Happiness is simple: go fly a kite

Here at 52 ways to explore we like the simple everyday things that you can do to get outdoors with your family like gardening, going for a picnic and flying a kite but some ideas may take some more thought and planning so please have a look around the site to get some ideas that you might like.

See the how, why, where and when of flying a kite
Parachute games
Collect a rainbow
Rock collecting

Let' go fly a kite

QUOTE:  You can't fly a kite unless you go against the wind and have a weight to keep it from turning a somersault. The same with man. No man will succeed unless he is ready to face and overcome difficulties and is prepared to assume responsibilities.  - William J. H. Boetcker

INTERESTING FACT: Kite flying was banned in Japan in 1760 because so many people preferred to fly kites rather than going to work.

ACTIVITY: 

A. MAKE a kite: it's possible to make an inexpensive kite that's fun to fly and simple to build.

• Recycled plastic bag kite.
• Diamond shaped paper kite

B. FLY a kite: find an area with not many trees on a windy day, where you can run...

• WikiHow to fly a kite
• How To Fly A Kite - YouTube - 2 minute video
  
  
  If you don't want to make a kite you can purchase one:
   

THEORY:  Flying a kite is about so many things: symmetry, wind power, construction, tension, timing,  muscle strength, air pressure, spirituality and fun.
The History of Kite Flying

BOOKS:

• Let's Fly a Kite (MathStart 2) by Stuart J. Murphy and Brian Foca 
• Catch a Fish, Throw a Ball, Fly a Kite: 21 Timeless Skills Every Child Should Know (and Any Parent Can Teach!) by Jeffrey Lee and Philomena O'Neill
• Kites for Everyone: How to Make and Fly Them by Margaret Greger
• Kites on the Wind: Easy-To-Make Kites That Fly Without Sticks by Emery J. Kelly and Jennifer Hagerman
• 25 Kites that Fly by Leslie L. Hunt

KITE FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD or it's sometimes nice to just watch kites:

• Australia - Sydney Festival of the Winds
• Borneo International Kite Festival, Bintulu
• Canada - Windscape Kite Festival Saskatchewan         Dieppe KITE International in New Brunswick
• France - list of kite festivals
• Great Britain
• India - International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad
• Japan - calendar of Kite Festivals
• Spain - Barcelona
• USA - Sky Festival