Let's fly a kite

By Karen Ung

Whether or not you’re old enough to understand how a kite flies, there’s something magical about that moment when your kite catches the wind. If you’re lucky, a strong breeze will pull your kite high into the sky. Other times, it might take a bit of legwork - a literal running start - but with the right kite and a few pointers, anyone can fly a kite!

KITES FOR KIDS

The secret to success is having the right kite; some are easier to fly than others. For the best kites for kids, I consulted with Bud Taylor and Sharon Musto of The Kite Guys, Canada’s biggest kite store. “Delta-shaped kites are super easy to fly and quite stable. Diamond-shaped kites are easy to fly, too; they just tend to wiggle around in the air more than deltas. Parafoils are great because they are very compact, have no framing spars so nothing to break or lose, and they require no assembly whatsoever. Snake kites (also called “serpent” kites) are, likewise, very easy to fly. Their long tails undulate in the wind - fun to watch,” say The Kite Guys. A bonus? No batteries are required “unless you put lights on them,” adds Musto.

WHERE TO FLY KITES IN CALGARY

Wayne Marshall of Kites Unlimited recommends flying kites in open areas with no power lines or vehicle traffic. “For kids, the best place to fly is anywhere it is safe to do so - preferably in a grassy area with few obstacles to get around (swings, signs, posts, etc.) and as far away as possible from buildings and trees that disturb the wind flow… The longer the kite line, the more adult supervision one should have - my kite lines are a maximum of 100 metres,” says Marshall.

Marshall recommends flying kites at:

• Soccer and baseball fields • John Laurie Park (NW) • Rocky Ridge soccer/baseball fields (NW) • Field near the Flames Community Playground (SW) • Sierra Morena Fields (SW)

Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas. With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun. Follow on Instagram @playoutsidegal. CCM

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