Kids & families · 30 seconds · free

Nazar Shield: bounce the nazar eyes, let the treats through

Slide the blue bead left and right. Bounce every falling eye away, but never touch the çay, the simit or the hearts: they are for the kids. Thirty seconds, three lives, and a happy flap from Pingucan for every save.

A game inspired by a Turkish tradition, made just for fun. It does not promise luck or protection.

Bounce the eyes, deliver the treats

  • Move the bead: drag on the board, press ← → (or A and D), or hold the arrow buttons.
  • Eye falls: bounce it away with the bead for +1.
  • Çay, simit or heart falls: let it reach the kids for +1.
  • Lose a life if a treat touches the bead, or an eye reaches the ground.

Best in this browser: —. Press Space or P to pause.

What is nazar?

Nazar is the Turkish word for the “evil eye”: the old idea, found in Türkiye and in many neighboring cultures, that an envious or even a very admiring look can bring bad luck. Today many families treat it as a custom and a bit of fun rather than a serious belief, and others take it more seriously. Everyone has their own way. People say maşallah to show admiration, and nazar değmesin (“may the evil eye not touch it”) as a kind wish after a compliment.

We present nazar here as a tradition to learn about and play with. The game makes no claim that a bead or a phrase protects anyone.

The nazar boncuğu, the blue bead

The nazar boncuğu is a handmade glass bead, usually deep blue with rings of white, light blue and a dark center, so it looks like an eye. It is a popular gift and a familiar sight in Turkish homes, shops, cars and baby gifts. Glassmaking workshops around İzmir are well known for making them. In the game, the bead you slide is drawn the same way.

Pingucan, the penguin in the red scarf

Meet Pingucan

Pingucan is the penguin in the red scarf, and the biggest cheerleader of the whole Roots & Talks group. Every success, large or small, earns the same joyful flap of the wings. In this game, every save gets one.

See Pingucan gifts

Turkish words in and around the game

Nazar: the evil eye, a look of envy or very strong admiration.
Nazar boncuğu: the blue glass “evil eye” bead.
Nazar değmesin: “may the evil eye not touch it”, a kind wish after a compliment.
Maşallah: an exclamation of admiration. It comes from Arabic and means “what God has willed”.
Boncuk: bead. Also an affectionate nickname for a cute child.
Çay: tea, served in small tulip-shaped glasses.
Simit: a ring of bread covered in sesame seeds, a popular street snack.
Sevgi: love, affection.
Aferin, Harika, Süper, Bravo: “well done”, “wonderful”, “super”, “bravo”: the cheers you see when you play well.

For grown-ups

  • There are no ads, no chat and no sign-in. The game never asks for a name or an email.
  • Your best score stays in your own browser. The game does not upload scores or results anywhere.
  • The falling “eyes” are cartoons, and there is nothing violent in the game. Rounds last 30 seconds. You know your child best, so have a look first.
  • You can play with touch, mouse, or keyboard (arrow keys or A and D). Space or P pauses. Devices set to reduce motion get a calmer, slower version.

Nazar Değmesin gifts for kids and grown-ups

The friendly blue bead from the Roots & Talks Nazar Değmesin design.

See the Nazar Değmesin collection

More free Turkish culture games

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Questions people ask

What is Nazar Shield?

A free 30-second browser game for kids and families. You slide a blue nazar bead to bounce falling eyes away, and you let çay, simit and hearts reach the kids. It works on phones with touch and on computers with the arrow keys.

What does “nazar değmesin” mean?

Literally “may the evil eye not touch it”. It is a kind wish that people say after a compliment or good news, so that envy does not spoil it. It is one of the most common phrases in Turkish.

What is a nazar boncuğu?

A handmade glass bead, usually deep blue with white, light blue and dark rings, shaped like an eye. In Turkish culture it is a popular gift and a symbol seen in homes, shops and cars. We treat it as a tradition and a design; the game does not claim it brings luck or protection.

Is the game suitable for young children?

There is no reading needed to play, no violence, no ads and no sign-in. The falling eyes are cartoons and a round lasts 30 seconds. Every child is different, so take a look yourself first.

Can I play with a keyboard or on a phone?

Yes. On a phone you can drag on the board or hold the arrow buttons. On a computer you can use the mouse or press the left and right arrow keys (or A and D). Space or P pauses.

Does the game save my score?

Your best score is kept only in your own browser, on this device. The game does not upload it, and it does not ask for a name or an email.