Becoming an Adult
A big birthday party when a girl turns 16.
Sweet 16 (USA)
Boys must serve in the army when they are adults.
First Day of Military Service (South Korea)
A person is dipped in water to show belief in God
Baptism (Christianity)
Children finish primary school and move to lower secondary school.
Thailand – Primary School Graduation
Children sit in a circle; one taps heads and someone chases them. Teaches fun and quick thinking.
Duck, Duck, Goose (USA)
A girl turns 15 and is celebrated as becoming a young woman.
Quinceañera (Mexico and Latin America)
A teen spends time alone in nature to find their purpose.
Vision Quest (Native American tribes)
Many Muslim teens begin fasting from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan Fasting (Islam)
Students take a big test to graduate and enter university.
Vietnam – National High School Exam
A team game where one player tags others while holding their breath and saying “kabaddi.” Teaches courage and teamwork.
Kabaddi (India)
A special party when a girl turns 18.
Debut (Philippines)
A boy lives alone in the wilderness to learn survival skills.
Walkabout (Australian Aboriginal people)
A sacred thread ceremony when a boy begins religious study.
Upanayana (India, Hinduism)
Teens take exams at the end of high school to move on to college or work.
Kenya – Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
A traditional New Year board game using four sticks. Families play to bring good luck.
Yut Nori (South Korea)
At age 13, a boy reads from the Torah and becomes responsible for his actions.
Bar Mitzvah (Jewish boys)
Boys show their strength by jumping high to become warriors.
Maasai Jumping Dance (Kenya/Tanzania)
In Sikhism, a person drinks sweet water while prayers are read and promises to follow the Sikh way.
Amrit Ceremony
Students finish high school and take exams to qualify for higher education.
Indonesia – National Exam (Ujian Nasional)
Kids draw squares with chalk and hop on one foot to finish the path. Teaches balance.
La Rayuela (Hopscotch in Latin America)
At age 20, young adults dress in traditional clothes, go to a ceremony at city hall, and are welcomed as adults in society.
Seijin Shiki (Japan Coming of Age Day)
Boys put their hands in gloves full of biting ants to show bravery.
Bullet Ant Glove (Brazil Amazon tribes)
A child wears a white shirt and sacred thread and promises to follow the Zoroastrian faith.
Navjote (Zoroastrianism)
Teens finish high school and get certificates to continue education or start work.
Papua New Guinea – School Leaving Certificate
A stone-counting game that teaches math, strategy, and patience. It is one of the oldest games in the world.
Mancala (West Africa)