World Marbles Day
April 18, Friday

What are marbles?
Marbles are small glass balls used in various games. Marble games have a long history and were known in different cultures throughout the centuries. Typically, marbles were used in children's games, where the goal was to knock the opponent's marbles out of a designated area or use them in other fun ways. These games helped develop coordination, precision, and strategy.
History of the marble game
The game of marbles has ancient roots. It has been known since ancient times, for example in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. Over the course of different historical periods, marbles were made from various materials such as clay, stone, and wood, but the modern version of the game using glass marbles became popular in the 19th century when glass became more accessible.
Marble games were especially popular in childhood, in streets and courtyards, but with the development of new technologies and toys, interest in them has diminished somewhat.
How is World Marbles Day celebrated?
World Marbles Day is more of an informal celebration, but on this day, enthusiasts of the game and historians can organize various events aimed at preserving traditions. Here are a few ways to celebrate this day:
- Marble tournaments: Organize a marble tournament with friends or family. It’s a fun and interactive activity that brings together people of all ages.
- Lessons and workshops: In some places, workshops for children can be organized to introduce them to the history of the game and teach them how to play marbles.
- Exhibitions and activities: Museums or cultural institutions can hold exhibitions dedicated to marbles and their historical significance in the cultures of different countries.
- Reviving the tradition: People can simply spend the day outdoors playing marbles and pass on this tradition to their children or grandchildren.
Popularizing the game
In recent years, with the growing interest in board games and traditional games, marbles have regained some popularity among children and adults. Many see this game not only as a way to have fun but also as an opportunity to develop tactical thinking, as well as simply enjoy time with others outdoors.
Why celebrate this day?
World Marbles Day reminds us of the importance of preserving and passing on traditional games to future generations. It is also an opportunity to highlight how simple toys and games can help develop important skills like coordination, attention, and strategic thinking.
Moreover, this day can be a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family, away from digital distractions, and return to simple, fun outdoor games.
World Marbles Day in other years
World Marbles Day in other countries
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bonaire
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- CAR
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- DR Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
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- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
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- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Reunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Saint-Barthelemy
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Sint Maarten
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- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St. Pierre and Miquelon
- Sudan
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- Sweden
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- Syria
- Taiwan
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- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tokelau
- Tonga
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- Tunisia
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- Turkmenistan
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- Tuvalu
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- UAE
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
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- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe