the most iconic of carioca children's toys is the humble kite. although they could once be seen flying from every roof top in rio, hand made kites are now mostly the purview of working class children from the hills, where there is still sufficient unplanned open space to engage in the aerial battles that the brinquedo is famous for.

the construction of a fighting kite is a very particular and specific task for a brazilian child. materials for the sail include tissue paper, the wrapper from a loaf of bread and of late, plastic bags. once cut into shape, the sail is stretched over a frame made of bamboo or other lightweight local woods.