Kites

Buy Quality Nylon Kites

Here are some suggestions to make flying kites with your kids enjoyable.

• Get a good, simple kite (I prefer nylon) that flies well in a wide variety of wind conditions. They usually have wind ratings listed on the packaging and difficulty levels for flying. Or better yet get a few different types of kites.

• Don’t fly if the wind conditions aren’t right. Kite flying is not meant to be a running activity. Try to fly with the sun at your back.

• You don’t have to fly with all your string out to have a good time. You want the kite high enough to catch the wind, but not so high that you have a terrible time bringing it back down.

• Be careful about where you fly your kites. Trees, power lines and water are not our friends.

• One of my favorite games when the kids were little was to challenge them to “stomp the shadow.”  They tried to keep stepping on the kite’s shadow. It was a great way to tire them out:)

• We’d make parachutes using paper napkins, cellophane tape, thread and paper clips.  The strings would be cut to the length of the diagonal corner to corner of the napkins taped to small rocks or washers. Open up the paper clips 90 degrees and attach it to the middle of the napkin with tape. Hook the clip to the string and let the wind carry it up.  When it gets near the top shake it off and let the kids chase it.

• Use a good kite winder. Usually simple is best. I like the ones that are pretty much just a handle with some hooks

• Bring along a blanket or something to sit on and some snacks.

The most important thing is for everyone to have a good time. Expect there to be accidents and things to deal with; that’s just part of the experience. With a little preparation and the right attitude, we can avoid associating flying kites with Charlie Brown.

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