There was a time when rain wasn’t just water from the sky. It was an invitation. An announcement that playtime was about to get messy, wet, and unforgettable. For many of us who grew up before screens took over, the rainy season brought with it some of the purest joys of childhood.
- Running in the rain
This was often the first act of rebellion and freedom. With shirts clinging to our backs and mud splashing up our legs, we would run with arms stretched out, pretending to be aeroplanes, superheroes or simply wild children on the loose. There was no need for expensive toys when the rain turned the whole street into a playground. - Sailing paper boats
Before the first drops hit the ground, we were already folding newspapers and exercise book sheets into boats. Watching our little paper vessels glide through puddles or race along flooded gutters was a competition in itself. And when they capsized or got stuck? We would chase after them like prized possessions. - Mud fights and puddle splashing
With the rain came puddles, and with puddles came temptation. What began as innocent stepping turned into intentional stomping and sometimes full-on mud wars. Clothes were soaked and caked in brown, but laughter was louder than the scolding we knew would come later. - Catch and hide-and-seek in the rain
Rain added an element of thrill to our usual games. Hide-and-seek became more daring, especially with limited dry hiding spots. Playing catch on slippery ground was risky but exciting, with shouts of joy and surprise as we slipped, fell, and got up again, undeterred. - Singing and dancing
We didn’t need a stage. The open street or the backyard was enough. In the rain, we danced with reckless joy, spinning in circles and singing childhood songs at the top of our lungs. Some even recreated scenes from favourite TV shows or acted out stories as if the rain were part of the script. - Catching rainwater with containers
Some of us took pride in seeing who could collect the most rainwater using bowls, buckets, or even our hands. There was something oddly satisfying about watching raindrops plop into a container, creating ripples and rhythms. - Sliding down slopes
Wherever there was a sloped surface, children turned it into a makeshift slide. With the rain making everything slippery, cardboard or old plastic bags became sliding mats, and screams of joy echoed with every descent.
At the end of it all, we would return home soaked, shivering, and muddy, facing parents who were less than pleased. But wrapped in towels, sipping hot tea or eating a warm meal, the scolding faded, and the memories stayed.