Bringing traditional games back to Dalmatian streets

(Photo: Tourist Board Split-Dalmatia County)

Following an exceptionally successful first year, the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board and the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split (KIFST) have renewed their partnership on the project “Rediscover Play” (Povratak igri), aimed at bringing traditional children’s games back to public spaces across Dalmatia.

The cooperation agreement was formally signed by Ivana Vladović, Director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, and Frane Žuvela, Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology.

This year’s edition of the initiative will take place throughout May, with events planned in Makarska, Hvar, Bol, Imotski and Split.

The project seeks to breathe life back into town squares and streets by reintroducing games once common in Dalmatian childhoods.

These include elastic skipping, hopscotch, tug of war, sack races, marbles, traditional stone games and other playground favourites that have largely disappeared from modern daily life.

Beyond nostalgia, the initiative addresses pressing contemporary challenges.

Experts and students of kinesiology have observed that excessive screen time and sedentary lifestyles are contributing to the decline of fundamental motor skills among children.

Through “Rediscover Play”, children are encouraged to develop coordination, agility and social skills in the most natural way possible, through spontaneous, unstructured play rather than strictly organised sport.

(Photo: Tourist Board Split-Dalmatia County)

Dean Frane Žuvela highlighted the importance of continuing the collaboration after last year’s edition exceeded expectations.

“Our goal is to involve students in real-life community projects, while ensuring that traditional games remain part of our destination’s identity,” said Žuvela.

“We are also planning to introduce a new course titled ‘Traditional Dalmatian Games’ into our curriculum. Feedback from the field shows that many children today simply do not know these games. It is our responsibility to pass on this knowledge and teach them. Once they learn, the games will naturally spread again through their neighbourhoods.”

The initiative also provides valuable practical experience for kinesiology students, who actively participate in organising and leading the activities.

(Photo: Tourist Board Split-Dalmatia County)

Student representative Andrija Kuvačić reflected on last year’s events, noting the remarkable turnout across all locations.

“Attendance was huge everywhere we went. The games brought together all generations, and often tourists joined in as well. Alongside standard games such as elastic skipping, hopscotch and tug of war, each town would suggest a local childhood game of its own. That remains our goal this year — to discover and promote authentic games unique to every destination we visit,” Kuvačić said.

For the Split-Dalmatia Tourist Board, the project is not only about health and heritage, but also about strengthening the region’s tourism identity.

“It is impossible to talk about Dalmatia without children, song and the lively atmosphere of our streets,” said Vladović. “We want to offer visitors an authentic Mediterranean experience, that relaxed, outdoor way of life, and that simply does not exist without children’s play.”

(Photo: Tourist Board Split-Dalmatia County)

She added that last year’s response, from Trogir and the islands to the Dalmatian hinterland, was phenomenal. Particularly encouraging was the enthusiastic participation of parents and older generations.

“When tourists see that kind of vibrancy and joy on our streets, they take home the most beautiful image of our destination,” Vladović concluded.