Don’t be surprised if you spot youngsters across the city playing pittu, kho-kho, sankhali, hopscotch or hide and seek instead of being glued to their screens. While smartphones and social media may dominate their peers’ daily schedules, Nagpur’s young brigade is turning to traditional games for a refreshing change. Community groups are reviving these childhood favourites, with playgrounds & turfs buzzing with energy every weekend. This new weekend ritual has also become a way to build friendships and let the inner child take over.Switching screens with spirited eveningsFor Jiya Dara, founder of Scramble Club, the idea behind organising classic games was to rekindle a sense of nostalgia. “Growing up, games like kho-kho, lagori and tug of war were a huge part of my childhood. Every evening, kids from the colony would come together to play, and some of my best memories were made on those playgrounds,” she says, adding that the sight of empty playgrounds and quiet neighbourhood lanes inspired her to start a community dedicated to outdoor games. “The issue is that most people prefer staying indoors on their phones or laptops. We want to bring people out, help them make real connections and experience the joy of simple childhood games.” she says.
Reconnecting with the inner childAnuprabha Bansod, founding member of Youthopia, believes these gatherings offer far more than just a breather, says, “We encourage participation by allowing everyone to express themselves, encourage leadership. We share our weekly achievements to celebrate the small wins and build a community.” Anuprabha shares that the response has been overwhelming. “These games defined our childhood. Years passed and slowly the playtime reduced. We felt the need for revival of these iconic games, to reconnect with our inner child and to relish those sunset memories,” she adds.
Community building over competitionKhushi Kriplani, who organises outdoor play sessions through Try It Out, says the transformation she witnesses during every event is almost immediate. “People usually arrive a little guarded and stick to the people they came with. But the moment the games begin and we divide everyone into teams with strangers, those filters disappear. The beauty of these games is that rules are simple, and there’s no pressure to perform. By the end of the session, participants leave exhausted but smiling.” She adds that keeping the experience accessible has also contributed to its growing popularity. “Participation fees range between ₹200 and ₹250, and no special equipment or athletic ability is required to indulge in these fun games. On our social media handle, when young people, especially Gen Z, see videos of a packed turf under the lights with everyone laughing, screaming, competing, and celebrating together, they instantly want to be part of that experience,” she explains.Rains can’t play spoilsport The monsoon is not really a hurdle for these bunch of enthusiastic youngsters. Jiya elaborates, “Most of us played in the rain anyway while growing up. We just make sure to keep a close eye on the weather, choose suitable venues and prioritise safety. We ensure everyone can play without slipping or getting hurt. In fact, sometimes the rain makes the games even more fun and memorable.” Khushi echoes the sentiment, and adds, “Instead of viewing the monsoon as a challenge, we are looking at it as a vibe shift. The moment it starts pouring, we switch to those nostalgic, muddy rainy-day games everyone loved as kids. We also move to covered turfs and all-weather synthetic surfaces whenever needed.”
