Let's Go Fly A Kite, But Successfully! How To Fly A Kite
Have you ever looked up in the sky only to spot a vibrant green dragon floating amongst the clouds? Or a bright blue diamond with a tail that flutters and spins underneath?
These are the kind of magical sights that go hand-in-hand with kite flying. It's an activity that has a grand history leading from almost three thousand years ago all the way to today.
They're the perfect activity to do as a family outing, and it's cheap, too!
But what if you don't know how to fly a kite? Well, keep on reading! We'll go through everything you need to know to ensure smooth flying.
Choosing the Right Kite Shape
The first step is to choose the right kind of kite for your skill level. There are a lot of cool shapes available. The best part is that even if you start with a beginner level, you'll have no trouble controlling those expert level kites after some practice.
The best kites for kids and beginners alike are the diamond and triangle-shaped kites. These shapes make flying easy and have no intricate bits to worry about. Make sure you choose a single line kite to keep things simple as you continue to learn.
A bigger kite is much easier to fly than a smaller one, so keep that in mind!
Looking for more of a challenge? Try a box kite, as this detailed flying box needs a bit more experience to fly. Or try a dual-lined kite to test yourself and your flying skills.
Conditions for a Perfect Lift-off
It's not only the kite itself that's important to the perfect kite flying day. You can't ignore the conditions of the weather around you.
For any kite to work, you need a windy day. This is how those beautiful kites skim and float around in the air. Without it, it's near impossible to get airborne.
It's about finding the right balance of wind that's fast enough but not too fast. Almost all kites work well between 5mph and 25mph. Some of the more difficult kites require faster winds, but you'll do well sticking to this range.
You'll also need a wide and open area, free of trees that like to catch and ruin kites. The beach, fields, and parks are perfect for flying kites, as they allow you to let out a lot of extra line for your kites to rise up high in the sky.
Never fly a kite during bad weather such as rain, snow, or lightning storms. These not only harm the kite, but they're also dangerous for you and your family. The best days are those with sun and wind and lots of free time!
Flying the Kite
Now that you know all of the different information necessary for a successful flight, it's time to get into action. It might take a few tries before you get into the groove of things.
But don't give up! It's such a wonderful and exciting achievement to see your kite floating high in the sky.
As a beginner, a single line kite is the best choice. But a lot of the basics you learn here carry over to the more difficult kites as well. This lets you build up your skills over time until you're a kite flying champion.
Put the kite together inside This way, none of your pieces fly away and you're able to assemble it without any troubles. Check the manual that comes with it for more information on how to put it together.
With your back against the wind's direction, hold the kite where the bridle lines (the strings) connect together. If the wind's strong enough, you should already feel a pull against the kite's fabric. If the wind isn't enough, get another family member to help hold the kite.
Let go of the kite and let out a bit of the line, giving it some slack. You want the line to be taut but still have a little give to it. The kite should catch on the wind and start flying.
Pull down on the line to help the kite climb up into the sky. Then let out some more of the line. Repeat these two actions back and forth until your kite is as high as you want it.
Fly to your heart's content! Watch as the kite skims the winds, vibrant against the blue sky.
To bring the kite back in, begin to wind in the line. You want this to be a slow process, as going too fast creates too much tension on the line and might cause breakage in the material.
Tips and Tricks
If your kite sinks downwards, there may not be enough wind for it to take flight. Sometimes having a family member hold the kite for lift-off is enough, but sometimes you'll need to wait for a windier day.
Tails on kites look great as they twist in the wind, but did you know they have a function as well? These tails help the kite keep its stability. Feel free to add on your own light-weight tail to your kite!
Keep records and have a bit of family competition to keep things fresh. This makes the entire activity more exciting and it also drives everyone to practice at getting better.
Learning How to Fly a Kite Takes a Bit of Fun Practice
Learning how to fly a kite is a great family activity, one that takes full advantage of bright sunny days. It also gets everyone out of the house and away from their screens for a while, so it's a win-win situation.
It takes some practice to learn all the ins and outs of kite flying, but that's part of the fun. It's not an activity you try once and then forget. You'll get better each time you pull out the kite!
Plus, there's something very magical about seeing that pop of color floating in the air.
Looking for more family hobbies that don't break the bank? Check out these activities that are perfect for family bonding!