I’ve always been a hands on parent with Charlie and Suzzane and would spend hours upon hours playing with them and there friends. As a parent I would like to say I am good at everything but that isn’t the case. Especially this morning when I found out February 8th is National Kite Flying Day. I remember going to Church on Sunday’s as a child and being given a kite.
We would rush home to get our dad to take us to the Park to fly the kites and I don’t remember ever being able to get my kite up into the air to fly and it staying there. No, matter how many times I tried when Suzzane was little I still couldn’t get the kite to fly. Then comes Charlie and I try again and still I can’t get the kit to fly.
Although David could and I would sit and watch him fly kites with Leslie and Travis as well as Charlie when he got old enough. We even took Leslie and Charlie to kits shows. Now that its a Holiday I need to take Charlie shopping for a kite and try once again to fly the kit but I’m not going to hold my breath because I’m sure its going to spend more time on the ground than in the floor. Would you like to join me for National Kite Flying Day @nationalkiteflyingday and we can fly kites together or at least I can try to.
If your Homeschooling your children like I am Charlie flying a kite would be a wonderful addition to your PE Classes. Make some sandwiches and grab your favorite beverages and a friend or two and head to the Park for kite flying. Leave the phones at home and have a day of #noelectronicis and create new memories with your family.
NATIONAL KITE FLYING DAY is celebrated annually on February 8th. National Kite Flying Day encourages people to explore kite flying and even the making kites. Kite enthusiasts across the country mark National Kite Flying Day by launching their kites or making plans to attend kite festivals which you can find online.
#NationalKiteFlyingDay
Here is a fun tip for you. Kites date back to China in 470 B.C. China is full of lore and histories of the origins of the kite. Chinese are related to the way the wind affects the leaves on the trees, the shelters they lived in, blowing away the sails on their ships, and the hats they wore upon their heads. The stories also tell of kites invented to spy on their enemies or to send messages.
Evidence also shows the people of the South Sea Islands were using kites for fishing around the same time as the people of China.
Did you know early kites were constructed from bamboo or sturdy reeds for framing. Leaves, silk, or paper made ideal sails. Vines or braided fibers completed the line or tether. While people initially used kites as tools, they also used kites for ceremonial reasons,. Whether they sent messages into the heavens or to lift offerings up to the gods, kites had a symbolic place in the culture.
Today kites are popular both as hobbies and for outdoor fun. Kites range from a simple diamond kite to more complicated box kites and giant sled kites. Stunt kites, also known as sport kites, are designed so the operator can maneuver the kite into dips, twists, and dives with dramatic effect.
Tips for Getting Your Kite Up in the Air and Keeping it There
- Be sure the kite is assembled correctly.
- Check the wind because some kites require more wind and other kites require less wind. Picking the right day for your kite is key. A light breeze (5-20 mph) is generally the best kite flying Weather.
- Another lesson for a Homeschooling student would be to track the Weather to find the best day to fly a kite.
- When flying a kite make sure your being safe never fly a kite near power lines, trees, or other sky-high obstacles. Wide-open spaces are best.
- Don’t fly a kite in the rain.
- When launching the kite, be sure to have your back to the wind. If the wind is light, have a friend hold the kite downwind and hold your line taught, reeling in slowly until the kite launches.
- Let the line out at the same pace the kite is gaining altitude.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL KITE FLYING DAY
- Fly a kite that you purchase or create which would be a wonderful addition to your Homeschool Art Class.
- Look up Kite Festivals and pick out a couple to attend in the months to come which could count as a Homeschool Field Trip.
- Host a kite flying lesson hosted by you or someone you know who is good at flying a kite.
- In our Homeschool this week Charlie will be learning about the science behind kite flying.
- While flying and making your kites today share them on Social Media using the following Hastag #NationalKiteFlyingDay to post on social media.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
