Kids who grew up before the Space Age built their own out of newspaper, sticks and string. Those who came up later begged their parents to buy paper (then plastic) models at the hardware and supermarket.

Now you can find them at toy and children’s stores. And on the Internet, there are sites for kite superheroes who fight them and send them screaming through the sky.

For everybody else (and that includes us), here are a few pointers for keeping a kite in the air and for building a simple kite.

Go fly a kite

What: 10th annual Mighty Kite Flight, a kite festival.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21.

Where: Hillandale Elementary School, 900 W. Blue Ridge Road, East Flat Rock.

Cost: Free.

More: 697-6393, www.narniastudios.com/mighty_kite_flight.htm

Mighty Kite Flight

The Mighty Kite Flight is sponsored by Narnia Studios in Hendersonville in conjunction with the national celebration of National Kite Month. Hundreds of kite festivals are held throughout the country in the month of April, according to the Web site, www.nationalkitemonth.org.

“The yearly spring event is a favorite of the young and the young at heart,” organizer Barbara Hughes said. “More and more kite enthusiasts of all ages come out each year. Last year, our youngest was in diapers and our oldest flyer was 87. Many are first time flyers as well.”

During the event, there will be demonstrations by experienced kite flyers as well as help for the novice. Many of the more seasoned flyers bring unusual and complex kites. Spectators and participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.

“Just a warning — plan to spend the entire day,” Hughes said, “because kite-flying is very addictive.”

General rules for flying a kite

For light to medium winds (about 6-15 mph), Deltas, Diamonds and Dragon do best. Stronger winds are better for Box kites and stickless Parafoil kites.

Kite string and fishing line are better and stronger than most fiber strings.

The best winds for kites are when leaves and bushes start to move, but before it really starts to blow.

If you have to run to get your kite in the air, there’s probably not enough wind.

Let line out and pull it in to make your kite dance around the sky.

Source: www.nationalkitemonth.or and www.gombergkites.com

How to fly the single-line kite

With your back to the wind, hold the kite by the bridle point (where the line is tied to the kite) and let the line out. As the kite flies away, pull on the line to make it climb. Keep doing until it finds a strong, steady wind.

If wind is light, have a friend hold the kite up downwind. When she releases it, pull the line in hand-over-hand until it climbs into the air.

If the bridle on your kite is adjustable, move it toward the top of the kite in higher winds and towards the tail in lower winds. Experiment in half-inch increments.

Tails tied to the bottom of the kite stabilize it in strong winds. If you use light-weight ones, you can use lots and make colorful rooster tails.

Source: www.nationalkitemonth.org and www.gombergkites.com

Fly safe in the sky

Stay away from roads and power lines. Always fly away from other people.

If you tangle lines with another kite, don't yank the line or it might break. Walk toward the other flier; the tangle will slide right down the line to where you can unwrap it.

Never fly in rain or lightning. Electricity in clouds is attracted to damp kite lines and foolish kite fliers.

If it starts to cloud up, it’s time to reel it in.

Fly with friends — it’s safer, and it’s more fun too.

Source: www.nationalkitemonth.org and www.gombergkites.com

How to build a (little) kite

What you’ll need:

1 sheet of brightly colored 8 1/2-by-11-inch typing paper

1 8-inch bamboo skewer

1 roll of florescent surveyor's flagging plastic tape or a plastic bag cut in a 1-inch wide spiral

1 roll 1/2-inch plastic tape.

1 roll of string

Scissors

Hole punch (optional)

Directions:

Fold the sheet of paper in half longways.

Fold again along the diagonal line A in Fig. 2.

Fold back one side forming kite shape in Fig. 3 and place tape firmly along fold line AB.

Place the barbecue skewer from point C to D and tape it down firmly.

Cut off 6 to 10 feet of plastic tape or bag and tape it to the bottom of the kite at B.

Flip kite over onto its back and fold the front flap back and forth until it stands straight up.

Punch a hole in the flap at E, about one-third down from the top point A.

Tie one end of the string to the hole and take it out for a spin.

Source: www.gombergkites.com