0

The Top 12 Best Kites for Kids (2021 Edition)

There are few things better than taking your kids out to the park or beach on a beautiful day. Especially when that day is nice and breezy, and you have a great kite to show off! Kites have long been a fantastic way for families to bond and create priceless memories together – you might even catch yourself wanting a turn!

Combine learning with fun in a practical environment. As kids learn how to launch and control the kite, they develop critical thinking skills, hand-eye coordination, and strength, not to mention experiencing the thrill of success when it finally works.

Get everyone away from the screens indoors and spend more time in the sunshine with a little fun exercise. Below are some of the best kites for kids out there today.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Kite

The best kites can be a lot of fun and fun for the whole family. Not only do they get everyone outside in the fresh air, but they are also a fun way to get a little exercise. However, to make sure your kite flying sessions are enjoyable rather than frustrating, there are certain factors you need to consider.

Make sure to check the recommended age on the kite before purchasing it. A large kite may be too hard for a young child to launch and fly. There is nothing more frustrating to a child than when they can’t get their kite off the ground, and little ones can quickly grow bored or angry. Likewise, an older child is going to be soon bored or embarrassed if they feel like they have a “baby kite.”

It also helps to consider where you’re planning on flying your kite. If you plan on taking it to the beach for your family vacation, make sure to get a kite that is easy to assemble and disassemble for easy transport and storage. Likewise, if you plan on flying your kite somewhere where there tend to be strong winds, make sure the kite is durable enough to handle that weather.

If you have a younger child, you may want to start them with a kite that has a shorter string length as it will likely be easier for them to handle on their own and won’t get as tangled. Keep in mind that winds tend to be stronger the higher up the kite gets, and this will make it harder to maneuver.

Consider the shape of the kite before you purchase it. Kites come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, and different types are more straightforward to fly than others. The traditional diamond shape kites are easiest to fly and be managed by small children, so if your child is new to kite flying going with tradition may be best.

Older children may prefer the challenge of a delta kite that they can fly higher and even use to perform some basic stunts. Novelty kites are very engaging to the eye, especially for little ones who can usually find one shaped like a favorite character or animal. Still, some of these might be difficult to fly because of their shape.

Why Do Kites Fly?

Kites are made of three main parts – the frame, the material that is stretched over the frame creating a wing-like object, the string, and the “bridle” which attaches the string to the kite from two or more points. In the simplest explanation, there are four forces you’re working with when flying a kite – lift, weight, drag, and thrust.

When the speed of air increases, its pressure decreases. Kites are shaped in a way that allows air moving over the top to move faster than the air moving below so that the air pressure above is less than below. That is what gets the kite into the air. This lift force must be equal to the weight of the kite for liftoff.

Drag is created by the friction of air moving over the kite, and by the air pressure difference between the front and the back. Thrust is the forward force pushing a kite to move, created by string tension and the wind. To keep a kite up in the air and flying steady, thrust must equal drag.

How Do I Fly a Kite?

Kite flying is a great outdoor activity to get the kids away from screens and develop important skills like hand-eye coordination and critical thinking. To have a successful kite-flying experience, here are a few things to pay attention to.

The Wind

First, you will need some wind. Most beginner kites call for light to moderate breezes (from the level where flags move slowly to flags flying strong). Strong winds (if you hear the flags flapping) do not usually work well for kites.

The Space

Kites move around a lot in the air, so the more space there is, the better. If there are large obstacles near by like buildings or hills, the wind will become turbulent and hard to fly a kite. As a rule of thumb, if you’re near a hill, go to the side that the wind is coming from and fly the kite downwind.

The Kite

There are different kite designs that fly well, and each does a little something different while in the air. You can choose from the classic diamond, to box-shaped, delta, inflatable parafoil, and stunt kites with 2-4 lines attached for doing tricks. The tail is not only pretty and enjoyable, it adds some drag at the bottom, allowing the nose to stay pointed in the right direction and creates stability. If your kite seems unstable, add a tail. There is also a special string on the back of the kite that keeps it bent, which keeps the kite balanced in the air and will more easily stay up.

The Launch

While it might be tempting to throw the kite into the air and run as fast as you can, it’s not the most effective way! Start with your back to the wind and with you or a friend/child holding the kite as high as possible with the nose pointed up. Gently let go into the wind, let a little line out and when it starts to fall, pull the line back in. Keep repeating these steps until its up as high as you want.

In Flight

Keep the kite where you can see and enjoy it. The higher you take it, the more likely something will happen that wasn’t expected! If the line becomes relaxed, reel it in a bit, and if it’s pulling too hard, let some line out. For more altitude, pump the line like you did during the launch.

aGreatLife Rainbow Kite for Kids

This large rainbow colored kite will delight you and your children every time you take it out. For both boys and girls, this kite is very easy to assemble for beginners, includes an easy-grip handle and a 50-meter spool of dacron string. It’s built to be very stable in both strong winds and light breezes.

Even though it’s large, it will be up in the air without much wind. Great for the park and the beach. Manufactured with non-toxic, high-quality ripstop polyester fabric and strong lightweight central support.

Large Delta Kite

Affordable, easy assembly, and high-quality, you can’t go wrong with this colorful kite. It’s made with a weather-resistant ripstop nylon fabric coupled with sturdy fiberglass rods to ensure long-lasting enjoyment for both kids and adults.

At 43-inches wide and 80-inches long, with two extra small tails on either side, everyone will love watching this kite go soaring on the beach and in the park. Flying higher than 100-feet might require an adult holding the handle as it will take some strength to hang on. Easily stored and carried around, folding up to 17.5-inches. Flies best with winds of 5-16 mph. Loved by boys and girls of all ages and makes a great gift. Covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.

Hengda Kite 3-Pack

These kites will provide a lot of fun memories at the park and the beach! They require no assembly out of the bag, just tie the string on, launch and enjoy. These kites are designed with perfect balance for less nose dives or crashes, and they will take off very easily – even a 2-year-old can hold on and enjoy. Lightweight design and made of high-quality, durable nylon.

Each kite comes with its own storage bag, and there are a few color options to choose from including solid red, green, and blue, multi-colored, and spotted. This makes a great gift for children that have siblings, and they’ll be a huge hit at any party. The manufacturers are so confident you’ll love these, that they offer a 100% lifetime money back guarantee.

Other great options include the 2-pack, and a single octopus kite.

SINGARE Large Octopus Kite 2-Pack

This two-pack of colorful octopus-shaped kites will keep your kids, no matter what age, well-occupied for hours while the weather’s nice (with a little breeze). For a very reasonable price, these come with convenient carrying cases and 200-foot reels of line. Color packs available include a blue and red, or a green and red. The kites arrive fully assembled – just attach the string and go.

They’re designed with simplicity in mind, so they’re easy to get off the ground and a breeze to control, giving your kids the thrill of success as they fly higher and higher. Great for both the beach and the park, the colorful tentacle-like tail streamers and kite are approximately 8-feet long. Includes a 12-month warranty.

Listenman 2-Pack Kites

This pack includes both a fun octopus-shaped kite with rainbow tentacles as the tail, and a more traditional diamond-shaped kite, with an exciting rainbow color design and a long colorful tail. Both come with a 100-meter line and an easy-grip handle.

With the octopus measuring 158-inches long, 28-inches wide, and the other 83-inches long and 43-inches wide, each comes with a convenient storage bag. Constructed with nylon fabric and fiberglass rods, the Rainbow Delta kite is very easy to assemble, and the octopus kite does not need assembly at all – just attach the string and go. Have an outdoor kid’s birthday party coming up? These kites make a great gift and something fun to do at the party for everyone, even in a light breeze.

IMAGE 3D Kite Frameless Dolphin

Oops! Looks like this toy is sold out.

The frameless soft Parafoil dolphin-shaped kite is lightweight and durable, providing easy transport without needing to worry about deforming or losing rods. Made with tear-proof cloth, with fun streamers attached to the tail.

A very long 400-foot line is included with an easy-grip handle. Very large in size at over 8-feet long without the streamers, fly it high and it will still look huge! Choose from four colors – red, orange, black, and blue. Once it gets up in the air, an adult may need to help young kids to hold it as it will be flying strong. Includes a storage bag and a warranty.

Best Delta Kite

Made with top-quality materials, this kite is a bit on the serious side when it comes to design and craftsmanship. Lightweight, strong, and flexible, measuring 60-inches wide, 32-inches long with 8.5-foot twin tails and a 200-foot line with handle. The special design allows the kite to launch very easily and stay up, even if it gets a little wet.

Spare rods and a storage bag are provided for convenience. Claiming to be unbreakable with flexible resin rods instead of fiberglass, and heavy-duty ripstop nylon, this kite will make a great gift, especially for some rougher kids! Includes a warranty for a free replacement upon the loss of the kite, “Sea-‘n’-Tree No Loss Guarantee”. Choose from five vibrant colors to suit any style.

Black Shark Kite from Hengda Kite

Cue the Jaws theme music! This black shark kite has wide fins and a giant mouth filled with teeth. It’s the big kahuna of the sky.

At 155cm by 160cm, it’s large but still easy to control. It’s a single-line kite which is easy to fly. The kite is made from tear-resistant nylon which is durable enough to withstand high winds and rough landings.

Ice Cream Kite from aGreatLife

Take the family out for ice cream – way out. This kite from aGreatLife has a colorful, vibrant design featuring an ice cream cone with a cherry on top. It’s made from durable nylon with a lightweight frame which is easy to fly.

It’s designed for kids 10 and up. While the kite does need to be put together, the simple instructions make assembly a fun family activity. Plus, aGreatLife offers a full guarantee against defects. They’ll replace the kite for free if it has any production flaws.

Huge Rainbow Colored Kite by Tomi Kite

Careful – you might blot out the sun with this big boy! At 60 inches wide by 32 inches long, this massive rainbow kite is sure to be noticed. It has six 100-inch tails and a bold, colorful style.

Despite the size, it’s remarkably easy to fly. It’s made from weather-resistant rip-stop fabric and flexible fiberglass rods. A large 600D handle gives you plenty of control even when letting the kite soar to its maximum 100-meter length.

Storage is easy, too. The kite folds down into an 18-inch pack. An instruction manual is also included.

ZiWing Delta Kites-Unicorn Kite

What’s better than spending time outside on a breezy day flying a kite?

Why, spending time outside on a breezy day flying a unicorn kite, of course! This adorable unicorn kite is a great beginner kite for children. It’s not difficult to assemble, and it is easy to fly. ZiWing uses resin rather than fiberglass rods for their kites because they are lighter and more flexible. Lighter rods take less wind to get them moving, and the greater flexibility makes them harder to break.

This kite comes with a 300-foot kite string, and although it is 45 inches when fully open, it folds up to 16 inches for easy storage and travel. The only drawback is that because it is so light, it may not stand up to powerful winds, but it is great for use at the beach or park on a breezy day.

Mint’s Colorful Life DIY Kites for Kids

The set consists of 8 markers to decorate the kite, colorful ribbons, kite handles, and kite rods for each kite. Each kite handle comes with 150 feet of string so your child can show off their artwork high in the sky.

The assembled kites are sturdy enough for children three and up to fly. Decorating the kites can be a fun project for the whole family to get in on or an engaging party activity for a child’s birthday. Just be careful when you take these kites out to fly them; the string is a little flimsy and can get tangled relatively easily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Are The Best Materials For Kites?

Kites come in a wide range of materials from traditional paper and wooden dowels, which are probably the least expensive, to nylon, and fiberglass dowels for the most durability. Other kites use vinyl or cloth.

Resin dowels and cloth are suitable for young children as they are lighter than fiberglass and increase the likelihood the child will get the kite airborne. Paper is also light but tends to be less durable. If you have an older child who’s interested in possibly getting a stunt kite, rip-stop nylon is the best kite material because it can stand up to rough use.

Can I buy replacement lines and handles if they get damaged, or do I need to get a new kite?

Many stores offer replacement lines and handles if the one that comes with the original kite gets damaged, or you would prefer a different length or type of string. Most kite handles can easily be unattached and replaced without difficulty.

At what age do children enjoy playing with kites?

Kites are a classic toy that can be enjoyed by any age. Many adults even enjoy flying kites, and in some places, it’s even considered a competitive sport and also an art form. The great thing about kites is that there are so many types of kites. Different types of kites present different challenges and benefits and prompt children to problem-solve in new ways.

Research different types to figure out what kinds of kites are the most appropriate for your child’s age. Also, keep in mind different children and different ages will have different preferences in styles, so consider your child’s interests.

Most children will express an interest in flying a simple kite by three years old, but older children and teens will enjoy flying larger kites with more challenging designs and kites they can use to do tricks and stunts.

Are there any restrictions on where I can take my child to enjoy flying a kite?

Generally speaking, there are no restrictions as to where you can enjoy flying kites. Besides obvious limitations like not going onto private property without permission, any open outdoor space away will work.

Most parks, beaches, and public green spaces allow kite flying. Beaches are an ideal place to enjoy flying kites because the ocean breezes and large open areas make for perfect flying conditions. Just pay attention to signs as some public beaches may restrict kite flying to specific areas on the beach or particular times.

How can I tell if an area is suitable for kite flying?

Kite flying isn’t without its risks, so make sure you take a good look over the area before unpacking your kite. Make sure you are in an area where there aren’t any power lines and where you are a safe distance from the road. An open space surrounded by large buildings may not be a good place to fly a kite. Large buildings can block wind and make it hard for the kite to catch air.

Also, make sure you are in an area where you are a safe distance from other people, not only do you want to make sure you don’t run into anybody while you’re flying, but if the kite loses wind and falls you don’t want the kite to hit anyone and injure them. Finally, make sure the area is free from rocks, holes, and tree roots to avoid tripping hazards.

Does my child’s kite have to have a tail to fly?

Most toy kites don’t need tails to fly, and the tails are there for cosmetic purposes only. However, if you are planning on flying your kite in an area where winds tend to get gusty, a tail does help stabilize the kite. Another exception is if your child is beginning to experiment with stunt kites. When your child is starting to use stunt kites, a tail can help slow the kite, so it’s easier to fly.

How long can I expect my child’s kite to last before I need to replace it?

A kid’s kite will last anywhere from a few sessions in a season to a few years. It depends on the materials used and how rough your child is on it.

Most kite manufacturers will tell you the wind velocities the kite can handle, so pay attention to that information, and if the winds are too strong for the kite, don’t take it out.

Some ways to make a kite last longer are to keep it dry and out of direct sunlight between uses. If you need to store a kite for a longer period, disassemble it and put it in a storage pouch so that the kite material doesn’t stretch.