First-School.ws
Kite Homemade Craft
Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities
Kites are one of the first things that come to mind for celebrating springtime. These activities are
appropriate for celebrating various events listed above and the topic of weather conditions: windy.
A little history and background about kites:
Kites have been
used by many cultures to celebrate special events and
occasions. Kites have been around for about two thousand
years. It is not known for sure who or where the kite was
invented, but China is credited with the invention because they were
the first to record their use. Japan and Thailand
and other countries also recorded the use of kites in their
legends. Marco Polo, the great explorer introduced the kite to
Europe in the 13th century. The kite was mostly used as a
children's toy, but it was later used for scientific purposes.
Benjamin Franklin used it to show that electricity was present
during a storm, and it was also used to record temperatures.
It has also been used for military purposes.
The kite is inducted in the National
Toy Hall of Fame.
Some special celebrations that involve flying kites are:
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan celebrated in April:
To celebrate spring in Japan, people have picnics under the
blossoming cherry trees. Children fly colorful kites.
Children's Day in Japan:
This
is also another special occasion for celebrating and flying kites and
traditionally the kites are in the shape of a carp fish.
Chinese New Year
(Spring Festival) - the kite is a Chinese invention.
Activity: Homemade Toy > Let's Make a Kite that can Fly!
Easiest Kite: A simple paper fold kite @ YouTube
This small kite is ready in a few of minutes after gathering a few
materials:
- 1 sheet of standard copier paper
- thread, about 10'
- stapler
- hole punch (optional) instead of clip to insert thread
- scotch tape to stabalize the punch hole where thread is inserted
- coloring tools (optional) Optional: Print a coloring page image first, or decorate the with coloring tools, and even a few stickers.
Suggest a holiday, celebration or seasonal theme and print an image. Here are some suggestions: flowers, flying insects, holiday or Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) - choose an image of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Activity: Fly
a Kite Online Story time (3+)
You can also integrate this lesson plan and read the online story
"Fly a Kite. This lesson features decorating a coloring page featuring a kite,
and an adorable printable kite craft at our sister site dltk-kids.com.
Activity: Kite Flying Safety Tips
It is important particularly with older children to discuss when and
how to fly a kite.
Never fly a kite:
- Near electric lines or poles.
- With metal parts or lines which will attract electricity.
- In the rain, the line can also carry electricity.
- Near the edge of a steep hill or slope or too close to an airport.
- Near ditches, stones, trees, and traffic or animals.
If a kite gets caught up in a tree or pole is best to leave it
alone! Climbing high places can be very dangerous.
Activity 5: Music - Sing Disney's Mary Poppins song Let's
Go Fly a Kite
Now with your new kite, or kite craft, celebrate with the
grand finale, sing Disney's Mary Poppins, Let's
Go fly a Kite. Have a great Kite Day!
External Resources:
National
Kite Month - April
Kites in
the Classroom at The Drachen Foundation
Complementary activities:
Letter K Kite printable activities
