Get creative this half -term and get outdoors by taking part in our kite making challenge. It is such a fun and rewarding thing to do with children of all ages and you are guaranteed lots of fun and laughter trying to fly your fabulous home made kites.

We would be so grateful for a minimum donation of £2 for each child that gets involved with this challenge. Your donation will help families live their lives free from abuse.

MATERIALS NEEDED

• 2 sticks - one slightly longer than the other to create the diamond shape of a kite (you can use wooden dowels, sticks from the park, green garden sticks)

• String

• Large piece of newspaper, wrapping paper or a plastic bag

• Ribbons, tissue paper, strips of paper - anything to decorate the tail of the kite

• Scissors

• Tape

• Craft knife or handsaw

HOW TO MAKE A KITE

Cut notches in both ends of the sticks, this is to hold the string firmly in place later on.

Parents / Guardians will need to do this bit using a craft knife or handsaw.

I used 1/4 inch wooden dowels from B&Q for my sticks but have previously used sticks my 3 year old found in the park

Lay the longer stick vertically and place the smaller stick across to form a ‘t’ shape.

Use your string to tie the sticks together where they meet. Add some tape over the string at centre point to secure.

Tie a piece of string around the outside of the cross, slotting it into the notches as you go.

Put your piece of newspaper, wrapping paper or plastic bag on the floor and place your frame on top.

Cut out about 1 inch around the frame of your kite.

Fold the edges of the newspaper over the string and tape them down securely.

Working on the horizontal stick, tie string halfway across each strut and then half way along the lower half of the vertical…it sounds complicated but it really isn’t! Basically you are tying a loose V shape.

This stabilises the kite in a way a single string doesn’t, if you find your kite is still a bit wayward when you’re out flying, try adjusting the strings a bit.

Then tie another V onto that (the bit going up and out of the picture) onto which you can tie your flight string! Simple!

Use ribbons to create an eye catching tail for your kite.

Now you’re ready to fly a kite for Oasis!

Please do share photos of your fabulous kite with us and be in with a chance of winning a Waterstones voucher for the Best Looking Kite!

You can find us on Facebook and instagram @oasisdomesticabuseservice

Thank you so much for getting involved and supporting our work with families affected by domestic abuse in Thanet and Dover.