“Mum will never retire,” laughs Jack, when asked if the brothers will one day take over the business.

On a Wednesday in November, the store is buzzing and all family members are hands-on, painting a picture of family bliss. There’s even a baby babbling away in a pram.

“That’s my five-month-old daughter,” Benny says.

Autumn in Hong Kong might be short but it’s when the conditions are best for kite flying, Benny says.

“The typhoons have passed and the skies are blue and clear – and there’s a cool breeze.”

A simple pleasure, kite flying does what many health studies encourage: it gets the body moving and connects people with nature. Looking skyward also provides a welcome change from looking down at a phone or laptop.

Many customers visit the shop on impulse, Benny says.

“If they wake up, and the weather is nice, they rush over to get a kite to fly that day. We have over 100 designs and all are in stock,” he says, plonking a chunky folder on a table. “Take a look.”

Titled “Kite Catalogue”, it is packed with images of colourful kites in all shapes and sizes, each design shown with its dimensions and price, most between HK$70 and HK$110 (US$9-US$14).

Some, such as a 3.5m x 2.2m goldfish (HK$350) or a 3D pirate ship (HK$200), cost a little more.

Many loved-up couples opt for the cute lucky cat design and the shiba inu dog kite, Benny says, while older customers are tempted by Star Wars-themed kites in the shape of the diminutive droid R2D2 and the X-wing starfighter that featured in the popular film franchise.

Princess Elsa from Frozen, Peppa Pig and Pokémon’s Pikachu are also here, while Mother Nature is well represented, with birds and bees as well as butterflies studded with LED lighting for some night-flying drama.

“We also have DIY kites so people can create their own designs,” Benny says. “They’re popular with hotels.”

Benny, the keenest kite flyer among the Maks, says there are plenty of spots in Hong Kong in which to indulge (see his recommendations below).

“Just make sure you abide by the rules,” he says.

According to the Civil Aviation Department, kite flying is not allowed within 5km (3.1 miles) of an aerodrome, at a height of more than 60 metres above ground level or within 60 metres of a vessel, vehicle or structure.

Enthusiasts can plan holidays around their hobby by attending a kite festival.

One of the biggest is in mainland China, where thousands descend on Weifang, in Shandong province, for the annual Weifang International Kite Festival (April 20-25).

The city is considered the birthplace of the kite – it was invented in China more than 2,000 years ago for military purposes, from measuring distances and signalling to delivering ammunition. They were the drones of their day.

Also popular is the International Kite Festival in Gujarat, India, which starts on January 14 each year to mark the day when winter begins to turn into summer; and the Bali Kite Festival, held annually on the Indonesian island.

In the United States, the Blossom Kite Festival, in Washington DC, founded in 1967, takes off in March (in 2024 it will be held from March 20 to April 14), and Australia’s biggest kite show – the Festival of the Winds, on Sydney’s Bondi Beach – is held every September.

In France, the seaside resort of Berck-sur-Mer holds a kite festival (April 20-28 in 2024) and Germany has hosted the Melle kite festival for more than 30 years.

Benny Mak’s top kite flying spots in Hong Kong:

1. Tai Po Waterfront Park

Easy to get to, Hong Kong’s largest public park (22 hectares) tops Benny’s list. Its facilities – sports grounds, an insect house, themed gardens – add to its appeal, he says.

2. West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade

This huge green space in Tsim Sha Tsui’s West Kowloon Cultural District offers great views and is close to cultural and leisure facilities. Make an extra effort to adhere to the fly-limit rules here, Benny says.

3. Tai Mei Tuk

Best known for its cycling trails, this flat, safe, kid-friendly space near Plover Cove Reservoir, in Tai Po district, is ideal for kite flying.

4. Tai Au Mun, Sai Kung

At the end of Clear Water Bay Road and part of the Clear Water Bay Country Park, this popular picnic spot is valued by kite fliers for its vital cool breeze.

5. Cyberport Waterfront Park

Open to the public from 7am to 11pm daily, this flat, grassy field in Southern district, dotted with swaying palms, is well-suited to a spot of kite flying. As an added bonus, it is also dog-friendly.

6. Shek O’s Back Beach

Most visitors to this village on the south side of Hong Kong Island head to the main beach, but the smaller, quieter Back Beach is better suited to kite flying. Kiosks near the main car park sell kites.