Go Fly a Kite Day – Apr. 18, 2027

Go Fly a Kite Day
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ActivitiesAmericanFun
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
3rd Sunday of April
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Go Fly a Kite Day encourages everyone to embrace the simple joy of sending a colorful kite soaring high above on the third Sunday of April. This whimsical observance invites individuals and families to gather in parks, beaches, or open fields to partake in a timeless outdoor activity. Grab a kite, find a breezy spot, and let your spirits lift with every gust of wind!

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Expected Go Fly a Kite Day Deals

As Go Fly a Kite Day approaches, look for retailers to offer special promotions on kites and outdoor gear. Last year, stores like Target and Walmart featured discounts on beginner kite kits and family-sized options. Specialty shops such as Into The Wind Kites and Prism Kites often provide deals on high-performance models and accessories. Keep an eye out for local park events, which sometimes include free kite giveaways or workshops. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 19 approaches.

Platform Guide for Go Fly a Kite Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #GoFlyAKiteDay. Share vibrant photos and videos of your kites soaring against the sky, or capture candid moments of family fun.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #GoFlyAKiteDay. Create short, engaging videos of kite flying fails, impressive tricks, or DIY kite-making tutorials.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #GoFlyAKiteDay. Share your favorite kite flying memories, tips for a perfect launch, or photos of unique kite designs.

Social Media Tips for Go Fly a Kite Day

Individuals

Head to a local park or beach with your favorite kite. Challenge friends to see whose kite can fly the highest or perform the best aerial stunts. Pack a picnic for a full day of outdoor enjoyment.

Creators

Produce a captivating video showcasing different types of kites and their unique flying characteristics. Offer a step-by-step guide to building a simple kite from household materials, or film a time-lapse of a kite flying at sunset.

Brands

Outdoor gear brands can host a 'Best Kite Photo' contest, encouraging user-generated content with a branded hashtag. Retailers can offer discounts on kites and picnic supplies, while local parks can organize community kite festivals with prizes.

Top Brands for Go Fly a Kite Day

  1. Into The Wind Kites

    Founded in 1980 in Boulder, Colorado, Into The Wind Kites is a premier retailer specializing in high-quality kites, wind art, and flying accessories. They offer a vast selection from beginner models to intricate stunt kites, catering to enthusiasts worldwide.

  2. Prism Kites

    Prism Kites, based in Seattle, Washington, has been designing innovative and high-performance sport kites since 1992. Known for their precision engineering and vibrant designs, Prism Kites are a favorite among experienced flyers and competitive enthusiasts.

  3. HQ Kites & Designs

    A German brand with a global presence, HQ Kites & Designs is renowned for its diverse range of power kites, stunt kites, and single-line kites. Established in the 1980s, HQ focuses on quality craftsmanship and cutting-edge designs for all skill levels.

  4. REI

    Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. Founded in 1938, REI offers a wide range of outdoor gear, including kites and accessories perfect for a day out in nature, aligning with the spirit of the holiday.

  5. L.L.Bean

    Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, L.L.Bean is an American retailer specializing in outdoor recreation equipment and apparel. They often feature kites and other family-friendly outdoor toys, encouraging people to get outside and enjoy nature.

  6. Target

    Target Corporation, an American retail giant founded in 1902, frequently stocks a variety of recreational items, including affordable kites and outdoor toys. Their seasonal selections make it easy for families to pick up a kite for Go Fly a Kite Day.

  7. Walmart

    Walmart Inc., founded by Sam Walton in 1962, is a multinational retail corporation. As a leading general merchandise retailer, Walmart offers a wide array of budget-friendly kites and outdoor activity supplies, making kite flying accessible to everyone.

Go Fly a Kite Day Hero

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is famously associated with his 1752 kite experiment. This daring scientific endeavor demonstrated the electrical nature of lightning, a pivotal moment in understanding electricity. While not directly linked to the holiday's origin, his iconic use of a kite in scientific discovery makes him a fitting figure to honor the spirit of exploration and innovation that kites can represent.

History of Go Fly a Kite Day

A kite is a light frame wrapped in paper, plastic, or fabric, generally with a stabilizing tail, and intended to be flown at the end of a long string in the air.

Kites are supposed to have originated in Shandong, China’s easternmost province, and were spread across Asia by traders who transported them to India, then to Korea. In various locations, unique kite types evolved, as well as various cultural goals for flying them. Kites made of bamboo and covered in silk and paper were common in the early days. In 1295 B.C., European traveler Marco Polo wrote about kites and how to fly them. Kites had become popular as children’s toys by the 16th century, thanks to books and literature that popularized them. Eventually, kites were used for scientific research. Alexander Wilson, a Scottish meteorologist, used a kite-mounted thermometer to measure air temperature at 3,000 feet in 1749.

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin used a kite to demonstrate that lightning is electricity. When the Wright brothers were developing the first airplane in the late 1800s, they used kites for their study. New kite designs began to take flight in the first half of the 20th century.

For millennia, kites have been used to ward off evil, send messages, raise banners, represent the gods, uncover natural phenomena, drop propaganda leaflets, propel craft, spy on adversaries, photograph the Earth, broadcast radio signals, measure the weather, transport passengers into the sky, and catch fish. Kites are currently flown for sport and enjoyment, as well as as a traditional form of artistic expression. The kite was the first aircraft to take to the air, and it served as a forerunner to manned flight.

Go Fly a Kite Day timeline

1752
Kites Help an Experiment

Benjamin Franklin uses a kite to demonstrate that lightning is caused by an electrical discharge.

1949
Kites are Used to Measure Air Temperature

Alexander Wilson uses a kite to measure the temperature of the air at 3,000 feet.

1950s
Spaceship Recovery

N.A.S.A. starts using kites for spaceship recovery.

1964
American Kitefliers Association

The American Kitefliers Association is formed.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Go Fly a Kite Day

Local businesses can embrace Go Fly a Kite Day by organizing community kite-flying events in nearby parks, providing a fun, family-friendly activity. Toy stores and outdoor retailers can offer discounts on kites and related accessories, or host workshops on kite assembly and flying techniques. Restaurants with outdoor seating could offer special ‘kite-themed’ menu items or picnic baskets for park-goers, encouraging customers to enjoy the fresh air and festivities.

Go Fly a Kite Day FAQs

When is Go Fly a Kite Day?

Go Fly a Kite Day in 2027 is observed on Sunday, April 18. It’s the perfect opportunity for families and friends to gather and send colorful kites soaring into the spring sky.

What is the history of kite flying?

The earliest known kites were developed in China, with evidence suggesting their existence as far back as 400 BC. Initially crafted from silk and bamboo, kites played roles in religious ceremonies, fishing, and military communications before becoming a beloved pastime globally.

How popular is kite flying as a hobby?

Globally, kite flying continues to captivate enthusiasts, drawing large crowds to international festivals and local gatherings. Its accessibility and appeal as an outdoor activity ensure its enduring popularity, from casual weekend flyers to dedicated stunt kite pilots.

What does the idiom 'Go Fly a Kite' mean?

While the holiday encourages literal kite flying, the phrase ‘Go Fly a Kite’ is also an idiom meaning ‘to go away’ or ‘leave me alone.’ It gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a less offensive alternative to more direct dismissals.

Go Fly a Kite Day Activities

  1. Fly a kite

    Flying a kite is already in the name of the holiday, so that is exactly what we should do. Flying kites is always enjoyable, no matter how old or young you are.

  2. Make a kite

    Making a kite is often more enjoyable than purchasing one. There are many different types of kites to make and many various techniques to make them, but the most essential thing is to have fun while making one.

  3. Join a kite club

    Do your homework; there should be a kite club in your area, and if there isn't, look into international options. When you join a kite club, you will find it more enjoyable.

5 Fun Facts About Kites

  1. Airplanes are just big kites

    Airplanes are a development of kites.

  2. Kites are fast too

    The fastest kite speed was 193 kilometers per hour.

  3. Some kites can be very long

    The longest kite is 3,394ft.

  4. Kiteswere banned in Japan

    In 1760 kites were banned in Japan as it was considered insulting to the principles of the Shinto religion.

  5. Kites were used in the war

    Kites were used to deliver letters during the American Civil War.

Why We Love Go Fly a Kite Day

  1. It is a fun sport

    Kite flying is a lot more enjoyable than it appears. It's a stress-relieving sport that can be done outside. It's ideal to do it with a handful of pals to make it more enjoyable.

  2. It is an avenue for family bonding

    One of the best things about flying kites is that it is something that both adults and children can enjoy together. The whole family can fly kites together on this day to strengthen their bond.

  3. It allows creativity

    There are different ways to make a kite and you can express your creative side with the kites you make. There can even be a little competition as to who has the most beautiful kite.

Go Fly a Kite Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 April 19 Sunday
2027 April 18 Sunday
2028 April 16 Sunday
2029 April 15 Sunday
2030 April 21 Sunday