Korean toys provide fun, screen-free activities for kids of all ages.
They range from educational to traditional ones that are used for games.
Key Takeaways
- Korean toys are more than just objects that children play with. They’re cultural items enjoyed by the whole family, especially during holidays.
- Ddakji is a fun game where everyone makes their own ddakji with paper, then flips the opponent’s ddakji.
- Yut Nori is a Korean board game that’s fun for the entire family.
Whether you want your child to experience their heritage or you’re looking for something different, Korean toys are a good choice.
Traditional Korean Toys
Korea has a long history of simple but fun toys for kids. They were made for/by people who didn’t have a lot to work with when it came to playtime.
People were pretty creative and made some fun games with nothing but pebbles.
Korean kids may have a lot of high-tech toys now, but still enjoy the same games their parents did.
1. Dalgona (달고나)
You’ve probably seen this one on Squid Game.
Dalgona is actually a fun (kind of scientific) activity that also turns into a candy for kids. And what better message to send our youth than “science leads to sweets”?!
Of course, this version won’t have the deadly tension of the Netflix show.
Growing up, it was common to see a dalgona vendor on the street across an elementary school.
Korean kids all played it like Squid Game, except when you successfully carve out the shape, the vendor would reward you with an extra dalgona!
In 4th grade, I wanted to kick it up a notch and made it at home, but ended up burning my mom’s ladle. Getting scolded didn’t stop me. I bought a new ladle with my allowance and made dalgona again.
You’ll need:
- sugar
- baking soda (only small amount, if not, it’ll taste bitter)
- a stainless steel ladle (or coated pan works too!)
- dalgona kit (optional – click the button below)
How to make:
- Melt 2 tablespoons of sugar in a ladle over medium low to low heat.
- Stir with a chopstick or stick until it’s melted.
- Keep ladle away from stove, add a pinch of baking soda and stir until it turns a nice caramel color.
- Pour onto a non-stick baking sheet, parchment paper, oil-sprayed or sugar-sprinkled tin box mold.
- Let it cool for 10 seconds and press down.
- Stamp with a cookie cutter.
2. Paengi (팽이)
Paengi is a Korean spinning top, and Paengi Chigi means “top-spinning game”.
A traditional paengi set includes a wooden top and a stick with a string you whip with to keep things spinning!
There are a few versions of this game.
In the past, locals used to play it on ice during winter. It’s a pretty tough game and requires some skill. You basically flagellate the top to keep it spinning.
Kids played it by themselves for fun, or competed with friends to see who can keep spinning longer.
Things have gotten more violent with the modern version where you knock out other player’s tops. It’s like a hands-on version of Beyblade where you toss the tops using string.
3. Jegi (제기)
Jegi is a Korean shuttlecock toy.
Jegi Chagi means “jegi kicking” as in a traditional game where a player kicks jegi into the air and tries to keep it there.
Traditional jegi were made by either:
- inserting paper into an old coin (with a hole in the middle), shredding them and tying it, or
- wrapping a coin-sized piece of iron with cloth, placing chicken feathers in the center, and tying it with a thread
Modern ones are made with a plastic case containing a metal plate inside, and glossy, shredded plastic straps. You can buy this at a stationery store in Korea or in Koreatown.
The goal of jegi chagi is to kick jegi as many times as possible without dropping it.
My baby cousin in third grade always brings his jegi to family gatherings during holidays.
I’d recommend playing with shoes on. I found out the hard way when I bruised my anklebone with one.
4. Gonggi (공기)
Gonggi is Korean Jacks, and Gongi Nori means playing Korean Jacks using 5 small pebbles.
Modern gonggi are colorful plastic stones that are about 50 cents a set at stationery stores in Korea.
Gonggi does sound the same as air in Korean, but it means lifting pebbles in this case.
It’s a super fun game that I started playing in elementary school.
How to play: One person goes and everyone takes turns when the player messes up.
- Level 1: Toss in 5 gonggi, throw one in the air, pick up one, and catch the one you threw. Repeat until all are picked up.
- Level 2: Toss in 5 gonggi, throw one in the air, pick up two, and catch the one you threw. Repeat one more time.
- Level 3: Toss in 5 gonggi, throw one in the air, pick up three, and catch the one you threw. Throw one again and pick up the remaining gonggi.
- Level 4: Toss in 5 gonggi, throw one in the air and pick up all 4 and catch the one you threw.
- Level 5: The expert level that few master. Toss 5 gonggi from your palm into the air, flip your hand so the palm faces down, catch stones on the back of your hand. Then, lift your hand to throw the gonggi in the air and catch them with your palm in a downward motion. Your score is how many gonggi you catch (0-5 points)!
5. Ddakji (딱지)
Another one from Squid Game!
Ddakji Chigi is a fun game that everyone can enjoy.
The goal is to flip your opponent’s ddakji, and the winner takes that ddakji! Beats getting slapped in the face, unless you lose a super sweet ddakji.
It’s kind of like Korean pogs if you grew up in the 90s.
I used to play it a lot in elementary school and we all made our own equipment. Ddakji made from the cover of encyclopedias or art textbooks were considered the highest quality and a secret weapon in the game.
You can easily make one at home like in the video above or buy one from the link below.
6. Yut Nori (윷놀이)
Yut Nori is a Korean board game that’s fun for the entire family during holidays like Seollal.
When I visit my grandparents house, 26 members of my extended family have a blast with this activity.
The best part is that people of all generations can participate and have fun without feeling left out.
Since there are too many people in my family, we team up and play against other teams. There’s always a nice prize for the winners as well!
7. Yeon (연)
Yeon is a Korean Kite, and Yeonnalligi is kite flying in Korean.
There’s a record of it being used to signal troops during military operations (as shown in the history drama, The Red Sleeve).
Two types of unique Korean kites are:
- Bangpae Yeon (방패연): A shield-shaped kite. The only one in the world traditionally made with a hole in the center that can fly thanks to their symmetrical design.
- Gaori Yeon (가오리연): A stingray-shaped kite. It’s easy to get in the air as the wind flows through its long tails.
Educational Korean Toys
As you might’ve guessed, Korean moms are super into their kids’ education. It’s not surprising to see so many educational toys, even for infants/toddlers to help develop their fine motor skills.
1. Magformers
Trick your kids into learning!
Magformers is the king of educational toys in Korea.
They’ll teach your kids things you might not know.
Magformers teach spatial intelligence, colors, complex geometric shapes like the dodecahedron and creativity.
2. Doljabi Set
This doljabi toy set is great for celebrating your baby’s first birthday.
You can keep these cute toys after as a memento for that special day.
3. Seoul Illustrated Book
This adorable book will teach you and your kids everything about Seoul from A to Z.
This cute and informative guidebook makes a nice gift for K-drama fans!
4. Korean Alphabet Flashcards
These flashcards are an amazing learning tool for toddlers and preschoolers.
It’s the perfect gift for a baby shower as well!
Korean Plush Toys
From kids to adults, most Koreans love plush toys.
Even my brother in his 30s and most of my friends still buy and collect them, especially from Kakao Friends.
Kakao characters are pretty fun. My favorite is Choonsik, an adorable stray cat Ryan (the balding lion) adopted who loves sweet potatoes.
Korean kids also love plush toy characters from these Korean animation series:
- Pororo the Little Penguin
- Tayo the Little Bus
- Cocomong
- Robocar Poli
Korean Toy Stores
1. Korean Toy Shop
Korean toy shop has all the favorites including Pororo, Tayo and Larva.
2. Line Friends
Line Friends is also a Korean brand that’s similar to Kakao friends, but more popular abroad.
3. Coupang
Coupang has everything including toys.
Did we miss anything?
Let us know your thoughts or questions about Korean toys!