How to Make a Japanese Fish Kite Craft for Preschoolers

This Japanese Fish Kite craft is perfect kite craft for preschoolers to make.

You will love how easy this craft is to make and so much fun to play with to celebrate Japanese Children’s Day. A great spring time multicultural craft for kids to enjoy.

History of Children’s Day In Japan

Children’s Day falls on the fifth day of the fifth month, May 5. The Japanese celebrate Kodomo no Hi, Children’s Day. This day is set to honor children’s strength and happiness. Children’s Day is a national holiday to celebrate all children in a family. The Japanese Fish Kite is an important part of the Children’s Day celebration in Japan.

Japanese Fish Kite

 (affiliate links are used throughout this post. I may make a few pennies from your purchase)

A kindergarten teacher once told me about tear art. This improves motor development and children do not get so frustrated trying to cut paper. Tear art also allows for great vibrant colors crayons usually can’t provide.  For something different you could let your child tear the crepe paper as tear art. I decided to cut out the scales for this project, so they were uniform and looked more like scales with crepe paper. I just love the bright colors available and crepe paper is light enough and perfect for a kite!

Materials for Japanese Flying Fish Kite Craft:

Crepe paper (in at least two colors)
Paper fish – 2 copies.
Scissors
Glue
String or yarn
Small wooden dowel or straight stick
Hole punch
Duct tape

Directions for Japanese Fish Flying Kite:

1. I used this fish template printable as the basis of the flying kite. Make two copies. Cut out both fish shapes.

2. Cut out around 16 pieces of crepe paper scales in each color. Cut about 2 inches of crepe paper and just made a half round cut at the end.  Crepe paper is best because it is light and has vibrant colors. You can choose any two colors your child loves. My little guy loves blue and green.

3. Next only glue the edges of the two blank sides of the fish together. Make sure the middle is not glued to allow air to go through the fish’s mouth. One fish will be upside down. Don’t worry you child will not even notice. I found it helpful to put a pencil in between the two sides while it dried. I just didn’t want it to accidentally stick together.

4. Once the sides are dry, glue the colored crepe paper scales on the side of the fish in alternating colors to create an awesome looking fish.

5. My little guy wanted to color the face, so I let him. As you can see from the photo at the top, he didn’t color much, but he loved it.

6. Then cut streamers for the tail various lengths around 2 feet long. It looks so much better in the wind with different lengths rather than the same.

7. Punch a hole in the fishes mouth as far down as you can. For extra strength I put a little glue around the hole and let it dry. I knew he was going to be running with this and I didn’t want it to tear.

8. Get 2 pieces of string or yarn about 6 in. and tie them through the holes. Next use duct tape and tape the strings to the wooden dowel. For extra decoration you can add a few more pieces of duct tape down the dowel in your child’s favorite color to finish off this fabulous flying kite.

I love that he can fly this kite all by himself and he doesn’t need any wind just his little feet. As you can see, he has enjoyed running all around the neighborhood with his flying kite. He even said it looked like he caught a fish. The hardest part of this craft project is waiting for the glue to dry with a three year old around. Go ahead and PinIt, so you can make one of these cute kites with your little one.

If you made a Japanese fish kite what colors would you use?