Hungarian for Kids: Culture, Food, Games, and More
Hungarian Cuisine
Hungarian food is often rich, hearty, and spiced with both sweet and hot paprika. A traditional base of many dishes includes paprika, red onions, and lard, along with a generous use of sour cream known as tejföl. Hungarians are especially proud of their sausages and winter salami, which are flavorful and often quite spicy.
One of the most iconic dishes is the halászlé or Fisherman’s Soup, cooked in different styles along Hungary’s main rivers—the Danube and the Tisza. Another favorite is goulash soup, made with meat, noodles, vegetables, and spices. It is often confused with pörkölt, a thicker stew made with less liquid. For dessert, children often enjoy palacsinta (stuffed pancakes) and Somlói Galuska, a sponge cake with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
Traditional Clothing
Traditional Hungarian clothing is a beautiful form of textile art, now mostly seen during festivals and in rural areas like Hollókő, Kalocsa, and Transylvania. The garments are decorated with flowers, leaves, birds, and designs resembling a peacock feather’s eye. Regions like Matyóföld, Kalocsa, and Kalotaszeg are famous for their embroidery and needlework. Visitors will often see these art pieces in Hungarian homes.
Festivals and Holidays
Hungarians celebrate several unique and colorful holidays. During the Farsang or Carnival Season in February, costume parties, parades, and open-air concerts fill the streets. In Mohács, the Busójárás festival features people in scary costumes who dance and burn away winter.
March 15 marks the 1848 Revolution Day, when Hungarians fought for independence. August 20 celebrates St. Stephen’s Day, Hungary’s founding as a state, with fireworks over the Danube. October 23 is the memorial of the 1956 uprising against Soviet rule.
The Origin of Hungarians
A popular Hungarian legend tells the story of two brothers, Hunor and Magor, who chased a magical deer into a beautiful land full of food and nature. There they met and married fairy princesses, and their descendants became the Huns and the Magyars—modern Hungarians.
Children’s Games
Hungarian children enjoy games that involve singing and movement. One popular game is Forfeits, where children form a circle, sing, and follow a leader’s instructions. If a child makes a mistake, they must sit out until the last round. These games are fun, social, and often include elements of dance and folk music.
Communication
Hungarians greet each other by shaking hands, with men waiting for the woman to extend her hand. Older generations may bow to women, and close friends kiss on both cheeks. Hungarians prefer in-person conversations and often invite guests for meals.
Values
Family is at the heart of Hungarian culture. It is common for several generations to live together. Grandparents often help raise grandchildren, and families offer emotional and financial support to one another.
Fun Facts
Hungarian is one of the world’s hardest languages and comes from the Finno-Ugric language group. Hungary once experienced the worst inflation in history, and one banknote was worth one quintillion pengő!
Hungarians excel in sports, mathematics, and science. Hungary ranks in the top 10 countries for Summer Olympic medals. The famous Rubik’s Cube was invented by Hungarian Ernő Rubik. Hungary also has a rich tradition of classical music, with composers like Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and Franz Liszt.
Famous Places Outside Budapest
Hollókő is a charming village and UNESCO site where people live like a century ago, preserving their folk traditions. In Herend, you can find world-famous handmade porcelain. The Sziget Festival in Budapest is one of Europe’s largest music festivals, hosting over 1,000 performances every year.
Learning Hungarian with Dinolingo
Children can explore all of these cultural treasures and more through Dinolingo. With interactive lessons, games, songs, and videos, Dinolingo makes learning Hungarian fun and effective for kids ages 2–14. The platform works on web, iOS, and Android, and includes offline resources and a helpful parent dashboard.