Summarize:

Chinese kite designs vary from simple fighting kites that are small and quick to the more complex dragon, goldfish, and swallow-shaped kites. You may want to choose a simpler design for your first Chinese kite and then progress to more difficult designs as you become more proficient at shaping.  Consider a design in the shape of an animal, like a bird, a butterfly, or a dragonfly. Chinese kites usually use an animal design or representations of animals. No matter what animal you choose, you should go for a shape that is symmetrical, with equal material on either side of the kite. Another option is to choose a diamond or circle as the shape for your kite. You could then decorate the diamond or circle with animal images. Once you have selected a kite design, you should make the body of the kite. The kite can be made out of a sheet of thin, long fiber paper or newspaper. To make the kite, draw or trace an image of the animal you are going to use for the kite. For example, if you are using a butterfly shape, you could trace one butterfly wing on one side of the piece of paper. You could then fold the piece of paper in half and cut out the wings. This will ensure you have a symmetrical kite, with two equal halves. The same process can be applied for a diamond or circle shape as well. Once you have completed the kite body, you should cover it with another piece of paper, newspaper, or thin silk so it is durable and strong. If you are using thin silk, you should work carefully and slowly as you do not want to tear the silk. Place the kite along the fold of the newspaper or the middle of the piece of paper. Trace the kite on the paper and cut it out. Then, attach the cover to the kite with tape, taping along the sides of the kite. It is easier to decorate the kite when it is flat and does not yet have a frame. Get creative and use paints, markers, or colored pencils to draw designs on the kite. If you are using an animal shape, like a butterfly or a bird, draw in details found in nature, such as butterfly wing designs or bird feathers. Use bright, vibrant colors so the kite looks pretty when it is flying in the wind. If you are using a diamond or circle shape for the kite body, you can still draw representations of animals on the kite. Cut out images of your favorite animal and paste them on the kite or draw images that are colorful and interesting on the kite. According to Chinese tradition, the kite body is usually treated with tung oil or Chinawood oil, which is made from the Euphorbiaceae tree, found throughout central Asia. This will allow the paper to remain stiff but lightweight. If you do not have access to tung oil, you can skip this step.
Choose the design for the kite. Make the body of the kite. Cover the kite with a piece of paper. Decorate the kite. Put tung oil on the kite.