14th January International Kite Day

The 14th of January is International Kite Day. A kite is a toy consisting of a light frame flying in the wind that a person holds by the end of a long string. Kites are very popular! That's why there are so many kite festivals worldwide: in India, Bali, China, Guatemala, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more. Kites were probably invented about 3,000 years ago in China, and they are part of the traditional culture in several countries. In Bali, from June to August it is the kite season as the wind picks up and blows consistently at that time of the year. Traditionally, the Balinese used to fly kites over the rice fields to ask the gods for an abundant harvest.

International Kite Day originated in India, in the state of Gujarat. The kite festival, called Uttarayan in Hindi, commemorates the transition from winter to summer, as well as the upcoming harvest season. In addition, the kites are meant to symbolize the spirits of the gods that are awaking from their deep winter sleep.

The Aussie Childcare Network has provided a very useful page to help celebrate this day. It includes activities, a book list and some amazing posters which you could use to start discussion. I have written about kites before, but not recently and there are so many fun books on this topic worth exploring, starting with a favourite:

• The Sea-Breeze Hotel by Marcia Vaughan and Patricia Mullins

and then

• Kite Flying by Grace Lin

• Kites by Simon Mole and Oamul Lu

• The Warlord's Kites  by Virginia Pilegard and Nicolas Debon

• Kite Day  by Will Hillenbrand

• Un Barrilette by Elisa Armando and Toya Hairs

• King for a Day  by Christiane Kramer and Rukhsana Khan

• The Best Winds  by Laura Williams and Eujin Kim

• The Dream Kite  by Grace Hallworth and Sophie Bass

• Chinese Kite Festival by Richard Lo

• What the Kite Saw  by Anne Laurel Carter and Akin Duzakin

• Daniel's Good Day by Micha Archer