Three Reasons Why Kite Flying Is A Good Hobby
As a child, I had always been fascinated with the random flying pieces of plastic tied to strings- kites. It was always interesting to see how elements of colorful, animal-shaped plastics came to fly for long periods and how beautiful they looked as we released them by the beach or at the many lakes where we camped in summers. I fully understand the curiosity behind kite-flying and why kite flying is a timeless hobby.
Kite flying is a great hobby, especially for kids, advancing their social and cognitive abilities. Moreover, it is a way for kids to exercise while having fun at the same time. Benefits are not limited to kids as adults can enjoy the activity as well.
When we indulge in activities and form hobbies like kite flying, we expose ourselves and our abilities to many elements beyond our control. It helps develop children’s motor, analytical, and creativity skills and introduces them to the concept of unpredictability. (source)
The Joys Of Flying A Kite: Is Flying A Kite A Good Hobby?
As a child, I was always fascinated by how kites can fly so high without even falling down and was even more surprised at how creative and resourceful you can be while making a kite. While most people living in large cities bought premade kites, we made our own using colorful plastic bags and wooden sticks. It truly is very nostalgic remembering the kite-flying season.
There’s nothing as freeing as flying a kite, the colorful form factor, the creative images they display, and the sheer feeling of having the wind hit you and your kite. Not only are they entertaining, but kite flying possesses many benefits to them as well, benefits we will be talking about later.
Three Reasons Why Kite Flying Is A Good Hobby
- Develop Motor Skills
- Act As A Medium For Channeling Creativity
- Fosters Social Intelligence
Flying A Kite Helps Develop Motor Skills
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19.3% of American children are obese, increasing to 25% among Hispanic Americans. It means that one in every five American children suffers from obesity. Exercise is less of a leisure activity nor an optional one but is now a requirement for healthy living. (source)
Back then, exercise was more common, and the question “Is Kite flying a good hobby” was less of a question but more of an activity. Although today we have easy access to social media such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, exercise and outdoor activities are still and will always be an integral part of child development, even with its decline over the years.
What kite flying offers is an opportunity for kids and adults to exercise while having a lot of fun at the same time. Instead of monotonously lifting some weights or going through a seemingly endless run on a treadmill, you can now run with a fresh breeze with a colorful kite above you.
That sounds like a better time than a monotonous indoor run.
What makes the kite stand out is its ability to increase and improve the motor function in developing humans, i.e., kids. The thing is that when flying a kite, you are not just “flying” it, but you are controlling it as well. Being able to control the kite’s movement despite the free spirit of the wind is a way for your child to understand the basic concept of physics and force. (source)
The Joys Of Sharing Moments Together
Humans are social beings, and this has never been untrue, proved by the state of our existence during the pandemic. It turns out that even the most introverted people do miss the feeling of human contact, and there is no way a human can live humanely without a human connection.
Human contact plays a vital role in developing human cognition, and one way to foster a child’s social skills is through social exposure. More than kite flying is a good hobby, and it also serves as a bridge for a child to be more emotionally mature as they grow older. Not only does this help with a child’s interaction with their friends and family, but it also gears them up for a better future.
A child and an adult can practice self-care, empathy, cultural competence, patience, active listening, and even critical thinking through social exposure. Through this, a child may navigate themselves out of the ravenous labyrinths of social relationships. As we all know, social structures are more complicated than they seem and extend as a developmental iceberg.
So how exactly does kite flying enable these social advancements? First, we need to look at most kite flying environments in public areas such as parks, beaches, and hills. Most of these areas are flooded with other people, making a child exposed to unpredictable variables– an integral part of reality a child must understand early on. (source)
Moreover, one thing a kite encourages is the practice of shared experiences. It is more fun kiting with someone instead of just yourself. That being said, more often than not, kite flying involves two or more people helping fly a kite together and navigating them through constant wind currents.
When a child shares a kite, they learn the concept of turn-by-turn activities and develop patience and empathy. By fostering a collaborative environment, it helps a child develop their leadership skills, navigate through joint exercises, and learn to listen to peers, skills highly coveted in a working environment.
So when it comes to kite flying being a good hobby, the reasoning behind it is, there are just too few reasons to skimp out on kite flying. Instead of pondering, would it not be easier to get out and fly your kite instead?
Fostering Creativity
The power of creativity manifests itself at a very young age, and kids may express it through various mediums. One of the most common ways for children to express their creativity is through drawing and coloring on paper or writing and singing songs (I should know, I did that as a child). However, not all children are good at drawing or singing.
There are many unconventional methods of fostering a child’s creativity, and one of the ways to do that is to introduce a child to tangible art– art that they can touch and use (i.e., handicrafts). So instead of buying a premade kite, what I want to entice people to do is to make their one!
The fun in flying a kite does not start with flying a kite, but it begins with the creation process. What you might want to do first is plan out the designs for your kite, like what color it will be, what materials you should use, or what shape should take form.
What is fantastic is that this activity allows a child to express themselves regarding the things they like entirely. If a child likes light colors, they can fully utilize that and the shapes of the kites they would be flying. A dog lover would undoubtedly want a dog-shaped kite, would they not?
By fostering their creative prowess, you are allowing a child to explore their creative side. Moreover, adults can benefit from this as well, as this helps them discover their “inner child.”
Kite building for adults can be a creative activity for destressing, especially for a team-building event. Not only does it relax the mind, but it also allows the brain to explore a creative faucet and express that thoroughly with a tangible medium– a medium more comprehensible to the human mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kite Flying A Good Family Activity?
Yes! It is an entertaining activity suitable for all ages. Kite flying with the family brings everyone closer and is a lot of fun for everyone.
Is Kite Flying For Good Hand-Eye Coordination Practice?
Because of the sheer control a kite needs, it serves as an excellent hand-eye coordination training activity.
Can Kite Flying Replace The Gym?
Kite flying is a great exercise for your entire body. It helps keep your arms, legs, back, and core healthy and strong. Kiting also burns calories! However, depending on what type of exercise you are looking for, you may need to attend a gym as well.
