What do you need?
toilet rolls
colored tissue paper
crepe paper
piece of white drawing paper
kite string
scissors and glue
glass + penci
black marker
photo left: real koinobori
On May 5 (05-05) Children's Day is celebrated in Japan, originally it was Boys Day. Nowadays Children's Day is a national holiday in Japan. It is on the last day of the longest holiday for employees, called 'The golden week'. This golden 'week' may take nine or 10 days. From April to May 5th Japanese people let the traditional carp fly in the wind above their house. These wind vanes are called koinobori in Japanese (koi = carp and nobori meaning banner or flag).
The carp is popular in Japan for its strength and perseverance, he overcomes every obstacle. The strong and energetic carp swims against the tide to eventually become a dragon (according to legend). Do you want to know more about this beautiful Japanese tradition read (only in English) more on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koinobori
Because we find the flying fish from Japan so beautiful and because in the Netherlands every day is Childrens Day we let the fish fly in August, that's a possibility too.
Trace circles around a glass.
Use folded crepe paper.
Cut the circles out.
Stick the circles on the roll.
Make cuts in a piece of crepe paper.
Brush glue in the roll to stick the tail on.
Fold the top of the tail, stick it into the roll.
Glue around the top of the fish a folded strip of paper. You can use tissue or crepe paper. This is the head of the carp.
Older kids can use hobby glue instead of paste.
Cut large fish eyes out of white paper, draw the pupil.
Puncture two holes into the fish head and thread a string.
The first koinobori of Eefje is ready, she wants to make more!
When the fish are ready Eef wants to let them fly outside, like in Japan.
The longer the tails are the prettier they fly in the wind!
WOW! Well done Eefje!