Top 20 outdoor games in India
                     Top 20 outdoor games in India
Outdoor games keep kids active and also help in boosting physical fitness and 
stamina. Playing outdoor games also helps by strengthening their bones, muscles, 
immune system and lowering the risk of several ailments like heart problems, 
diabetes, obesity, etc. Moreover, outdoor games improve the eyesight of the kids. In 
India, there are different types of outdoor games that are very popular. The popular 
ones like Cricket and Football, to the less famous Gillidanda, Kho-kho, Kabbadi, etc.,
are also played by the Indians frequently. So, we can say that there are different 
types of outdoor games in India that are very good for the health of the players. The 
top twenty outdoor games in India and their details are here for you. However, 
before that, let us discuss some benefits of outdoor games.
What are outdoor games, and what are their benefits?
Outdoor games are those games or sports that are played outside of the house and 
need a large space. These games are played in natural settings. Some benefits of 
playing outdoor games are:
 Playing outside can be helpful for the health of the players because the sun is 
the direct source of vitamin D.
 Playing outside and within the natural environment is good for building and 
strengthening the immune system of the players. 
 Playing outdoor team games helps the players to understand the meaning of 
team spirit and thus helps them in becoming socially adept. Also, the players 
become more disciplined than ordinary people.
 Playing within fresh air can improve blood circulation and help the players to 
remain fit and active.
Top 20 outdoor games in India
1. Badminton
It is a very popular outdoor game in India, and the team is governed and supervised 
by the Badminton Association of India. The Indian badminton players like Saina 
Nehwal, P. V. Sindhu, Aswini Ponnappa are competing with the players of other 
countries and becoming really famous.
2. Cricket
Cricket is the most popular outdoor game in India also an important part of Indian 
culture. It is played in almost all the states of India. BCCI is the body for this popular 
game in India. Also, the IPL or Indian Premier League is the most followed league in 
the world. Indian Cricket team won several world championships like ICC Champions
Trophy, Twenty 20 World Cup, Cricket World Cup of 2011, etc.
3. Football
Football is another outdoor game of India. This is very popular in the states, such as 
West Bengal, Goa, North-East India, and Kerala. Several professional and skilled 
Indian Football players like Sunil Chhetri and Bhaichung Bhutia had promoted India 
and Indian Football to the world.
4. Hockey
Hockey or also known as Field Hockey is one of the oldest outdoor games in India. It
is considered the unofficial national game of India. Indian Hockey players won 
several trophies as well. This game is played by two teams having 11 players each 
and they try to hit a hard and small ball with their sticks and take that into the 
opponent’s goal. It has been played in India for several decades.
5. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is another very popular and one of the traditional games in India. It is a 
popular competitive sport, and also its players can play in the Asian Games. There 
are also several international championships in this game, like Kabaddi World Cup 
and also a league like IPL, which is famous as Pro Kabaddi League.
This Pro Kabaddi League is the second most-watched sports league in India and is 
becoming more and more popular.
6. Tennis
Though this game that is known as Tennis, is limited to the urban areas of India, it 
will definitely come to the list of the top twenty outdoor games in India. Along with 
Badminton and Football, this game is becoming really popular and is followed by 
many Indians. This game was introduced in India in the year 1880.
7. Motorsport
This game of speed known as Motorsport had developed its stronghold in India when
Narain Karthikeyan became by the team of Formula One as the only Indian. Today, 
India has built its Formula One Team is, known as Force India, to encourage the 
players.
8. KhoKho
Kho Kho is a very old sport of India, and also is the second most played traditional 
game in India after Kabaddi. This Indian outdoor tag game is also played in South 
Africa by the community of India, and it is one of the most famous games of India. 
This game needs two teams having 12 players each. 
9. Flying Kite
Flying Kite in India is an outdoor game and is also considered a recreational activity. 
There is a famous Indian festival that is dedicated to this interesting outdoor game. 
The Kite festival, or the day of the traditional kite flying festival, is known as 
Uttarayana in the state Gujarat, and in other parts, it is known as Makara Sankranti. 
10.Gilli Danda
It is a very old outdoor game in India that is played mostly in the rural areas, small 
towns, and villages in India. This game is also known as an ancient sport of India.
11.Golf
The game known as Golf is becoming more popular nowadays and is played by 
many people of the wealthier classes of India. It is also considered as one of the 
growing sports in India like Tennis, Squash, Rugby, etc.
12.Kalaripayattu
This game is actually one of the oldest fighting systems that is originated from the 
state of Kerala and is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. Here the 
players can show their different sets of techniques while trying to defeat each other.
13.Pithu or Lagori
Lagori or Pithu is a very popular game in India. It requires a pile of some flat stones 
and a ball. The flat stones are stacked on one another, and there will be two teams. 
One member of a team will throw the ball to knock over the pile of stones, and the 
team then will try to restore the pile, while the other team will throw the ball at them. 
If the ball touches a person, then he will be out, and the team needs to continue the 
game without that member.
14.Lattu
Lattu is a very famous Indian outdoor game among children. This game involves a 
wooden top or Lattu, which has a nail at the bottom and can spin speedily. A strong 
and thick string is wrapped around the grooves of the lattu, and pulling the string 
forcefully will make the topspin.
15.Marbles or Kancha
This is a very popular game among Indian kids. This is played with many glass 
marbles of round shape, and the goal is to collect as many marbles as possible, just 
by striking other marbles with the one in hand.
16.Volleyball
Volleyball is another team sport that is very popular in India as it is usually played in 
the winter season. It needs two teams, where each of them tries to score points by 
making the ball touch the ground on the court of the opponent team. This game is 
actually popular in several parts of India.
17.Track sport
With skilled persons like Hima Das, track sports are becoming a very popular 
outdoor game in India. This sport has many Indian talents that can easily amaze the 
world. 
18.Basketball
Though Basketball is a popular sport in the U.S., the Indians are also playing this 
game, and this game is strongly promoted at the local as well as professional level in
India.
19.Hopscotch
This game needs no introduction as an outdoor game in India. The rules of this 
game are within the heart of every Indian. In this game, the players several 
numbered boxes, then by taking the turn, each participant throws a stone at a box, 
then hops from one box to another. Whoever reaches the highest point or level will 
be the winner.
20.Tug of war
Tug of war is another very popular outdoor game in India that was once played in 
Olympics as well. It is a game where one can feel their actual strength while playing. 
Here two teams hold a rope from each end and try to pull it towards them. This game
actually teaches the value of team effort and spirit.
Conclusion
India is a country that is known for its characteristic of ‘unity among diversity’. With 
so many regional cultural variations, it is obvious that the field of sports will also have
its own fair share. There is hardly any other country where so many types of outdoor 
games are played by the common people. These top twenty outdoor games in 
India are not only famous in our country, but also in several other places in the 
world. Through these games, the power to play as a team increases a lot, and the 
players can strengthen their physical and mental power. So, these top twenty 
outdoor games in India have a strong influence on the Indian citizens and their 
lives.