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PHOTO GALLERY: How to build a Missourian kite

Saturday, April 10, 2010 | 10:23 p.m. CDT; updated 1:02 p.m. CDT, Monday, April 19, 2010

Mary Nguyen, graphics editor at the Missourian, demonstrates how to make a kite using everyday objects in preparation for kite-flying weather. Nguyen used newspaper, tape, string and wooden dowels to construct a fully functional kite.   ¦  CORDELL ANDERSON/Missourian

BY Naomi Stevens

COLUMBIA — Missourian graphics editor Mary Nguyen demonstrates how to build a kite using a newspaper, dowels, tape and string on Friday in the Reynolds Journalism Institute.

First, place the dowels perpendicular to each another across the newspaper. The horizontal dowel, also called the spar, should lie about a third of the way down the paper from the top corner. The vertical dowel is referred to as the spine.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

Missourian graphics editor Mary Nguyen demonstrates how to build a kite using a newspaper, dowels, tape and string on Friday afternoon in the Reynolds Journalism Institute.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

Then tape the dowels to the newspaper. Use as little tape as possible to keep the kite light.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

After securing the dowels to the newspaper, measure the length of the spar (the horizontal dowel) from one edge of the kite to the intersection of the dowels, and mark the other side to match. Then draw a straight line from the bottom of the spine (the vertical dowel) to the edges of the spar.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

Next, cut along the marks to create the diamond shape of the kite.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

After cutting along the straight lines, poke two small holes through the newspaper along the spine, one halfway between the top of the kite and the intersection of the dowels and the other the same distance down from the intersection. Then run a piece of string through both holes and secure it to the spine using double knots. Tie a second small piece of string into a loop (the bridle) and secure it to the first piece of string. The bridle will connect to the spool of string that will guide the kite as it flies.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

After tying the string, affix a tail to the kite with tape. The tail length does not have to be precise, but for this demonstration, the tail was three-broadsheets long.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

Lastly, take your newly constructed kite for a test flight.   ¦  Naomi Stevens

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