Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Tug of War: Traditional Games at a Farmhouse

A farmhouse lawn in Moinabad is the perfect place to bring back the games you played in school: kabaddi, kho-kho, tug of war, lagori and the rest. They need almost no equipment, everyone already half-knows the rules, and they get a mixed group laughing within minutes.

This is a practical guide to running them well at a private farmhouse, with simplified rules, the few things you should carry, and how to keep it safe for every age.

Why traditional games work so well at a farmhouse

Box cricket is great, but it often ends up with the same eight people playing while everyone else watches. Traditional games are different. Anyone can join, teams are easy to reshuffle, and a ten-year-old can genuinely beat an uncle at kho-kho. They suit family outings, office teams and big cousin groups equally well.

Moinabad farmhouses usually have open lawns, which is all you need. The space is yours alone, so nobody minds the shouting. Check the photos before you book to see how large and level the lawn is.

The games, with simple rules

Kabaddi

Two teams on either side of a centre line. A raider crosses over, tries to tag defenders and get back to their own half in a single breath while chanting "kabaddi, kabaddi". Tagged defenders are out; if the defenders hold the raider down, the raider is out.

Farmhouse version: play touch kabaddi. No tackles, no holding by the legs. Defenders "catch" the raider by surrounding them and touching them together. It keeps the game fun and avoids sprained wrists on a lawn.

Kho-kho

One team sits in a line, alternate players facing opposite directions. One chaser runs, the other team's runners try to avoid being tagged. The chaser can swap with a seated teammate by tapping their back and saying "kho".

Farmhouse version: shorten the line to six or seven seated players and play two-minute rounds. It is fast and tiring, so rotate often.

Tug of war

Two teams, one thick rope, a line in the middle. First team to pull the other's front player across wins.

Farmhouse version: always play on grass, never near the pool edge or on paving. Balance teams by weight, not by headcount, or the result is decided before you start.

Lagori (seven stones)

Stack seven flat stones. One team knocks them down with a ball and then tries to rebuild the stack while the other team tries to hit them with the ball. Use a soft ball, not a hard one.

Lemon and spoon, sack race, three-legged race

Perfect for the youngest and oldest players in the group. Short races across the lawn, with everyone cheering.

What to carry

You can buy most of this in the city before you leave; shops near Moinabad farmhouses are small and will not stock sports items.

• A thick, soft rope for tug of war (rough plastic rope burns hands)
• Soft balls for lagori and dodge games
• Chalk powder or a few cones to mark lines on the lawn
• Lemons and spoons, a couple of gunny sacks, cloth strips for three-legged races
• A whistle and a phone timer
• Small prizes: chocolates, badges, a trophy for the overall winner
• Water, electrolyte sachets and a basic first-aid kit

A sample games session

Keep the whole thing to about ninety minutes. People enjoy it more when it ends while they still want more.

Timing and weather

From March to June, the midday sun in Moinabad is harsh, and running games on an open lawn at that hour is not sensible. Play in the early morning after a night stay, or in the late afternoon when shade stretches across the grass. In the monsoon, wet grass gets slippery; skip kabaddi and tug of war if the lawn is soggy. The cool months from November to February are ideal for a full games afternoon.

Keeping it safe

• Clear the lawn of stones, sprinkler heads and stray chairs before you start.
• Keep all games away from the pool and its paving.
• Warm up first. Adults who have not sprinted since college will thank you.
• Let older guests be referees and scorekeepers if they would rather not run.
• Stop for water every round, especially in summer.

Scoring and prizes

Keep a running points table across all the games instead of declaring a winner for each. Give points for winning, but also small bonus points for team spirit, the loudest cheering or the best team name. This keeps teams that lose an early round invested until the tug of war finale. Announce the overall champions over lunch or around the evening bonfire, with a trophy or a box of sweets, and let the youngest player on the winning team hold it for the photo.

Making it part of a bigger day

Traditional games are a natural fit for a joint family day at a Moinabad farmhouse, where several generations want something to do together. They also work well for office offsites in Moinabad as a team-building block that does not feel forced. If children will be in the group, look at kids-friendly farmhouses in Moinabad for properties with safer layouts and kids' pools.

Find a lawn for your games

Check lawn sizes in the photos, confirm the guest cap for your group, and pick your dates. Bigger gatherings can start with farmhouses for large groups in Moinabad. You can browse all farmhouses in Moinabad with live availability and full prices.