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!

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Do your children have any hobbies? A hobby is something that is done during their free time for fun and pleasure. I hope that you did not answer that question with “Yes-they play video games”! The absolutely last thing we should want our children to be doing during their free time is sitting and playing video games for hours on end.

According to child development experts, hobbies are important for children for many reasons. Hobbies help your children to develop creativity. Is your child artistic? Then, encourage him to draw and paint. Several brand stores have huge sections devoted to art supplies. Does your child enjoy taking photos with your cell phone? Encourage her to continue to take photos and learn more about that art form. There are many books that teach about how to take photos and to be very creative in doing so. If her interest continues, consider purchasing a camera for her. You can even show some of her photographs to her teacher and ask for suggestions of a club that she can join with like-minded persons.

Hobbies also can help develop skills that may lead to lucrative careers in the future. If your child enjoys writing stories, help her to learn more about being an author and structuring her work. It may be that you have a budding Pulitzer prize winner on your hands!

Hobbies further help children with developing intelligence. For example, by sitting and putting together a jigsaw puzzle, your child will learn how to associate shapes with images as well as patience. If your child enjoys reading, books will provide challenges to learn new words. When your child encounters a new word, encourage him to write it down, find its meaning, and then use it in a sentence. Review the word again with him each day for a few days to make sure that he continues to remember it.

Lastly, hobbies give children a sense of accomplishment. They have undertaken a fun task, stayed with it, and completed it. Do all you can to have your children complete a hobby that they started. The results can truly be amazing for them and you!

There are so many hobbies to consider. One of the growing categories is rocketry. Think about all the science involved with propelling a rocket. Your children will be learning as well as having a fun time.

Please do not overburden your children with hobbies though. As I have written in prior blogs, your children need to spend time with you and other family members. Adding too many activities to their schedule, especially during the school year can cause unnecessary pressures on them.

The list of hobbies is almost endless. Don’t allow your children to waste their free time. Hobbies will definitely allow them to continue growing and learning.

Flying Kites Is Great Family Fun

Helping Your Children Find Hobbies and Sticking with Them