On 13 April 2026, as a part of our School’s Citizenship Programme, 10 students of class IX organised a “Bal Mela” at the MCD Primary School in Sadiq Nagar. The students were accompanied by their teacher, Ms Sandhya Bhateja. The courtyard of the school was transformed into a vibrant play space. Notably, the children of the MCD school worked alongside the students and their teachers to set up the activity stalls and decorate the venue, fostering a shared sense of ownership from the start.
All the students together tied colourful paper buntings to the trees and arranged clusters of red, yellow, and white balloons along the stage. This collaborative start set a cheerful, inclusive tone for the Mela. Teams of students laid out mats, arranged tables with game materials and prizes, and marked activity zones. The MCD school children actively helped unroll mats and carry light supplies, guided by the senior students and teachers.
Once everything was set up, the students facilitated a mix of learning-based games and physical activities for approximately 250 children. These are as follows.
1. Mathematical Game on the Place Value System: This was one of the main attractions. Using a large chart and number cards, the students helped children build and read numbers up to 10,000. The game provided a strong experiential learning opportunity and was adapted for the children from KG to class V. Younger students identified the ones, tens, and hundreds, while the older students worked with thousands to crores, making abstract math concepts tangible and fun.
2. Pyramid Knock-Down: A pyramid made of glasses was set up at a stall. Students were to hurl a tennis ball to break the pyramid to win a prize. This game tested aim and coordination and was a huge hit across all the age groups.
3. Ring Toss & Prize Stall: A table was set up with a colourful mat displaying small prizes like biscuits and juice packs. Children lined up to throw rings, aiming for the items. The student volunteers managed the queue, explained the rules, and cheered the participants.
4. Coin-in-Water Game: The children were challenged to drop a coin into a small ring immersed in a bucket of water. This game required precision and concentration and saw enthusiastic participation.
5. Obstacle Hopscotch: A variation of hopscotch was created as an obstacle path using hoola hoops. Students had to jump from one hula hoop to another without stepping on the hoop itself, testing balance and agility.
6. Pass-The-Ball-Between-Cones Challenge: The students had to pass or roll a ball between two cones placed on the ground. To increase the difficulty level, the distance between the cones was progressively decreased, making the game more challenging and engaging for older children.
7. Coordination and Motor Skills Game: On a patterned mat, the children lay on their backs and used their feet to pick up small balls and drop them inside hoola hoops or buckets. This activity developed focus, balance, and coordination. Volunteers monitored each child’s turn, ensuring safety and fair play.
All the activities were designed to be low-cost, inclusive and interactive so that every child could participate regardless of age or ability. Teachers from both schools supervised and encouraged the children.
The joint effort gave the MCD school children a sense of responsibility and pride in the event. For our class IX students, planning and executing the mela with the younger children was a practical lesson in leadership, empathy, and community partnership. The place value game, in particular, showed how play-based methods can reinforce classroom learning across age groups.
Feedback from the Buniyadi Sanskar Foundation:
Ms Sunita Khurana of the Buniyadi Sanskar Foundation shared;
“The students of The Indian School were truly amazing—so polite, gentle, and full of enthusiasm. The games they planned were not only creative but also engaging and fun. Because of their efforts, the children were able to participate in and enjoy every activity. The Indian School’s Citizenship Programme shows that students are learning to be empathetic and feel a sense of responsibility towards the underprivileged.
"Bal Mela" was a great success. The children had a joyful experience and got to experience something new, which was exactly the purpose of organising this event.”
“Bal Mela” achieved its objective of learning through play and collaboration. The active involvement of the MCD school children in setting up the activities and the wide range of skill-based games made the event truly participatory. The initiative demonstrated how student-led programmes can build bridges, nurture empathy, and create joyful learning experiences at the grassroot level.
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