Given the right weather, world peace can be child’s play.

Dozens of children and their families gathered in Brookside Park, 1325 Sixth St., Friday and Saturday for a pancontinental playdate featuring children’s games from cultures around the world.

Global Games Day was sponsored by Iowa Resource for International Service, a nonprofit organization that supports cultural understanding through exchange programs and other multicultural events.

“We have many different things, but we have much that is the same,” said Natalia Juan-Miguez, IRIS coordinator of Ames Friends of International Families.

Children gathered to enjoy native versions of cricket, hopscotch, chess and paddle ball, as well as activities such as hand painting with henna, a traditional Indian decorative marking.

Henna is practiced in many countries, but Meher Vani Bojja, graduate student in interdisciplinary graduate studies, said in India people use the paste of Henna leaves to decorate all the way up their forearms for weddings and other special occasions.

“In India, it is a part of tradition, so we learn it as we grow,” Bojja said.

Sarah Kelly, of Ames, wasn’t sure what type of activities the fair would offer for her children, but said she was eager to participate in a child-friendly event.

“I didn’t have any preset notions of what we would see,” Kelly said. “I knew it would be an adventure.”

To publicize the event, IRIS sent invitations to local schools and libraries. IRIS Executive Director Del Christensen said he had hoped more Americans would come to encounter the bustling international crowd, but the fair did accomplish its goal of celebrating June 1 as International Child Protection Day and illustrating culture’s common grounds.

“In many countries children play very similar games,” Christensen said. “They may be called something different but they are basically the same.”

One popular event was the drums show presented each day by Anthony Stevens, lecturer of psychology. Despite early worries of a rainout, crowds gathered Friday and Saturday to watch and join in as Stevens demonstrated native African dances, songs and drumming techniques, even showing how native peoples could use the “talking drum” to communicate.

“Back before there was PlayStation 2, people were talking with drums, Stephens said. “I think that’s cool because I like people and I like drums.”

The event was the first of its kind for IRIS, but Christensen said he was encouraged by the enthusiastic reaction of the inaugural participants.

“It’s not bad for a first-year event. We are hoping we can make this an annual event and get more kids each year,” Christensen said. “The international community in Ames is just such a resource. It’s great to have them share some of what they know with Iowans.”