Summers In 90s & 2000s Vs 2025: From 'Nani Ki Kahani' & Playing Antakshari During Power Cuts To Scrolling Reels, How Summers Lost Emotion Now

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): There was a time when the word summer brought smiles, excitement, and a sense of freedom. It was not just a season; it was a feeling.

The last day of school was filled with excitement, and the long break ahead meant adventure, ice cream, cousin sleepovers, and outdoor games. It was the season of visiting Nani ka ghar, mango stains on clothes, and bicycle races with friends.

Cut to 2025… and summer seems to feel different. The outdoor culture has quietly faded, replaced by screens and air-conditioned comfort.

Let's take a look on how summer’s outdoor culture has changed over the years –

Playing outside vs waiting for the sun to set

In the early 2000s parks were the heart of summer evenings. Children used to play barefoot, shouting over gully cricket matches and football matches, playing hide and seek till late at night or just simply lying on the grass. Today, parks remain empty till 6 PM. Kids stay indoors playing video games or are busy watching YouTube content.

Power cuts meant togetherness vs everyone on their own screen

When the electricity went, it brought everyone together. Families used to sit under the stars or in candlelight. The joy of playing Antakshari, Dumb Charades or pitthu during a power cut was unmatched.  

It was fun. Today, a power cut means turning on mobile data and scrolling reels. Everyone stays busy on their own screens now.

Board games on the floor vs app games on the phone

Earlier families and friends sat and played Ludo, Uno, Monopoly or Snakes & Ladders; the floor itself was a playground. Everyone laughed, fought over rules, and made memories together.

Now these games have shifted to phones, people still play them, but silently on their phone screens. The actual fun, the bonding and the rolling of a real dice are lost somewhere behind the screens.

Story time with grandparents vs stories on You Tube

At night children would lie next to their grandparents and listen to stories which were filled with morals and adventures. While telling stories, they would gently oil our hair, rub our heads gently and make us feel calm and loved.

The stories were full of love, values, and life lessons. Now, even those stories are available online on YouTube and other platforms. But that soft voice, that loving touch, is missing and hard to find on a screen.

Ice cream bells vs on tap delivery

In summers, children would wait the whole day just to hear the ice cream cart’s bell. They would run barefoot hoping to catch the ice cream man before he left. The sweet treat felt like a reward.

Now, it’s all just a tap away through Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit and other apps. Ice creams now have become convenient, but definitely they are less fun!

Fun hobbies vs skill based workshop

Earlier, summer meant picking a fun hobby like painting, dancing, music, or simply just making something creative for fun. There was no pressure, only joy.

Now, hobbies have changed. Children join coding camps, AI workshops, and skill-building classes, snatching the care-freeness from the summers!

9. Homemade pickles vs door-step deliveries

In every household, it was like a ritual to make pickles and papads at home during summer. Raw mango pickles were a must. Mothers and grandmothers would prepare achaar in jars on the terrace. Kids helped them too.

But now everything is packed and delivered to the door or easily available at stores. The taste might be similar, but don’t we all miss that warmth!

(Compiled By Bhakti Vasani)