Kites are hugely popular all over the world, with a rich history spanning almost 3,000 years. Yet we Americans can’t seem to get with the program.

“Other countries see them as pieces of art. In this country, they’re toys,” muses Kathy Goodwind, owner of Gas Works Park Kite Shop on Stone Way, the last store of its kind in Seattle.

And seriously geeky toys at that.

But if you’ve never tried it, trust mse, there’s something very exhilarating about attempting to control an object that’s hundreds of feet in the air. Goodwind aptly describes it as a way to “touch the elements.” If that’s not enough of a draw for you, consider this: Kites have a high pickup potential. You’re literally waving a banner in the air that practically begs people to come talk to you. Plus, it’s an easy way for lazy people like myself to be “active” and outdoorsy without having to work up any kind of sweat.

A few words of advice for newbies: Don’t go too big your first time out. On my recent trip to Gas Works Park with “Nanners,” my modest monkey kite, I saw three sorority girls trying to get their gigantic pink flamingo to take flight. They left about an hour later, unsuccessful and dejected.

I can see how they were taken in. Walking into Goodwind’s store, it’s easy to get overly excited. So many alluring bright colors and shapes can have you choosing a kite that’s out of your league before you know what’s happened. For novices, Goodwind suggests deltas, the triangular numbers that come in a variety of sizes and colors, or the traditional diamond—though she mentions that with the right wind, you should be able to get just about anything in the sky. You might also want to avoid anything with a lot of components. Too much setup can really kill the mood. Most of the inexpensive kites (a satisfactory first-time kite can be procured for around $25) require very little setup, and some are even ready to go right out of the package. Nanners only took about 30 seconds.

Next, pick a nice open space like Magnuson Park, Discovery Park, Golden Gardens, or Gas Works. Once there, take care not to infiltrate anyone else’s airspace. That can be tough on a windy day, when places like Gas Works turn into a veritable kite fashion show. Most people are cool with crowding, but the real kite enthusiasts can get a little cranky. Pick an open spot and pay attention.

Despite your initial impulse, running with a kite trailing behind you is not a very effective method of getting the thing airborne, unless your aim is to look like a tool (this may be why kites got a bad name in the first place). If this is a solo flight, stand with your back to the wind, wait till a gust comes up and gently release, letting out the line slowly. If you’ve got a copilot, have them hold it about 100 feet downwind and let go as the wind picks up while you pull taut on the string, letting out the spool bit by bit, then up she goes.

And if your lines do get a little tangled with someone else’s? Goodwind says all you have to do is walk over to the person whom you’ve ensnared and hold your spools close together, and the tangle will work its way down to you. Which means you want to choose the cutest kite-flying neighbors possible.