Flying high

Head online to get hold of the annual list and start ticking off each activity you complete. We never let a year go by without getting some quality kite time in – it’s the kind of scalable outdoor sport that kids can start at a very young age, then grows with them. We spoke to Stacey Catchpole, Visitor Experience and Membership at Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate about getting the perfect flying experience.

“Flying kites can give you a great sense of achievement and a lot of exercise – it’s a great family activity and, additionally, parents can discover being a child again. The best weather for kite flying is a sunny day with a light steady breeze. We even have a weather station in the centre to help you work out the wind direction and speed. Kite flying is a great way to start a discussion with children about weather. They can work out the best spot to launch the kite, looking at the weather station and even learn about different weather and cloud systems whilst looking up at the beautiful sky. We stock pocket kites in our visitor centre, these kites are great for little ones as they are easy to fly and have no frame. As children get older, they can move on to two-line stunt kites – you can even create air displays using groups.My top tips are to always make sure you’ve checked out your kite building instructions to the letter and have it the right way round, that the string is very securely attached to the kite so that it doesn’t blow away, and that the tail is fully untied before you start flying, as that helps to stabilise your kite as it soars up into the sky!”

See the skies above London fill with some of the most colourful, graceful flying objects in the world at the annual Kite Day on Streatham Common on Sunday, May 14. Expect displays from stunning stunters, including the jaw-dropping Flying Fish pairs team, watch human lift power kites and swoon over the gorgeous Hanuman Kites that will be soaring into the air. Bring your own kite and join in! streathamkiteday.org.uk