The article is about such a form of leisure activity of young people in the 1920s as outdoor games. Their popularization was part of the educational work aimed at integrating physical culture into the daily practices of young people. Like children’s games, they were also used to entertain and promote certain ideological orientations. Such features of the games as fostering camaraderie, mass participation, and the ability to participate even without special training were particularly appreciated. The main importance was given to paramilitary games that develop the skills necessary for future defenders of the country.