The Chinese invented the Kite, becomes Popular around the World

Like many Chinese inventions, using kites became popular in other countries, where kite flying took on unique traditions and uses specific to the country.

For example, the kite's popularity spread to India years where it evolved into the fighter kite, also known as patang. Kite fighting is where participants try to snag or cut down other kites. Fighter kites are usually small, flat, flattened diamond shaped kites made of paper and bamboo. Its uses range from competitions and contests to spiritual and religious ceremonies. It is also used for military and scientific purposes. In India kites are flown at the Makar Sankranti Festival, 

(celebrated mid january), Republic Day, Independence Day, and Raksha Bandhan. 

ONCEKids celebrates Asian cultures and publishes Fujimini Island which is family-friendly book series teaching Asian culture.

Fly a Kite with your Kids this Summer

How do you spend you family time during the summer?  Outside enjoying the weather? Have you built or flown a kite with your friends and family before? My kids and I love kites and the feeling of joy we have when we are running behind them watching them dip and fly in the sky. We went out and flew some kites over the holiday and felt inspired to research and understand kite flying.

Did you know the kite influenced the creation of the airplane? Wow! Kites are just as popular today as they were when our ancestors created them. Weifang, Shandong, China is home to the largest kite museum in the world. Weifang 

also hosts an annual international kite festival on the large salt flats south of the city. Weifang is very famous for its dragon kites today. China is not the only country celebrating with kites anymore as it has become a beloved tradition in many countries!

To learn more about family friendly activities visit the ONCEKids website