UNNES Children’s Games Festival Promotes Traditional Games and Strengthens Cultural Values

Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) organized the Children’s Games Festival in 2026 as an effort to reintroduce cultural values through traditional games to younger generations. The event serves as an educational platform showcasing various traditional Indonesian games that hold rich cultural meanings and local wisdom.

The festival involved students and community members who actively participated in a variety of traditional games, including group-based activities that encourage cooperation and togetherness. Through these activities, participants not only engaged in play but also gained insights into the philosophical values embedded in each game, reflecting social and cultural traditions.

This initiative also plays a role in preserving culture amid rapid technological advancements that have shifted the interests of younger generations away from traditional games. As a conservation-oriented university, UNNES seeks to revive traditional children’s games as part of Indonesia’s cultural identity that must be preserved and passed down.

Furthermore, the festival provides an interactive learning experience by integrating elements of entertainment, education, and culture into one event. The interaction among participants fosters social engagement, strengthens character development, and encourages appreciation of cultural heritage.

In a broader context, this activity supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through culture-based learning, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through cultural preservation, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaborative involvement in cultural initiatives.