Traditional Balinese Games Your Nanny Might Teach Your Children Nanny In Bali
Meta Description: While you dive the reefs of Amed, your kids can experience the magic of Balinese culture. Discover the traditional games your local babysitter might share with your children.
When families travel to the stunning eastern coast of Bali, the itinerary is often packed with underwater adventures. While parents suit up to explore the vibrant drop-offs or the famous shipwrecks scattered along the coastline, children are left in the capable, warm hands of a local babysitter. But a day spent with a Balinese nanny is far more than just standard childcare; it is a gateway to an authentic cultural exchange.
Balinese culture is deeply rooted in community, outdoor play, and resourcefulness. Instead of relying on screens or tablets, local caregivers often introduce visiting children to the simple, unplugged joys of traditional Indonesian childhood. Here are a few delightful, traditional Balinese games your nanny might teach your children while you are out enjoying your dive.
Congklak: The Ancient Game of Shells
If your children are spending the morning on the beach, Congklak is almost guaranteed to make an appearance. Known in various forms across the world as Mancala, the Indonesian version is beautifully suited for a coastal holiday.
Traditionally played on a carved wooden board with 14 small holes and two larger holes at the ends, the game involves strategically distributing small objects. The magic of playing this in a place like Amed is that the nanny and your children can first spend time foraging for the game pieces. Smooth volcanic pebbles, pieces of sea glass, or tiny seashells gathered from the shoreline become the perfect Congklak seeds. It is a fantastic game that subtly teaches counting, strategy, and patience, all while sitting in the shade of a palm tree.
Bola Bekel: A Test of Agility
If the midday sun becomes too intense and the nanny moves the kids to the shaded patio of your villa, it is the perfect time for Bola Bekel. This is the Indonesian equivalent of the classic game of Jacks, but with a unique local twist.
The game requires a small rubber bouncy ball (bola bekel) and several small, uniquely shaped brass pieces (biji bekel). The player tosses the ball into the air and must scoop up a specific number of brass pieces, or flip them to a certain side, before the ball bounces more than once. Local nannies are often incredibly skilled and fast at this game, and children are naturally mesmerized by the hand-eye coordination required. It is a brilliant, quiet activity that keeps kids thoroughly entertained indoors.
Engklek: The Universal Language of Hopscotch
Children around the globe inherently understand the rules of hopscotch, making Engklek a wonderful icebreaker. The beauty of this game lies in its simplicity and adaptability.
Your babysitter might use a stick to draw the Engklek grid directly into the sand on the beach, or use a piece of soft chalk on the driveway of your accommodation. The “marker” (called a gacuk) is usually a flat stone. Children take turns hopping through the squares on one foot, carefully avoiding the lines. Because it requires zero shared vocabulary to explain the rules, Engklek often results in instant shared laughter and bonding between your children and their caregiver.
Meong-Meongan: The Cat and Mouse Chase
If you have hired a nanny to look after siblings, or if there are other children playing nearby, the nanny might organize a lively round of Meong-Meongan. Deeply rooted in Balinese playground culture, this game is essentially a local variation of tag, accompanied by a traditional folk song.
The children form a circle holding hands. One child is chosen to be the Meong (cat), who stays outside the circle, and another is the Bikung (mouse), who stays inside. As the children in the circle sing the traditional Meong-Meongan song, they raise and lower their arms, trying to protect the mouse from being caught by the cat. It is a high-energy, joyful game that will leave your kids happily exhausted just in time for their afternoon nap.
The Value of Unplugged Play
Returning from a spectacular dive to find your children completely engrossed in a game of Congklak or laughing over a game of Engklek is a truly special experience. These traditional games do more than just pass the time; they bridge cultural gaps, encourage tactile learning, and create deeply rooted holiday memories. By trusting your local babysitter to share these slices of their heritage, you are gifting your children an enriching, screen-free adventure of their own.