For simple family fun that can be done most anywhere, little beats flying a kite. No magazine currently printed in the United States is devoted to kite flying, but online magazine Kitelife (1998. free. kitelife.com) includes freely available PDF images from the now-defunct Kite Lines and Stunt Kite Quarterly. Kitelife covers kite plans, festivals, and competitions and features extensive links to vendors of kites, books, and even DVDs and kite-related music.

Beyond flying a kite, kites can also be used to pull enthusiasts over land, sea, or snow. For those interested in the thrill of riding a board hurtled along by a kite in the wind, British Kiteworld (2002. bi-m. $36. ISSN 1477-1314) and Florida-based Kiteboarding (1999. bi-m. $29.97. ISSN 1534-4282) feature travel destinations, personality profiles, and equipment reviews. Both focus on kite boarding on the water, but Kiteworld covers kite-powered snowboarding, too.

A step up on the thrill scale is riding a kite or sail in the air. For readers who do not suffer from fear of heights, instructions on how to catch the wind relatively safely can be found in Hang Gliding & ­Paragliding (2003. m. $52. ISSN 1543-5989). If jumping from the top of a hill or cliff isn’t daring enough to suit one’s taste, there’s Parachutist Magazine (1957. m. $65. ISSN 0031-1588), the membership magazine of the U.S. Parachute Association. Both publications feature reviews of new equipment and emphasize safety in the inherently dangerous activity of controlled falling through the sky. They also offer spectacular photography to give vicarious thrills to readers content to stay safely on the ground. (Skydiving magazine ceased in 2009.)

Die-hard thrill seekers can go online to BLiNC ­Magazin e (1996. free. www.

blincmagazine.com), the source devoted to “everything you ever wanted to know about BASE-jumping.” “BASE” is an acronym for things from which one can jump—buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs). The site helpfully notes that “BASE jumping is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in injury or death…and it is not recommended in any way,” a point emphasized by the site’s detailed tally of 147 fatalities as of May 2010.

Readers more interested in relaxing than in risking life and limb may want to try ballooning, an activity that offers the comfort of knowing one can go up as well as down. BALLOONING: The Journal of the Balloon Federation of America (1977. bi-m. $40. ISSN 0194-6854) is a full-color magazine featuring how-to information, personality profiles, and book reviews. The alternative choice, Balloon Life, has not officially ceased, but the latest issue was published in 2006, and the website has not been updated since then.

Another way to ride the wind is to soar in a powerless glider. Soaring (1932. m. $64. ISSN 0037-7503), the long-running membership magazine of the Soaring Society of America, informs glider pilots and has current information for readers interested in being a passenger on a powerless flight.

Of course, the oldest means of riding the wind is by sailboat. Two magazines that emphasize historical traditions of sailboats and the craft of restoring and maintaining them are Good Old Boat (1998. bi-m. $39.95. ISSN 1099-6354) and WoodenBoat (1974. bi-m. $32. ISSN 0095-067X). Good Old Boat is “the sailing magazine for the rest of us,” that is, those who can afford only a used sailboat and do-it-yourself upkeep. How-to information is supplemented with stories of personal sailing adventures. WoodenBoat has articles on building sailboats from scratch and a fair amount on upkeep and repair, too.

The leading magazine for reviews of new sailboats and sailing gear is Practical Sailor (1974. 7/yr. $19.97. ISSN 0161-8059). Skills take center stage in Sail (1970. m. $29.95. ISSN 0036-2700), a magazine with many advertisements amid its substantive articles on seamanship, cruising tips, and tales from experienced sailors. The leading magazine for racing and competition is Sailing World (1986. 9/yr. $30. ISSN 0889-4094). It is filled with regatta reports, tips and techniques for maximizing performance, and college sailing team rankings.

Sailboats small enough to tow on a trailer are the focus of Small Craft ­Advisor (2000. bi-m. $29.95). The emphasis on smaller boats makes this a good magazine for libraries in areas not near the ocean or a large lake. Another appealing feature of Small Craft Advisor is its reviews of books, videos, and boat-building plans.

Beautiful photography, a large format, and an emphasis on emotional attachment make Sailing: The Beauty of Sail (1966. m. $28. ISSN 0036-2719) a special draw for sailors of all experience levels. It has plenty to inform beginners, and personal stories like “A Boat Called Wanda” and an article on the joys and risks of solo sailing should also interest old hands.