Researchers from the educational platform Uchi.ru analyzed the gaming preferences of Russian schoolchildren and concluded that as they grow older, children’s interests shift significantly from creativity and virtual worlds to logical tasks and strategies. The results of the study were released on August 18, 2026.
According to the data obtained, in primary school there are significant differences in the tastes of boys and girls. Girls were more likely to prefer coloring books (27% vs. 8%), pet simulators (30% vs. 12%), and puzzles (26% vs. 16%). Boys, on the other hand, preferred competitive formats (32% vs. 13%) and completed grades (29% vs. 12%). The absolute leader among all topics in all classes was stories about animals, while schoolchildren’s interest in robots and superheroes declined with age.
In junior high schools and high schools, the situation changes: the most popular areas are games that create and explore the world (45%), competitive formats (43%) and puzzle games (24%). At the same time, interest in puzzles among students in grades 9-11 gradually increased from 22% in fifth grade to 31%. As the creators of educational products point out, understanding these mechanics can help effectively introduce gamification elements into modern education.
