Kites - Making Kites and Exploring

In China, kites have a history of more than two thousand years. Initially made of wood and shaped like birds, they later evolved to use bamboo and paper. In the 13th century, Marco Polo introduced kites to Europe, leading to their global spread. Traditional kite designs often imitate natural creatures such as birds, insects, and animals, with patterns reflecting personal preferences. Today, kite flying remains a popular outdoor activity for Chinese children. This learning unit combines Mandarin language studies and an aerodynamics project, helping students understand the cultural significance of kites while learning about flight principles and how kite design affects performance.