Continue the tradition by hosting your own kite flying contest!

This year, Austinites can continue the fun by hosting their own kite flying contests within their COVID-safe community groups or pods at one of the city’s many parks and green spaces. Wondering how to make your own kite or organize a kite flying contest? Read below for tips from The Exchange Club of Austin. 

How to build a DIY Kite

Building a kite yourself is simple! Most of the materials you’ll need are household items you can find around the house or at your local store. Just use the materials list and follow the step-by-step instructions below. 

• One 11×17 inch sheet of paper
• One strong soda straw without bends
• Crepe paper
• Office tape
• Kite string
• Scissors
• Hole puncher
• Crayons, markers or pencils

2021 Mr. Happy Kite

How to host your own at-home kite contest

First, establish your ground rules. Appoint or elect two judges from your group and agree on how entries will be judged. Will kites have to fly or will they be judged on appearance only? Next, choose your competition categories. Make up your own or use this list of ideas to get started:

• Most beautiful, unusual or colorful kite
• Most active or steadiest kite
• Largest and smallest kite
• Best themed kite
• Best kite maker or most talented kite flyer

Once you’ve flown your kites, the judges can determine the winners. Download and print our customizable kite contest award certificate here. Be sure to share photos of your contest on social media for a chance to be featured on ABC Kite Fest’s social media pages. Tag @abckitefest and use the hashtag #ABCKiteFest to show us your winning kites!

Most importantly, before starting your contest, make sure everyone in your group is aware of and follows these basic kite safety rules:

• Avoid power lines. If your kite gets stuck in a power line, leave it and get another kite.
• Be weather aware. Don’t fly kites if you hear thunder. Never fly a kite if your string is wet as it can conduct electricity.
• Keep your distance from others. To avoid injuries, don’t let your kite string touch others. If the wind is especially strong, wear gloves to handle string.
• Avoid car traffic. Do not fly kites across roads. Kites are distracting to drivers, and the string could get caught on a passing vehicle.
• Be courteous. Keep some space in the sky so you don’t unintentionally fly your kite into someone else’s kite. And while it’s important to keep your eyes to the sky, remember to watch where you’re stepping on the ground too.
• Leave no trace. Make sure to pick up everything you brought with you, including string.

For more kite safety information, visit the American Kitefliers Association website.