Croatian kids have been shouting nonsense at each other for generations, and somehow, these ridiculous game names stuck. If you’ve ever wondered what “Gdje je moja šprica?” means or why anyone would willingly play a game called “Ludo sranje,” you’re in the right place. Here’s a breakdown of 11 Croatian childhood games that sound like they were named by a drunk uncle.
1. Čik pogodi (Guess the Chick)
No, it’s not about poultry. This is the Croatian version of “Duck, Duck, Goose,” except the word “čik” doesn’t actually mean anything. Kids sit in a circle while one runs around tapping heads, yelling “Čik!” until they finally declare “Pogodi!” (guess), and the chosen victim has to chase them. The name is as baffling as the rules.
Čik pogodi
/tʃik poɡodi/“Guess the Chick”
2. Ludo sranje (Crazy Sh*t)
Yes, that’s the real name. No, parents didn’t care. This is essentially tag, but with more yelling and dramatic falls. The name likely comes from the sheer pandemonium of kids tripping over each other while screaming “Ludo sranje!” as if the world were ending.
3. Gdje je moja šprica? (Where’s My Syringe?)
Relax, it’s not as alarming as it sounds. This hide-and-seek variant involves one kid searching for a hidden object (the “šprica”) while others chant “Gdje je moja šprica?” in increasingly dramatic tones. No medical equipment is actually involved - just childhood creativity at its finest.
4. Skok u prazno (Jump Into the Void)
A game where kids leap off swings at the highest possible point, competing for distance. The name is hilariously ominous, as if encouraging small children to embrace existential dread mid-air.
5. Trči kući, prase moje (Run Home, My Pig)
Another tag variant, this time with added agricultural insults. The chaser yells “Trči kući, prase moje!” at whoever they catch, because nothing motivates a child like being compared to livestock.
6. Kraljica bale (Queen of the Bale)
A game of balance and territorial dominance, where kids fight to stay atop a hay bale (or any elevated surface). The name sounds regal, but the reality is just children shoving each other off a pile of hay.
7. Pikado s kamenčićima (Pebble Darts)
Exactly what it sounds like: kids throw pebbles at a target drawn on the ground. The name tries to class it up by comparing it to darts, but let’s be real - it’s just organised rock-throwing.
8. Štrk u šumi (Stork in the Forest)
A bizarre mix of hide-and-seek and roleplay where one kid is the “stork” and has to find others hiding in the woods. No one knows why a stork, of all birds, was chosen for this.
9. Lopta u jami (Ball in the Pit)
A street game where kids kick a ball into a marked “pit” (usually a chalk circle) while defenders try to stop them. The name is straightforward, but the chaos of kids tripping over each other is anything but.
10. Zvijezda pada (The Star is Falling)
A dramatic name for a simple game: kids throw a ball in the air and scream “Zvijezda pada!” while others scramble to catch it. The stakes feel apocalyptic, but it’s just dodgeball with extra flair.
11. Mačke i miševi (Cats and Mice)
The Croatian version of “Cops and Robbers,” but with more feline energy. The “cats” chase the “mice” until someone gets tired and declares a truce for snacks.
For more Croatian language quirks, check out our guide to Croatian idioms and their origins or how to tell jokes in Croatian.
