Guide to Types of Kites

There is an endless variety of high-flying styles available. From parachute-like parafoils to easy-to-fly deltas, we've uncovered the options in this guide to types of kites.

Flat Kites: The classic diamond kite falls into the flat category along with simple, single sheet kites. Flat kites are notoriously tough to control and keep in the air, but tails can help stabilize them. Other variations include the five-point star, hexagon, dragon or serpent with a rounded top and wide flat tail, and the centipede or Chinese dragon kite made of flat circles of smaller and smaller sizes.

Cellular Kites: Geometrically shaped and three dimensional, these kites look impressive in the sky, and their ability to fly can be surprising. The traditional box is the simplest design of this type and the most popular. To make it better, the winged box was created by adding wings to the four long sides to give the kite extra lift. From there, many other 3D styles were built, ranging from snowflakes to stars to circles.

Sled Kites: Sled kites act basically like sails, relying on the wind for their shape. The basic design has two parallel dowels, one on either side of a large, vented middle sheet. Adding wings or air-inflated tubes on the side can give it extra maneuverability.

Parafoil Kites: The parafoil kite is built without frames. It resembles a parachute. The kite is designed so that the air flows through vents to reduce pressure and keep it airborne. If you see fun kites sculpted like an animal or a person, you are looking at inflatable parafoil designs. 

Delta Kites: One of the easiest to fly, delta kites are made in both single and dual line designs. You'll often find budget-friendly plastic single line deltas for sale along the beaches, but if you want to try your hand at stunt flying, you'll want to invest in a well-made dual line version.