Kite games are designed to be fun, rather than strict contests with lots of rules. Here are a few games to get you started.

Kite Parade: Kite parades are simple, colorful, and fun. The best part is that everyone participates and no one looses.

Simply line everyone up, start the music, have everyone hold onto their kites (not flying them, but actually carrying them), and march the group around the kite field. Funny hats and costumes add to the atmosphere.

Parades are great ways to finish up a kitemaking workshop, or show off for parents and friends.

Altitude Sprint: This contest is designed to see which competitor can let out flying line the fastest without crashing their kite.

Everyone gets a fixed length of time to let line out - usually between 30 seconds and 2 minutes depending on the wind. A whistle or flag is good for announcing the start and stop. Then give the kites a few moments to stabilize and reach their maximum height. The judges then decide which kite is highest.

The main criteria is how fast contestants can let line out, *not* how fast the kite can actually climb. Another factor how much pull each kite generates at low angles and the climbing angle the kite makes at the end.

Highest Flying Angle: This contest is designed to see which kites fly the best.

Contestants launch their kites together and fly them to whatever height they like. Usually judges set a minimum (10 feet) and a maximum (100 feet). At the end of a set amount of time, judges determine which kite is flying at the highest angle.

The judges can use a protractor to measure either the angle of the kite line at the flier's hand, or by looking along the protractor toward the kite.

The main criteria is how well a kite flies in a particular wind. Other factors include height (since winds differ at different low altitudes), and flying line (since line weight creates sag and drag on the kite).

Kite Battle: This is a Japanese style game. Basically, last kite flying, is the winner.

The contestants are allowed to run around a fixed area, but not allowed to interfere physically with other flyers. Kites can be removed from the sky by, tangling, knocking, stealing wind, and line cutting, it is important that no glass, metal, or sharp objects be allowed in the "battle'.

This competition is traditionally performed with Japanese style kites called rokakus, all of the same size, and string type but you could open this to ALL entrants.

Make the battle the last contest of the day, so kites can be entered in other competitions before they are tangled or damaged in this contest.

Running of the Bols: This is like a tug-of-war with the wind.

"Bols" are large parachute-like wind devices that kitefliers use as line or ground decorations. But when contestants are asked to race this wonderful event called the ``Running of the Bols'', they take on a whole new personality. The concept is simple -- stand with a 6 or 10 foot bol at the downwind side of the field, and when the starting signal is given, race upwind. With a dozen bols on the field, it becomes a fun-filled, slow motion extravaganza. Pulling a big bol upwind isn't as easy as it looks. And for some odd reason, the bigger guys seemed to do better. One winner said it was the first race he had won in years!

Miscellanous Contests Here are a few other simple contests and games.

• Best Home Made Kite
  
• Most Complex Kite.
• Most Unusual Kite which flys.
• Most Beautiful Kite.
• Funniest Kite.
• Best Newspaper Kite.
  This could be a specific newspaper for publicity reasons.
• Highest flyer (not a good idea due to aircraft laws!)
• Strongest Pulling Kite. (a spring gauge may be needed for finalists)
• Most kites on a single string (including trains and arches).
• Smallest Kite (under say 12 inches). Remember, the kite must fly!
• Largest Kite.
  
• Best Sky Sculpture!
  This could be a kite, tail, or other suspended object. The key here is ``Art''.
• Longest Tail
  
• Best Banner, Flag or other ground display.

Stunt Kite Games

Follow the Leader: Two or more fliers try to follow each other in the sky. Freestyle Competition: Fliers are given between 30 seconds and 3 minutes to perform their best tricks and maneuvers. Background music adds to the drama. Judging is informal and can involve fellow flyers, and audience participation.

Back to the "Kites as Education" Home Page