EVS Chapter 16: Games We Play

Indoor and Outdoor Games: What's the Difference?

Games can be broadly divided into two types based on where we play them: Indoor Games and Outdoor Games.

Indoor Games are the ones we play inside a house or a closed space. Think about a rainy day when you can't go out. What do you play? Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Carrom, and Chess are all indoor games. You can play them with your family and friends, sitting comfortably in a room. These games are great for making our brains think and plan.

Outdoor Games are played outside in open spaces like a playground, a park, or a field. These games often need more space to run, jump, and throw. Cricket, Football, Hide-and-Seek (Chhuppan Chhuppai), and Kabaddi are popular outdoor games. They are fantastic for our bodies, helping us to stay fit and active. Playing outside also gives us fresh air and sunshine!

How to Play a Fun Traditional Game: Stapoo (Hopscotch)

1. Step 1: Draw the Court — First, you need a piece of chalk and a flat surface like a pavement. Draw a pattern of boxes on the ground. The boxes are usually numbered from 1 to 8, with some single boxes and some double boxes (side-by-side).
2. Step 2: Get Your Marker (Thippi) — Each player needs a small, flat stone or a marker. This is called a 'thippi' or 'gitti'. The first player throws their marker into the first box (number 1).
3. Step 3: Hop Through the Boxes — Now, the player starts hopping! You have to hop on one foot in the single boxes and land with both feet in the double boxes. You must skip the box that has your marker in it.
4. Step 4: Turn Around and Come Back — When you reach the last box, turn around and hop back the same way. When you get to the box just before your marker, pause, pick up your marker, and hop over that box to the start.
5. Step 5: Pass the Turn and Continue — If you complete the round without falling or stepping on a line, you pass your turn to the next player. In your next turn, you throw your marker into the next box (number 2) and repeat. If you make a mistake, you lose your turn, and the next player goes. The first person to complete all the boxes wins!

Why Playing Games is So Good For You!

• Makes Our Body Strong: Running, jumping, and moving around in outdoor games is a great exercise that keeps us healthy and fit.
• Helps Us Make Friends: When we play together, we talk, laugh, and learn to cooperate. It's a fun way to make new friends.
• Teaches Us to Follow Rules: Every game has rules. Following them teaches us discipline and fairness.
• Makes Us Feel Happy: Winning is fun, but just playing a game with friends can relax our minds and make us feel happy and refreshed.
• Teaches Teamwork: In games like Kho-Kho or Cricket, you have to play as a team. This teaches us how to work together to achieve a common goal.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Is Hide-and-Seek an indoor game or an outdoor game? Give a reason for your answer.
  A: Step 1: Think about where you play Hide-and-Seek. You need many places to hide and a big area to run and search.
  Step 2: This is usually done in a park, a garden, or around the house, which are open spaces.
  Step 3: Games played in open spaces are called outdoor games.
  Final answer: Hide-and-Seek is an outdoor game because it requires a large open area to run and hide.

• Q: Your friend is sad because they lost a game of Ludo. What should you do?
  A: Step 1: Remember that games are for fun, not just for winning or losing.
  Step 2: It's important to be a good friend. You should try to make your friend feel better.
  Final answer: You should tell your friend, "It's okay to lose sometimes! The important thing is that we had fun playing together. Let's play another round!"

• Q: Name two games that need a ball to play.
  A: Step 1: Think of games where you throw, kick, or hit a ball.
  Step 2: Cricket involves hitting a ball with a bat. Football involves kicking a ball into a goal. Basketball involves bouncing a ball and throwing it into a hoop.
  Final answer: Two games that need a ball are Football and Cricket.

• Q: Why is it important to have rules in a game?
  A: Step 1: Imagine playing a game where everyone does whatever they want. It would be very confusing!
  Step 2: Rules make sure that everyone plays fairly and knows what to do.
  Step 3: Rules also help prevent fights and arguments because everyone agrees on how the game should be played.
  Final answer: It is important to have rules in a game so that everyone can play fairly and the game is organized and fun for all.

Frequently Asked Questions