there is a local variety of badminton, which is played with a homemade shuttlecock and with the hands instead of racquets. known as peteca, the shuttle is made of overlapping corn straw wrapped around a small weight of stone or wood. 

the ends are tied tightly and chicken or duck feathers are inserted in one end to complete the toy. the win goes to he, who does not let the shuttle fall to the ground, and can be played as a heads-up duel or in pairs.

although soccer, or futebol, is without a doubt the national pastime, brazilian children play other ballgames through out their youth as well.