Starchild: Why Malaysian kids want futuristic watches on their wrists

Kathleen Cheong Wei Yen, 10

What do you get when you mix creativity, colours and a big dose of imagination? Some very cool watches!

What kind of watch would you love to wear? Do you fancy animal-themed watches, with dials shaped like pandas, cats or even dinosaurs?

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 10Or are space designs more your style, with glowing stars, planets and rockets zooming around the watch face?

Some watches even come with glow-in-the-dark numbers, so you can check the time at night.

Then there are superpower watches. These don’t just tell time – they have buttons for “freeze time”, “super speed” or even “invisibility” (at least in the designer’s imagination!).

Wouldn’t it be amazing to own a watch with a secret compartment for emergency snacks?

So, what kinds of watches are popular with kids today?

Bright colours are always a hit, especially blues, greens, pinks and rainbow designs.

Digital watches are popular because they’re easy to read and often come with alarms, stopwatches and fun sound effects.

Many kids also enjoy sports watches with tough straps that can handle running, jumping and splashing around. Some watches even have detachable designs, allowing kids to remove or reposition the strap and play in a way that suits them.

Watches are also getting smarter. According to an article on kids’ smartwatches on iwownlex.net, these items are becoming increasingly popular because they offer useful features such as connectivity and safety tools.

Recently Starchild asked readers to send in letters about their dream watches – and their ideas were impressive.

“My watch looks simple but has many important functions,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 10. “One of them is an emergency button I can press to summon help when I’m in danger. It’s also a super watch that can morph into an umbrella and other useful objects for emergencies.”

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 8

Younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, eight, writes: “My watch has a piano function so I can practise my pieces by tapping on the surface. There is also a go-back-in-time button and a power button that gives me superpowers to fight crime.”

Calum Lau Jet Yun, 6

Six-year-old Calum Lau Jet Yun keeps his design simple but exciting: “My watch can transform into a robot.”

Kathleen Cheong Wei Yen, 10, designed a futuristic watch that helps her stay healthy. “My dream watch has a water refilling area that can store up to 500ml of water. When I tap a button, a water tap appears so I can drink. There’s also a special button that makes the clock spin.”

ITEM: Do you have a favourite month of the year? Is it the month of your birthday, a festive celebration or a time for school holidays and fun adventures? Tell us why this month is special to you and what you like to do during this time.

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Jan 23. Please put “STARCHILD: My favourite month” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.