In a digital era where screens dominate attention spans, a growing number of Indian parents are making a conscious decision: unplug the devices and rediscover the magic of travel through old-fashioned play, creativity, and cultural connection.
This shift has led to a quiet revolution in how Indian families are exploring the country. Gone are the hours of mobile games and streaming videos. Instead, families are embracing a new set of screen-free rituals designed to keep children engaged, curious, and mindful during journeys—whether by car, train, or air.
Turning the Window Seat Into a Game Board
One of the more popular innovations? Train Bingo, a homemade version of the classic game tailored for Indian travel. The squares aren’t filled with numbers but with images like roadside shrines, colorful sarees drying on fences, chaiwalas pacing with steel kettles, and monkeys perched on railway poles.
“This game changed how my kids see the world outside the window,” said Anuradha Iyer, a Delhi-based mother who took her family on a recent cross-country train trip. “They no longer ask for the tablet. They ask for binoculars.”
Writing the Journey, One Postcard at a Time
Another screen-free favorite is the revival of postcard writing. Children are encouraged to send postcards from each stop—documenting not just places visited, but feelings, moments, and small discoveries.
Parents say the simple act of writing reinforces reflection and observation. “My son wrote, ‘Today I saw goats at a railway station. I named one Kalu.’ That’s the kind of memory no video can replace,” said Iyer.
Listening, Not Watching
With screen use minimized, many parents are turning to audio storytelling and regional folklore podcasts, allowing the family to be immersed in India’s diverse oral traditions. Some add creative pauses—asking children to predict what will happen next or draw characters based on the audio.
The emphasis, experts say, is on active listening and engaging the imagination, not passive consumption.
Memory-Making, Minus the Selfies
To help kids internalize their experiences, families are creating “Memory Jars”—small collections of tangible items gathered along the journey: a fallen leaf, a ticket stub, a hotel key card, or a handmade trinket. Each item is accompanied by a small handwritten note explaining its significance.
The result is a tactile travelogue. “We now have a shelf of jars—Rajasthan 2023, Sikkim 2024, Kerala 2025. They say more than any Instagram reel ever could,” said Aditi Rao, an architect from Bengaluru.
A New Philosophy for Family Travel
At the heart of this trend is a growing unease with how much time children—and adults—spend on screens. The World Health Organization recommends limiting recreational screen time for children, but the pandemic, followed by hybrid lifestyles, has only deepened dependence.
These screen-free travel practices represent not just parenting hacks but a broader shift in values.
“What these parents are doing is reframing travel as a shared experience rather than a distraction,” said Dr. Kavita Menon, a child development expert. “Children remember what they did, not what they watched. These analog adventures create cognitive and emotional anchors.”
From Travel to Transformation
While these practices may appear simple—postcards, pebbles, roadside games—they tap into something more profound: attention, connection, and presence.
In a country as textured and kinetic as India, travel can be a profound classroom. And for these families, the decision to unplug is not about nostalgia—it’s about reclaiming the joy of movement, the slowness of observation, and the art of togetherness.
