One of the best songs in a movie has to 'Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ in the wonderful 1962 musical Mary Poppins. How excited were the two children, Jane and Michael, when they saw that their father had fixed their kite as they ran down the stairs with glee. I dare a parent not to smile when they hear the lyrics:
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!
Taking a leaf out of Mr. Bank’s book, this week’s challenge from Dillon Lynch, our outdoor adventurer, is to fly a kite.
What better thing to do on Sunday afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter) than fly a kite in a wide, open field or on a long, sandy beach? Flying a kite is so special, the sense of pride you get when your kite is flying high, soaring in the breeze and you can feel the vibrations of the kite in your hands. Even when they fall down and you go running over to start again, that’s all part of the fun!
Kites come in all shapes and sizes. This is so every child can have a kite that they can manage. Younger children have lighter, easier to manage ones while older children can have reels with numerous lines attached to the kite.
NB: Make sure each child has a kite that is age-appropriate for them.
Older children looking for something more challenging should go for bigger and fancier kites, that will keep their interest in flying kites longer. Each kite offers a different flying experience, for people of all ages.
Safety must come first when flying kites. Here are some safety tips:
- Stay away from electrical or overhead wires.
- Stay away from trees.
- Don’t go flying your kite on a very windy day.
Once you are flying a kite in a safe place such as a park with lots of open spaces or a beach, the next thing to consider is the right technique.
Here are some instructions to consider:
- Stand with your back to the wind. This is most important as it helps the kite fly.
- Hold your kite up and let the line out.
- Hopefully there be enough wind so the kite will go right up to the sky.
- Enjoy the kite flying away from you, then change the length of the line if you want it to go higher or lower.
Flying a kite in a breezy day is best – too windy and it’s potentially not safe. Not enough wind and you and your child will end up running the length of the beach or the field for nothing.
Whatever way you fly a kite, the key is just to enjoy the colourful kite floating high above you.
For more information, check out your Challenge Information Sheet. To get your cert at the end of your challenge, visit the TRTÉ website where you'll also find more information about the challenge and a list of some open spaces in your area.
*All Dillon’s challenges should take place within current Covid 19 Government guidelines.
