Kids

GO FLY A KITE!

 How can you make your kite race across the sky like a bird? Can you make your flier suddenly stop, flip, swwop, dive and climb?  While traditional kites have only one line, stunt kits have two.  This way you can actually steer your kite, not just fly it.

 CHOOSE THE RIGHT KITE

  A good beginner kite is built strong enough to withstand alot of crashes. Try to get a fiberglass frame and a delta or diamond shape. They are both easy to fly. Expect to pay around $50. Be sure to read the specific directions which come with your kite.

 WAIT FOR GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS

 Fly in open areas where breezes are 5-10 miles per hour (You will know because the leaves will start to rustle if the wind is right.) Stronger or calmer winds will make your kite too hard to control.  Kites attract lightning. So never fly when thunderstorms are approaching.  Stand far away from hills and buildings because they cause air turbulence which in turn makes flying difficult.  Stay away from power lines, trees and roads.

 PREPARE FOR THE LAUNCH

 Keep your back to the wind.  It helps to have a friend hold the kite with the top pointing up.  Let loose of 100 to 120 feet of the lines- making sure that they are uncrossed and eve.  Now tighten them.  Put your arms out in front of your body with your elbows bent and your hands between your waist and shoulders.  Keep your hands even.  

 LIFT OFF

 Alright, tell your friend it is time to release the kite, then take one or two steps back and jerk your hands as though you are nudging someone with your elbow.  The kite shoud rise now. Return your hands to the starting position.  You don't need to walk backwards.

 MAKING YOUR KITE MOVE

 If you can ride a bike, you can fly a two handed kite.  Each task requires the same hand moves.  Imagine you are holding your bike's handlebars when you take hold of the kite handles.

 To make the kite hover, simply hold your hands even.  If you want it to turn right, pull the right line toward you and push the left away from you.  Do the opposite to turn left.  Push and pull only for a second or two before you hold your hands even again.  Doing it longer than that will cause constant loops- just as staying in a turning position on the handlebars of your bike makes you continue to circle around!

 AVOIDING SOME COMMON MISTAKES

 We often loose control by dropping our arms, lifting our hands overhead, or forgetting to stop pulling the lines.  Try to loosen up, take a deep breath.  If you are too tense, you will not be able to control the kite.

CRASHING!  We have all done it.  Landing is not easy.  Most of your first attempts will end up in crashes.  Don't worry.  Practice and it will get easier.  If you love kite flying, write the American Kitefliers Association at 352 Hungerford Drive,  Rockfield Maryland 20850-4117 and ask for some of their publications. E-mail us about the best places to kite fly in your neighborhood and your kite flying experiences.  We would love to hear from you!

Back to Kids

Back to St. Charles Parish Home Page