As I walked into our preschool building, the front bulletin board caught my eye. Three bunnies with their bundled-up cotton-ball tails facing the blue sky and clouds on the board with the appropriate title “Leaving Winter Behind.”

It’s time to go out and enjoy spring!

March blows in with a lot of wind but with also a gust of neat ideas for young children as they take advantage of the seasonal characteristics of this month. One is reminded of Mary Poppins’ singing “let’s go fly a kite up to the highest heights” — and the looks of joy and glee on the children’s faces as they dashed outside to the fun and freedom and amazement of watching their kites fly and dance in the wind. I witness that same joy and smiles in young children’s eyes today as they join family or classmates on an afternoon kite adventure.

Where did kites come from?

Kites have been around for more than 2,000 years in celebrating special events and occasions. According to records and legends, China was the country that invented the kite. Thailand and Japan have used kites in their celebrations. We especially notice that brightly colored kites are used in The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan and Children’s Day in Japan. The kite has been used for scientific purposes, as we remember: Benjamin Franklin discovered there was electricity present during a storm. It’s also been used to record temperatures and for military functions.

Sometimes, it is just better to purchase a kite if you don’t have time to make one. This spring entertainment object is not expensive and well worth the investment for memorable family fun!

I’d like to remind my readers of just some common-sense safety rules:

r Remember Benjamin Franklin’s discovery: In the rain, the line can carry electricity. So don’t fly kites in a thunderstorm; electricity has already been discovered!

r Never fly a kite near electric lines or poles.

r With kite materials, don’t use metal parts or lines that will attract electricity. Fishing line or wire can cut a young child’s hands.

r Fly the kite in a safe location — not near trees, ditches, or steep hills.

r If a kite gets caught up in a tree or pole, just leave it alone.

With your new kite — whether made or bought — have a grand old afternoon with the family. Don’t forget the picnic! 

Let’s go fly a kite!

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.

Her column appears regularly in The Bulletin.