Starchild: Malaysian kids have a passion for kite flying

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

Kite flying is a popular hobby across the world. Simple kites are constructed by crossing two sticks and covering them with paper or cloth. Then a string is attached at the end.

The name comes from a graceful bird called kite.

The wau bulan is one of the most popular kites in Kelantan. It measures about 2.5 metres by 3.5 metres.

The wau bulan’s frame is made from split bamboo and decorated with intricate floral designs on reflective glossy paper. Did you know the wau bulan is one of Malaysia’s national symbols, apart from the Malayan tiger, hibiscus and batik?

Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, Kites.

Wong Zhi Ying, 8

“My favourite activity is flying kites in the park. I always enjoy flying kites in the evening, especially when it is windy. My kite has the colours of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow , green , blue , indigo and violet. The kite is very special as my father bought it for me for my birthday,” says Wong Zhi Ying, eight.

During the September school holidays, Jayden Tan Li Sheng, nine, wants to go kite flying with his cousins at Teluk Cempedak beach in Kuantan, Pahang. “When the wind is strong enough, the kite will quickly rise and fly in the open sky. It is fun and exciting. I want to design a dragon kite. When I fly my kite, people can watch my kite streaming across the sky.”

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 9

“If I were to design a kite, it would be a dinosaur themed kite. I am waiting for Daddy to teach me how to fly a kite when I am older,” writes Asher Wang Qi Chuen, four.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

Older sibling Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven, writes: “My drawing depicts a traditional wau bulan in a modern abstract pattern. The closest I have come to flying a kite is observing Daddy fly one during a recent trip to the beach. It was so fun to watch Daddy fly a kite.”

Lim Sheng Hao, 9

Nine-year-old Lim Sheng Hao loves his red kite, even though it is worn out. “It can still fly very high. Sometimes, it can fly as high as the birds in the sky. My cousins have kites too, with cartoon themed designs.”

Chuah Seng Koon, 7

“My kite has the the fictional character Kevin from the animated comedy film, Minions. I enjoy flying my kite high in the sky,” writes Chuah Seng Koon, seven.

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: The nation will celebrate its 65th year of independence on Aug 31. Are you looking forward to the Merdeka Day celebrations? Have you watched the parade on TV? Do you feel proud to be a Malaysian? Tell us what you love about our country. Draw scenes of Malaysian life that we can all be proud of. It can be a day at the Merdeka Parade, a crowd during the countdown to Aug 31, or friends blowing out birthday candles to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Aug 12.

Please put “STARCHILD: Merdeka” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.

Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone number and address.