Go Fly A Kite!
Ranked #6,984 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #88,960 overall
Kite Flying as a Hobby
This lens explores the hobby of kite flying with links to where to buy kites, how kites are used for teaching, science and recreation. I find flying kites to be quite relaxing and enjoyable. My son and I have moved into learning to fly power kites.
Check for kite events in your area by checking the event calendar on the American Kitefliers Association's website.
See how kites can be used to help solve our energy crisis including underwater kites.
Japan has launched a kite in space.
Kite Safety
Please fly safely.
There are more safety concerns when flying a kite than just overhead power lines. Check the resources listed below to get a better understanding of kite safety.
- A kite safety field card.
- Print a kite safety card and carry it with your kites supplies.
- Kite Safety
- Another perspective on safety.
- Check your local weather conditions.
- Use the Weather Underground site as a tool to search for your expected weather conditions. Be sure you understand the specifications of the kite you will fly.
- Judging Wind Speed
- The Beafort scale is a way to judge the current wind conditions by looking for environmental responses to the wind.
Kite Organizations
Yes, they do exist.
- The Drachen Foundation
- A non-profit organization that helps improve the public's knowledge of kites.
The History of Kites
How long have people been building kites?
- A Quick Summary of Kites
- 472BC to present.
- More History
- A more descriptive history of kites.
Great Kite Stores
Where to look for kites, accessories and building supplies.
- Into the Wind
- Into The Wind is a great kite store that I like to visit and where I get most of my kites and building supplies.
- Wind Power Sports
- This store has a wide variety of kites and accessories.
- Kitty Hawk Kites
- This store has a wide range of kite products from simple single line kites, to power kites and all the way up to Hang Gliders.
Build Your Own Kite
There are numerous web sites with plans for building a kite. I have listed a few below that I like.
- Kite Builder Plans
- A good selection of kites to build.
- Anthony's Kite Workshop
- A nice resource for information on different types of kites.
Kite Building Books
Kite building reference materials. I have found nice plans in "Making and Flying Stunt Kites" and hope to start constuction soon so I can fly it during National Kite Month.
Personalize Your Kite
There are many ways to personalize your kite. Custom tails and "line laundry" are available. There are also special line climbers which can be used to drop parachutes. Explore the possibilities.
- Line Climbers
- Into the wind has line climbers. I have used my kite to drop lifesavers via a parachute to the kids below. The lifesaver parachute kit is available for purchase and comes with multiple paper parachutes.
- Line Laundry
- Nothing like having a few characters hanging from your line to attract attention.
Todd's Kites Set 2
The 9 foot delta kite is great for flying line laundry.
curated content from Flickr
Knots, Lines and Stakes
- Knots for Kite Flyers
- The above link has nice descriptions and images of how to tie common knots. A Clinch knot made using 5 wraps is considered the strongest. Use a swivel on the end of your line to keep the line from twisting up.
- Kite Lines
- Ensure that you are using the appropriate strength line for your kite and current conditions. Usually line is made from dacron and each line is sold according to its strength, rated in pounds. I usually carry multiple lines with different ratings, each on their own hoop.
- Spiral Stake
- When launching kites alone, or when you want to fly multiple kites all by yourself, purchase a spiral stake. Use the stake to hold the line for you. Stakes are available in the pet department at a store near you.
Kite Lessons for Schools
Kites are often used to teach children many different school topics ranging from math to culture.
- Lesson Planning
- A link to a lesson which explains how to incorporate Geography, Art, Math, Writing and science into coursework with the help of kites.
- Grades K-8 Kite Lesson
- Course work on science, math and art.
- Reading Lesson Grades 1-5
- Use this reading lesson and possibly tie it into a kite building exercise.
- Teaching Ideas
- A site which provides ideas on how to use kites to explore different topics.
Kite Books
Kites Support Science
- Atmospheric Research Kites
- Kites help support atmospheric research.
- Historic Uses
- Kites were a good way to evaluate weather conditions before we discovered how to fly.
- Underwater Electric Kite
- Scientist consider meteorology (the study of the atmosphere) as the study of fluid dyanamics, so why not fly a kite underwater!
- Will kites solve our energy crisis?
- Saul Griffith presented at the TED conference on how kites might be used to generate renewable energy.
Kite Aerial Photography
Get a bird's eye view.
- Make Magazine
- Volume 1 of O'Reilly's Make magazine included instructions for making your own camera mount, to do kite aerial photography.
- Charles Benton
- This is the person who helped create the article in Make volume 1.
- Scott Haefner
- This site contains some nice examples of what is possible as well as the equipment needed.
- Great Plains
- Another site with nice photographs and a good description of needed equipment.
Power Kites, Extreme Kite Sports
For kite flyers who want to get around.
When kites are used to move the person flying the kite, it is called power kiting. The sport can take place on snow, water, land or sand. In each case the flyer uses a different aparatus.
- Kite Buggying
- Use wheels to move around.
- Kite Surfing School
- I assume that before I try it, I should go to school.
- Kite Skating
- Use skates to move you around.
Amazon Sells Kites
Keep an eye out for kite designs you like.
Kites can cost from tens of dollars to multiple hundreds. Check which type of material the kite is made from. Nylon kites are preferred and will last longer. Plastic kites do not last long or survive many crashes. The last thing we want is a disappointed child. :)
Great Stuff on eBay
Reader Feedback
What do you think of the lens?
-
-
Optionstradingiq
Oct 30, 2011 @ 9:34 pm | delete
- Have to get me one of these.
-
-
-
Tipi
Oct 20, 2011 @ 1:35 am | delete
- Love kiting!
-
-
-
fugeecat
Sep 26, 2011 @ 6:25 pm | delete
- i love flying kites. i haven't been able to go in a couple of years though
-
-
-
Papier Sep 14, 2011 @ 12:06 pm | delete
- Thanks for presentation with all the great resources.
-
-
-
heehaw
Apr 25, 2011 @ 4:33 pm | delete
- holly cow, it is a great and fun lens
-
- Load More
Conclusion
Thanks for looking.
Thanks for taking the time to view this lens. I hope you have found the information useful and you are excited to go fly a kite. If you have time, build your own lens about your favorite kite. It's easy!To be sure you do not miss kite flying opportunities, build a wind chime! If there is not enough wind to fly today, maybe you could launch a rocket. Stop by my Rocketry lens to see how to get started. If it is windy but stormy, practice flying with your favorite Flight Simulator.
Visit my Lensography for a look at other lenses I have contributed to the Squidoo community.
Thanks again,
--Todd
P.S. Happy Flying
About Me
by Edmands
Todd Edmands is an Engineer with a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering & Information Assurance and an undergraduate degree in Geography. Todd is an Affiliate... more »
- 32 featured lenses
- Winner of 9 trophies!
- Top lens » Make Wind Chimes
- This lens » Selected as Lens of the Day
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
