Kite Festival 2010

kite flying

Where did kite flying begin? No one knows for sure, but it was a long time ago. Kites have been used for many reasons:

1. Announcing the birth of a child - Korea

2. Shrieking (loud noise) kites for battles - China

3. Kites able to lift a person - China and Japan

4. Fighter kites (kites fighting each other) - India and Japan

5. Fishing - Solomon Islands

Much later, kites came to Europe and were used to help hunters find birds. This was a failure because the kite strings tangled in the bushes.

In Europe and America kites were used for scientific purposes. Kites were used to lift weather checking equipment into the air. Temperature and wind speed were checked by this equipment. Later, larger kites were used to see if flight by a person was possible. The Wright Brothers used kites to learn more about flying.

Samuel Cody "Buffalo Bill" and his son Leon put on shows using large kites that pulled boats through the water. They also invented (made) kites for military purposes.

HOW DO KITES FLY?

Kites are heavier than air. They are able to fly because of the way they are designed. The surface of the kite is made so that when the wind hits, it causes the kite to "lift" or fly. The way the kite is slanted into the wind helps, too. Several things help the kite to stay in the air besides wind. A tail is sometimes very important to keep the kite stable (kept in place). How the kite is made is important. The type of cover material used, the sticks or frames, addition of wings, keels or using shaped surfaces and rudders can make your kite fly better.

HOW TO MAKE A KITE

1. Decide what you want it to look like. How many sticks will it have? What kind of covering (paper, plastic) will be used? Will the kite be flat or curved or look like a box?

2. Think of the materials you will need. The sticks and the covering must be strong but light in weight.

3. How will you keep your kite stable? A tail, a drogue (cone shape) or a wind cup?

4. Bowing the kite can help keep it stable. This can be done by bending the stick frame.

5. Putting holes in your kite (venting) can keep it stable too.

When you are ready to launch (fly) your kite be sure you are in an open area away from trees and electric wires. Walk into the wind with your kite held up behind you. The kite will start to go up. Let out the line until you have it as high as you want it.

If you want to have even more fun with your kite join a kite club or go to a kite festival in your area. If there are no clubs then start one in your school! You can learn all the basics such as how to build a kite, how to fix it and how to fly it.