Dora the Explorer Kite

Dora's flying high! And that's no small thing given that only moments ago she was a paper bag! That's right! This recycled craft requires only a grocery bag, tape, and paints or markers. After that, the sky's the limit!

Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure, Dec. 6 @ 8 pm

Materials

• Illustrated instructions page
• Large brown paper grocery bag
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Clear packing tape or masking tape
• Tempera paints or markers in black, brown, white, green, and pink
• 10-12 feet of string
• Colored ribbon for the tail

Directions

1. Print out the illustrated instructions page

   For easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions with illustrations, print out the instructions page.

2. Steps 1-3: Cut and shape the bag

   1. Cut the bottom off the bag. 2. Lay the bag flat. Draw a dot about one-third down the center of the bag. Mark an X through the dot. Cut along the X. You'll be left with two "wings." 3. Turn the bag upside down and then flip over. Fold the wings to the front and out. (These will become Dora's hair.)

3. Step 4: Time to paint!

   With the pencil, draw Dora's bangs, eyes, nose, and mouth. With paint and/or markers, color the two "wing" pieces and the folded area inside. Then paint her bangs. (We outlined her hair, but this is optional.) Then, paint the eyes, nose, and mouth. At the base of the kite, paint Dora's "shoulders" green (or any other color you like) to represent her dress. Let the paint dry completely.

4. Step 5-9: Attach flying string tail and tape wings together

   5. Trim the corners to match Dora's head shape. 6. Cut a 2-foot piece of string for the tail, and tie short ribbon pieces down the string. 7. Put a piece of tape at the corner of each wing to strengthen it, then punch a hole through each. Cut two 1-foot lengths of string, threading one piece through each of the holes. Tie with knots to secure. Cut a 6- to 8-foot piece of string and tie to the shorter strings to make a "v" shape. Knot the end of the long string to a stick or cardboard tube and wrap the string around it. 8. Punch a hole at the bottom of the kite (in the center). Slip one end of the tail through the hole and tie with a double-knot. 9. Tape the wings to the side of the bag at the top only.