Bhatukali in vacation

Bhatukali -How many of you know this game? 

I guess kids in the 90s and before that must know BHATUKALI. Still, if you don't know, not to worry, stick to the whole post.

End of an era of online school

Gyan we learn from our kids : 

Be calm, accept the situation and enjoy it to the fullest. Our kids enjoyed the school in the same way (like offline)Irritating the teacher by asking questions like which subject is today? Can we write? Which lesson mam? Are you sending this in what's app group? Etc. 

For kids, it was more fun but the truth is they missed school, friends, and teachers. Due to online schooling, we are able to evaluate our kid's performance as well as " teachers" performance. We get to know the flaws and strengths of our kids. As a parent, we should utilize it.

Now it is vacation time and still, we have to schedule our kid's day, is it really necessary? This means, nowadays schools have everything in their syllabus from guitar to painting. But still, every parent feels to keep them busy.

Why?

Let them get bored. Let them allow to play in the sunlight. Let them play in the mud.  Let them play barefoot. Let them be tired. Let them decide what they want to do on a vacation. Introduce a few indoor board games and play as a family.

Do you remember, when we were kids, how much we used to play?  At that time we have no restrictions on playing from our parents. We used to play from morning to night with lunch n snacks break. Right? Then why do we putting such restrictions on our kids? Is it overparenting? What do you think?

Bhatukali in summer camp.

Now summer camps are flooded all over social media.  I don’t like to spend a huge amount on such a summer camp. But this time our colony had a summer camp. They actually conducted "sanskar Varg" for kids, which was very good for parents 😀because nowadays kids are arrogant and they have no compassion or kindness. (Not all but yes 60%) Even they don't know how to talk politely. 

Anyway, so I called them for the details. They said they have bhatukali. I literally jumped and without giving a second thought enroll my daughter.  It was ₹300 for 5 days with a unique activity. My daughter was also ready to join just because of this bhatukali.

OK, what is BHATUKALI?

My daughter asked the same question. I told her, that Bhatukali means real cooking with toy utensils. We used to prepare real meals like puri bhaji and dal rice with a toy kitchen set.

What to do?  Can we do it at home?

Well, the answer is yes, we can make it at home.

But this should be done with adult supervision. My Attya (bua-fathers sister) helps us with cooking. She actually built a small Chula ( gas with brick). We all friends bring cooking materials. Some bring oil, some bring potato, some bring wheat, and each one brings the necessary ingredients for the dish. We all cook and have a meal. This game took around 5 hours and we loved to play during our vacation.

During this summer camp, they decorate a toy kitchen set. Teachers teach kids how to knead the dough for poori, how to roll small puri, and how to fry it in oil. They allow each kid to perform these things. Cool  na! 

Then they also teach them how to boil potatoes and prepare a Sabji. They put the flame on Candle and made this "puri-bhaji" in the toy kitchen Kadai. Each child thoroughly enjoyed this. Because their mums do not even allow them in the kitchen and here they do so many cooking-related things.

How was the summer camp from my daughter's view?

It was fun and lovely. She enjoyed makings poori but got upset as she did not get a chance to fry them. I told her it was for everyone. One kid can not be allowed to do everything.  I assured her that I will allow her to fry the poori in my kitchen.😃 

Coming back to summer camp, she liked all activities except two -making Ballon girl and pot painting. 

I asked, Why?

Because we do pot, bottle, Diya painting every time mom. I am not able to make that Ballon girl so I don't like it. 😔

But I was happy that she enjoyed this small summer camp.

What were the activities?

pot painting 

Even a small child can do this Varali Painting. They give this pot with the Tulsi plant. They taught children how to plant the small tulsi.

Ballon girl

lifafa making from scrap

Bag from old t-shirt

stamping of leaves

Finger painting 

Candle painting

and some jumping 

I took one week from her vacation only when she was ready. The rest of the time she played with her friends. Every time she reminds me, mom it's my vacation. I will decide how to have fun. I said, yes madam.😇

But yes, she has a time limit too. Because once children start to play they forget to have a meal. I am happy because she is away from the screen. 

Conclusion: Reminder to the parents-

It is a children's vacation. 

Do allow kids to play outdoor.

Do not pack their schedule with unnecessary things. 

This is the best way to keep them away from the screen. 

This is my opinion. Do you agree mom? 

Do you introduce any such kind of old play to your kids? Did you play Bhatukali? Comment below. I would love to read.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.' ---

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