Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Kites & Kids




“Let’s go fly a kite, Mom!” When the wind and the weather would cooperate, this chorus could be heard at our house when our children were younger. Is there any feeling more powerful to a child than to be the one who gets to hang on to the kite string spool and feel the strong tug of a kite in flight?

We built kites from scratch, using all kinds of kid-tested materials: drinking straws, balsa wood, craft sticks, tissue paper, plastic wrap, and pieces of old rags for the kite tails. We had a blast! They learned about the basics of flight and the importance of hanging on to the string spool—all valuable lessons in understanding the world of “what goes up, must come down.” Eventually. Hopefully where it can be retrieved.

Take some time this week and build a kite with your crew. Let them try all kinds of materials and designs; you’ll find plenty of tips and links in Kite Capers. You can even learn how to launch a kite WITHOUT running halfway across the park!

After you all build the kite, pack a lunch and head for a nice open space. Take along the camera—the photo opportunities are priceless! Let your kids be kids, and you can join in the fun.

Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest heights . . .

- Amanda

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