Best Kites For Kids: The Definitive Buyers' Guide And Reviews

In a fast-paced world where kids spend so much time with their eyes glued to shows and games on electronic screens, parents are looking for ways to keep their kids active. While not necessarily talked about as much as soccer or Pokémon Go, kite-flying is a fun and inexpensive way for kids to get some outdoor activity. What’s more, kite-flying provides parents a peaceful way to spend time with their children.

When investigating kites for kids, there’s a lot of information to absorb. To make it easier so that you and your kids can get to the fun faster, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide. It covers some frequently asked questions, shares some information about different kite varieties and the benefits of kite-flying, and also provides kite reviews that highlight particular models you may want to consider.

Kids Kites FAQs

What is the recommended age for using kites for kids?

Kids that are five to six years old are at a prime age for their first introduction to kites. They’re young enough to get a lot of excitement from flying a kite, and they’re old enough hold it. Of course, this doesn’t mean that older kids can’t get enjoyment from kite-flying as well.

Do kites for kids come with the string and spool?

A lot of kids kites already come string and spool, but if a kite doesn’t come with these or if the string or spool becomes damaged, you can buy a replacement kit.

What are kites for kids usually made of?

A lot of kites available today are made of plastic or lightweight, durable fabric, often ripstop polyester or nylon. The frames are often made from fiberglass, wood, or plastic rods.

Different Types of Kites

Parafoil

Delta

Rokkaku

Diamond

Cellular

Sled

Novelty

Box

Stunt

Traction

Best Types of Kites for Kids

Now that you have more information on different kite varieties, you’re probably wondering which are the best kites for kids to use. Here is a list to consider:

Novelty

Kids aren’t known for their long attention spans, so a novelty design (like a character from their favorite show) is a great way to get them excited about flying a kite.

Diamonds

Classic and easy to assemble and fly, these can even be great kites for toddlers — just make sure you’ve got a hand on the spool and string.

Deltas

These kites are great for kids who want to try out dives and somersaults.

Parafoils

With no frame to fold and no assembly required, parafoils are great for kids who just can’t wait to get flying.

Sleds

Just like parafoils, these require no assembly and are easy to fly.

Dragons

Needless to say, these kites — especially the three-dimensional ones — are simply captivating to watch. What kid doesn’t want to fly a dragon?

How to use kites for kids

Once you’ve bought a kite and are eager to fly it with your child, you might be wondering how to get started. Just follow these simple steps:

• Choose a large, open area to fly the kite that’s free of crowds of people, buildings, trees, and especially powerlines.
• Make sure there’s enough wind speed (but not too much) for the kite in the location where you want to fly it.
• Assemble the kite indoors, away from the wind
• To launch the kite, face away from the wind and hold the kite up. Once it starts to catch the wind, let the line out bit by bit. If you notice the wind slowing, keep your kite steady by reeling it back in a little.
• Once the kite is flying, use the line to adjust its course, keeping a steady amount of tension on it. If the kite starts to loop or dive, you can let out some of the line to get it back on track.
• When you’re ready to bring the kite back down, slowly start reeling your line in, keeping light tension on the line so that it doesn’t tangle. If the kite won’t stop looping, you may need your child to hold the reel while you walk to the kite with the line under your sleeved arm or gloved hand.

Benefits of Flying Kites for Kids

Low-cost fun

Lots of kites for kids cost only a small amount and usually include everything you need to get them up in the air. Plus, kites are something children can play with over and over. All in all, it’s a very cost-effective way to have fun.

Enhances Problem-Solving Skills

Sometimes kites just don’t do what kids want them to do. This opens up an opportunity for a child to pause and think through why the flight didn’t go as planned and what to do differently next time. It’s important for kids to start developing this kind of problem-solving and critical thinking from a young age, and a kite can be a good learning tool in this regard. Plus, the better kids get at kite-flying and problem-solving, the more confident they will become.

Outdoor Activity

With childhood obesity on the rise, parents are often on the lookout for fun ways to get kids to leave the TV and play outside. Kite-flying is great way to not only spend time with your children but to increase their physical strength and inject some light exercise into their day.

Choosing the Right Kids Kite

When looking for the best kites for your kids, you want to consider the following:

Wind - If you live in an area that not known for its high wind speeds, you want a kite that’s able to fly in gentle breezes.

Climate - Kites are best flown on clear days. Don’t fly kites in poor weather, especially when there are thunderclouds.

Season - Depending on where you live, some seasons are better for kite-flying than others.

Type of kite - Some varieties of kites are great for children of a wide range of ages. Others are better suited for older children. Check the age recommendation of any kite you’re considering.

Size of kite - Some kites are too big for smaller kids. Again, check a kite’s recommended age range before purchasing it.

Activity - Kite-flying can be a great way for your kid to get some light exercise outdoors.

Stability - Some kites are sturdier than others by design, so if the winds are going to be particularly gusty, you want a kite with a strong frame.

Most Popular Kid Kite Brands

Check out these top 5 brands for kids kites:

HENGDA Kite

HENGDA Kite manufactures traditional, parafoil, stunt, and novelty kites, available in fun animal shapes and bright colors.

KickFire

Featured on CBS News, ABC, NBC, and Fox, KickFire is known for its delta kites for kids.

aGreatLife

aGreatLife offers a rainbow-patterned delta and diamond kites, and as well as ice cream, hot dog, and other novelty kites.

In The Breeze

In The Breeze sells over 15 varieties of kite, including numerous novelty and 3D designs.

WindNSun

WindNSun produces high-quality, specialty (and even Star Wars-themed) kites made of fiberglass and resilient ripstop nylon.

Melissa & Doug

Melissa & Doug has 8 multicolored models to choose from in diamond and delta varieties.

Best Kites for Kids

Top 5 best kites for kids on Amazon:

Best Cute Kite

aGreatLife Sweet Ice Cream for Kids Kite

• Cute ice cream cone design
• Kids under 10 can fly it solo
• Comes with instruction book
• Lifetime guarantee

Kids will get a kick out of the adorable ice cream cone design, and for the price, this novelty kite is actually quite well-made. It comes with a grooved, child-friendly handle that makes it easier for them to control the kite’s flight.

Pros

• Durable and well-built
• Easy to launch and flies well
• plusFun design

Cons

• Needs a moderate wind to fly well

Coolest Kids Kite

Hengda Kite 15m Large Power Snake Kites

• Exciting cobra design
• Foldable
• Comes with a bag

Kids will be thrilled to send this cobra flying through the air. It’s simple to fly, but you need lots of room. The body combined with the extremely long tail makes this kite just under 50 feet in length!

Pros

• Fabric is durable nylon
• Great for stunts
• plusQuick and easy assembly

Cons

• Needs a moderate wind to fly well
• Frame might break in a harder crash landing

Best Beginner’s Kites

aGreatLife Huge Rainbow Kite For Kids

• Vibrant, rainbow-patterned design
• Sturdy 49-foot dacron string
• Ergonomically grooved kite reel

This 42-inch delta number is an excellent “first” kite for kids, due to its ease of flight and easy-to-hold kite reel. This kite looks stunning as it soars through the sky and is great for learning some basic tricks.

Pros

• Great kite for the price
• Flies well in light and strong winds
• plusEasy to fly and does tricks

Cons

• Assembly instructions hard to understand
• Assembling the rods can be a bit tricky

Most Unusual Kite for Kids with Lifetime Warranty

Hengda Kite Octopus Kite

• Fun octopus design
• 3 pack of 3 different colors
• Made of nylon

This pack of three kites is the perfect thing to bring to a children’s beach party. With practically no assembly you can get these octopuses out and ready for play in no time. Kids will love watching the dangly legs dance in the breeze.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Easy to fly with consistent wind
• plusDurable fabric

Cons

• The “tentacles” tend to get tangled

Best Delta Kite for Kids

StuffKidsLove Best Delta Kite for Kids & Adults

• Delta style with tail ribbons
• Single line, string included
• Variety of colors

This kite costs a bit more than the others listed here, but it should be noted that the body is a somewhat sturdier than other kites for kids. Older children can enjoy doing tricks with it, and it will probably hold up better than some other kites in the event of a crash-landing.

Pros

• Sturdy; survives hard crashes
• Flies well in a variety of wind conditions
• plus Comes partially assembled with simple instructions

Cons

• The string could be stronger

What’s the Best Kite for Kids?

Based on these kites, the top pick is aGreatLife Huge Rainbow Kite For Kids. You’ll get a well-made kite for the (very affordable) price. It’s easy to assemble (there’s even a video on Amazon to show you how), and the delta style makes it an easy and forgiving kite for both older and younger kids to fly — in other words, a great introductory kite for kids.

How The Best Kite for Kids Was Picked

Like most moms, when I’m looking to buy something fun for my kids, I like to know what experiences other parents have had with the products I’m considering. The top pick for kite was based on hundreds of parent reviews on Amazon, the kite’s cost, and its ease of flight for youngsters.

Relevant Accessories to Buy with Kids Kites

If you and your kids are looking to take kite-flying to the new heights (forgive the pun), there are some fun and useful accessories you can consider purchasing.

In the Breeze Sport Kite Line Set

Constructed of durable nylon webbing, these straps attach to 2-line stunt kites and help you pull off those spectacular tricks in the sky with less strain on your hands. They can be purchased as part of a kite line set.

Prism Kite Technology Tube Tail

This 75-foot nylon tail is absolutely mesmerizing to watch and can be attached to otherwise tail-less delta kites.

Pepper Scott Professional Outdoor Kite Line Reel Grip

This kite reel means business. It has cut-outs specially shaped for fingers and features ball bearings and a lock.

Final Review of the Best Kites for Kids

Maybe you’re looking for a low-cost way to have fun with your kids, or something to build your little one’s strength, confidence, and critical thinking skills. Maybe your goal is just to get your kids away from the TV for more than 30 minutes. Whatever the case, there are lots of reasons to give kites for kids a try, and there are tons of fun and sporty types for a variety of ages. As for me, I look forward to some fun in the sun with my kids and some kites in the near future. In the words of the immortal Mary Poppins song, let’s go fly a kite!