Russian Culture for Kids: Games, Foods, Traditions and More

Russia is the largest country in the world, and with its vast size comes a wide range of culture, traditions, food, and fun activities that children enjoy. From playful outdoor games to colorful festivals and delicious traditional dishes, Russian childhood is full of excitement. This guide offers a cheerful journey through different aspects of Russian life that children and families can enjoy learning about together.

Common Children’s Games in Russia

Brook
Children form pairs, hold hands, and raise them to form an arch (or “brook”). A child without a partner closes their eyes and walks through the arch to find a new partner, adding to the growing brook. It’s a game of movement, trust, and rhythm.

Wizards
This energetic game involves one child (the wizard) tagging others to freeze them. Frozen kids yell “Help me!” until a free player touches them to release them. The game continues until everyone is frozen.

P’yanitsa (Card Game)
A simple and fun game like the card game War. Players reveal cards, and the highest card wins the round. The player with the most cards in the end is the winner.

Favorite Russian Foods for Kids

Borscht
A bright red beet soup full of vegetables and meat, topped with sour cream. It’s hearty and can be served for lunch or as a dinner starter.

Pirozhki
Small baked or fried pastries filled with potato, cabbage, cheese, or meat. A snack or a small meal!

Blini
Thin pancakes enjoyed during the spring festival Maslenitsa. Toppings include jam, cheese, honey, or chocolate syrup—perfect for kids.

Sweet Russian Treats

Morozhenoe
Russian ice cream comes in many flavors and is often topped with candy, syrup, or sprinkles—an absolute favorite among children.

Pashka
A soft dessert made of cheese and dried fruit, sometimes compared to marshmallow or cheesecake.

Medovik
A layered honey cake with cream filling. Rich, sweet, and a staple at celebrations.

Easy Russian Recipes to Try

Russian Pancakes
Whole wheat and white flour blended with buttermilk and eggs, then fried to golden perfection.

Chicken Kabobs
Cubed chicken marinated with vinegar, red wine, onions, and herbs, grilled with veggies.

Kasha Varnishkas
Toasted buckwheat (kasha) mixed with pasta and caramelized onions—a comforting, filling dish.

Russian Holidays and Festivals

Children’s Day – June 1
A national day celebrating youth with special shows, speeches, and kid-friendly events.

Beliye Noche (White Nights)
Held in St. Petersburg from June 11 to July 2. Days are bright 24/7, and families gather to watch the raising of the bridges.

New Year
The biggest celebration in Russia. Families gather to welcome the year, then head out to parties after midnight.

Easter
A mix of faith, food, and fun. Russians paint eggs, attend services, and enjoy a festive meal.

Russian Clothing Traditions

Traditional women’s attire is modest and embroidered with meaningful symbols. Colors like red, green, and blue dominate. Men usually wear long trousers and button-up shirts—shorts are mostly reserved for parks or the beach.

Cultural Customs and Manners

In Russia, manners matter. It’s considered rude to sit on the ground, scratch in public, or blow your nose without a handkerchief. Crossing someone face-to-face (rather than back-to-face) is polite.

Fun Facts About Russia

• Russia spans 12 seas

• 10 million more women than men

• The Kremlin wall is over 2200 meters long

• Hockey and soccer are national favorites

Must-See Destinations for Kids

Golden Ring Cities
Historic towns filled with monasteries and domes—ideal for learning about Russia’s rich past.

Cat Theatre
Yes, a real theater of acrobatic cats! A quirky, fun performance especially loved by young audiences.

Gorky Park
Filled with rides, playgrounds, and even a spacecraft zone—an exciting place for families to explore.

Russian Music: Sounds That Tell Stories

Traditional Russian music is deeply personal and often religious. It’s heterophonic, meaning one melody is sung by multiple voices in slightly different ways. Instruments like the svirel (flute), schwam, and panpipes are used in folk tunes passed down for generations.

Learn Russian the Fun Way

With so much culture to explore, Russian is an exciting language for kids to learn. Platforms like Dinolingo make it easy and fun through games, songs, videos, and interactive lessons designed especially for children aged 2–14. Whether it’s learning about Matryoshka dolls or singing traditional songs, Dinolingo helps children fall in love with language learning.

Final Thoughts

Russia is more than just a large country—it’s a treasure chest of traditions, stories, and family experiences. Exploring Russian life through food, games, holidays, and music gives children a window into another world. With tools like Dinolingo, learning about Russia can be both educational and magical.