What Should Be In A Kite Flying Kit


Kite flying can sometimes bring about unexpected situations, which is why we recommend putting together a kit that you bring along for every one of your kite flying sessions. This has been mentioned briefly before in our articles, and we thought it would be great to put together an article dedicated to this.

Duffel Bag Or Backpack?

Duffel bag or backpack?

Most people have either a duffel bag or a backpack at home that’s just lying around. Bags like these can be really handy in containing all your items.

Personally, we prefer a backpack, as that allows both of your hands to be free. However, if you are just starting out in the world of kite flying and only have a duffel bag, that will work as well!

Whichever bag you choose, if it’s a secondhand one, make sure to check that the seams are still holding together, and that any zips still work well. You don’t want the bag to fall apart at the worst moment, or that a zip won’t zip up properly.

Mini First Aid Kit

A small first aid kit that can fit easily into your bag of choice is a great idea. This is in case you or someone trips and falls over and has scuffed their knees or arms.

Ensure that the first aid kit has the following essentials:

A first aid kit can often be really helpful!
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Antibacterial ointment
  • Assorted fabric adhesive bandages
  • Butterfly bandages / adhesive wound-closure strips
  • Gauze pads (various sizes)
  • Nonstick sterile pads
  • Medical adhesive tape (min. 1″ width)
  • Pain-relief medication (i.e. Ibuprofen)
  • Insect sting / anti-itch treatment
  • Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions
  • Splinter (fine-point) tweezers
  • Safety pins
  • Blunt-tipped scissors
  • Rehydration tablets
  • First-aid manual or information cards

List curated from Rei.com

Water Bottle And Snacks

It can be very easy to lose track of time when flying a kite. Remember to always stay hydrated with water, especially if you are out in the sun without any shade at all.

It is also a good idea to pack some food items to snack on. Examples of healthy snacks are:

Healthy snacks to bring along on a kite-flying trip
  • Carrots / carrot sticks
  • Bananas
  • Apples / Pears / Oranges
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Cheese
  • Healthy beef jerky / meat sticks
  • Mixed nuts
  • Protein bars
  • Trail mix (without candy in it)

These snacks are often easy to pack. Be sure to keep them cool to prevent spoilage.

Sunhat / Sunscreen / Aloe Vera Gel / Sunburn Relief

Child with bucket hat

Assuming that you will be flying your kite in the day, we’ve included a list of items that will protect you from the sun. If possible, stay in the shade while flying your kite as a way to prevent heatstroke or sunburn.

Items to protect you from the sun include, but are not limited to:

  • A wide-brimmed hat that will protect your face and back of neck from sunburn – bucket hats work great!
  • Sunscreen with protection against UV-A and UV-B rays, SPF 30 or higher, and is waterproof (recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology)
  • Light, long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms
  • Sunglasses
  • Aloe vera gel or sunburn relief cream/gel

Tip: Sunscreen needs to be re-applied every 2 hours, or after getting wet (i.e. sweating or swimming) to be effective.

Small, Sharp Pocket Knife With A Sheath

A small pocket knife (with a sheath for protection) is not only useful for cutting crossed or tangled lines, but also to make adjustments to your kite accessories if need be.

You may need to check your local laws on carrying a pocket knife around, especially if it’s not for work purposes.

Boundary Tapes / Other Materials To Make A Makeshift Tail

A less-than-traditional material, boundary tapes, also known as flaggers or surveyors tape, are usually used by surveyors. However, they can be easily made into tails in a pinch.

These tapes come in many vibrant and eye-catching colours, and in different widths and lengths. Flaggers tape can be found in hardware stores and is inexpensive.

You can also use these tapes to cordon off an area for launching your kite. Alternatively, if you see a beginner or a child whose kite is constantly spinning or crashing, you could offer to help by adding some tape to help balance their kite.

Also consider bringing additional ribbon or material to make tails from, or to tie things down securely if need be.

Image by u/kururintoy

Additional Reels / Spools And Kite Line

Child with winding handle

Consider bringing additional spools of kite line, with varying weights if you intend to fly different kites or to compensate for changing winds.

It can also be helpful if your kite line was accidentally cut or has been overly stretched in flight, and needs replacing. That way you don’t need to cut your kite-flying session short.

If you have a splicing kit for your kite lines, make sure to pack it as well. You may never know when you need to make a repair on the fly.

Additional Spars

A box kite has many different spars.

Spars break all the time in kite-flying. Bringing a set of additional spars for your kite (if it uses them) can be very helpful in the event that a spar breaks on you. Make sure you know how to swap the spars out; if you are ever unsure, it is always safer to pack up and bring your kite home or to the shop for repairs.

Gloves

Any type of string or line moving through the air at high speeds can be dangerous. They can cut through the skin or cause burns, similar to rope burns.

Fingerless or otherwise, gloves can be handy when handling and bringing down your kite, especially in high-wind situations where gusts can make it difficult to hold on to your kite. Gloves provide protection for your hands, and extra grip when handling your kite.

Carabiners

A bunch of different carabiners.

Carabiners are useful in so many ways – if you need to attach your kite to an anchor, or around an object temporarily, or as a way to secure two things together. Always check how much weight each carabiner can bear when using them! We recommend bringing a selection of different ones so that you’re not stuck needing more than one.


Now that you have a list of things that you should have in your kite-flying kit, make sure to check out our other articles on how to fly a kite easily, and our top 10 tips for kite safety. Do you have any other items that you would pack in your kite-flying kit? If so, comment down below!

Lee & Cameron

We have always loved flying kites in our childhood. When we grew up, we realised that kite flying is slowly being taken over by technology, and it was difficult for us to learn anything about kites. After years of trial and error, we bring to you what we've learnt.

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