Paper Kite Template (printable, with instructions)
A diamond kite you can print, decorate, cut out and really fly. The template marks where the two sticks go and where the bridle holes are, and a second page has the steps and tail bows.
How to use this page
- Choose a decoration: plain, shapes to colour or stripes to colour.
- Press Print and choose Actual size or 100% in the print settings, so the kite comes out at the size marked on it.
- Leave the steps page ticked to print the instructions and eight tail bows on a second page.
- Decorate the kite, cut it out, tape the sticks to the back and add the bridle and tail as the steps explain.
About this kite printable
This is a classic diamond kite, the shape most people draw when they think of a kite. Printed at 100% on A4 it is about 23 cm tall and 16 cm wide, small enough for a child to make in an afternoon and light enough to fly in a gentle breeze. The sticks are taped to the back, the bridle goes on the decorated front, and the tail keeps the kite pointing into the wind so it does not spin. Making one is a good way to see how the parts of a kite work together.
Tips
- Plain printer paper of 80 gsm is light enough to fly. Thin card is too heavy for this size.
- Bamboo skewers make a stiff, light frame. Ask an adult to cut off the sharp points first.
- A longer tail makes the kite steadier. If it loops and spins, add another half metre of tail.
- Fly in a gentle to moderate breeze, when leaves and small twigs are moving all the time.
- Wind the flying line around a piece of cardboard or a toilet roll tube so it does not tangle.
Common questions
Will a paper kite really fly?
Yes, in a steady breeze. It needs light paper, straight sticks, a bridle and a tail. If it will not climb, move the bridle loop slightly towards the tail.
Why does my kite spin?
Most spinning kites need more tail or have a bridle loop too far towards the tail. Add tail first, then move the loop a little towards the nose.
Everything on this page is made in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere. Printed pages carry a small makekite.com footer and a faint kite in the background. For more, see the worksheets and printable paper.