Kite Day is Easy Science Play

By: Alexus Robertson

Have you been to Arizona lately to enjoy this windy weather? Those storms all around the western states have been bringing the winds into the valley of the sun for the last week or so and it is certainly a different climate than we usually experience.

We tried different activities such as hiking and it was not fun to do when that wind is blowing in your face. Blowing dust is not fun!

A fun thing to do when the wind is coming through is flying kites. It is the best smile on your little one’s face and it is a great family-friendly activity. The best part is, it makes them run A LOT so they're tired at the end of the day!!! Yay, bonus!!!

I didn’t, personally, have much kite experience growing up, so I was happily surprised that it turned out to be an organic science experiment that I wouldn't have expected it to be.

I found myself describing to my little one how to hold the kite and how to feel for the wind in order for the kite to be able to fly in the air. We would stand there and feel the wind on our faces, determine which direction the wind was coming from then we would run into it and the kite would simply soar up and away.

Turns out to be easy science play!!!

If you would like to learn more, check out this article from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum titled, How Kites Fly, by Mike Hulslander.

You will be inspired to search out a kite and try it for yourself. We certainly were. And if you're feeling really inspired to make this a full-day activity, you can check out this article here on how to make a simple kite at home with newspaper, string, and wooden dowels. Quick, easy, and so much room for your little one's creativity to truly soar.

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Written By:

Alexus Robertson

Assistant Director, Administration

Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology