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31 Mythical Creatures Used to Scare Children into Being on Their Best Behavior on the School Playground Equipment

Many of us know about the boogeyman, either from our parents or from older children we meet on the park playground equipment, but did you know that there are many more sinister creatures out there? Around the world, parents have employed grotesque and disturbing creatures to spook children into behaving out on the school playground and out about town. These boogeyman equivalents dissuade children from wandering into forests, staying out too late after school, peering into wells, or just being brats. These monsters go beyond scary Halloween stories of ghosts, demons, vampires, and werewolves. England’s Black Annis tans the skins of naughty children and wears them around her waist. The Nalusa Falaya from Choctaw mythology slithers like a snake, preying on children who stay out too late. If you dare, scroll through this roster of scary monsters for creative Halloween costume ideas. Or, if you need more scary stories to tell in the dark, read up on the fascinating mythology below the creepy pictures.

31 Mythical Creatures Used to Scare Children From Around the World - PlaygroundEquipment.com - Infographic

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Cautionary Tales to Improve Behavior on the Playground Swings and See-Saws

Across cultures, folklore and old wives’ tales have often featured terrifying mythical creatures designed to scare children into behaving properly in community spaces, like the playground, as they play on the playground swings and see-saws. These creatures often serve as cautionary figures, ensuring children listen to their parents, stay safe, and avoid mischief. Using cautionary folktales with terrifying mythical creatures to influence children’s behavior can be effective, but there are important considerations regarding their psychological impact and appropriateness.

Why These Tales Can Be Effective in Getting Children to Change Their Behavior When Playing on the Merry-go-Round and Sitting at Park Picnic Tables:

  1. Clear Consequences: These folktales often have straightforward moral lessons—misbehave, and something bad will happen. Children can grasp the immediate consequence of their actions (e.g., Krampus will come if you're bad), which helps shape behavior in the short term; maybe motivating them to sit during a time out at a park picnic table before they go back to play with their friends on the merry-go-rounds.
  2. Memorable and Engaging: The vivid imagery of monsters or evil spirits makes these stories memorable. The emotional impact of fear can leave a lasting impression, encouraging children to behave to avoid the perceived danger.
  3. Cultural Tradition: In many cultures around the world, these tales are part of a long-standing tradition, and children often grow up hearing them from family members and from older children they meet on the park playground equipment. This community reinforcement gives the stories authority, which can make them more effective.
  4. Avoiding Real-world Consequences: Instead of constantly punishing children themselves, parents may use these stories as a way to externalize the consequences of bad behavior. A scary figure like the Boogeyman becomes the enforcer, which can be less confrontational for parents.

Potential Downsides:

  1. Excessive Fear: Scaring children into good behavior can lead to unnecessary anxiety. For younger children or those with vivid imaginations, the fear of these creatures might be overwhelming, leading to nightmares or an unhealthy level of fear regarding everyday situations, like going near water after hearing about La Llorona.
  2. Emotional Distress: Relying on fear may not foster healthy emotional development. Children may learn to behave out of terror rather than understanding why certain behaviors are good or bad. They may follow rules out of fear of punishment, rather than internalizing the value of good behavior or empathy.
  3. Decreased Effectiveness Over Time: As children grow older, they often outgrow these tales. Once they realize the stories aren't true, the effectiveness can diminish, and they may become more skeptical of other teachings from their parents or elders.
  4. Dependence on External Motivation: Stories like these often rely on external consequences (a monster appearing, getting kidnapped) rather than teaching children about the intrinsic rewards of good behavior. They may not learn why it’s important to behave well for their own sake or the benefit of others.

Folktales featuring mythical creatures can be a short-term solution for encouraging good behavior, especially in younger children. However, they should be used with caution. Over-reliance on fear may lead to emotional distress, and as children grow older, such stories may lose their effectiveness. A combination of storytelling, positive reinforcement, and reasoning will likely yield better long-term results for encouraging good behavior.

Terrifying Figures From Around the World

Krampus (Austria, Germany)

Krampus is a horned, demonic figure who accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season. While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus is said to punish naughty children, either by beating them with birch branches or kidnapping them in a sack. His night of terror, Krampusnacht, falls on December 5th, and the fear of his appearance keeps many children on their best behavior during the festive season.

La Llorona (Mexico, Latin America)

In Mexican folklore, La Llorona, or "The Weeping Woman," is a ghostly figure who is said to roam near bodies of water, crying for her lost children. The tale goes that she drowned her children out of rage or despair and was cursed to wander the earth forever, weeping for their return. Parents tell children that if they misbehave or wander too close to rivers or lakes, La Llorona will come and take them away.

Baba Yaga (Slavic Folklore)

Baba Yaga is a fearsome witch in Eastern European, especially Russian, folklore. She lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs and flies around in a giant mortar, using the pestle to steer. Baba Yaga is said to devour disobedient children, and her image is often used to discourage misbehavior. Despite her terrifying reputation, Baba Yaga can also be helpful to those who are brave and respectful.

The Bunyip (Aboriginal Australian Folklore)

The Bunyip is a creature from Aboriginal Australian legend, described as a terrifying beast that lurks in swamps, billabongs, and riverbeds. Its appearance varies, but it's generally depicted as a large, amphibious monster. The Bunyip is said to devour anyone who comes too close to its water source, and children are often warned to stay away from dangerous water bodies to avoid the creature.

The Nale Ba Witch (India)

In urban folklore from Bangalore, India, there’s a tale of a witch who knocks on doors at night, calling the names of the residents. Those who answer are said to be killed by the witch. The legend led to the practice of writing "Nale Ba" (meaning "Come Tomorrow") on doors to trick the witch into returning the next day, thus saving the residents. The story was often used to scare children into staying indoors after dark.

The Boogeyman (Various Cultures)

The Boogeyman exists in many forms across various cultures, always as a vague, shadowy figure who hides in closets or under beds, waiting to take away naughty children. The specifics of his appearance differ, but the essence remains the same: The Boogeyman punishes bad behavior, instilling fear of the unknown and unseen.

El Cucuy (Mexico, Spain, Latin America)

El Cucuy is the Spanish version of the Boogeyman, often described as a shapeshifting monster who kidnaps disobedient children and hides them away in its lair. Parents use the tale of El Cucuy to scare children into listening, especially when it comes to behaving at night or going to bed on time.

The Yara-ma-yha-who (Aboriginal Australian Folklore)

This creature, from Aboriginal Australian legend, is a small, red-skinned vampire-like figure that hides in fig trees and preys on unwary children. Unlike traditional vampires, the Yara-ma-yha-who doesn’t drink blood but instead swallows its victims whole, only to regurgitate them later. However, each time the creature consumes someone, they return slightly shorter than before. Children are told this story to deter them from wandering off alone.

The Wendigo (Native American Folklore)

In Algonquian folklore, the Wendigo is a malevolent, cannibalistic spirit associated with winter and famine. It is often depicted as a giant humanoid with a heart of ice, always hungry for human flesh. The Wendigo serves as a warning against greed, selfishness, and gluttony, as well as a reminder of the dangers of the wilderness in winter. Children are often told tales of the Wendigo to discourage misbehavior, particularly during harsh winters.

Tokoloshe (South African Folklore)

The Tokoloshe is a small, dwarf-like water spirit in Zulu mythology, often invisible but capable of causing harm or even death. It's said to sneak into homes and cause mischief or terror, often at the behest of a witch. Parents tell stories of the Tokoloshe to scare children into behaving and avoiding certain areas, especially near water or unfamiliar places.

Teke Teke (Japan)

A Japanese urban legend tells of a vengeful spirit of a young woman who was cut in half by a train. Her ghost is said to crawl around on her arms, making a "teke teke" sound as she moves. She chases those who cross her path and cuts them in half to match her own form. This story is told to keep children from lingering near train tracks.

Jersey Devil (United States, New Jersey)

The Jersey Devil is a creature from American folklore said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Descriptions of it vary, but it’s generally depicted as having the head of a horse, the wings of a bat, and hooved feet. Legend has it that the creature was born as a cursed child and now terrorizes anyone who ventures too far into the woods. Parents would use this tale to warn children about wandering alone in the forest.

Papinijuwari (Aboriginal Australian Folklore)

In Tiwi mythology from the northern coast of Australia, the Papinijuwari is a giant, cyclopean monster known as the "Blind Cannibal Giant." The monster roams the land, eating people (especially those who are sick), and its massive size and insatiable hunger are used to frighten children into obedience.

Chupacabra (Latin America, Puerto Rico)

The Chupacabra, which translates to "goat-sucker," is a legendary creature that allegedly feeds on the blood of livestock, particularly goats. It is often described as reptilian or dog-like in appearance. While primarily a rural legend, stories of the Chupacabra are also used to scare children, warning them not to wander alone in desolate areas where the creature might lurk.

The Black Annis (English Folklore)

Black Annis is a terrifying hag from English folklore who lives in a cave and preys on children and lambs. She is said to have blue skin, iron claws, and a taste for human flesh, especially children’s. The threat of Black Annis was often used to keep children indoors at night, lest she snatch them away.

Eliciting Good Behavior on the School Playground and in the Home

These creatures serve as powerful tools for parents and communities to instill caution on the school playground equipment, obedience at home and in the classroom, respect for traditions and rules in children. Their fearsome reputations have made them lasting elements of cultural folklore.