Looking back to our earliest days of childhood, we will find that there’s plenty we cannot remember. Not the way we played, though. That bit is crystal clear.
Back in those days, life was simpler. We weren’t exposed to a potpourri of cultures through a digital platform that didn’t even exist back then. Instead, we played games that were a fine reflection of our own rich heritage.
Before looking to teach Indian Culture for kids, we must first be aware of why it is absolutely essential to help children foster a sense of respect for their culture. Indian art and culture showcase a rich tapestry of diverse traditions, aesthetics, and expressions that have evolved over centuries.
The Importance of Indian Culture for Kids
We are all lucky to be living in a country like India, which is rich in its culture and diversity. There’s far more than meets the eye, where it comes to teaching children the importance of Indian culture.
- It helps them have a positive sense of self-identity. When children are made aware of their cultural identity and roots, they garner their own sense of identity. This in turn lends them a vital sense of belongingness.
- It helps them respect others. When children are strongly rooted in their traditions and culture, they develop a strong sense of respect for others.
- It reinforces their morals and values. When children gain sound knowledge of things like ethics, morals and values, they imbibe great values like integrity, compassion and empathy.
- It teaches them unity in diversity. It’s absolutely imperative that we teach our children that despite our diverse ethnicities, religious backgrounds and traditions, we are all one.
Indian Cultural Games: Teaching Kids to play the Indian Way
From games that get your children to move, to those that involve strategy, we have curated a list of the best Indian games for kids. Games that will help them absorb Indian culture through the medium they love best – namely, ‘Play’!
Antakshari
One of the top Indian cultural games, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t make it to the top of our list of the best Indian games for kids.
How to Play: if your child has a repertoire of songs in their mind, this game will be an instant hit with them and their friends. Each team has to play in turns, starting from the last letter of the previous song sung by the other team.
Marbles
Remember how we would play marbles for hours as children?
How to Play: This classic game, more affectionately known as ‘goti’, only needs a few glass marbles and a couple of players. Each player has to outdo the other in striking a marble with another, using a specific striking technique. Note: While this game does not include much movement, it entails a good deal of focus.
The Spinning Top
You probably know this game better by its moniker, ‘Lattoo’. While the spinning tops in our days were made of clay, today they are made of plastic with a pointed steel nib at the bottom. It comes with a string.
How to Play: Wrapping the string tightly around the top, before holding the other end of the string and throwing the top parallel to the ground. The idea is to get the unwinding string to make the top spin on the ground. Tip: Make a competition for it. See who can spin their top for the longest time!
Gilli Danda
Some Indian cultural games, like this one, have become synonymous with playing on Indian streets.
How to Play: Gilli Danda involves the use of a Gilli (a short stick) and a Danda (a longer stick). Using the Danda to flick the Gilli up from the ground, they have to strike it while it’s still in the air. Immediately after hitting with the Danda, the player has to run to a certain point before the Gilli is caught by the opponent.
Kabaddi
This game will require your child to invite some of his friends, for some nail-biting, sporting fun.
How to Play: A player from each team has to break into the other team’s area, by touching as many players of the opposing team as they can. All the while, touching the border line. The players that are ‘touched’ are declared ‘out’. The team with the maximum score at the end, wins the match. Note: This game is a great test of strength, agility, and strategy, too.
Kho-Kho
Certainly one of the most popular Indian games for kids, this one is widely played in many villages and cities, too.
How to Play: The ‘chaser’ in one team runs around a player from the other team, designated the ‘runner’. Similar to Kabaddi, the objective of the chaser is to touch the runner.
Chaturanga
A good way to promote Indian culture for kids, is to have them indulge in this timeless game of strategy.
How to play: Just like in modern Chess, Chaturanga has many pieces, from the Raja (King) to the Ratha (Rook). The goal of the game lies in getting the opponent’s King in trouble, so he cannot move without being taken by the enemy. Cool fact: Did you know that kings and generals would play this game to curate new war strategies?
Chhupan Chhupai
Commonly known as Hide and Seek, this game might be played all around the world, but deserves its place on this list. After all, we have played it countless times in our childhood!
How to Play: One person is chosen as the ‘denner’. They have to count to a hundred, before setting out to find the others, who have set out to hide. The first person to be found becomes the next denner, and so on. Note: This game is great fun because it involves a good deal of planning, to continually find cool, new places to hide.
We at EuroKids believe that India’s rich culture and history are deeply rooted in sports and games. We encourage you to get your kids to play these games as often as they possibly can, to help them gain an appreciation of our wonderful Indian culture.
