I have very fond memories of flying kites with my late husband and sons when they were growing up. Sometimes, we purchased all the different parts to decorate and make the kites ourselves, while at other times, we purchased very fancy and colorful ones that were already made.

No longer are kites just of one simple shape with one line. Because of modern technology, kites now come in many different sizes and attractive shapes, such as birds, insects, and planes. Many have up to four lines to fly them.

Not only does flying kites as a family build family bonds and gets your children outside to enjoy their surroundings, but they are also teaching tools for science lessons. Help your children learn what makes them fly; what makes them turn and twist; and what allows them to come back down. All these are fascinating science facts and your children will be learning as they are playing!

Kiting is also a wonderful hobby. There are kite sport groups, kite aerial photography, kite festivals, and different types of games to play with kites.

I truly hope that you are encouraged to make kite flying a regular family activity this fall. I have never flown a kite with four lines and that would be indeed challenging!

For more information, read the articles at: