web.finds
GO FLY A KITE!
March is usually a windy month, and that makes us think of kites!
Check out these do-it-yourself kites for perfect projects to make with
your kids indoors — and then enjoy them outdoors when the sun
shines and the spring breezes start to blow!!
BLACK GLUE KITE ART
PROJECT
This project, courtesy of “I Heart Crafty Things,”
is a great way to get ready for spring and add
some brightly colored décor to a door, window, or
the wall of a kid’s room. The trick is to squeeze
a generous amount of black acrylic paint (about
1 Tablespoon) into a bottle of Elmer’s School
Glue. Use a wooden skewer or the end of a
paintbrush to stir and mix until the glue is black.
Draw your kite (or purchase a template on the site) and outline it
with the black glue on mixed media paper, letting it dry over-
night. Then, color in the design — watercolor brush pens were
suggested on the site. This technique can be adapted for other
shapes, holidays, and designs. Check out the tutorial at https://
iheartcraftythings.com/black-glue-kite-art-project.html.
DIY PAPER KITE
Heidi, over at Happiness is Homemade, is the mother of three
sons, ages 7-12, and she shares the directions for making a
large kite from a 36-inch wide sheet of butcher or craft paper
(which can be purchased on Amazon), two wooden dowels,
acrylic paints, twine, tape, ribbon, and fabric scraps for the
kite’s tail. She’s included a very detailed tutorial, complete
with many photos at: https://www.happinessishomemade.net/
kids-craft-diy-paper-kite/
MAKE A WINDSOCK KITE
Britton and Janine, over at True Aim, created these simple
kites that are perfect for preschoolers. You’ll need tissue
paper, pipe cleaners or wire, tape or glue, and string, plus a
long stick to tie the kite to. Fold 1 sheet of tissue paper in
half and place the wire or pipecleaner on the short end of
the tissue paper. Fold the end of the tissue paper over the
wire and secure with tape or glue. Bring the ends of the
wire together and twist to make the windsock’s cylinder
shape. Cut the ends of the windsock so that it has “tails” of
tissue paper that flap in the wind. For all the instructions
visit: https://www.trueaimeducation.com/homemade-
windsock-kites-for-kids/
A GARBAGE BAG KITE
Instructables is a site that lets you explore, document,
and share your creations. This seemed like the easiest of
all kites to make. All you need are a plastic trash bag,
string, two sticks (or dowels, twigs, or wooden barbe-
cue skewers), and some ribbon. You can cut down the
trash bag to fit the size of your sticks. While their kite
is white, you could have your kids use colored perma-
nent ink Sharpies to decorate their creation. Check out
the detailed instructions with photos at: https://www.
instructables.com/id/A-Garbage-Bag-Kite/
What’s New...
IN THE KIDBIZ
“LITTLE BUFFALO”
PLAY SPACE OPENS
Little Buffalo, described as “a boutique
children’s play space offering classes, par-
ties, and open play,” has opened in Black
Rock at 633
Hertel Avenue,
Buffalo.
Two
for-
mer teachers
have created
this cozy and
welcoming space
designed for parents and caregivers with
children ranging in age from 4 months
through 7 years, although older siblings
are welcome to join in. Wooden and soft
play equipment, pretend and dramatic
play, sensory and messy play, plus soon-
to-be-offered Zumbini (ages 0-5), yoga,
and other classes offer fun, educational
learning, and bonding experiences for both
parents and children. Check their website
at www.littlebuffaloplay.com for hours or call
(716) 427-3668.
NEW PERFORMING ARTS
SCHOOL LAUNCHED
For more than 25 years, O’Connell &
Company has enriched thousands of West-
ern New York lives by producing a variety of
musicals, plays, popular classics, regional
premieres, and original works. They will now
launch The Theatre School at O’Connell &
Company in The Ken-Ton Elmwood Com-
mons (formerly Philip Sheridan School), in
a 6,000 Square-foot art center at 3200 Elm-
wood Avenue, Tonawanda.
Courses will be taught year-round with
offerings for ages 5 through adult. Program-
ming includes beginner- to advanced-level
training, audition workshops, professional
development lectures, as well as dance
classes.
Music & Movement (M&M), begin-
ning April 18, is an introduction to theater
through games, music, and movement. The
three-week summer program titled “Broad-
way at The Commons” (begins July 6) is
available to students ages 12-19 and will be
presenting Seussical the Musical Jr., and
their two-week camp, “Rising Stars” is avail-
able to students 8-12, beginning August 3.
To learn more visit www.oconnelland-
company.com or call (716) 848-0800.
March 2020 WNY Family 5