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Plus, a guide to all the different types of kites to choose from
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Flying kites is a fun way to spend a windy spring or summer afternoon. If you’re a beginner, start with a single-line delta or diamond kite. If you are looking for a challenge, then try a dual-string box or parafoil kite. In this article, we’ll show you how to launch and fly both types of kites, plus explain the best kite-flying conditions to look out for and help you choose which type of kite is right for you. Read on to start flying!
How do you fly a kite?
- Choose a day with light to moderate winds (about 5–25 mph or 8–40 kmh).
- Put your kite together inside.
- Stand with your back to the wind and hold the kite up until it catches.
- Release the kite and let out some of the line, keeping it fairly taut.
- Pull the line gently to help the kite ascend.
- Reel in the line slowly and walk toward the kite to land it.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
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Assemble your kite indoors. Basic diamond kites use 2 crossbars that intersect near the center of the kite via a connector piece. Attach one end of each crossbar to the connector piece, then tuck the other ends into the small pockets at the corners of the kite. [1] X Research source Attach the string per the instruction manual.
- If your center connector piece has a slight bend in it, make sure the ends are bent up toward you as you assemble the kite (this angles the wings correctly for flight). [2] X Research source
- Double check the instruction manual to determine the ideal wind speed for the kite. Lighter kites do better in lighter wind, while heavy kites can handle tougher gusts.
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Stand with your back to the wind and hold the kite by the bridle so it catches. Feel the direction of the wind or look at how the tail of your kite is blowing to orient yourself against the breeze. Hold up your kite by the bridle (the 2 or 3 strings that attach to the kite and the kite line) so it’s about eye-level. Keep holding it up until it catches the wind. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Let out some of the line as soon as your kite catches the wind. Release the bridle and begin to slowly let some line out. Keep some tension on the line so it stays taut; letting the lie out too fast will make it go slack and cause the kite to dip. Pull on the line to point the kite upward. This will help the kite climb higher into the air. [4] X Research source
- Once the kite is in the sky, consider using a kite anchor to hold the line to the ground for you. These come in lots of styles—some are heavy sandbags, while others screw into the dirt or sand.
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Have a friend hold the kite for launch if the wind is light. If you’re struggling to launch in light winds, enlist a friend for help. Tell them to hold the kite and walk downwind about 50 to 100 feet (15–30 meters) away from you. Have them hold the kite up in the air in front of them. Once the wind picks up, signal your friend to release the kite. As the kite gains altitude, pull on the line hand over hand until it is stable. [5] X Research source
- It may take a few attempts to get the timing of the release right. Ideally, you’ll start pulling the line at the same moment they release the kite.
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Adjust the bridle up or down to troubleshoot poor flying. If your kite sinks, then this means there is not enough wind. To counter that, lower the bridle ½ an inch (1.3 cm) down the line. If your kite nosedives or spins toward the ground, then the wind may be too strong. In this case, move the bridle ½ and inch (1.3 cm) higher up the line. [6] X Research source
- Adjusting the bridle changes the tension on the kite’s wings to help it adjust to different wind speeds or conditions.
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Reel in the line slowly to land your kite. As you reel it in, keep the line taut with just a little give. Walk toward your kite until it has landed safely on the ground.
- If your kite starts to spin, then the line is too taut. Give it some slack by letting out the line a bit.
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Section 2 of 4:
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Assemble the kite inside. Insert the spine of the kite into the slot at the nose, i.e., the tip of the kite. Attach the upper and lower spreaders to their connecting pieces on the leading edges, then connect the standoffs to the trailing edges. Attach the flying lines to the bridles with a slip knot , keeping track of which handle goes to which side of the kite (one of the handles is usually red, so you could remember “red on the right,” for example). [7] X Research source
- Dual-line kites have 2 flying lines and bridles (whereas single-line kites just have one). Dual-line kites are also called two-liners, stunt kites, trick kites, foils, sport kites, and multi-liners.
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Stand with your back to the wind and your kite face-up on the ground. The bottom of the kite (the side where the kite strings attach to the kite) should be facing toward you and the nose (front tip or edge) of the kite should be pointing up toward the sky. [8] X Research source If the kite won’t stand up on its own, lean it against an object like a fence, picnic table, or wall for support.
- Make sure the lines are untangled and both bridles are set to the same height.
- Alternatively, have a friend hold the kite up in the air for you. Launching dual-line kites is a lot easier with a partner!
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Walk backward 60–100 feet (18–30 meters) and slowly let the line out. Make sure both lines are the same length, as well as straight and not twisted or tangled. As you walk backward, pull the handles to your sides. This will help the kite catch the wind. [9] X Research source
- If a friend is holding up the kite, have them toss it up in the air once you have walked about 30 to 50 feet (9–15 meters) backward.
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Pull gently on the lines to help the kite take off. Once the kite is filled with wind, tug both lines equally to begin flying it . Keep the line taut with a little give, but not slack. If your kite begins to descend, then reel the line in a little bit and gently pull until it starts going back up. [10] X Research source
- Don’t try to steer the kite for the first few seconds after takeoff. Let it climb into the air first, or you may oversteer and cause it to crash.
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5Pull the left line to steer left and the right line to steer right. Having 2 lines gives you more control over how the kite flies than with single-line kites. Gently pull one of the lines to steer the kite in that direction, or hold both lines steady to fly straight. You don’t have to pull very much—slight movements are enough for the kite to change course. [11] X Research source
- With some practice, you’ll get a good feel for how to control your kite. The exact tension and pull you need depends on the weight of your kite and the direction and speed of the wind.
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Land your kite by slowly reeling it in. Fly your kite to the side or edge of the wind. At this point, your kite should be at an angle relative to the wind as opposed to perpendicular. Slowly walk toward your kite as you reel in both lines equally to bring it safely to the ground.
- Keep the line fairly taut with a little give as you bring the kite to the ground. Keeping some tension on the line gives you more control and keeps the kite from crashing down to the ground.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I fly a kite with low wind?Community AnswerYou really shouldn't. Low winds = lots of running around with minimal height gain. Save it for a windy day!
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QuestionWill a kite fly if it's covered in duct tape?Community AnswerMaybe -- but duct tape is heavy, and unneeded weight is the enemy of kite flying.
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QuestionHow can I fly kite with no wind?Community AnswerThe reason a kite flies is because of the wind, so you will have to wait for a windy day. Just keep an eye one the trees and leaves. If one day they are rustling a little more than usual, that's the time!
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Tips
- Your local discount retailer should have a variety of kites available for you to choose from. If you cannot find the kite you are looking for, then visit specialty kite stores online.Thanks
- Our final piece of advice? Have fun!Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If the kite is constantly spinning or turning to the right, the length of the bridle line on the right side is too short. Check your kite for a knot that can be slid either right or left on your bridle. If the kite is constantly turning or spinning to the left, move the knot to the right, and vice-versa.
- Make sure to wear gloves. It’s so easy to get painful rope burns from kite flying. As someone who flies kites a lot I’ve gotten quite a few.
- Try flying a kite in the early morning, as wind speeds are high before the sun rises or when the sun rises halfway.
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References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H0EaKsKrfBo?t=35
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H0EaKsKrfBo?t=67
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-fly-a-kite.html
- ↑ https://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-fly-a-kite.html
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-fly-a-kite.html
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.weather.gov/mfl/beaufort
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.my-best-kite.com/types-of-kites.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/e_BdjlHXEmU?t=7
- ↑ https://www.nationalkitemonth.org/how-to-fly-a-kite/
- ↑ https://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-fly-a-kite.html
About This Article
Article Summary
X
If you want to fly a single-line kite, wait for a day when winds are between 5 and 25 mph, and pick a big, open space like a park or the beach. Hold your kite up by the strings that attach the body of the kite to the kite line. When you feel the wind catch the kite, let go of the bridle and let out some of the line. Pull on the line to point the kite up, then let out more line as the kite climbs. When you’re ready to bring the kite down, reel in the line slowly and walk toward the kite until it lands on the ground. To learn how to fly a double-line kite, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 945,510 times.
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"This story helped me fly a kite!"
"Yay! This was really helpful to me."
"I love this. I followed every step exactly as they stated to do, and boom, of all the instructions I've ever gotten, this one actually got my kite to fly! I'm so very thankful, keep up the great work y'all!"
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"I didn't know how to fly a kite but this has helped me a lot, thanks wikiHow! : )"
"Very nice, it helped me to choose the right type of kite!"
