a bird looking kite if you so desire by cutting out a triangle bill and tail feathers. Your child can choose a second color for this. The triangle bill goes in the front (by the narrow ends of the funnel) and the oval tail feathers go in the back where the paper is still resembling the hamburger style fold. I encourage you to draw eyes as well.

The shapes and eyes do not need to be perfect, your child cannot tell the difference. If your child is decent at using scissors, you can draw the shapes and allow them to cut it out. Once cut, I help Mick staple everything on to save time. 

Step 4: Tie the string.

Before tying on the string, place a piece of tape directly below the center hole. I have found that by providing a little extra reinforcement it keeps the hole from ripping out easily. Allow your child to thread the hole and then you can tie the string in place.

Step 5: Let’s go fly a kite!

Now it is time to fly the kite creation. Be sure there is nothing for your child to run into or trip over. Your preschooler will want to look over their shoulder and watch their kite fly behind them. When they stop running their bird will stop flying which encourages them to keep running. The first time I did this with my eldest we skipped the backyard and went out onto the sidewalk. This way he did not have to worry about trees and just had to stay on the sidewalk.

When they do stop running for a break, take a few minutes to talk to them about wind catching under the wings and lifting the bird up. When your child is not running there is no wind to make the kite fly.

The experimenting with hole placement and whether the corners are behind or in front of the hole makes a difference. Since the kites are so easy to make, make a few and try the different variations. The picture below shows a previous day when we experimented and then had a discussion about which flew the best. Pink was number one, then orange, and green came in last. Find out with your kiddos which one flies the best and let me know in the comments!

Continue the fun, plus more kite activities for preschoolers.

Once the lesson is over, let your child run and play to their heart’s content with their kite while you sip from a mug of coffee on the porch. At least that is what I like to do. Once the boys were tired from running they joined me on our porch swing and I read our favorite book with kites, Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. When Marty first made the kite, his dad arrived home from work and tried flying the bird kite inside. If you remember Cat in the Hat you know that Thing 1 and Thing 2 make a mess in the house by flying kites.  Marty was not pleased and was sure to tell Dad that kites are not allowed to be flown inside!

Lastly, we turn on our fan and I monitor the boys holding their kites in front of it. They play by testing which way then need to hold their kite to have it shoot off farther when they release and more.

The ease of this kite craft and its endless enjoyment is a win-win in our home. If it is in your home as well please leave a comment. For more kite activities Kk is for Kite offers a themed handwriting worksheet, learning about the wind, and more.

Free Preschool Homeschool Curriculum

Kk is for Kite is only one week of a full 26 week preschool curriculum that is entirely free. Activity ideas, printables, coloring pages, book suggestions, and more await your 3-5 year old. They will learn their alphabet through themed activities and review games. Check it all out at the button below. 

Paper Bird Kite Craft

Activity Instructions