It's National Kite Month!

National Kite Month started on March 26th and runs through May 1st. This time of year is perfect kite flying weather, especially around Grandrabbit’s home base on Front Range of the Rockies, where the wind is mighty and gusty.

Most historians believe that kites were first invented in China around 2,800 years ago. When Marco Polo returned to Europe in the 13th century, he brought stories of these amazing flying contraptions back with him. A few centuries later, kites were finally brought to the West by sailors returning from Asia, where they became incredibly popular for scientific research, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries. Famously, Benjamin Franklin is thought to have flown a kite in a lightning storm to prove lightning is simply electricity. Whether or not this actually happened remains unproven, but either way, the kite has become an iconic symbol in American folklore.

Although research kites were replaced by advancements in aircraft in the early 1900s, they have remained a popular source of recreation on blustery days, and new designs and developments continue to come on the market. Whether you’re new to kite buying, or would just like to add some more kites to your collection, there are lots of great options out there. In fact, there are so many different kinds to choose from, it can be intimidating knowing where to start with your kiting endeavors.

We spoke to our friend Jennifer Schmidt, one of the managers of Gasworks Park Kite Shop in Seattle, one of the best kite stores in the country. Here are some of her recommendations.

For first time fliers, Schmidt recommends Deltas, because they are easy to fly. “They have very little assembly and fly high and stable in light and strong winds.”

Delta Kite

Octopus kites are also good choices for newbie kite fliers. “They have no assembly other than hooking on your string, have a wide wind range, and dance playfully around in the sky. We sell these to kids as young as four and five! They love them,” she explains.

Octopus Kite

Another great option for families on the go is a Parafoil kite. It doesn’t have any sticks, so assembly is a breeze. This kite, “Looks like a little parachute,” as Schmidt describes. Since it packs up into a small stuff sack, it’s perfect for travelling, so you can take your kite with you, even to places that require a long distance flight.

Parafoil Kite

But she says her personal favorite to fly is a Serpent or Dragon kite, with their curved faces and long tapered tales. There are “short” ones that have tails 25 feet long, but Schmidt says, “I own one with a tail that is 75 feet long!”

Chinese Dragon Kite

So now that you have a few suggestions, we hope that you’ll celebrate National Kite Month and get flying!