Games Children Play in Russia

Games Children Play in Russia

While many of the games Russian children play are very different, some still have many of the same concepts of American games for children. Here are just a few of the games played by Russian children.

Boaire

Played by children nine to 14 years old (or so), Boaire is a game that is similar to Red Rover. Children are divided into two teams, facing each other. With their hands linked, they yell across to the other team, telling one of the other team members to join them. Usually, a poem or song is the way the other member is requested.

The requested team member comes running across to the other team, attempting to break through their grip. If they succeed, they get to choose a player to bring back to their team with them. If they fail to break through, they must remain with that team.

It is said this game depicts marriage, with one team approaching the other in demand of a bride. It shows the strength and significance of the group working together for an end goal.

A slight variation on this game is called Caraway. In this game, all the children link hands in a circle. One player remains in the middle and tries to break through while the others sing a song and move in the circle. If the child breaks through, he gets to join the circle and another child must go to the middle.

P'yanitsa

This is much like the American card game of War. Typically, when children play this game, it's a two-player game. All of the cards are dealt to players, face down. Taking turns, each player turns the top card over, face up. Whoever has the highest-ranking card each time collects both cards, returning them to the bottom of their stack. The player who runs out of cards first is the loser.

Fipe

Almost identical to the American game of Tag, children playing Fipe run away and hide from the "Leader." The "Leader" counts to 50 and starts to look for the others. As he finds them, he must touch them before they can get back to the counting place. If he touches them, they become the new "Leader."

Who is Stronger?

This game is made of two teams of almost any number of children. For each team, the children stand behind one another, holding onto the body of the child in front of them. A line is drawn in the ground. The front members of both teams link hands and both teams start pulling in opposite directions. Each child who is drug across the line must become a member of the opposing team. The team with the most team members is the winner.

Traffic Light

A line is drawn, and all children must start behind this place. Other lines should be drawn about 15 feet apart. The "Leader" calls out a color, and any child wearing this color can advance. Others without this color on can attempt to make it to the next line by running. However, if the “Leader” catches them, they trade places. The player advancing the farthest, or getting to the last line first, is the winner.

Cossacks & Robbers

Children divide themselves into two teams. One group is Cossacks, and the other group is Robbers. The Cossacks have a "camp," and one Cossack stays behind to keep watch. Robbers run away and hide somewhere, only to be sought after by the other Cossacks. Each robber who is caught is kept prisoner back at "camp." The game ends when all robbers are caught. It is said that this game is best played in the woods where there are more places to hide.

Much Like American Games

Children around the world are very similar. This is proven by learning more about various cultures and the games they play. With this list, it's pretty obvious that games children play in Russia are much like the games played by American children. Children around the world love to play games.