Millennials grew up in close communities with no smartphones and less of “Intertainment”. Their childhood was all about spending evenings on the streets with their friends playing outdoor games.
Today, young kids are usually glued to screens, animated characters are their best friends and outdoor games are seldom played. Birthday parties have turned into an online gaming zone. Beating the high score on these mobile apps has become more realistic than running across the playground.
But at International schools in Gurgaon, kids are introduced to traditional games as these activities help them to grow healthy, feel socially connected and value team spirit.
Let’s revisit the memory lane and list down 5 age-old games that children should play!
1. Hopscotch
Many variations of this game exist. All it requires are a couple of friends, chalk and stone to toss.
How to play?
Draw eight boxes on the no-traffic road using the sidewalk chalk and mark numbers (1-8) on each. Children can invite as many friends to play the game but a single player gets the turn at a time. The “one player” has to throw the stone aiming at a specific number which must stay within the boundaries of the box else the next player enters. Once the stone lands as planned, the player has to jump on each box except where the stone is and return without getting out.
The aim is to complete the hopscotch pattern sequentially. Also, you can only hop using one leg on each box.
2. Hide n’ Seek
The most suspense-filled game for kids of the 80s and the 90s. It requires kids to use their senses to camouflage or hide at interesting nooks. At Excelsior American School, our kids enjoy such activities every once in a while.
How to play?
This game can be enjoyed with a small to a big group of friends. One kid will count till ten or twenty with the blindfold on his/her eyes while others will have to find their corner for hiding. After the count, the “Denner” will unfold their blinds to find the hidden players. When they spot someone hiding, they’ll have to tag them by calling out “I spy” or “I see you, [Player’s Name]”. Players who are able to touch the “Safe point” without getting spotted by the Denner will be immune to the tagging. The one who is found last will act as the Denner in the next round.
3. Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light as the name suggests uses the concept of the traffic light. Again, the game has no limit on the number of players to play.
How to play?
Denner, also known as Traffic Light in this game, will stand behind the finishing line while the rest of the players’ line-up far away. This kid turns his back towards others and calls out “Green”, meaning players are allowed and come towards the traffic light. Suddenly, “traffic light” has to yell out “Red” indicating everyone to be at their spot as it is.
If the Denner finds anyone moving, that person has to rush back to the starting point. The aim is to reach the finishing line without being caught. Whosoever is the first one to touch the traffic light, wins the game.
4. Chain-Chain
Involving a lot of running, Chain-Chain also promotes team spirit and smart plotting to trap free players. More the number of children, more fun.
How to play?
Choose the Denner of the game. This person begins to catch the free players. Gradually, the chain of children grows and the last one standing free wins the game.
Whosoever was caught first has to start the next round.
5. Musical Chair
The best birthday game ever! Musical Chair usually comes with a prize that inspires every kid to show utter seriousness to win the game.
How to play?
The chairs are aligned forming a line, facing right and left, consecutively. The number of chairs has to be one less than the number of children. These competitive players have to run in a circular motion around the setup when the music is on. As soon the music is turned off, kids who grab the chair are promoted to the next stage. Kids who stayed standing when the music turned off are out of the game.
The next round begins with one chair less. This continues until the very last chair is left. Whoever wins the final round, wins the game.
Importance of these games
Children need to have an active lifestyle. Apart from health benefits, these games preach working in a team, develop leadership qualities and strengthen strategic thinking. We, being the top Montessori School in Gurgaon, tend to bolster these qualities through such interesting activities. Also, one might have hundreds of online friends but a close friend is always precious. And these playground activities encourage every kid to form lifetime memories and everlasting bonding to cherish.
Did this article bring some exciting memories back to you? Great! Let’s help our kids to value such moments too.
