Khel khel mein padhne ka

Just when we thought good ol' kiddie games had gone up the gallows courtesy virtual ones, there came a cute cover full of flamboyant under-fourteen fun. The guide got a mommy to test it

Computer games have killed physical playtime for good. Or so we thought till we came across this book, a bundle of interesting, mentally stimulating and fun games for children aged three to 14.

It's Playtime Folks is a compilation of 25 easy-to-organise games by writer Geetanjali Krishna, a mother of two and educator herself. Printed on handmade paper and illustrated in loud and legible red, white and black by tattooist and graphic artist Isa Es Asi, this 48-pager has games that require few props but lots of imagination. And it aims tou00a0 test the playful reflexes of kids.

While some of the games are new, others are variations of timeless favourites such as hide-n-seek, musical chairs and I spy, but with a twist. There are others, which are more sophisticated, like The Word War Game and The Third Eye, unusually intelligent and innovative. Moreover, every game comes with tips to make it simpler or more challenging, as per the requirement and mood.

And before you hand it to your li'l one, remember you must go through it yourself.

It's Playtime Folks!
By Geetanjali Krishna Publisher: Inkblots
48 pages, Rs 350

Mum's corner
Guneet Kaur, mother of 5-year-old Harsheen, is quite happy with the compilation. "The book is written in very simple language, and is attractively packaged with quirky cartoons all over. Coming to the games, they are entertaining and very stimulatingu00a0-- some mentally and some physically. Also, I believe, when parents play these games with their kids, it adds to the bonding between the two. But at the same times, these games can't be played everyday. You need to improvise."
Guneet's Pick: Baa baa black sheep
1. All the players sit in a circle.
2. One player is blindfolded and spun round in the middle of the circle.
3. S/he can sit on any player's lap and say, "baa baa black sheep!"
4. The player whose lap s/he is sitting on, has to baa like a sheep.
5. If the blindfolded player can identify the person by his or her voice, s/he wins. The person who was identified correctly is the next to be blindfolded. If it is a case of wrong identity, then the game continues.

She's tried 'em all
Author Geetanjali hopes the book will bring back the innocence and charm of impromptu, on-the-go fun. Here's a quick tete-a-tete with the writer.
A kiddie book on recycled paper. Will children really know the significance?
Children these days know fair deal about recycled and other eco-friendly products. But the fact is that they don't associate it with fun stuff. Here's change.
Is it really a good idea to read to play?
I have always felt that games are the best way to impart skills to children without them being conscious of the fact that they are learning. When I was conceptualising this book, we had a really tough time deciding whether this book was meant for the parents or the kids. But we realised it was for both.
Do you think a book can encourage real games?
I've spent a lot of time on online games. They teach you, too, but if this book it provides some hours of fun, I think my purpose is solved.