Kite Cutter: A Free Kite Flying Game for the Family
On 15 August the sky over Old Delhi fills with kites, and the rooftops fill with people shouting at each other’s strings. Kite Cutter is a kite flying game that puts that on a phone: up to four players fly kites over Delhi rooftops, and when two strings cross, whoever taps fastest cuts the other. It’s free, it plays on one shared screen, and it takes about ten seconds to learn.
How to play the kite flying game
- Pick 2, 3 or 4 players. Each player gets a button in a corner of the screen. Empty seats can be the computer.
- Hold your button to fly up. Let go and your kite drops. Touch the rooftops and you’re out.
- When two strings cross, it’s a string fight. Tap as fast as you can. The first to 8 taps cuts the other kite.
- Last kite flying wins the round. Win 2 rounds to win the match.
The stamina bar: don’t hold on too long
Under your spool is a stamina bar. Holding the button tires your arm, and a tired arm can hardly climb. Let go now and then, let the kite drift down a little, and the bar fills again. The players who win are usually the ones who rest at the right moment, not the ones who hold on the whole time.
Which string to pick
| String | Cutting | Downside | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | 8 taps to cut | None: steady | Beginners, younger children |
| Glass-coated | Only 6 taps to cut | Tires you faster, and the kite sways more | Fast tappers who can manage their stamina |
That’s in the game only. Real glass-coated and nylon string is banned in Delhi because it injures birds, and people riding two-wheelers. If you fly real kites, use plain cotton thread.
Gusts
Every few seconds a gust blows across the sky. When you see Gust coming, climb high: the gust pushes every kite sideways and down, and kites flying low get pushed onto the rooftops. A well-timed gust is also the best way to knock out a rival who’s flying low to save stamina.
Tips to cut every kite
- Pick your fights. Cross strings when your stamina bar is full, not when it’s nearly empty.
- Stay in the middle of the sky. Too high and you’ve no room to rest; too low and one gust ends your round.
- Use both thumbs in a string fight. Alternate thumbs on your button for faster taps.
- With 3 or 4 players, let the others fight first. Then take on the tired winner.
Playing alone
Tap Play alone: beat 5 rivals and climb from Chhotu through Pinky, Bunty and Guddu Bhaiya to Ustad ji. Beat Ustad ji for the Patang-baaz badge.
When India flies kites
- Independence Day, 15 August: Delhi’s big kite day, especially across Old Delhi.
- Makar Sankranti, in mid-January: the great kite festival of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- Basant Panchami: kite flying across Punjab and north India in late winter.
On those days, Kite Cutter makes a good rooftop warm-up, or an indoor stand-in when the weather or the air quality keeps everyone in.
Questions people ask
Can two people play on one phone?
Yes. Each player uses a button in their own corner. A tablet is roomier for four.
How long is a match?
A couple of minutes. A match is best of three rounds.
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes. It’s one button: hold to rise, tap to fight. Give them the cotton string.
Can we use it in a family tournament?
Yes. Kite Cutter is one of the games in the family games tournament.
Play Kite Cutter · More in Family Face-Off
