Ditch the Screens: 5 Old-School Games to Play With Your Kids This Children's Day

Remember when we were kids and the biggest fight was over who'd be "it" in a game of hide-and-seek? No iPads, no YouTube, just pure chaos and laughter until someone's mom yelled, "Dinner's ready!"

This Children's Day, let's bring that magic back.

Getting kids off screens feels like mission impossible these days. But once they start playing these games, they won't even remember their tablets exist.

So let us explore these five old-school games that are actually fun (not the boring ones your kids will roll their eyes at)!

This isn't your regular "find the hidden toy" game where you just stuff something under a pillow and call it a day. Make it wild, make it an adventure they'll talk about for weeks.

Hide small treats or toys around the house or garden, and write clues that rhyme because kids absolutely love that. Something like "Where mama cooks her magic stew, your next clue waits for you" leads them straight to the kitchen, and they feel like little detectives solving a mystery.

The trick here is to make clues age-appropriate so everyone can participate and feel successful. For younger kids, use pictures or simple drawings instead of words. For older ones, add some riddles or puzzles that make them think a little harder and feel proud when they crack the code.

Total time to set up: 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: The last treasure can be a coupon for "one extra story at bedtime" or "choose tonight's dinner." Kids love having that little bit of control, and it costs you absolutely nothing while making them feel like they've won something truly special.

The same game we played during those long family road trips when we were kids. But today's children don't know the joy of racking their brains for songs and actually singing together as a family without any gadgets involved!

Start with Bollywood songs because every kid knows at least a few, then move to cartoon theme songs (yes, Chota Bheem and Doraemon absolutely count), English songs, or whatever genre they're currently obsessed with. The important rule? No YouTube playing in the background, as this is pure memory mode where they have to actually remember the songs and lyrics.

What's amazing about this game is that even 5-year-olds can play and hold their own. They know more songs than you think they do, and they love showing off their knowledge. Plus, it's loud, it's chaotic, everyone's singing off-key, and nobody really cares because it's all about having fun together as a family.

Pro Tip: Let them win sometimes, especially when they're just starting out. Their confidence shoots up when they feel successful, and they'll be excited to play again instead of giving up because it felt too hard.

This one's absolute GOLD if you have more than two kids or can call some neighbors or cousins over for a proper match.

Stack 7 flat stones (or use old plastic containers if stones aren't handy or if you're worried about safety). One team throws a ball to knock them down, then tries to restack the stones while the other team tries to hit them with the ball and stop them from rebuilding.

It's incredibly addictive once the game starts and everyone gets competitive.

Kids are running around like crazy, dodging balls, screaming instructions to their teammates, and strategizing on the fly. It's basically like PE class, but actually fun because there's no teacher forcing them to participate. And the best part is that no fancy equipment is needed. Just find some stones from the garden, grab any ball lying around the house, and you're all set to play.

The classic pen-and-paper game that caused more arguments and fights than Monopoly ever did, but in the most fun way possible.

Remember how it works? Someone says a letter like "A," and everyone frantically writes down their answers: Animal - Ant, Place - Agra, Name - Ananya, Thing - Apple. The first person done with all four categories shouts "STOP!" and everyone has to put their pens down immediately.

Kids absolutely love this game because it feels like a race against time and against each other. They're learning geography, building vocabulary, and thinking fast without even realizing they're actually learning something useful. This is also your chance to sneak in some education while they think they're just playing!

Change up the categories if the usual ones start getting boring or too repetitive. Try different ones like: Fruit, Vegetable, Movie, Color, Food, or even Superhero. Keep mixing it up to keep things fresh and challenging for different age groups.

You can play this game literally anywhere you find yourself with some time to kill, like waiting at a restaurant for food to arrive, during power cuts when there's nothing else to do, or on lazy Sunday afternoons. All you need is some paper and a pen, which every household with kids has lying around.

If there's one game that gets everyone's competitive spirit flying, it's musical chairs. This game has been the star of every birthday party since forever, and there's a solid reason why it never goes out of style.

Set up chairs in a circle, one less than the number of players. Play some peppy music, and when the music stops, everyone scrambles to grab a seat. The one left standing is out, remove another chair, and repeat until you have a winner doing a victory lap around the living room.

What makes this game special is its suspense and thrill. Kids are walking around those chairs, eyes darting everywhere, ready to pounce the second the music stops. The anticipation builds with each round as the circle gets smaller and the competition gets fiercer.

It works for literally any age group. Toddlers love it, teenagers get surprisingly competitive about it, and even adults can't resist joining in because it's just that much fun. Plus, you can play it indoors on a rainy day or outdoors in the garden when the weather's nice.

Pro Tip: Keep the music controller in your hand and don't make the pattern predictable. Stop the music at random intervals (sometimes quick, sometimes after a whole song) to keep everyone on their toes and fully engaged in the game.

So what are you really waiting for? These games don't need expensive toys or complicated setups. Just some space, some energy, and the willingness to be a little silly with your kids.

This Children's Day, give your kids something they'll actually remember years from now; not another screen time session, but real laughter, real play, and real time with you. Because at the end of the day, that's what childhood memories are made of.

Ditch the screens for just one afternoon. Grab the kids before they disappear into their rooms.

Happy Children's Day to all the amazing kids out there!