Simple outdoor games, climbing trees, or just playing in the mud were cheerful pursuits that defined childhood for generations. But such innocent pursuits lie forgotten as an increasing number of children are absorbed in digital games instead.
Rigorous academic schedules and competition offer little time to the kids to get involved in recreational activities. Parents do provide their children with a variety of indoor games and toys, but yet they get easily bored. Some kids spend hours watching television. It has now become a challenge for parents to keep their children engaged in extracurricular activities, especially on weekends and holidays.
A few years ago, there were not many entertainment outlets for kids of the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. But the scenario has changed. A number of gaming zones have come up in the cities, especially in the malls, and they serve as popular hangouts for children.
Binodini Behera of Cuttack said, “Our only child always complains of boredom. During weekdays, after my husband returns from office, we sit together and watch some television comedy shows. But during holidays, he wants to go out and enjoy electric rides and other games. In Cuttack, we have many such fun places for kids.”
The ‘Funkey Gaming Zone’ in Cuttack is a huge draw among kids of all ages. They have electric rides, gaming machines and a soft play area. There are theme-based rooms like mirror maze and scary house.
Zone owner Sri Asit Kumar Subudhi said, “Kids these days are more inclined towards digital games and indoor rides. Parents also want a place where their children can safely play under the supervision of seniors. We take care of the children while their parents go around the mall. Our game zone contains a large variety of both virtual and indoor games.”
In Bhubaneswar, too, play zones are popular. The Toniland play zone, for example, has a state-of-the-art indoor playground cafe. The attendants of the zone monitor, assist and guide children in ‘learn and play’ activities like craft and art. There are certain rules that must be followed while in the play area for kids’ safety and to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.
Lopamudra Routray of Bhubaneswar said, “The days when kids would spend hours outside playing in local parks, building sand castles, fording streams and climbing trees, have been mostly replaced by video games and television viewing. But in the play zones in malls, my child can play games that involve physical activity. The attendants also keep a watch over the children. Many of these zones have a variety of games for kids of all ages, and they can easily spend an entire day here.”
Rabindra Barik, in-charge of the Toniland play zone, said, “All the areas of the play zone are designed in unique ways and safety measures have been taken. We attach a band with a special barcode on the child so that we can identify him and his parents at the time of their exit from the gate. We also remind their parents through an auto generated SMS from our system from time to time.”
Sudipti Mohapatra, a homemaker of Bhubaneswar, said, “Parents have less time to spend with children these days. Also, school and homework keep kids busy. At other times, they are glued to computers, televisions and smartphones. To get them involved in some physical activities, we take our children to a game zone in Nayapalli that contains games like bumping cars, vending games, video games, rides and soft games for children.”
The manager of the game zone Rajendra Sethi said, “Our gaming zones have 3D Games, 3D simulators and games based on popular Hollywood movies for the adolescents. Children can keep themselves engaged while their parents do some shopping.”
SOYONG, OP