Summer vacations are currently underway. Outside, with temperatures soaring to 44 degrees, the air is thick with scorching heat and blistering winds. Consequently, children are compelled to remain confined within their homes. Cooped up indoors, children are increasingly turning to smartphones and screens for entertainment. Constantly staring at a smartphone is far from healthy; this habit adversely impacts both the mental and physical well-being of children. The best solution to this problem lies in those trusty, time-tested companions of summer vacations: board games. These games serve not only as a means to keep children away from screens but also as a powerful medium to bring the family closer together.

**Budget-Friendly Entertainment**

Given the current global economic climate, even the government is urging citizens to spend prudently. In today's times, stepping out for an outing or visiting a gaming zone at a mall has become an extremely expensive affair. In contrast, board games offer an affordable and sustainable alternative. A board game, once purchased, can provide entertainment for the entire family for years on end. It requires no expensive gadgets, internet connections, or electricity. It serves as a budget-friendly source of entertainment for Indian families across all income groups and can be easily played in any corner of the house.

**A Welcome Respite from Screens**

Nowadays, children spend the majority of their time glued to their mobile phones. Constant screen exposure has a detrimental effect on both their eyesight and their behavior. This issue tends to be exacerbated during the summer holidays. In such a scenario, board games prove to be a true blessing. When the entire family sits down together to play Ludo, Carrom, or Snakes and Ladders, the children naturally forget all about their mobile phones. These games draw them out of the virtual realm and bring them back into the real world. There is arguably no better way to create a healthy distance from screens.

**Infusing New Warmth into Relationships**

In many Indian families, a noticeable communication gap has emerged between grandparents, parents, and children. Everyone seems to be engrossed in their own digital worlds. Board games excel at bridging this divide. When three generations sit together to play *Chaupar* or *Vyapar* (the Indian adaptation of Monopoly), the atmosphere within the home comes alive with energy and warmth. The laughter and playful banter that occur during a game help dissolve bitterness and bridge the emotional distance in relationships. This time serves not merely as an opportunity for play, but as a medium for mutual conversation and for sharing life's joys and sorrows.

**Learning Essential Life Lessons**
Board games are not merely a means of entertainment; they also teach children many important life lessons. In a game, one sometimes experiences victory, while at other times, one must face defeat. Through this, children learn to accept failure and to try again. Experiencing this process in the presence of family members fosters patience and sportsmanship within them. In the Indian context—where children often face immense pressure to excel in every field—these games teach them that losing is not the end of the world, but rather a new learning experience.

**A Deep Connection with Culture**
Our country boasts a rich history of traditional games. Games such as *Chaupar*, *Pallanguli*, *Ashta Chamma*, and Chess have been an integral part of our culture for centuries. Through these games, we can help children connect with their roots and traditions. When parents share stories of the games they played during their own childhood, one can observe a distinct sense of excitement in the children. This cultural exchange teaches children to take pride in their heritage and brings them closer to their families.

**Mental Exercise and Concentration**
Indian strategic board games—such as Chess, *Pallanguli*, and *Bagh-Bakri*—enhance children's cognitive abilities. Winning these games requires specific strategies and deep, critical thinking. This strengthens children's logical reasoning and decision-making skills. While mobile games often tend to make children hyper-stimulated and aggressive, board games foster concentration and a sense of calm. Through the playful medium of games, children also pick up mathematical calculations and new vocabulary, which proves beneficial in their academic studies as well.

An Hour for the Family
As conscientious parents, it is our duty to guide our children in the right direction. Simply telling children, "Don't look at your mobile phones," will not be enough to ensure their compliance. We must offer them a better and more engaging alternative. During these summer holidays, designate one hour every day specifically as "Family Game Time." This small step will prove to be a milestone in your child's development. The memories you create with your children through board games will stay with them for a lifetime. So, why wait? Pull those old board games out of the cupboard today and make a fresh start with your family.

Companies Making a Difference
MySutradhar: A company that manufactures board games and toys based on the *Ramayana* and *Mahabharata*.
Kreeda Games: A Chennai-based company engaged in the research, development, and revival of traditional Indian games; over the past 24 years, it has successfully reintroduced more than 28 Indian board games for children.
Kholkhel: A Jaipur-based company contributing to the development of play-based pedagogy, as outlined by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Roll the Dice: A Bengaluru-based company focused on the revival of traditional Indian games.

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