- Step 1: Attach a spine to each kite. The spine is a 19 inch piece of 1/8 inch wooden dowel or bamboo. (Note: window blinds taken apart are a good source of inexpensive spines.)
Simply tape the spine to the back of the kite sail, attaching it at the top and bottom and in the center.
- Step 2: Attach tails to the kite. Tails are strips of paper or plastic 1 inch wide and 3 feet long. One, two, or three pieces can be attached to the bottom of each kite. Use tape or staples. This step can be done in advance in the classroom.
- Step 3: Attach the group of kites to a single flying line. 100 pound breaking strength line is fine for this.
Start with ten feet of line loose (for an anchor at the end). Then tape the line across the back of the first kite (corner to corner). Leave two feet of line between kites and attach the second kite -- then two feet of line and the third kite.
Continue this until you have attached all kites in the group and then add ten more feet at the end for the second anchor line.
You're ready to fly now!
Use group members to hold the ends of the string and stretch your line out across the wind. Depending on the number of kites you have made, helpers may need to hold the kites off the ground.
Position the arch so the wind is blowing toward the front of the kites. As the wind catches the sails, the kites will lift off. Move the anchor points closer together (slowly!) to get more altitude in the center.
After each group has flown their arch, consider linking several groups together. Simply connect line ends and let the arches soar higher. And remember to have fun!!
Material courtesey of the David Gomberg. All Rights Reserved.
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Artistry and Craftsmanship
Kite Arch
A group project that can grow as large as you want.
An arch is a collection of kites linked on a common line. It works well with groups -- especially groups of kids. Each participant makes their own kite, but the kites are flown all together. This promotes cooperation and team-building. It also minimizes space needs and maximizes chances of a successful fly. 
This project works particularly well if you want to involve school groups in a kite festival. Kite materials can be sent to the schools in advance. Kids decorate individual kite sails in their classrooms and then bring the sails to the field on festival day for assembly and judging. Each classroom group is fitted with spars and attached to a common line so the class can fly together as a group. Later in the day, all classroom groups can be joined together for a giant group arch.
The arch project will work best if you provide kite sails to participants a week or so before the event and identify a competition theme. Invite participants to decorate the kites based on the theme. Announce that prizes will be give to groups of kites for craftsmanship, artistry, cooperation (kites that look good as a group) and use of the theme. When the kites are brought together, volunteers will need to assist with assembly. Three steps are involved.
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