Joe, lots of fun!

If the kids get the hang of it on those short lines, they'll never get dizzy with a power model...

I notice you tried a fishing pole, too. If they can grasp the idea of pointing it a bit ahead of the model and leading it firmly with the tip guide, lines can go out to triple or more than they're using here. We used to call it whip-control, and it sure is a ball. Longer lines are a lot nicer to use. Slower spinning, more time to think, more chance for the model to actually fly, and more height to use.

On those short lines, they don't get a chance to make small corrections at the handle - they're too busy trying to turn and stay on their feet. I noticed the young man staggering a bit after one flight... Don't try this too soon after lunch...

Even a 3ft dowel about 1/4 to 3/8" diameter, with some sort of eyelet for the lines to pass through, can give enough 'whipping' authority for steadier flight. The handle can be anything, even a trigger to pull or pay out one line while the other is fastened to the 'whip.'

Enjoy!