Review & Giveaway: Sleddy Kites: May the Force Be With You

Remember this whole thing can be folded and tucked neatly into a pocket-sized pouch.  That's incredible!  photo: HQ Kites and Designs USA

WHAT: Sleddy by HQ Kites and Designs USA

DOES: An excellent entry for any child to the world of kite-flying.  Well-designed to suit both needs of busy families on-the-go and novice flyers

INVEST:  $15.99 MSRP
TOOLS:  My Body Needs to Move, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Social Scene Helper

Expert Opinion: Vanessa Garza, Administrator in Residence, Green Dot Schools, Los Angeles and former Director of Family Science, Iridescent Learning
GIVEAWAY Details of 6 Kites (= 6 Winners!!) at the Bottom of this Review

I first discovered the Sleddy by wandering into a booth at Toy Fair 2012. Anyone passing by the HQ Kites booth could not possibly miss the colorful display of majestic kites hanging from the ceiling.  When not staring at the ceiling, I would fixate on each kite and eventually, my eyes caught the sight of a zippered pouch that could fit in the palm of my hand.  I was told that a kite was inside but how could this be? Where the heck do you put the sticks?

A whole kite fits in the palm of your hand.  It's so lightweight and portable.  It totally works for families.

But guess what?  No sticks are required.  Not with the Sleddy.  Nope. None.  And yes, it does fly and fly it does, very well.  Even better is that you do NOT have to be an expert to get it up in the air.  They are the pouch-sized version of what is excellent toy design but don't take my word for it, let's ask someone who knows about flying and science. Uhm... how about an expert educator who knows a lot about teaching science to kids?

 The wind cannot be seen but it can be experienced- Vanessa Garza, Green Dot Schools

Why Fly Kites?

Until recently Vanessa Garza, was the Director of Family Science at Iridescent Learning, an organization whose mission is to use science, technology, and engineering to inspire curiosity.  She is an awesome and benevolent teacher who also goes out of her way to teach her daughter's preschool classmates how to play with squishy circuits. In our interview, Vanessa, who is now an Administrator in Residence with Green Dot Schools in Los Angeles took a close look at three HQ Kites with me and she had awesome things to say.

"Kite-flying makes a great learning opportunity for kids as it enables them to actually feel a force applied to an object.  The wind cannot be seen but it can be experienced,"  said Vanessa.  Experience the wind?  How true!   She continued, "children truly have to harness the wind/force in order for the kite to function properly.

What else would be more fitting for a beautifully bright and breezy day!  Summer is a great time to fly, so is Spring and Fall too!

Ohmigosh, get away from that tree already!!!!

Learning About the Forces of Nature

Okay, so I am not the only one who thinks kite-flying is awesome and here is something I have to say about force.  Our Sleddy, made out of a fabric called Ripstop Nylon and tied to a super strong stringline, is so so so sturdy that when it got caught in a tree, our kite did not rip and our stringline did not snap. Rather, our kite broke a big branch off the tree and freed itself!!!  All it took was some good ol' fashioned desperate yanking.  What else could I do?

Seriously, these branches were so high up.  Look at this picture below.  Maybe we shouldn't have gone out on such a windy day but that is part of the learning process.  The great part is that our Sleddy is tough enough to ride out our mistakes.  

Note to self: Do not talk to your friends on the cellphone until your kid gets better at this.   It's hard to know when they'll need help but they might.

Vanessa said, "Children have the opportunity to learn about aerodynamics when flying kites, essentially how forces are applied and affect an object."  Hmmmmm that sounds like science class to me but Vanessa said, that not only is aerodynamics not taught in most elementary schools but that it is also not a topic addressed by state standards. (of course!)  However, these forces are discussed at various grade levels and if a teacher has a solid understanding of the forces then she/he could probably teach it in an engaging way through hands-on inquiry-based aerodynamics lesson. "In this case, kite flying would be ideal, weather permitting, of course," she told me.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to see an elementary school class go on a kite flying outing.  Wouldn't that be a beautiful sight?

Coincidence or not?  Fact to tell the kids:  HQ Kites and Designs USA is located just a few miles from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  Yes, that Kitty Hawk, home of the first airplane flight by the Wright Brothers. photo: HQ Kites and Designs USA

Extra Benefits of the Force

Vanessa feels that kite-flying builds more hand-eye coordination. "The ability to control the kite with one's grasp while monitoring its flight with your eyes can challenge any novice kite flyer.  With practice, one can improve quickly," she said. "Forces is a basic principle in the study of physics and any college bound student will not avoid that course in high school.  Kite flying is a wonderful opportunity to gain exposure to an advanced subject at an early age."  She also added, "Depending on the weather, it can build some upper body and core strength as you position yourself and maneuver the kite to keep it afloat."  

 Additionally, she felt that kite flying was great parallel play.  She said that people do it individually but amongst a community of like-minded individuals.  This sounds akin to track, archery, cycling, skateboarding... all the things that I picture my kid doing more of in the future!  Single player games can still be a team sport!

This was what I saw at the Toy Fair.  If you pass by without looking, then ohmigosh, maybe you'll have to see an eye doctor! It's a visual smorgasbord.  photo: HQ Kites and Designs USA.

Choose Starter Kites Thoughtfully

I think it is important to not invest tons of money on a starter kite which is another good reason to choose Sleddy since it is under $20.  However, going too cheap is expensive in its own way.  Not only will they break on you but they risk making a bad impression on an important experience you are trying to offer your child.  Vanessa also had great thoughts on this subject.

"The kites were well designed and suited for novice kite fliers," Vanessa told me.  She also said that durable materials and well engineered construction make it easier for any one to attempt kite-flying.  "These kites are forgiving in terms of skill and handling by the individual."   

Folks in the Bay Area! Go to the Berkeley Kite Festival this coming weekend July 28-29, 2012 and take advantage of FREE sport kite lessons and demonstrations by HQ Kites and Designs.  Sport kites are the two handed kites that you see in this video. 


Dream a Little Dream

When I saw HQ's videos, I didn't believe what I was seeing.  Who knew kite flying could be this wild and daring?   The men in this video look super tough and I can only imagine what they must be feeling as they harness the wind to go for a ride.  What a wonderful experience from a sensory perspective.  Please show these videos to your kids.

Lastly, here is my take as a mom of a very impatient child who loves to be wowed but has trouble wowing himself sometimes.   My son did great when the wind was in his favor but when he was challenged, he would sometimes get frustrated.  But do not be discouraged.  Good things happen if you persevere! Sometimes that means folding up your kite and trying again on another day. 

But do not fear, your Sleddy won't give up on you and so you shouldn't give up on your Sleddy.  While my only other real experience is with a dollar store kite, you don't have to be an expert to appreciate Sleddy's great value.  Once you have a Sleddy in your hands, you'll know what I mean. These kites are really special and you won't have to break any trees to prove it!

Show them what kites can do.  This is Kiteboarding, which will replace windsurfing in the Rio Olympics 2016.  Unbelievable.

Okay, now it's time to Win Your Own Sleddy! There are 6 Sleddy Kites to give away. You can pick the color and style if you win.  That means there will be 6 lucky kids getting their own Sleddy!  The total value of this giveaway is way over $100 if you tally in shipping!  Thank you HQ Kites and Designs USA! This is open to US and Canada.  Ends 8.11.12   12:01 AM

If you go for the big-point entry, please make sure you post your comment in the comments section below!!! It's another eye-shopping/help-Jenn-pick-the-next-great-find-favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can't wait to see if you've won?  Try my Amazon link below.
 

*To catch more Vanessa Garza Wisdom, check out her guest blog post on DemoLessonBlog where she talks about "Engaging Students to the STEM Education Field."

**This post is dedicated to Ms. "Foxxy One" who asked about HQ Kites after the Toy Fair.   Thank you for your question that led to this amazing experience with kites!  Tomorrow, I will write a short post on their Creative Line, the design-your-own-kite!

Note: Toys are Tools is very grateful to HQ Kites and Designs USA for sending a product submission to Toys are Tools' testers and Ms. Garza to facilitate this review.  No compensation has been made by the manufacturer for the publication of this review.  Reviews are never promised.