Visiting Indonesia Kite Museum in Jakarta With Kids

Kites may be seen flying mostly at the beach these days, but kite-flying was once a common Indonesian tradition for various purposes. The Indonesia Kite Museum offers a beautiful collection of pretty kites from around Indonesia and the world, and makes for a fun family outing!

Many of the museum’s collection has participated in both national and international kite festivals, and some are even award-winners, like the 150 meter-long dragon kite that holds an achievement from the Indonesia Record Museum. Others are traditional Indonesian kites that are used for a specific purpose, such as the museum’s Tapean kite from Banyuwangi (East Java), which is flown after harvesting season to express thankfulness. We really enjoyed the group of small kites used as fishing tools, and learned that fishermen in Mutun Island in Lampung still use these unique kites to catch flying fish, called todak or layur! You’ll also see various kite accessories, such as dengung that can produce sound when kites fly, and boogy, a bike-like object that can transport humans by kite!

The museum is set in a beautiful and leafy area, within a traditional Javanese house. Snuggle up and relax in a corner after your visit, or join a craft session to wrap up your museum journey. Individual and group classes are available in ceramic making and painting, umbrella/shirt/mini shadow puppet/batik painting, and kite making. Your souvenir is your own creation!