Since gadgets didn’t exist back then, my neighbors and I used to gather after school. I would play jump rope and engklek with the girls, and hide and seek and gobak sodor with the boys.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Second Lady Selvi Ananda has called on all elements of society to help preserve and promote traditional games among children amid the rapid spread of digital technology.

“I hope that traditional games will be introduced to today’s children, as I believe they are not aware of some of these games,” she said during a Car Free Day event held in Jakarta on Sunday to commemorate the 2025 National Children’s Day.

She reminisced about her own childhood, recalling games such as knucklebones, jump rope, hide and seek, engklek (hopscotch), and gobak sodor — a traditional team-based tag game.

“Since gadgets didn’t exist back then, my neighbors and I used to gather after school. I would play jump rope and engklek with the girls, and hide and seek and gobak sodor with the boys. These games were our form of entertainment growing up,” she recalled.

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Selvi praised the government’s decision to decentralize this year’s National Children’s Day celebrations, allowing every school in Indonesia to participate in their own way rather than holding a single centralized event.

“I see this as a great innovation. I believe the spirit and sense of togetherness created by Children’s Day will have a greater impact if every child in every school can take part. After all, this national day is dedicated to all Indonesian children,” she said.

The main event will be held on July 23 in Indragiri Hulu District, Riau Province. However, schools across the country are being encouraged to organize local celebrations.

Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifatul Choiri Fauzi confirmed the decentralized approach, noting that it aims to involve more children directly.

“Unlike previous years, we have decided to take a decentralized approach by commemorating the national day in all schools across Indonesia,” the minister said at the same event.



Related news: Expect Children’s Day to help build solidarity, unity: ministry





























Translator: Anita P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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