Flying a kite looks easy until you try it. The kite nosedives. The string tangles. The wind dies right when you need it. But with a few simple techniques, anyone can get a kite soaring high and keep it there. Here’s how to fly a kite, from launch to landing.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy (once you know the technique)
Materials
- A kite (single-line kites are easiest for beginners)
- Kite string on a spool or handle
- A windy day (5-15 mph is ideal)
- A friend to help with the launch (helpful but not required)
What to Do
- Find the right spot. Go to a large, open area with no trees, power lines, or buildings nearby. Parks, beaches, and open fields are ideal. You need clear sky in every direction.
- Check the wind. You need steady wind, not calm air or gusty storms. A good test: if leaves are rustling and small branches are moving, the wind is about right. Flags waving straight out means strong wind, which works for experienced flyers but can be tricky for beginners.
- Stand with your back to the wind. Hold the spool of kite string. Have a friend stand about 50 to 100 feet away, facing you, holding the kite up with the nose pointing toward the sky.
- Launch. When you feel a steady gust, signal your friend to let go of the kite. As they release it, walk backward steadily, letting string out as the kite rises. Don’t run. Walking works better because it keeps the string taut without jerking.
- Let out string. As the kite climbs, slowly release more string. The higher the kite goes, the stronger and more consistent the wind, so it will get easier to fly as it gains altitude.
- Control the flight. Pull the string toward you to make the kite climb. Let string out when the kite dips to give it room to catch wind again. If the kite starts spinning, pull the string in until it stabilizes.
- Land safely. When you’re ready to stop, slowly wind the string back onto the spool, walking toward the kite as you reel it in. Have someone catch the kite before it hits the ground.
No friend to help? You can launch solo. Set the kite on the ground leaning against a rock or bag with the nose pointing up. Walk out about 50 feet of string, wait for a gust, then pull the string firmly while walking backward. The kite should lift off the ground and start climbing.
