Alexander Graham Bell invented many great things you might be familiar with such as the telephone or the metal detector, however, a splendid invention of his that may be unknown to you was the tetrahedral kite.
You can make one at home by follow my easy instructions!
Scroll to the bottom to find the tissue paper template image.
You can make one at home by follow my easy instructions!
Scroll to the bottom to find the tissue paper template image.
Materials you will need:
1. 24 8-inch plastic straws
2. 4 45-inch pieces of white cord
3. 4 25-inch pieces of red cord
4. Pre-cut sheet of 20x30inch tissue paper
5. White glue
6. Spool of flying line
1. 24 8-inch plastic straws
2. 4 45-inch pieces of white cord
3. 4 25-inch pieces of red cord
4. Pre-cut sheet of 20x30inch tissue paper
5. White glue
6. Spool of flying line
Step 1
Thread 3 of your straws on your white cord and form a triangle. Tie them together in a secure knot leaving one end of the string very long.
Thread 3 of your straws on your white cord and form a triangle. Tie them together in a secure knot leaving one end of the string very long.
Step 2
Tie the red string to a corner of your triangle (not the one you tied it together with) and thread on two more straws and secure it to the opposite side.
Tie the red string to a corner of your triangle (not the one you tied it together with) and thread on two more straws and secure it to the opposite side.
Step 4
Bring the 3 rogue straws together at the top and securely fasten them to form a triangle
Bring the 3 rogue straws together at the top and securely fasten them to form a triangle
Step 5
Open up your cut tissue paper and place one side of the triangle on the folded seam.
Open up your cut tissue paper and place one side of the triangle on the folded seam.
Step 6
Place glue on the tissue paper flaps outside of the triangle frame and fold them over the straw
Place glue on the tissue paper flaps outside of the triangle frame and fold them over the straw
Step 7
Tilt the triangle over and rest it on the opposite side and repeat step 6
Tilt the triangle over and rest it on the opposite side and repeat step 6
Step 8
You should have a finished cell like this one. Repeat steps 1-7 three more times.
You should have a finished cell like this one. Repeat steps 1-7 three more times.
Step 9
Attach all your cells together but make sure the tissue paper is facing the same way. Attach your flying line to the top of the pyramid and go fly a kite!
Attach all your cells together but make sure the tissue paper is facing the same way. Attach your flying line to the top of the pyramid and go fly a kite!
If you are more of an audio/visual learning you can check out my "how to make a tetrahedral kite video".
Some kite flying action!
Tissue Paper Template