Can You Fly Kites In The Spring?

Flying kites is a great bonding activity with your loved ones, especially if your goal is to relax. And with spring just about to end, you must be thinking of different outdoor activities you can do with them before the scorching heat of summer takes over. But, can you fly kites in the spring? Let’s find out!

You can fly kites in the spring since it is the windiest season of the year. Most HDW (Hot, Warm, and Windy Events) happen during spring, especially during the latter parts of the season. Therefore, it is an excellent season for flying kites.

Do People Fly Kites In The Spring?

People fly kites in the spring. Kite-flying is an outdoor sport popularized in Southeast Asia through kite-flying festivals held during the spring season. Countries like Texas and Virginia have adopted kite-flying through spring break festivals.

Kite-flying is an annual tradition held by the people from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh to celebrate the arrival of the spring season. Kite-flying has been a tradition practiced by the People of Bangladesh for more than a hundred years now, specifically those residing within the Dhaka city of Shakhari Bazar, Laxmibazar, Bangshal, and Sutrapur. (source)

Generally, kite-flying is an outdoor sport in South-East Asia. Still, it is highly known as a symbol of freedom and control in Indian culture. In India, kite-flying festivals in the spring are prevalent in Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Punjab.

The kite-flying tradition in India marks the sun’s transition to the Capricon zodiac sign or the Makara Rashi. (source)

What Is The Makara Rashi?

It is a significant part of the Indian celebration called Makar Sankranti. The kite-flying tradition during Makar Sankranti pays homage to the belief that being exposed to the sun would free them from illnesses during the season. (source)

The kite-flying held during Makar Sankranti presents a great way to color the skies to thank the gods.

Kite-flying is also an annual tradition in Texas, specifically in Laredo. This kite-flying yearly event celebrates the annual spring break for children in schools. Apart from this, Waynesboro, Virginia, has also decided to join the spring tradition by hosting a yearly kite-flying. The event offered free kite-flying lessons from experts. (source)

But, apart from celebrations and festivities, why do people fly kites in the spring?

What Are The Pros Of Flying Kites In The Spring?

Generally, people fly kites in the spring because of the physical and mental health benefits it gives, including but not limited to eye stimulation, neck exercise, and relaxation. Apart from this, you won’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy this outdoor activity because kite-flying is a budget-friendly outdoor activity for everyone. 

You’ll usually see many people going outdoors and flying kites during the spring season. You can get a significant amount of vitamin D by doing outdoor activities like kite-flying. Additionally, you can get all the amount of vitamin D that your body needs during the latter part of the spring season just by staying outdoors.

Physical Health Benefits

Kite-flying is also a great form of physical exercise, especially for kids. Flying a kite requires walking and finding the perfect spot to fly your kite. It would be best if you also did a quick run or sprint to get your kite flying. Your heart rate rises by simply walking or running to fly your kite, giving your heart the exercise it needs.

Simply flying a kite can help prevent neck strains and improve our posture because of how our neck and shoulder muscles stretch when looking at our kite in the sky. Kite-flying also significantly affects your eyesight since your eye muscles are relaxed, thus helping reduce eye fatigue.

Mental Health Benefits

Kite-flying doesn’t just give you physical health benefits. You can also get many mental health benefits from simply flying a kite during the spring season, such as:

  1. Reduced depression and anxiety
  2. Reduced mental stress and pressure
  3. Better pain management
  4. Increased mindfulness

Kite-flying is an excellent mood enhancer that can help manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression. You can also practice and increase your mindfulness by kite-flying in the spring.

You can quickly boost and enhance your socialization skills by bonding with other kite-flyers. 

However, there are also great dangers involved in kite-flying.

What Are The Cons Of Flying Kites In The Spring?

Reports reveal that kite-flying has caused multiple injuries and accidents involving pedestrians, kite-flyers, and kite-runners. Most accidents were caused by preparing the glass-coated kite strings, electricity-related injuries from high tension currents, and falls from kite-flying.

While spring is known to be heaven for those who enjoy the outdoors, this season also brings a high pollen count that may cause allergy symptoms, flu, and the common cold. Apart from this, spring has been very inconsistent with the weather. One day it’s all sun and rainbows then you hear drops of rain out of nowhere. 

What Do The Reports Reveal?

This year, at least 451 people suffered from kite-related accidents and injuries during the Makar Sankranti celebration. Most of the injuries reported were cuts on the throats from glass-coated kite strings in the air and falling from a height while catching and flying kites from their terraces.

Severe kite-related injuries were deep neck wounds that exposed the larynx of the trachea. These cases usually occur in high-speed motorists where the thread of the kite wraps the neck of the motorists, causing moderate to severe neck injuries. Three people from India have died after having their throats slit by glass-coated threads in their kites. (source)

Kite-flying has been to cause reported another severe kite-related injury. A victim was transported to the hospital to address a malfunction of the electrical system in the heart. A complete cut on his trachea caused the malfunction. 

How Is It Risky For The Birds?

However, it’s not just the humans at risk by kite-flying. According to reports, during the Indian kite festivals, hundreds of birds were hurt by the glass-coated strings used to fly a kite. Among the reported injuries are cut-off wings, muscle injury, and fractures. Kite-flying harmed at least 500 birds during the Makar Sankranti this year. 

Given how many kite-flying-related accidents have occurred, it’s always best to orient yourself and take the proper precautions needed to fly a kite during the spring season to avoid similar accidents and injuries stated previously. 

What To Know Before Flying Kites In The Spring?

Before flying a kite in the spring, make sure that you have an adult to guide you if you’re below 18 years old. Adults may also require supervision from your local kite club or expert, especially if you’re inexperienced in kite-flying. Take note and have someone orient you about the precautions before flying a kite during the spring season.

The Dos Of Kite Flying

Stated below are the following dos before, during, and after flying your kite in the spring:

  1. Choose a safe location to fly your kite.
  2. Wear gloves when flying your kite.
  3. Make sure to add enough distance between you and your kite before launching it.
  4. Carry a small knife to cut the thread of your kite in case of emergency.

To protect yourself from potential accidents or injuries related to kite-flying, make sure to take note of the safety reminders listed above. Make sure to wear the proper attire and gear before flying your kite. Apart from wearing gloves to protect your hands from the kite’s thread, you can also wear goggles or tinted glasses to protect your eyes from direct sunlight.

Ensure a safe distance between you and your kite to avoid getting tangled up in your kite’s thread. Also, make sure that you’re flying your kite at a safe distance and away from people to avoid hurting others. Don’t forget to bring a small knife that’s strong enough to cut your kite’s thread when you need to release your kite’s line quickly.

The Don’ts Of Kite Flying

Stated below are the don’ts before, during, and after flying your kite in the spring:

  1. Don’t touch your kite during its flight
  2. Don’t fly your kite near airports
  3. Don’t fly your kite on busy roads
  4. Don’t fly your kite near powerlines

Take proper precautions and avoid the places and situations listed above. Safety should be your utmost priority when flying a kite in the spring. Now that you know the dos and don’ts of flying a kite in the spring let’s find out if spring is the best season to fly a kite.

Which Season Is Best For Flying Kites?

The best season for flying kites is during fall, especially if you’re an inexperienced or a beginner in kite-flying. During the fall season, the breeze usually ranges from mild to moderate. The estimated wind speed is around just a little over ten mph during the Fall season.

For reference, the best wind speed to fly a kite in is when it ranges from 5-25 mph. You don’t need a high wind speed to fly a kite. Flying a kite at a wind speed of more than 20 mph is dangerous. It isn’t safe to fly a kite during high wind speed, especially if you’re inexperienced or a beginner in kite flying. 

Apart from the wind speed, the weather during fall is another factor that makes it the best season to fly kites. Fall weather is more relaxed than the climate in spring. It is the “cooling off” season, convenient for people who hate the hot and inconsistent spring weather.

Disadvantages Of Kite Flying During Spring

Flying kites in the spring has its disadvantages, including but not limited to insect bites, excessive sunlight, and spring allergies. Research reveals that melatonin in the human body eases up, therefore, triggering a depressive episode or relapse, especially for those with manic-depressive disorders. (source)

Staying for hours outdoors to fly your kite during the spring season can be bad for you, especially if you’re not wearing any sunscreen. Excessive exposure to sunlight can easily damage your skin during the spring season, as exposure to too many UV rays can reach the layers inside your skin, causing skin cells to die.

But this doesn’t mean that you can’t fly a kite during spring. It implies that the weather and wind speed during fall are more favorable for flying a kite than during the spring season.

Now, let’s find out the same month to best fly a kite.

What Month Should You Fly A Kite?

The best month to fly a kite is in October. Most major American cities have a daytime high of 60 to 80 degrees this month. However, it is also the month when temperatures start to drop slowly from the warm temperature of summer, making it the best month to go outdoors and fly your kite with family and friends. 

While March to May are excellent months to spend time outdoors, October is generally considered the perfect weather for going outdoors and bonding with family and friends. This month is also known as the “sweater weather” that everyone seems to enjoy, especially when you take in the beauty of the scenery, from falling leaves to early sunsets.

However, you can still have a wonderful time with your family and friends by flying your kites from March to April. All you have to do is wait for the time of the day in spring with the most consistent wind speed and most excellent weather to avoid the uncomfortable feeling of excessive heat.

Now, let’s find out the best time to fly a kite.

What Is The Best Time To Fly A Kite?

Generally, the best time to fly a kite is during the late afternoon or early evening, especially during the fall season when the sun is near to set and when the breeze is more relaxed.

Though the situation entirely depends on the kite’s weight, as different kites consist of different materials, some have more weight and are more challenging to fly than others. Another factor to consider when determining the best time to fly a kite in spring is the type of kite you own. Most diamond and delta kites can fly at 8-24 mph wind speed.

Typically, the best time to fly a kite if you’re a beginner or intermediate kite-flyer is when there is a gentle to moderate breeze. Most people would find this wind speed the most convenient, especially if you’re flying a small or medium kite that doesn’t require much wind to take it up to the air.

Take Note On Your Kite’s Size

However, suppose you’re an advanced kite-flyer and fly a bigger-sized kite than usual. You may opt to fly your kite during moderate to high wind speed, as more giant kites weigh more than regular kites requiring more wind to get it flying in the air.

Most average-sized kites will fly at a 4-10 mph wind speed. 

Now, let’s move on to the next question and find out if you can fly a kite any time of the day.

Can You Fly A Kite Anytime?

Generally, you can fly a kite anytime. However, certain weather conditions might make kite-flying unrecommended, including but not limited to days with exceedingly high heat, thunderstorms, and snowstorms. During days of extreme heat, it is also best to avoid staying outdoors for long periods to fly your kite to reduce the risk of skin cancer and damage.

You should also avoid flying your kite at high wind speeds, significantly if it exceeds more than 39 mph. The best sign to know whether it’s not convenient to fly your kite is when you feel like the wind can take you away with it. Attempting to fly your kite at really high wind speeds can result in accidents or injuries. 

Take Note On Your Capacity As A Kite Operator

Kite flying in extreme winds can put wind pressure on your kite, eventually blowing you away with it, especially if you weigh very light or don’t have anything or anyone to grasp. Besides, flying a kite in extreme winds is very difficult, especially if you’re inexperienced or a beginner in kite-flying.

Flying a kite in the rain, especially during a storm, is extremely dangerous, as your kite can carry electricity. With this, it’s best to avoid kite-flying when even the slightest hint of lightning or thunderstorms is prevalent. When the thread of your kite touches lightning, you’ll can be exposed to a lethal amount of electricity.

Summary

Kite flying is a great outdoor activity during the spring season and is most popular and practiced in southeast Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Kite-flying in the spring has many physical and mental benefits. However, You should apply proper precautions to prevent accidents and injuries related to kite-flying. 

Have the right kite flying gear and mindset before flying your kite. The best time to fly your kite is late afternoon or early evening during the fall season. However, you can fly your kite anytime as long as you consider the weather conditions.

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