while the children of more well-to-do districts of rio de janeiro may today play with the same mass produced toys and electronics as their american or european counterparts, the children of the morros and the favelas take part in a folkloric tradition of child's play, that is centuries old and was once part of every brazilian childhood.

at the center of this tradition are a collection of handmade toys and school yard games that, while similar to children's diversions in other parts of the world, have developed unique characteristics that make them particularly carioca.