Kites

In this activity, students will learn about some kite history and how kites fly before making and flying a kite themselves.

Forces on a kite

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Flying a kite depends on the relative size of the forces (lift, drag, weight, force of the wind and tension in the bridle line) acting on the kite.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• use some kite terminology when discussing kites

• demonstrate a basic understanding of how kites fly

• make a kite

• fly a kite.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

• introduction/background notes

• what you need

• what to do

• student worksheets.

Related content

Find out more about the Principles of flight. There is a lot to know about wings and flight! These articles provide more information: Wings and lift, Wing loading and Wing aspect ratio.

Activity ideas

These hands-on activities are an ideal way to investigate flight principles:

• Aerofoils and paper planes

• Making a glider