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.

April is National Kite Month!

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.

Todd's Kites set 1

When a cow flies...

Cow Kite by creative.paradox
Angel's Play and Parafoil by creative.paradox
Delta with Cloud Kid by creative.paradox
PowerKite by creative.paradox
curated content from Flickr

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.
Loading

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.

Piranha Drogue by creative.paradox
Angel's Play and Parafoil by creative.paradox
Delta, 6 foot by creative.paradox
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

Loading

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.

Todd's Kites Set 3

Triple_Tornado_Kite by creative.paradox
Butterfly Kite by creative.paradox
SpaceShuttle Kite by creative.paradox
curated content from Flickr

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. :)
Loading

Great Stuff on eBay

Loading

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

Loading

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 »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!