LONG BEACH, Wash. – Before you know it, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will be here, then summer vacation, then somebody’s birthday, followed by Christmas. How about surprising one of those folks by making them an “always-flies” airplane kite for a gift?

Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24, the World Kite Museum in Long Beach is sponsoring a workshop for anyone who can bring a sewing machine and sew “generally” straight seams. This beautiful and elegant airplane kite is easy to cut out, sew, bridle and assemble and is certainly easy to fly in low and moderate winds.

Bob and Charmayne Umbowers, known for their easy-to-understand teaching, have adapted this old German design, which is believed to be called “the Berlin Flyer.” Participants will be making a unique kite, one only available to people who take this class.

The workshop fee of $50 includes several yards of ripstop nylon, carbon fiber rods and all fasteners and lines. For more details, visit www.worldkitemuseum.com or call (360) 642-4020. Call to register.