In a world dominated by screens, it’s easy to forget the joys of simple, outdoor play. This article takes you back to a time when imagination reigned supreme, and childhood was filled with the magic of classic games like Hopscotch, Seven Stones, and Antakshari.
There is a reason why Squid Game, with all its gore and mayhem, has a hold on us, across generations–the premise is based on simple classic games that coloured our childhood. Growing up in an era before cell phones and easy access to television, we created our own entertainment through ingenious games that required nothing but imagination and perhaps a few simple props. Today, as we struggle to get our kids (and to be honest, ourselves) away from screens and into the land of the living, these timeless recreation can be just the thing we need.
Here are some timeless classic games worth passing down to the next generation – your children, nieces, nephews, or the kids next door.
1. Spinning Top (Lattoo)
This deceptively simple game not only keeps children engrossed for hours but also develops their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It’s fascinating to watch kids perfect their spinning technique. The look of triumph when they finally achieve that perfect spin is priceless.
2. Hopscotch
The careful ritual of drawing the grid with chalk, selecting the perfect stone as a marker, and hopping through the squares – hopscotch was a daily affair in our childhood. What made it special was its inclusivity; anyone could join, and the countless variations meant we never tired of it. From simple straight patterns to complex circular designs, each neighbourhood had its own unique version.
3. Seven Stones (Pitthu, Sitoliya, Lagori)
Seven stones was where childhood rivalries were born and team spirits forged. Armed with just seven stones of varying sizes and a cricket ball, we would spend hours strategizing, dodging, and rebuilding. It’s probably the reason many of us had no trouble meeting our step goals back then!
4. Antakshari
When the weather played spoilsport, and long power cuts took the TV away, Antakshari was our savior. This musical game-off between teams not only tested our knowledge of songs but also turned the most tone-deaf among us into confident singers. The frantic searching of our mental song databases when it was our turn, the triumph of remembering an obscure song – these moments made rainy days memorable. Oh, and have you noticed, no matter how many more movies and songs have come out since then, when we play today, we still revert to the same old classics–Yamma, yamma for ‘ya’, anyone?
5. Hide and Seek (Ankh Micholi, Lukka Chhuppi)
As dusk settled, hide and seek transformed our neighborhoods into mysterious territories of hidden nooks and secret spots. What made this game special was its ability to bring together children of all ages. Older kids would often become protectors of the younger ones, teaching them the best hiding spots and the art of staying quiet – a beautiful lesson in community building.
6. Dog and the Bone (Marram Pitthi)
Few games got our adrenaline pumping like Dog and the Bone. Two teams, one object, and countless strategies to grab it without getting caught. The tension in the air as two players circled the ‘bone’, the swift grab-and-run attempts, and the victorious sprints back to safety – pure excitement distilled into a simple game.
7. Name Place Animal Thing
Before Google became our knowledge bank, we had Name Place Animal Thing. Huddled together with notebooks and pens, we expanded our horizons one letter at a time. The heated debates over the existence of obscure places and animals weren’t just arguments – they were lessons in geography, zoology, and persistence.
8. Chain
“Chain chain, double chain!” These words still evoke memories of evening games where individual players gradually formed an unstoppable human chain. More than just a game of tag, it was an exercise in coordination and teamwork. The excitement of being part of a growing chain, running in sync with others, and the shared joy of catching the last player made every evening special.
There are so many more of these, and each has a regional variation in different parts of India. These games were more than just pastimes; they were our first lessons in teamwork, strategy, and social interaction. In today’s digital age, perhaps it’s time to revive these simple yet engaging games that shaped our childhood. They cost nothing but create memories worth everything.
