SCHOOL, CHURCH, AND HOME GAMES

Compiled by

GEORGE O. DRAPER

Secretary for Health and Recreation County Work Department of the International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations

COMMUNITY RECREATION Rural Edition

Association Press New York: 347 Madison Avenue

1923



DEDICATED TO MY FATHER

HERBERT EDWARD DRAPER

whose happy contact with the folks of the country, through his duties as a County official, won for him their esteem; who found recreation in the open country, where the birds, the flowers, and all wild life were his friends and reflected their charm in the life he lived—simple, happy, friendly—true to himself, his family, his neighbors, and his God.



CONTENTS

PART I. GAMES FOR SCHOOLS

CHAPTER PAGE

FOREWORD vii

I. SCHOOL ROOM GAMES for Primary Pupils 1

II. SCHOOL ROOM GAMES for Intermediate Pupils 8

III. SCHOOL ROOM GAMES for Advanced and High School Pupils 16

IV. SCHOOL YARD GAMES for Primary Pupils 24

V. SCHOOL YARD GAMES for Intermediate Pupils 27

VI. SCHOOL YARD GAMES for Advanced and High School Pupils 37

PART II. SOCIABLE GAMES FOR HOME, CHURCH, CLUBS, ETC.

I. GAMES FOR THE HOME 44

II. ICE BREAKERS FOR SOCIABLES 55

III. SOCIABLE GAMES FOR GROWN-UPS 59

IV. SOCIABLE GAMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 67

V. TRICK GAMES FOR SOCIABLES 73

VI. STUNT ATHLETIC MEET 83

VII. COMPETITIVE STUNTS 88

PART III. OUTDOOR GAMES

I. OUTDOOR GAMES FOR OLDER BOYS AND YOUNG MEN 94

II. OUTDOOR GAMES FOR BOYS 103

III. GAMES OF STRENGTH 110

PART IV. GAMES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

I. GAMES AT DINING TABLE 113

II. A COUNTY FAIR PLAY FESTIVAL 119

III. GAMES FOR A STORY PLAY HOUR 123

IV. AN INDOOR SPORTS FAIR 127

V. RACING GAMES FOR PICNICS 132



FOREWORD

We should all be prospectors of happiness. There are those who discover it in the solitudes of the mountains where freedom is breathed in the air that touches the lofty peaks. Others find it in the depths of the forest in the songs of the birds, of the brook, of the trees. Most of us must find it in the daily walks of life where the seeking is oft-times difficult. Nevertheless, there it is in the manufactured glory of the city, in the voices of children, and in the hearts and faces of men.

Happiness becomes a habit with some; with others it is a lost art. Some radiate it; others dispel that which may exist. Happiness can be produced by means of exercising certain emotions, by causing experiences which allow instinctive expression; the song, the dance, the game are examples.

All enjoyed activity may be classified as play. Play is that which we do when free to do as we like. Play produces happiness.

Work is the highest form of play. The great artist is playing when his imagination finds expression on the canvas in color. If he did not love to paint he would never have become a great artist. The engineer is playing when he produces the great bridge; the financier when he masterfully organizes his capital.

The imagination of the child leads him into all kinds of adventure. He becomes the engineer on the locomotive; he becomes the leader of the circus band; he is a great hunter of terrible beasts; an Indian, a cowboy, and a robber. In fact, he tries his hand at all those careers which interest him, and we call it play, or may even call it nonsense. In fact, some think play is but nonsense.

Play is the expression, the exercising of the imagination. Should the child be denied the privilege of play, should its visions never find expression, should its mental adventures fail to find adequate physical experience, a great musician, a great engineer, a great statesman, or a master of some great art may be sacrificed.

Play is not only essential to the child, but, as Joseph Lee says, play is the child. The natural environment of the child is a play environment; if we are to lead the child or educate the child we have first to enter into his environment and into fellowship with him therein, and adapt our methods to that environment. The processes of education which have taken to themselves those things which are natural to children will meet deserved success. The schoolroom, the Sunday school room, or home in which a play atmosphere is experienced, small though this experience may be, is operating on a sound basis. Play is nature's method of education. As a kitten in chasing the leaves in the road is playing, it is also learning to catch the bird or the mouse essential for the maintenance of life. So the child, by nature, learns to live by play.

Activity is life. Directed activity means directed life. The body is but the means of activity and is developed only in accord with the activity demands of the individual. Character is but the trend of the activities of an individual. So the activities are more the individual than is the flesh and bone which we see.

If we recognize that in play the child is under the tutorship of nature, we should seek to encourage rather than discourage the process. By directing the play we are training for life—yes, more, we are creating life.

As play creates in the child, it re-creates in the adult. Activity is essential to growth. Having attained physical growth, the adult does not demand as much physical activity as does the child and as years increase the tendency toward physical activity decreases. There is real danger in this becoming too meager to maintain efficiency, and we recognize more and more the necessity for vacation periods when some of the old spirit of play or of joyful activity may be indulged in and a re-creation process be set up. This recreation is simply reawakened activity, making for greater abundance of life.

The spirit of play and the spirit of youth travel hand in hand. If we allow the spirit of play to depart from our life, we lose our grip upon life itself. Every man and woman should cultivate and vigorously maintain a play spirit. This might be done through some hobbies, games, or art into which they can throw themselves with abandon for periods of time, frequent, if brief. They should thoroughly enjoy the experience. For the wealthy, to whom all things are possible, this may be hard to find. To those of limited means and of little free time, opportunity is more abundant. To them joy shines forth from even the so-called commonplace things of life.

The joy on the faces of those who are playing games, the merry laughter, the jest, the shouting, place this type of activity on a pinnacle among those producing happiness.

This volume has been prepared, in order that the young and old may find greater opportunity for joyful activity, and experience the good fellowship, the kindly feeling, the exhilaration and life resulting from playing games, and that those fundamental agencies of civilization, the Church, the school, and the home, may be better equipped to serve mankind and to add to the sum of human happiness.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This collection of games has been selected from material sent in to the author, by Y.M.C.A. Physical Directors, playground directors, and school and college athletic directors, to which has been added some original material and games that have been seen by the author in his travels about the country.



BIBLIOGRAPHY

The author would suggest the following books on games:

GAMES FOR THE PLAYGROUND, HOME, SCHOOL AND GYMNASIUM, Jessie Bancroft, Macmillan Co., N.Y.

GAMES FOR EVERYBODY, Hofmann, Dodge Publishing Co., N.Y.

SOCIAL GAMES AND GROUP DANCES, Elsom and Trilling, J.B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia.

ICEBREAKERS, Edna Geister, The Womans Press, N.Y.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, Chesley, Association Press, N.Y.

PLAY, Emmett D. Angell, Little, Brown & Co., Boston.

HANDBOOK FOR PIONEERS, Association Press, N.Y.

CAMP AND OUTING ACTIVITIES, Cheley and Baker, Association Press, N.Y.

COMMUNITY RECREATION, Draper, Association Press, N.Y.



Part I

GAMES FOR SCHOOLS

CHAPTER I

SCHOOLROOM GAMES

For Primary Pupils

Cat and Mouse

One pupil is designated to play the role of cat, another that of mouse. The mouse can escape the cat by sitting in the seat with some other pupil. Thereupon that pupil becomes mouse. Should the cat tag a mouse before it sits in a seat, the mouse becomes cat and the cat becomes mouse, and the latter must get into a seat to avoid being tagged.

Aviation Meet

Three pupils constitute a team. Two are mechanicians, one the aviator. Each team is to have a piece of string about 25 feet long, free from knots. A small cornucopia of paper is placed upon each string. The mechanicians hold the ends of the string while the aviator, at the signal to go, blows the cornucopia along the string. The string must be held level by the mechanicians. The aviator first succeeding in doing this, wins for his team.

Button, Button

The pupils sit or stand in a circle with their hands in front of them, palms together. The one who has been selected to be "It" takes a position in the center of the circle, with his hands in a similar position. A button is held between his hands. He goes around the circle and places his hand over those of various individuals, dropping the button into the hands of one. He continues about the circle, still making the motions of dropping the button in the hands of others, so as to deceive those making up the ring. After he has taken his place in the center of the circle, those in the ring endeavor to guess into whose hands he has dropped the button, the one succeeding in doing this takes the button and continues the game.

Bee

Some object is determined upon for hiding, such as a coin, a button, a thimble, etc. A pupil is sent from the room. During his absence the object is hidden. Upon his return the children buzz vigorously when he is near to the object sought and very faintly when he is some distance away. The object is located by the intensity of the buzzing.

Hide in Sight

In this game all of the pupils except one are sent from the room. The one left in the room hides a coin, or some similar object, somewhere in plain sight. It must be visible without having to move any object. When hidden, the rest of the pupils are called back and start the search. When a pupil finds the coin, after attempting to mislead the others by continuing his search in different quarters, he returns to his seat without disclosing its whereabouts. As it is found by others, the group of seekers will gradually diminish until there is but one left. When he finds it, the coin is again hidden by the one first finding it.

Colors

A certain color is determined upon. Each pupil in turn must name some object which is of that color. Failing to do this he goes to the foot of the line, provided some one beyond him can think of any object of that color. If no more objects can be thought of, a new color is selected.

I See Red

One pupil is given the privilege of thinking of some object in the room, of which he discloses the color to the rest of the pupils. For example, if he sees a red apple he says, "I see red." Thereupon the other pupils endeaver to guess what red object in the room is thought of. The one succeeding, next selects the object to be guessed.

Hide the Clock

This is a good quiet game for the schoolroom. A loud ticking clock is necessary for the game. All of the pupils are sent from the room. One of their number is selected to hide the clock. The others, upon coming back, try to locate it by its ticking. The one succeeding has the privilege of next hiding the clock.

Poison Seat

The children all endeavor to shift seats at the clapping of the hands of the teacher. Have one less seat than pupils, so that one may be left without a seat. This can be arranged by placing a book on one seat and calling this "Poison Seat." The child sitting on this seat is "poisoned" and out of the game. Add a book to a seat after each change, so as to eliminate one player each time. The one left after all have been eliminated, wins the game. Should the teacher clap her hands twice in succession, that is the signal for all of the pupils to return to their own seats.

Aisle Hunt

Some object—a coin will do—is selected to be hidden. The children of one of the aisles leave the room, the others determine upon a hiding place and hide the coin in plain sight. Those out of the room are called back and look for the hidden object. As soon as it is found, the first one finding it goes to his seat and calls, "First." He is not to call until he is actually in his seat. The second one to find it returns to his seat and calls, "Second," and so on until it has been found by all in the aisle. If there are six aisles in the room, the occupants of the first six seats in the aisle seeking the hidden object determine which aisle leaves the room next. For illustration,—if the pupil in the second seat is the first one to find the object, then the second aisle of the room will be the one to leave the room for the next hunt. Likewise if the pupil of the third seat is the first to find the object, the third aisle will be the one which next has the privilege of enjoying the hunt. If there are more pupils in the aisle than there are aisles in the room, the pupils in the last seats do not count.

New Orleans

The pupils of the room are divided into two groups. One side decides upon some action it will represent, such as sawing wood, washing clothes, etc., and thereupon represents the action. The other group has five chances to guess what the first group is trying to represent. Failing to do this, they must forfeit one of their players to the second group and the same side again represents an action.

When a group presents an action to the others, the following dialogue takes place:

First Group: Here we come. Second Group: Where from? First Group: New Orleans. Second Group: What's your trade? First Group: Lemonade. Second Group: How is it made?

The first group then represents the action.

Birds Fly

This is an attention game. The teacher stands before the class and instructs them that if she mentions some bird or object which flies and raises her arms sideward, imitating the flapping of the wings of a bird, the pupils are to follow her example. But if she mentions some animal or some object which does not fly, she may raise her arms sideward and upward, imitating the flying position, but the pupils are not to follow her example. If they are caught doing so, they must take their seats. For example,—the teacher says, "Owls fly". Thereupon she and all the children raise their arms sideward and upward. She says, "Bats fly" and raises her arms. She next says, "Lions fly" and raises her arms, thereupon the pupils are supposed to keep their arms at their sides.

Music Rush

A march is played on the piano and the children march from their seats in single file around the room. As soon as the music stops, all rush to get into their seats. The last one in, must remain in his seat during the second trial. If there is no piano in the room, drumming on the top of a desk will do as well.

Change Seat Relay

The teacher claps her hands. This is the signal for all to shift one seat back. The one in the rear seat runs forward and sits in the front seat. The first aisle to become properly seated wins one point. Again the hands are clapped and the pupils shift one seat back, and the one then at the rear runs forward and takes the front seat and so the game continues until all have run forward from the back seat to the front. The aisle scoring the largest number of points wins.

Charlie over the Water

This is an old game and is always popular. The children form a ring, joining hands. One is selected to be "It" and takes his place in the center. Those in the ring then dance around, singing,

"Charlie, over the water, Charlie, over the sea, Charlie, catch a blackbird, But can't catch me."

Having completed these lines, they all assume a stooping position before "Charlie," who is "It," can tag them. If he succeeds in tagging one, that one takes his place in the circle and the game continues.

Tap Relay

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. All bend their heads forward, placing their faces in the palms of their hands on the top of the desk. At the signal to go, given by the teacher, the one in the last seat in each aisle sits up, claps his hands and taps the back of the one in front of him, which is the signal for the one in front to sit up, clap, and tap the one next in front of him, and so the tap is passed until it reaches the one in the front seat of the aisle, who, upon being tapped, stands up, clapping his hands above his head. The first to stand and clap hands above head wins the race.

Rat-a-tat Race

Similar to the preceding race with the exception that upon the signal to go the one in the back seat knocks with the knuckles of his right hand on the top of the desk a "rat-tat, rat-tat-tat," as in a drum beat, and then taps with the knuckles the back of the one next in front of him, who repeats the performance, tapping off the one in front, and so on. The race ends when the individual in the front seat of an aisle taps the "rat-tat, rat-tat-tat" and stands up.

Bowing Race

A book is handed to the pupil in the last seat of each aisle. At the signal to go the pupils holding the book step into the aisle at the right hand side of their desks, holding the books on the tops of their heads with both hands, and make a bow. Then returning to their seats, hit the book on the top of the desk and pass it on to the next one in front, who repeats the performance, as does every one else in the aisle. The one in the front seat of the aisle finishes the race by bowing with the book upon his head, then running forward, and placing the book upon the teacher's desk.

Spin Around Race

A boy is selected from each aisle to take his place at least six feet in front of the aisle. Upon the signal to go, the last boy in each aisle runs forward to the right of his desk and links his left arm in the right arm of the boy standing in front of his aisle, and in this position spins around twice, returning to his seat, and tagging off the boy next in front of him, who repeats the performance. The last boy in the aisle to spin around ends the race when he has returned to a sitting position in his seat.



CHAPTER II

SCHOOLROOM GAMES

For Intermediate Pupils

Initial Tag

A pupil who is "It" is sent to the board. He writes thereupon the initial of some other pupil in the room. That pupil is to try to tag "It" before he can return to his seat. If successful, he becomes "It" and continues the game by writing some one else's initial on the board.

Magic Music

One pupil is sent from the room. Thereupon the remaining pupils hide some object agreed upon. The pupil sent from the room is recalled. The teacher or one of the pupils plays the piano loudly when the seeker approaches the hidden article and softly when some distance from it. The seeker determines the location by the volume of the music.

Hunt the Rattler

All of the players in the room are blindfolded, except one, who is given a tin can in which is placed a loose pebble. He is known as the "rattler." The blindfolded players attempt to locate and tag the rattler by the rattle. The one successful takes the place of the rattler.

Sticker

The pupils stand in a circle in the center of which is "It" blindfolded, holding in his hand a blunt stick about 12 or 15 inches long. Those in the circle dance around two or three times, so that the blindfolded player may not know their position. At the command "Stand," given by the one blindfolded, all must stand still. Thereupon, by feeling with his stick, "It" tries to discern an individual in the ring. "It" is forbidden to use his hands, in trying to discover who the individual is. If he succeeds in guessing, the individual guessed must take his place. Otherwise he proceeds to some other individual in the circle whom he tries to identify.

Name Race

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A slip is handed to the one in the first seat in each row. At the signal to go, he writes his full name thereupon and passes it immediately to the one next behind him, who writes his name and passes it on. When the one in the last seat in the row has added his name to the slip, he rushes forward and places the slip upon the teacher's desk. The aisle first succeeding in accomplishing this task, wins.

Frogs in Sea

One pupil sits in tailor fashion in the center of the playing space. The others try to tease him by approaching as closely as they dare, calling him "Frog in the sea, Can't catch me." If the frog succeeds in tagging any of the other players, that player must take his place. The frog is not allowed to change from his sitting position in his effort to tag the other players.

Corner Spry

The pupils in the room are divided into four equal teams. Each team is assigned to a different corner. A leader stands in front of each team with a bean bag, cap, or ball. At the signal to start the leader tosses to and receives from each member of his team in turn the bean bag. Having received the bag from the last one in his line, he takes his place at the foot of the line, and the one at the head of the line becomes leader and proceeds to toss the ball to each member as did the preceding leader. The group, in which all have served as leaders and which successfully completes the game first, wins.

Flag Race

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. Flags are given to the pupils in each front seat. On the signal to go, each pupil holding a flag steps out on the right hand side of the seat, runs around the front of his own aisle, back on the left hand side, around the rear seat, returning to his own seat up the right hand aisle, and hands the flag on to the one next behind him, who continues the race. When all the pupils in the aisle have circled their row of seats with the flag, the last one, instead of returning to his seat, runs forward and holds the flag above his head in front of his aisle. The one first succeeding in reaching the front, wins the race.

In this race it is often better to run two aisles at a time and thus avoid the possibility of pupils bumping into each other in their attempt to race through the aisles. In this way the various winners can race against each other, making an interesting contest.

Seat Vaulting Tag

A pupil is selected to be "It." He attempts to tag any other pupil in the same aisle in which he stands. The pupils avoid being tagged by vaulting over the seats. No one is allowed to run around either end. "It" cannot reach across the desk in his effort to tag another. He must be in the same aisle or tag as one is vaulting a seat. A pupil becomes "It" as soon as tagged.

Jerusalem, Jericho, Jemima

This is a simple game of attention. The three words in the title are near enough alike to require close attention on the part of the pupil to distinguish between them and to act accordingly. Have the pupils turn in their seats facing the aisle. If the teacher says "Jerusalem", the pupils stand. If she says, "Jericho", they raise their arms momentarily forward and upward. If she says, "Jemima", they sit down. Any child making a mistake sits in her seat and faces to the front.

Compass

An attention game. The pupils stand in the aisle beside their seats. In starting the game, the teacher asks them to face to the north, then to the south, then to the east, and to the west, so that they have the directions fixed in their minds. She then proceeds to tell a story or to make statements such as the following, "I came from the north." At the mention of the word "north" all the pupils must turn and face towards the north. "But since I have arrived in the south,"—at the mention of the word "south" they all turn and face the south, etc. If the teacher should say "wind," the pupils imitate the whistling of the wind; if "whirlwind" is mentioned, all must spin about on their heels a complete turn. Failing to do any of the required turns, the pupil takes his seat.

Geography

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. Those in the front seats are Number 1, those next behind them, Number 2, and so on back. The teacher calls some number. The pupils having that number race to the board and write thereupon the name of some river, returning to their seats. The first one back wins one point for his team. The game continues until all the numbers have been called, the team having the most points wins.

Spelling Words

Have the pupils in aisle 1 face those in aisle 2, those in aisle 3 face 4, those in aisle 5 face 6. Appoint a captain for each aisle. The captain of one team starts spelling a word containing more than three letters. The captain of the team facing his, adds the second letter, not knowing what word the captain of the other team had in mind. The second man of the first team adds a third letter; the second man of the second team adds a fourth, each team trying to avoid completing the word. The team completing the word loses one point to the other team. For example, the first man of team A says "g," the first man of team B says "o," thinking of "gold." The second man on team A says "o," thinking of "goose." The second man on team B can only think of "good" and contributes "d," ending the word. Team A thereupon scores a point. The third man of team A continues the game by starting another word. When the ends of the aisles are reached the word, if uncompleted, is passed to the head of the line and continued.

If there are four aisles in the room, there will be two groups playing at the same time; six aisles, three groups; eight aisles, four groups. The captains of opposing teams keep a record of the score.

Rhymes

This game stimulates quick thinking. Some one is selected by the teacher to start the game, and thereupon gives some word to which the first pupil in the aisle must give a rhyming word before the former can count ten. Failing to do this, the leader continues and gives a word to the second one in the aisle. The rhyming words are to be given before the leader has completed his count of ten. Then the one succeeding in giving the word replaces the leader.

Clapping Song

A pupil is selected by the teacher to clap the rhythm of some familiar air. The rest of the children in the room endeavor to guess the song clapped. The pupil succeeding in doing this is given an opportunity to clap another song.

Indian Trail

A pupil is blindfolded and placed in the front of the room. Other pupils, one or two at a time, are given the opportunity to stealthily approach the one blindfolded, in an endeavor to take some object, from before his feet, such as a flower pot and saucer, or a tin can with a loose pebble in it, without being detected by the one blindfolded. If a pupil succeeds in taking back the object to his seat without having been heard, he wins a point for his aisle. Where two pupils are sent forward at the same time, two similar objects must be placed at the foot of the one blindfolded. The aisle scoring the largest number of points in this way wins the game.

Number Relay

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. They are numbered, beginning with the one in the first seat. The teacher describes some mathematical problem she desires done and calls certain numbers. All the pupils having those numbers rush to the board and compute the problem. The first back to his seat wins a point for his team, the aisle gaining the largest number of points wins the game.

Multiplication Race

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. The teacher decides on a multiplication table which is to be placed upon the board. A piece of chalk is handed to the first pupil in each aisle. At the signal to go Number 1 goes to the board and writes the first example in the multiplication table thereupon. Returning to his seat, he hands the chalk to the one next behind him, who puts the next step in the multiplication table on the board, and so the race continues until the one in the last seat has returned to his seat, after adding his part to the table. The one first back to his seat wins for his aisle.

History Race

Similar to the preceding, with the exception that the pupils are requested to write upon the board the name of some historical personage or some historical event, date, etc.

Poem Race

The pupils having learned some poem may use it in a game in the following way:

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. At the signal to go the last pupil in each aisle stands up and recites the first line of the poem, returns to his seat and taps the one next in front of him, who stands up and repeats the second line of the poem, sits down and taps off the third pupil, who repeats the third line, and so the game continues. If the poem has not been completed after the one in the front seat has said his line, he taps the one next behind him, and that one is supposed to give the next line and so on back. The aisle first completing a poem wins the race.

If the poem be a very small one, words of the poem instead of lines may be used. If it be a long one, verses instead of lines may be used.

Last Man

This is a good active game thoroughly enjoyed by the children. The teacher selects one pupil to be "It," and another to be chased. The one chased can stand at the rear of any aisle and say, "Last man." Thereupon the front pupil in that aisle is subject to being tagged by "It" and leaves his seat. All the other pupils in that aisle advance one seat and the first man chased sits down in the last seat in the aisle. "It" tries to tag the man who left the front seat before he can go to the rear of any of the aisles. Should he succeed in doing so, he can immediately be tagged back if he does not hurry to the rear of some aisle and say "Last man."

(Caution: Should any child appear fatigued when "It," substitute another child in his place).

Change Seats

This is a good relaxation game. The teacher says, "Change seats left." Thereupon all the pupils shift to the seats to their left. The children who are in the last aisle on the left must run around the room and occupy the vacant seats on the right hand side. Should the teacher say, "Change seats right," the reverse of the proceeding is necessary. The teacher can also say, "Change seats front," or "Change seats rear," and the pupils are expected to obey the commands. Those left without seats must run to the other end of the room and take any seat found vacant there.

Relay Run Around

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. The pupil in the last seat in each row, upon the signal to go, steps out in the right hand aisle, runs forward around the front of his row of seats, back on the left hand side, circling the rear seat, and sits down, touching off the next pupil in front of him, who repeats the performance. The aisle first accomplishing the run, wins.



CHAPTER III

SCHOOLROOM GAMES

For Advanced and High School Pupils

Geography

The group is divided into two equal teams. A leader is chosen for each. The leader of Team A begins the game by giving the name of a country beginning with the letter "A" (Austria). The leader of Team B gives another country beginning with "A". The second member of Team A, another; the second member of Team B, another; until one of the teams cannot think of any more countries beginning with "A". That team last thinking of a country wins one point. The other members of the team can help their team mate, whose turn it is, by suggesting other countries. The member of the team failing to name a country beginning with "A", starts with the letter "B" and the game continues, until one team has won ten points. The names of rivers, mountains, states, cities, etc., can be substituted for the names of countries.

Seeing and Remembering

Fifteen or twenty articles are placed upon a table under a sheet, in front of the pupils. The sheet is removed for a space of 10 seconds and the pupils are given a good chance to study the articles on the table. After the sheet has again covered the articles, each pupil is requested to write as many of the articles as can be remembered, on a sheet of paper. The one remembering the largest number wins.

Definitions

The teacher selects some word from the dictionary, which is written upon the blackboard. Each pupil then writes the definition of that word on a slip of paper. After this is done, the teacher compares the definition with that in the dictionary. The one giving the definition nearest like that in the dictionary wins, and gives the next word to be defined.

Jumbled Words

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. Each pupil in the aisle is given a number. The one in each front seat is Number 1, the one behind him Number 2, and so on back. The teacher has prepared a different sentence for each aisle with just as many words in it as there are pupils in the aisle. One of these slips is handed to Number 1 of each team. Number 1 takes the first word of the sentence as his word, Number 2 the second, Number 3 the third, and so on. When the last one in the aisle has learned the last word in the sentence, the slips are returned to the teacher. Competition can be added to this phase of the game by seeing which aisle can return the slip to the teacher first.

When the slips have all been turned in, the teacher calls any number. Thereupon the pupils in each aisle having that number, go to the blackboard and write distinctly their word from the sentence. For example, the teacher calls Number 3. Number 3 of aisle 1 had the word "money"; Number 3 of aisle 2 "can," etc.

Next the teacher calls Number 5. All the Number 5's go to the blackboard and write their words directly after those written by their previous team mate. When all the numbers have been called there is a jumbled sentence on the board for each aisle. The pupils of the various aisles then try to guess what the sentences of the other aisles are. Each one guessed, counts 5 points.

Descriptive Adjectives

An historical personage is selected, such as Columbus, George Washington, etc. The first pupil called upon must describe the subject with a descriptive adjective beginning with "A". The second, third, and fourth, etc., adding to this description by using adjectives beginning with the letter "A". This continues until the adjectives beginning with the letter "A" have been exhausted. Then the letter "B" is used and the game continues. It is well to change the subject after every fourth or fifth letter. This is a good game for adding to the vocabulary of the pupil. A little fun can be had by using, instead of an historical subject, one of the pupils of the room for description.

Store

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. The one in the front seat in each aisle is Number 1, the one behind him, Number 2, etc.

The teacher has a number of cards upon each of which appears a letter of the alphabet. The teacher holds up one of these letters so that it can be distinctly seen by the pupils. Number 1 of each aisle must name some article sold in a grocery store, beginning with the letter held up by the teacher. (For example,—the teacher holds up the letter "F"; Number 1 of the second aisle calls, "Flour"). The pupil first naming an article of that letter is given the card containing the letter. The next card held up, the number 2's of each team are to name the article, and likewise the winner to be awarded the card. The aisle having the most cards at the end of the game wins.

The letters can be written on the blackboard if the cards are not available for the game and points awarded to each winner. The game can also be used with birds, animals, and other subjects in place of articles sold in a store. This is a good game to stimulate quick thinking.

Distinguishing Sounds

This game is good training for the ear. Various noises, such as the shaking of a pebble in a tin can, in a wooden box, in a pasteboard box, in a large envelope; knocking on wood, on tin, on coin (as silver dollar), on stone, on brass, on lead,—are made. The pupils are allowed to guess just what the noise is caused by.

Laugh

This is a good relaxing game and one in which the practice of self control is a factor. An open handkerchief is tossed into the air. While it is in the air the pupils are to laugh as heartily as they can, but the instant the handkerchief touches the floor, all laughing is to stop.

Guessing Dimensions

The ability to measure with the eye is well worth cultivating. Each pupil is to guess the distance between various points indicated on the blackboard, the height of a door, the width and the height of a school desk, the height of the schoolroom, the thickness of a book, etc. Each of the guesses is written on a slip of paper. The pupil with the best guesses wins.

Mysterious Articles

An article is concealed under a cloth on the table. Each pupil is given an opportunity to feel the article through the cloth and guess what it is, educating the sense of touch.

Distinguishing by Smell

Various articles invisible to the eye, with distinctive odors, such as vinegar, rose, mustard, vanilla, ginger, clove, tea, coffee, chocolate, soap, etc., are placed before the pupil. The one able to distinguish the largest number of articles by the smell, wins the game.

Art Gallery

Pictures of a number of famous paintings by the masters are placed on exhibition. The pupil guessing the largest number of masters and titles, of the various pictures, wins.

Drawing Animals

The teacher whispers in the ear of each pupil the name of some animal, whereupon the pupil proceeds to draw that animal, each pupil being given the name of a different animal. Drawings are made and put on exhibition. All try to guess as many as possible of the animals represented in the drawings. The drawing securing the largest number of correct guesses wins for the artist.

Historical Pictures

A long sheet of paper is given to each pupil, with instructions to draw thereupon a picture representing some historical event. After completing the drawing, each paper is passed about the room. Each pupil writes underneath the picture what he thinks the picture represents. His subject is folded under, so that the next pupil to receive the picture cannot see what his guess has been. At the end of the game, the picture having the largest number of correct guesses wins.

Train of Thoughts

A word is suggested by the teacher. This is written at the top of a sheet of paper by each pupil. The pupil then writes beneath that word various thoughts that are suggested to him by the word. For instance, the word suggested by the teacher is "aeroplane". Pupil A has suggested to him by the word "aeroplane", humming. He writes that on his list. Humming suggests bees. Bees suggest honey; honey, clover, clover summer, summer swimming hole, etc. When all of the pupils have written fifteen or twenty thoughts which have suggested themselves to them, each is called upon to read his train of thoughts to the rest of the class.

Bowknot Relay

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A piece of string is given to each pupil in the front seat. At a signal to start each pupil with the string runs forward and ties it in a bowknot on some article placed in front of each aisle. After tying the bow, he returns to his seat and touches the one in the seat next behind him. Thereupon the second member of the team runs, unties the bowknot, returns with the string; and hands it to the third, who runs forward, and ties it in a bowknot, as did the first, and returning touches off the fourth, etc. The aisle in which each pupil has accomplished the required task first, wins the race.

Cooking Race

This is a good game for the class in domestic science. The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A piece of chalk is handed to the one in each front seat. At the signal to go, the chalk is passed back until it reaches the one in the last seat in the row. Every one in the aisle must have handled the chalk in passing it back. Upon receiving it, the last one in the row runs forward to the board and writes thereupon an ingredient necessary in the making of cake. Returning, the chalk is handed to the one in the front seat and again passed back until it gets to the one in the next to the last seat, who rushes to the board and writes another ingredient necessary in cake making. And so the race continues. When the last pupil at the board, namely the one from the front seat, has written upon the board and returned to her seat, the race is ended. The race is won by the aisle first completing this task.

Spelling Game

The group, if numbering 40 or more pupils, is divided into two teams. The contestants of each team are given a different letter of the alphabet. The teacher gives a word. Thereupon the pupils in both teams whose letter occurs in the word named, run one to the front and one to the rear of the room, as assigned by the teacher, and take their places in the order in which their letter occurs in the word. When the pupils have taken their proper position, they call out the letters they represent, spelling the word. The group first accomplishing this, wins one point for their team. If the letter occurs twice in the same word, that pupil representing that letter takes his place where the letter first occurs in the word and shifts to the second position, so as to help complete the word.

If the group be too small for two alphabets the game can be played by having but one and seeing which of the various words given is formed in the quickest time by the single group.

Grammar Race

The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A piece of chalk is given to the one in each front seat. At the signal to go, the one with the chalk rushes to the board and writes the first word of a sentence on the board and returns to his seat, passing the chalk on to the second one, who writes the second word for a sentence. The third writes the third, and so on until a complete sentence has been written upon the board. The one in the last seat must complete the sentence and return to his seat, ending the race.

Twenty-five points is awarded the team finishing first; twenty-five points to each team with correct spelling; twenty-five points for the team with the best writing; twenty-five points for the best composition of the sentence.

Schoolroom Tag

A three foot circle is made with a piece of chalk in the front of the room. Each pupil in the room is given a different number. The teacher selects one to be "It," who must stand at least ten feet from the circle and be touching a side wall. "It" calls a number. The pupil whose number is called tries to run through the circle in the front of the room and get back to his seat without being tagged by "It". The one who is "It" must run through the circle before he can tag the one whose number he called. If the pupil is tagged he becomes "It".

Directions

An attention game. Taking for granted that the pupils have a general knowledge of the directions of various towns or cities in their state or the surrounding states, the following game can be played.

All are requested to stand in the aisle beside their seats. The teacher then proceeds to make statements or tell some story, mentioning the names of various cities and towns. At the mention of these the pupils face in the direction in which said cities or towns are located. Failing to turn correctly when a city is mentioned the pupil is required to take his seat.



CHAPTER IV

SCHOOLYARD GAMES

For Primary Pupils

Chase the Rabbit

The group kneels in a circle with their hands on each other's shoulders. The one selected to be rabbit runs around the circle and tags some individual. Thereupon that individual must get upon his feet and run to the left around the circle. The rabbit runs to the right around the circle. The rabbit must tag the one who is running around in the opposite direction, and then both endeavor to get back to the hole left in the circle. The one failing to do this becomes the rabbit for the next play.

Steps

One of the group is selected to be "It". He stands with his back to the group and counts five, at the end of which he turns rapidly around. If he sees any of the group moving, that one seen must go back to the starting line. While the one "It" is counting, it is the object of the group to progress toward him as rapidly as possible.

Statues

This game is similar to the game "Steps," above described, excepting that the players standing behind "It" assume the poses of statues. "It" upon turning around endeavors to detect some movement on the part of the statues, in which case that player takes the place of "It".

Progression

The players stand behind a line. Each in turn must cover the space between said line and another line twenty yards distant by a manner of progress different from that used by any of the previous players. For example, the first one called upon to cover the intervening space between the lines walks, the second one runs, the third hops, the fourth crawls, the fifth walks backward, etc., and so on until all of the players have reached the far line. This game taxes the ingenuity of the last players to be called upon, as they have to initiate new methods of progress.

Squirrel in Trees

Players stand in groups of three—two facing one another with hands joined to form hollow trees, and the third within the tree hollow to represent the squirrel. There is also one odd squirrel outside the tree. The teacher or leader claps her hands, when all squirrels must run for other trees, and the odd squirrel tries to secure a tree, the one left out being the odd squirrel the next time. Players' positions may be reversed frequently to give all an equal chance to be squirrels.

Shadow Tag

This game is similar to ordinary tag, with the exception that "It" endeavors to touch or step on the shadow of one of the players. Succeeding in doing this, that player becomes "It".

Handkerchief Tag

A player is selected to be "It". A knotted handkerchief is given to the rest of the players. "It" can only tag the player holding the handkerchief in his hands. The players endeavor to get rid of the handkerchief by throwing it from one to another. Should the handkerchief fall upon the ground, there is no one for "It" to tag until it has been picked up by one of the players.

Puss in Corner

The players are distributed about the playing area, and given goals, such as trees, fence and building corners, etc. One player is selected to be "It". The other players endeavor to change places. "It" can either tag one of the players who is off his corner, on goal, or step into the goal vacated by one of the players. In the first case, the player tagged becomes "It"; in the second, the player left without a goal becomes "It".

Back to Back

This is a tag game in which "It" may tag anyone who is not back to back with one other player.

Peggy in Ring

A blindfolded player takes his place in the center of the group which has joined hands, forming a ring. The ring begins to dance around in a circle until "Peggy", who is blindfolded in the centre, pounds three times with a stick upon the ground or floor. This is the signal for everyone to stand still. "Peggy" then holds out the stick to some one in the circle. The one nearest to it must grasp the end. "Peggy" then asks the one at the other end three questions. The questions may be answered by grunts or groans and "Peggy" endeavors to guess who is thus answering the questions. Succeeding, the one questioned takes "Peggy's" place in the center of the circle and the game proceeds.



CHAPTER V

SCHOOLYARD GAMES

For Intermediate Pupils

Link Race

The group is divided into two teams, and a leader appointed for each. A large square is marked upon the ground and the opposing teams line up upon opposite sides of the square behind their leader, each locking his arms about the waist of the man in front of him. At a signal to go both groups endeavor to tag the rear end of the group in front of them by running about the square, keeping on the lines. Should a group succeed in tagging the rear of the line in front, but it is found that their own line is broken through the effort, it does not count. But the broken line can be tagged by the rear of the line and it will count. So it is up to that part of the line which has broken loose at the rear to catch up with the rest of its team.

Maze Tag

All but two of the players stand in parallel lines or ranks, one behind the other, with ample space between each player and each two ranks. All the players in each rank clasp hands in a long line. This will leave aisles between the ranks and through these a runner and chaser make their way.

The sport of the game consists in sudden changes in the direction of the aisles, brought about by one player who is chosen as leader. He stands aside, giving the commands, "Right face!" or "Left face!" at his discretion. When one of these commands is heard, all of the players standing in the ranks drop hands, face in the direction indicated and quickly clasp hands with the players who are then their neighbors on the right and left. This brings about a change of direction in the aisles and therefore necessitates a change of direction in the course of the two who are running.



The success of the game depends largely upon the judgment of the leader in giving the commands, "Right (or left) face!" These should be given quickly and repeatedly, the leader often choosing a moment when the pursuer seems just about to touch his victim, when the sudden obstruction put in his way by the change in the position of the ranks makes necessary a sudden change of direction on his part. The play continues until the chaser catches his victim, or until the time limit has expired. In either case two new players are then chosen from the ranks to take the places of the first runners.

It is a foul to break through the ranks or to tag across the clasped hands.

Turtle Tag

One player is selected to be "It" and chases the rest. In order to avoid being tagged, a player may lie upon his back with both feet and hands off the ground.

Roly Poly

This game must be played in groups, not larger than 12. Holes are dug in the ground with the heels of the shoe. These holes are placed about 6 inches apart in a line. They should be about 3 inches in diameter and at least one inch deep. A line is drawn 6 feet from the first hole. The one who is "It" must stand behind this line and roll a soft ball so that it will drop into one of the holes. If he misses, he continues to roll until he succeeds. If he succeeds, the one, into whose hole the ball rolls, runs forward, picks it up and endeavors to hit any other player from the position in which he picked up the ball. The rest may run in their effort to get away. Should he miss, a goose egg—(a small stone)—is placed in his hole. Should he succeed in hitting a player, a goose egg is placed in the hole of that player. The one to whom is awarded the goose egg is the next to roll the ball from the dead line in the endeavor to get it into a hole. Any player getting three goose eggs has to run the gauntlet, which is the name given to running between two lines of players while they slap at his back. The faster he runs the lighter the slaps. No player is allowed to hit from the front.

Antony Over

A group is divided into two teams, A and B. The game is played around a small building, such as a small school house or wood shed, around which there is free running space. To team A is given a soft ball, such as a tennis or yarn ball. The ball is thrown over the building to team B. If it is caught by one of the players of team B, the whole team slips around the building, all going in the same direction, and trying to hit with the ball some one on team A before they can get around to the opposite side of the building. Team A tries to escape being hit by dodging and running around the building to the opposite side. If a player is hit, he goes to B side. The teams keep their new places and B throws the ball over to A. If the ball is not caught, it is thrown back and forth over the building until caught. The team which first hits all of its opponents wins, or a time limit may be agreed upon and the team having the greatest number of players at the end of that time, wins.

Snake and Bird

Two lines are drawn in the schoolyard about fifty feet apart. The group is divided into two teams. The one team links hands and takes a position between the two lines, and the leader calls, "Birds run". The other team, which is lined up behind one of the lines, endeavors to run across the space between the two lines without being caught by the snake, which endeavors to circle around as many of the second team as it can. A record is kept of the number of boys caught. Then the other team becomes snake and endeavors to coil around as many of the opponents, when they attempt to cross the space between the lines, as possible.

In and Out

The group grasp hands, forming a circle. Two individuals are selected, one to be "It", and the other to be chased. These two are placed on opposite sides of the circle. Then "It" endeavors to tag the other. The one chased may go in and out under the hands of those forming the circle, cut through or run around the circle and "It" has to follow the same course in the pursuit. When "It" succeeds in tagging his partner, two other players take their places.

Fox and Rabbit

The group link hands and form a circle. Two players are selected, one to be "It" and the other to be chased, as in the preceding game. In this game, however, it is not necessary that the fox follow the same course the rabbit pursues, in his endeavor to tag him, but both can go in and out of the circle at will. The players in the circle endeavor to assist the rabbit and impede the fox in his chase, as much as possible. When the fox has caught the rabbit, two other players are selected to take their places.

Chicken Market

One player is selected to be a buyer, another to be the market man. The rest of the players are to be chickens. They stoop down in a row, clasping their hands under their knees. The buyer inquires of the market man, "Have you chickens for sale?" The market man says, "Yes, plenty of them". Thereupon the buyer goes along the line and examines the chickens. He finds one too tough, one too fat, etc., until at last he comes to one which suits his fancy, and he so informs the market man. He takes one arm and the market man takes the other and between them they swing the chicken back and forth. If the chicken maintains the grasp of its hands beneath its knees, it is accepted by the buyer and is led off to the home of the buyer, marked upon the ground. The game continues until all the chickens are sold.

Chickidy Hand

The player who is selected to be "It" interlocks the fingers of his hands and holds them against a post, which is known as the goal. The other players fold their hands in the same way and place them against the post. To start the game, "It" counts ten, whereupon the players leave the goal and "It" endeavors to tag one of them. The hands must be kept folded until tagged. The one tagged joins hands with "It" and continues with him in an effort to tag others. The players endeavor to keep from being tagged by the line and try to break through the line. Succeeding in this, the individual towards the head of the line, next to the break, drops out of the game. Those in the line cannot tag a player who has rushed in and succeeded in breaking the line until the line reforms.

Pass Ball

The group form a circle and are counted off in 2's. The Number 1's are given a ball or some other object easily tossed, at one side of the circle and the Number 2's a like object on the other side of the circle. Then 1 competes against 2 in an endeavor, by passing the object around the circle, to have it overtake that passed by the other team. When the object passed by one team has overtaken and passed that of the other, it counts one point and the game starts over, with the objects on opposite sides of the circle.

Poison

The group forms a circle, linking hands. In the center of the circle is placed on end a short log about a foot long. (A tall bottle may be used in place of the log). By it is lying a soft playground baseball or a yarn ball. The circle begins to rotate around the log, the object being to keep from knocking the club over, on the one hand, but to force some one else in the circle to knock it over. The instant it falls, the circle dissolves and all the players except the one who knocks over the club run, while he picks up the ball and throws it at the running players. If he succeeds in hitting some one, the one hit is out of the game. If he fails, he is out. So the game continues until but two players are left.

Fox Trail



A large circle is drawn upon the ground. This should measure from 30 to 40 feet in radius. Another circle is drawn within this first circle and should have a radius 10 feet less than the first. Eight or 10 spokes are drawn from the center to the circumference. Where these spokes intercept the outer circle a small circle is drawn. These small circles are known as "dens". A player is placed in each one of these dens. Another player is known as the hunter and stands at the hub of the wheel. The players in the dens are known as foxes. There is to be one more fox than den. This odd fox can stand anywhere else on the rim, where he tries to get a den whenever he can. The object of the game is that the foxes run from den to den without being caught by the hunter. The method of running, however, is restricted. Both foxes and hunter are obliged to keep to the trails running only on the lines of the diagram. It is considered poor play to run from den to den on the outer rim, as there is practically no risk in this. Foxes may run in any direction on the trail, on the spokes or on either of the rims. They may not turn back, however, when they have started on a given trail, until they have run across to the intersection of another line. If the hunter succeeds in tagging a fox, the two exchange places, the fox becoming the hunter. This is a good game to play in the snow marking the trails in the snow.

Weavers Race

A group forms a circle which is counted off by 2's. The Number 1's in the circle constitute team A, and the Number 2's team B. Two captains stand side by side in the circle. Each holds a small stick. At a signal to go both start racing in opposite directions around the circle, going to the rear of the first player, to the front of the second, to the rear of the third, etc., weaving their way in and out. When they meet at the further side of the circle they must join hands and spin around once in the circle before continuing to weave their way back and forth from the point in the circle from which they left. Thereupon number 1 of A team tags the next player on his team in the direction in which he ran. Number 1 of B team tags the next one on his team who starts in the direction in which the first ran. The race continues until everyone in the team has completed his run around the circle in the required way.

Circle Chase

The group forms a circle and counts off by 4's. The leader takes his place in the center of the circle. He calls any number from 1 to 4, and all of the men holding that number step back and run around the outside of the circle to the right, endeavoring to tag the man who is running just ahead of him. The leader blows a whistle, which is the signal for the men to return to their original places in the circle, with the exception of those who have been tagged out. The latter are supposed to take a position within the circle. The leader next calls another number and they proceed as did the first. As the game continues, the circle grows smaller. The individual wins who succeeds in tagging out all those of his number.

Reuben and Rachel

The group forms a circle, joining hands. One of the players is blindfolded and placed in the center of the circle. All the rest in the ring dance around him until he points at some one. That one enters the circle and the blind man calls out, "Rachel". The other must answer, "Here, Reuben", and move about in the circle so as to escape being tagged by Reuben. Every time Reuben calls out, "Rachel", she must reply, "Here, Reuben", and so it goes on until she is caught. Reuben must guess who she is and if he guesses correctly Rachel is blindfolded and the game goes on as before. If not, the same individual continues as Reuben and he points out a new Rachel to come into the circle.

Channel Tag

The group forms a circle, faces to the right and assumes a stride position. The one selected to be "It" takes his place in the center of the circle. The others pass a ball or bean bag either backward or forward between their legs. The one in the center tries to capture the ball or bag. If he succeeds, the one last touching it must take his place in the center of the circle. Every one must touch the ball or bag when it passes by them, either forward or backward.

Soak 'em

A sock stuffed with straw is used in this game. A circle is drawn upon the ground. The group is divided into two teams. One team takes its place in the center of the circle, the other lines up around the circumference. Those on the outside of the ring endeavor, without stepping over the line, to throw and hit those within. Succeeding, the one hit must lie upon the ground within the ring. The others endeavor to avoid being hit by dodging here and there. When all of the first team in the ring have been hit, they take their position outside of the ring and throw at their opponents. The team succeeding in hitting all of the opponents in the quickest time, wins.

The Dummy

One of the group, known as the "dummy", must take a position 30 feet in front of a line and stands with his back to the rest of the group. A soft ball is thrown at him and he endeavors to guess who hit him. If he succeeds, that one must take his place.

Oriental Tag

Similar to ordinary tag, except that the one "It" cannot tag any one who has his forehead to the ground.

Ball Tag

The one who is "It" is armed with a soft ball. He attempts to tag another by means of hitting him with the ball. The one who is hit becomes "It".

Couple Tag

Similar to ordinary tag, except that the group is arranged in couples. Couples must lock arms. The couple which is "It" endeavors to tag some other couple. If either of the men making up the "It" couple succeeds in tagging either man of another couple, that group is "It".



CHAPTER VI

SCHOOLYARD GAMES

For Advanced and High School Pupils

Dresden Tag

The group forms a circle with at least three feet space between each individual in the circle. One individual is selected to be "It", another to be chased. Those in the circle are to place their hands upon their knees and assume a stooping position, as for leap frog. "It" endeavors to tag the individual he is to chase before said individual can leap over the back of any one forming the circle. Should he leap over the back of some one, the one over whose back he jumped is then subject to being tagged by "It". Should "It" tag the one chased, then "It" must leap over some one's back to escape from being tagged. After leaping over a back, the individual who made the leap takes the position of the one who left that place in the circle.

Fox and Geese

One player is chosen to be fox, another to be gander. The remaining players all stand in single file behind the gander, each with his hands upon the shoulders of the one next in front. The gander tries to protect his flock of geese from being caught by the fox and to do this stretches out his arms and dodges around in any way he sees fit to circumvent the efforts of the fox. Only the last goose in the line may be tagged, unless the line be very long, then the last five or ten players may be tagged, as decided beforehand. It will be seen that the geese all may co-operate with the gander by doubling and redoubling their line to prevent the fox from tagging the last goose. Should the fox tag the last goose or one of the last five or ten, if that be permissible, that goose becomes fox and the fox becomes gander.

Plug the Hole

The players form in a circle with their legs in a stride position, their toes touching those of the next player. The one who is "It" takes his place in the centre of the circle. A partner to "It" takes his place on the outside of the circle. "It" is given a salt bag stuffed with saw dust or an old basketball cover stuffed with rags or some similar object. "It" endeavors to throw the stuffed bag between the legs of any of the players making up the circle. The players in the circle must keep their hands upon their knees until they see the bag coming towards them. They can then intercept it with their hands but are not allowed to move their feet. Should "It" succeed in throwing the bag between the legs of any player, his partner on the outside may capture it and endeavor to throw it back into the circle by the same method by which it came out, while the one between whose legs the bag was thrown takes "It's" place. Should "It's" partner on the outside succeed in throwing the ball into the circle between the legs of any player, that player takes the partner's place on the outside.

Partner Swat Tag

Form a circle in pairs, partners linking arms together. Two stuffed clubs (made by stuffing stockings with waste or rags), are placed in the hands of one of the couples selected to be "It". This couple runs about the circle and hands the clubs to another set of partners in the circle. Thereupon the others, receiving the clubs, chase the couple at their right around the circle, beating them with the clubs until they have reached their original place in the circle. The couple holding the clubs then go around the circle and hand the clubs to another couple, who proceed to chase the others at their right and so the game continues.

Freight Train Tag

The boys are divided into groups of three's. Each three line up, one behind the other, with their arms locked around the waist of the man in front. The first man in the group is the engine, and the last man the caboose. One man is selected to be "It", another to be chased. In order to avoid being tagged by "It", the man chased endeavors to hitch on the rear of a freight train by locking his arms around the caboose. Thereupon the engine, or the man at the front of the train, is subject to being tagged by "It" until he can hitch on to some other train. Those individuals making up a train endeavor to keep any one from hitching on to their caboose. "It", having tagged another, is subject to being tagged back immediately, provided he has not hitched on the rear of some train.

Roll Ball

The players form in a circle, grasping the hands of their neighbors. The one selected to be "It" takes his place in the center and is given a basketball or a stuffed sack, which he endeavors to kick outside of the ring. The players in the circle endeavor to prevent same by interfering with their legs. Should "It" succeed in kicking the ball outside the circle, the player between whose legs it went or to whose right it went, must take "It's" place.

Take Away

The group is divided into two teams. One team is given a ball or some other object which can be easily caught. The object of the game is to keep the ball away from the opponents as long as possible. Should the opponents capture the ball, they in turn endeavor to pass it among themselves, keeping it away from the other team.

Red, White and Blue

Two lines are marked upon the ground, about fifteen feet apart. The group is divided into three equal teams; one team is known as the red, the other the blue, and the third the white. The blue team takes its position between the two lines, with the red team beyond one line and the white beyond the other. A ball or some other soft object easily thrown is given to the red team. Any member of that team may try to hit a member of the blue team, with the ball, without stepping over the line. Should he succeed, it counts one point for the red. Should he miss and the ball go across to where the white team is stationed, any member of the white team endeavors to hit one of the blue and scores a point if successful. Should the ball fail to return to either the red or the white team, a member of either of those teams may run into the blue territory to recover it, but must return or toss the ball back to his team beyond the line before it is again in play. The playing time of the game is divided into thirds. The reds change places with the blues in the second third, and the whites with the reds in the last third. Only the team between the lines is subject to being thrown at. The team having the most hits to its record at the end of the game, wins.

Pin Ball

This game is played with the same rules as basketball, except that in place of the baskets a 6 foot circle is drawn in the center of each end of the playing space, and in the center of each circle a short flat end log about 14 inches long and 3 inches in diameter stands upon its end. Seven players constitute a team. A pin guard is placed within each circle, with the pin and he is the only one that is allowed to step inside the circle. The object of the game is to knock down the opponent's pin by hitting it with the ball. It is a foul to carry the ball or to hold an opponent. Where basketball rules are known to the players, use the same rules for this game. In case of a foul, a 15 foot line measured from the pin in the circle is used as a free throw line. In a free throw the guard is not allowed to interfere with the ball hitting the pin. A stuffed sack can be used in place of a ball in this game.

Kick Ball

An inflated ball about the size of a basketball is best for this game, but a bean bag can be used. The group is divided into two teams. One team is at the bat and the other in the field, arranged as in regular baseball with the exception that there is a short stop on both sides of the pitcher. The home base is marked upon the ground in form of a rectangle 4 feet long and 3 feet wide. The ball is tossed with an underhand toss, so that it passes over the base not higher than the level of the knee of the batter. Three strikes and four balls are allowed, as in baseball. Three men out retire a side. The principal difference is that the batter kicks the ball and may be put out by being hit with the ball when running between bases.

Hand Baseball

This game is like regular baseball, with the exception that a tennis ball or soft rubber ball is used for a ball and the hand is used for a bat. The pitcher throws the ball so that it bounds just in front of the batter. If on the bound it passes over the home plate above the knees and below the shoulders of the batter, it constitutes a strike. The home plate is marked upon the ground and is 2 feet square. The batter hits the ball with the open palm of his hand and runs bases, as in regular baseball. Four balls and 3 strikes count as in regular games.

Last Couple Out

This is an old Swedish game and one which can still be played and thoroughly enjoyed. The players are arranged in double file. One player is selected to be "It" and takes a position about 10 feet in front of the file, with his back to it. He calls, "Last couple out". Thereupon the last two in the double file run forward, one on either side of the line and endeavor to join hands in front of "It", without being tagged. "It" cannot look behind or start to chase until the last couple are on a line with him. The couple are allowed to circle as far out from the double line as they wish in their endeavor to avoid "It", and may join hands in any position, so long as they are in front of "It's" original position. Should "It" tag one of them before they have had an opportunity of joining hands, the one tagged becomes "It", and the one who was "It" unites with the extra player at the head of the double column. Otherwise "It" remains "It".

Spanish Fly

This is an old leap frog game. One player is chosen to be "down". The others follow the leader in taking frog leaps over the back of the one downed. At the first leap the leader says, "Spanish fly". All the others must repeat those words upon taking their leap. At his second leap, the leader says, "Handlings", and squeezes his fingers into the back of "Down". The others must do as he did. The leader next says, "Knucklings" and doubles his knuckles up on the back of "Down" in leaping over. The next command is "Spurrings", and the leader hits "Down" with the heel of his right foot in making the leap. The next command is "Dump the apple cart", and the leader grasps the clothes of the boy in going over and endeavors to pull him forward. The next is "Hats on deck", and the leader places his hat on the back of the boy as he passes over him. The next boy after the leader places his hat upon that of the leader and so on until all of the boys have their hats on the back. The next command is "Hats off deck", and the last boy to place his hat upon the back is the first to leap over, endeavoring to pick his hat off without knocking any of the others off. Should any of those following the leader fail in accomplishing the trick they are supposed to do, they become "Down" and the boy who was downed becomes the leader.

Tony Says

This is a good game to follow formal gymnastic exercises, maintaining the same formation. The players are lined up in open order upon the playing space. The leader asks for a number of exercises for the arms and legs. The players execute these upon command provided the words "Tony says" precede the command. For example, Tony says "Attention"; Tony says "Raise arms to side horizontal"; Tony says "Arms down." If the leader fails to say "Tony says" before the command, the players are not to execute the command. Should a player execute the command at the time when he is not supposed to, he is required to run to a given point behind the leader and return to his original place. This is required of every player making a mistake.



Part II

SOCIABLE GAMES FOR THE HOME, CHURCH, CLUB, ETC.

CHAPTER I

GAMES FOR THE HOME

These games have been selected for the use of small family groups. In many of them parents and children will find an opportunity for entertainment during the long winter evenings in the home.

Twenty Questions

This is a quiet, entertaining and instructive game. One member of the family is given the privilege of thinking of some specific object anywhere in the universe. The others endeavor to guess what that object is and are only allowed to ask twenty questions in doing so. The one who thinks of the object to be guessed, only answers the questions asked by yes or no. It is exceptional when the object is not guessed, no matter how difficult it may be, before the twenty questions have been asked. Example,—the King of Belgium is selected by the player. The first question asked by another player is, "Is it in the animal kingdom?" This question is answered by "Yes".

Second question: "Is it in a menagerie?" Answer: "No." Third question: "Is it a man?" Answer: "Yes." Fourth question: "Is it an historical character?" Answer: "Yes." Fifth question: "Is he an American?" Answer: "No."

And so the questions and answers continue. Any one has the privilege of asking a question at any time. The one who is thinking of the subject keeps a record of the number of questions asked. If any one has guessed within twenty questions, he has the opportunity of thinking of the new object to be guessed.

You Know Me

One of the group is given the privilege of starting the game by assuming he is some well known character, and makes the statement, "I am the man who invented the lightning rod". The others of the group endeavor to guess who he is. The one first guessing Benjamin Franklin is given the opportunity of continuing the game by assuming he is some other prominent character.

Come-She-Come

One member of the group is given the opportunity to select some object in plain sight in the room, to be guessed by the others. That individual says, "Come she come". Another individual says, "What does she come by?" The first individual answers, "By the letter——", and gives the first letter of the name of the object he has selected to be guessed. The others thereupon endeavor to guess what that object is. The one succeeding determines the next object to be guessed.

Hide the Thimble

All of the group leave the room, except one, who hides somewhere about the room a thimble. The others are then called back and endeavor to find it. If the thimble is hidden in a very difficult place, the one who hid it can inform the searchers if they are "warm" or "cold"; "warm" indicating that they are near, "cold" that they are not seeking in the right place.

Tit Tat Too

A diagram similar to the illustration (Fig. 1) is drawn on a sheet of paper. Two players only can participate. The first player marks a cross in any of the spaces between the lines; the next player makes a circle in any other space. The object of the game is to have one of the players succeed in placing three of his marks in a straight line, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, upon the diagram. If neither succeeds, a new diagram is drawn and the game continues. The player making the crosses has won the game in (Fig. 2) as he has three crosses in a line.



Last Match

Three piles of matches are placed upon the table. Each pile can contain anywhere from ten to twenty matches. The object of the game is to make your opponent pick up the last match, two players playing. Playing proceeds by each player taking up from any one pile as many matches as he wishes. He may take all in the pile if he so desires. Each takes matches in turn, endeavoring to make it so that the opponent has to take the last match left on the board.

Your House, My House

A piece of string about three feet long is tied to the end of a slender stick of about the same length. A slip knot is tied in the end of the string. A loop about two inches in diameter is made with the slip knot on the top of the table. All of the players excepting the one holding the stick then place the point of their index fingers on the table within the loop. The one holding the stick, as a fish pole says, "Your house" or "My house". If he says "My house", he jerks the stick endeavoring to capture the forefinger of any of the players. He does not jerk the stick when he says "Your house". He endeavors to fool the others by saying abruptly, "Your house", several times before saying "My house" and pulling the string. The player avoiding being caught next takes the stick.

Catechism of States

Q.—Which is the best State for fresh pork? A.—New ham, sure.

Q.—Which is the best for an early summer hotel? A.—May inn.

Q.—In which should surgeons dwell? A.—Connect-a-cut.

Q.—In which should laundrymen prosper? A.—Washing done.

Q.—In which do impudent people dwell? A.—Can sass.

Q.—Which is the best for deer-hunting? A.—Collar a doe.

Q.—Which is the best for locksmiths? A.—New brass key.

Q.—In which would you look for a morning attire? A.—Day coat, eh!

Q.—In which is one likely to fail in getting a drink? A.—Miss-a-sip.

Q.—In which can you find a red letter? A.—Florid A.

Q.—In which does the hustle make one sick? A.—Ill o' noise.

Q.—In which is one likely to use his farming implements? A.—I'd a hoe.

Q.—In which can one acquire an estate by marriage? A.—Mary land.

Q.—In which is one letter of the alphabet taller than the others? A.—O higher.

Q.—In which are bodies of land surrounded by water given a ride? A.—Rhode Island.

Q.—Which is called to your mind by holding two $5 bills? A.—Tenn I see.

Q.—Which would a woman rather have if she can't get a new sealskin sack? A.—New Jersey.

Q.—Which does the farmer's wife mention when she asks you to partake of apple sauce? A.—Take sass.—Capper's Weekly (Topeka).

Step by Step

A bean bag or soft ball is needed for this game. All of the group excepting one who is selected to be leader sit on the bottom step of the stairs. The leader tosses the ball to the one at the right end of the line and receives it back. He tosses it to the second and third. Should any of the players miss catching the ball, all the other players move up one step, except the one missing; he remains on the first step. The leader then continues passing until all have been served; he then starts again at right of line. He passes the ball last to the one on the lower steps. Should any of the players on any step miss the ball, all the other players advance one step. The ones who advance from the lower step take a position at the right of the one who missed the ball on the step above. Should the leader miss the ball at any time, the one at the right on the highest step takes his place. The game continues until the top of the stairs is reached by one or more players. If more than one player reaches the top step then the progress continues down the stairs, a step for each miss by any of the players. When one player holds the most advanced step alone, the game starts over with that player as leader.

Spin the Platter

All of the players in the room are given a number. A tin plate is spun in the centre of the room by one of the players who calls some number. The one whose number is called endeavors to catch the plate before it has stopped spinning. If successful, he calls another number after again spinning the platter. Should the player fail to catch the platter before it has stopped spinning, a forfeit is demanded. All the players having forfeits are demanded to pay their forfeits by performing some stunt suggested by one of the group selected to determine the penalty.

Board and Nail Puzzle



A rectangular board 2 inches broad and 3 inches long has holes bored into it in the design herewith illustrated. Nails are stuck loosely in all of these holes, excepting the centre one. The puzzle is to jump all of the nails off the board so that only one nail is left, and that in the centre-hole on the board. The nails are jumped off in the same manner that men are jumped in the game of checkers. Jumping is allowed either forward, backward, or sideward, but not diagonally.

Spinning for 20

A wooden top is made by sawing off the end of a large spool and sticking a match or small stick through the hole in the centre. Four concentric circles are drawn upon a sheet of paper which should be about twelve inches square. Inside of the smallest circle, which should have a diameter of 2 inches, the number 20 is placed. The next circle outside of this one, having a diameter 2 inches greater, should be numbered 15, the next circle numbered 10, and the next 5.

The players spin the top in turn. Should it cease spinning so that the point of the pin lies within the centre circle, a score of 20 is made. Should it fall outside of the last circle, no score is made. The player first gaining 100 points wins the game.

Red Triangle Ring Toss



A triangle is drawn upon a board and nails are driven in, as indicated in the accompanying diagram. Six rubber Mason jar rings are used. The triangle is hung on the wall at a height equal to the height of the shoulders of the intended players. The players stand from ten to fifteen feet distant from the triangle and attempt to toss the rings over the projecting nails. Each nail is numbered according to the diagram. Each player tosses six rings at a turn. Any number of players can play. The player first securing a total of 25 points wins the game.

Floor Baseball

(Game invented by T.A. Coates)

A diagram is marked with chalk on the floor, as per accompanying diagram. Round wooden disks six inches in diameter, one inch thick at the centre tapering to a quarter of an inch at the circumference, in the form of a discus, are used. Rubber quoits may be used instead of disks, if available.

A player "up to bat" slides disks from a line thirty feet away from the baseball diamond until he has four balls, three strikes, or has earned one or more bases. If the disk, upon being slid forward, lies so that any part of it lies over any line, it constitutes one ball for the batter. If it should lie in the space marked "Strike", it constitutes a strike and the batter has one ball and one strike. The next slide, the disk lies in the space marked "1". This means that he places his disk on first base and the next player on his side comes to bat. The second player continues sliding the disks until he has made a base or is put out. Should he make a base, the player of the first disk is advanced one base. Should he make more than one base hit, the player on the base advances as many bases as the batter has made. The side continues at bat until three men are out. Thereupon, the other team comes to bat.

Should the disk land in "Sacrifice", base hit, home run, or should the one at bat gain first by four balls, the man or men on base or bases advance. Any man or men reaching home constitutes a run for that team. Should the disk land three times within the space marked "Strike" during the time at bat, the batsman is declared "out".



Two players can play this game as well as nine, each taking as many slides of the disk as is necessary to reach a base or get out. Then the other player does the same until the team has three out.

Blocks or stones can indicate the position of players on bases if only one disk is used in the game.

Chic-a-dee

This is a good game to be played in the loft of a barn. One player is blindfolded and sits on the floor with legs folded under him, Chinese fashion. The other players creep up and say "Chic-a-dee" as near his ear as possible. He tries to hit said player before he can get beyond his reach, using a salt bag stuffed with leaves, or some type of padded stick. Should he succeed, the one he hits is blindfolded and the game continues.

Captain Kidd's Gold

This is a good game in which all the members of a family may find pleasure. It develops one's power of observation and memory. A small coin is hidden somewhere about the yard or in the woods, wherever the game may be played, by one of the players. All of the other players must be either blindfolded or placed in a position where they cannot see the player who is hiding the coin.

The player having hidden the coin returns to the group and describes just how they are to find same. For illustration:—he gives the following description of the course to follow. "Walk twenty paces in a direct line towards the apple tree at the far end of the garden. There you will find a small stone upon a larger one. Under the small stone you will find an arrow scratched upon the larger one. Follow the directions of this arrow fifteen paces. Then turn sharply to the left, go ten paces, and underneath a stone will be found Captain Kidd's Gold." The players may ask him to repeat the directions once. After repeating, however, they must follow the direction without further questioning. The one successful in finding the coin next hides the same.

This game can be made simple enough for small children to enjoy or difficult enough to prove a problem for adults.



CHAPTER II

ICE BREAKERS FOR SOCIABLES

Bird Hunt

Names of different birds are written on small slips of paper and pinned upon the backs of all the guests. A small card and a pencil are given to each guest and they are instructed to go on a bird hunt. They proceed to try to read the names on the backs of twenty other players. The one first succeeding in getting the names of twenty birds wins the game. Each player endeavors to avoid having the slip on his own back read as he endeavors to read those on the backs of the others.

My Month

Twelve placards with the name of a month of the year on each are posted about the room, and the players are instructed to gather around that placard bearing the name of the month in which they were born. Then each group in turn is called upon to select some activity typical for that month and to act it out. The others endeavor to guess the month by the activity represented.

Poison Circle

The group marches in couples around the room while a march is being played intermittedly on some instrument. Small rugs are placed in the path of the marchers or circles are drawn on the floor, through which the marchers must pass. If any couple is left on a rug or within a circle when the music stops playing, that couple drops out of the march. All march forward again when the music starts and try to avoid being caught on a rug or in a circle. The last couple in wins.

Shoe Hunt

Advertisements of shoes are cut out and the illustrations of pairs of shoes are halved. These are hidden around the room. The individual finding the largest number of pairs of shoes wins. Players are allowed to trade with each other in order to complete their pairs.

Matching Advertisements

Advertisements are cut from magazines and each advertisement is divided by irregular cuts into two halves. One half is placed in the pile to be distributed among the men; the other half to be distributed among the ladies. These halved advertisements are distributed among the guests and the men seek their partners by finding the other half of the magazine advertisement matching their own.

Matching Proverbs

Familiar proverbs are divided into groups of three or four words. These are distributed among the guests. There should be at least two words, and preferably more, on each slip. Each individual then seeks to find those others holding the words which complete his proverb.

Example—The proverb, "A stitch in time saves nine", is chosen. On one sheet of paper is put "A stitch"; on another "in time"; and on another "saves nine".

When the individuals necessary to make the complete proverb have gathered together, they represent their proverb by pantomime to the others.

Mixing March

The group, arranged in couples, forms a circle with the ladies on the inside facing their partners. When the music starts playing, the partners separate, both going to the right about the circle. This means that the ladies go in one direction and the men in the other. When the music again stops, the men will be opposite new partners and these partners must face each other and converse on some subject suggested by the leader. When the music again starts the conversation ends and both groups again continue their march in opposite directions and so the game continues. It is suggested, if the group be large and not well acquainted, that each time a new partner is faced for conversation, hands are shaken and names and places of residence given.

Musical Medley

This game is similar to the game entitled "Matching Proverbs", except that different lines of songs are distributed among the guests present and each seeks to find the individuals holding the lines necessary to complete his song. When all are located they get together and practice their song in preparation to sing it to the rest of the group or act it in pantomime.

Puzzled Words

Words are written out on slips of paper and then cut into single letters. Each letter going to make up a word is given the same number.

For example, in the word "battle", number each letter of "Battle" No. 1. All of the number 1's are told to get together, discover what their word is and when their number is called, act it out for the group to guess.

Trip Around the World

Various articles are distributed around the room, each representative of some country. For illustration, a package of tea, representing China; a shamrock, representing Ireland; a maple leaf, representing Canada.

A slip of paper and a pencil are given to each member of the group, who endeavors to guess what country each article suggests.

Bean Penalty

Each guest, upon entering the room, is given ten beans and instructed to ask questions of each other. Should a question be answered by either yes or no, the individual so answering must surrender a bean to the one asking the question. At the end of the playing period, the individual having the largest number of beans is the winner.



CHAPTER III

SOCIABLE GAMES FOR GROWN-UPS

Biographic Cartoons

Each individual is given a cardboard 12x15 inches, an old magazine, containing numerous ads, a pair of scissors, and is instructed to write the biography of his right hand neighbor, using the advertisements cut from the papers to illustrate the same. In writing the biography as few words should be used as possible. The biographical sketch should be placed upon the cardboard. Mucilage should be available for the purpose of sticking on the illustrations, and pens and pencils for the necessary writing. Some award can be given to the one making the best biography.

Illustrated Songs

Each member of the group is given a sheet of paper and a pencil and is instructed to draw thereupon a picture or pictures illustrating the title of some song. (Illustration: One individual decides to illustrate the title of "Home, Sweet Home". He proceeds to draw the picture of a house, a sugar bowl, and another picture of a house.)

When sufficient time has been allowed for all to complete their illustrations, they are numbered and placed on exhibition. Each member of the group endeavors to guess as many of the illustrations as he can, placing his guess after the number of the illustration. The illustration which is guessed correctly by the largest number, wins for its artist.

Smiles

The group forms in couples and marches around the room. They are then subdivided into from four to eight smaller groups. These are stationed in various parts of the room and the ladies are lined up facing the men. They try in every conceivable way to make the men smile or laugh. Any one who does so must take a place in the ladies' line. After a few minutes of this, every man in the ladies' line must pay a forfeit, and the men must endeavor to cause the ladies to laugh.

Tea Pot

One member of the group is selected to be "It" and leaves the room. The others decide upon some object or word which "It" is to guess. "It" is called back into the room and each member of the group is to make a sentence including the name of the object to be guessed, using in the sentence the word "Tea Pot" as a substitute for the name of the object.

Illustration—The object determined upon by the group is the piano stool. The first member of the group says, "By turning the 'tea pot' it grows higher".

As soon as "It" guesses the correct object the one whose sentence disclosed what the object was, becomes "It".

Muddled Words

The group is divided into two teams. Each individual is given a slip of paper and takes the name of some animal, bird, or fish, and muddles up the letters so as to make it difficult to recognize the name.

Illustration—g fold chin, for goldfinch.

Any member of the opposing team has the opportunity to guess what the name is. The time it takes for the opposing team to guess is recorded. Any member of the opposing team who has correctly guessed the muddled word can give a muddled word for the first team to guess. The team which succeeds in guessing the muddled word in the shortest time wins one point. The team having the most points at the end wins the game.

Who Are They?

Photographs of prominent individuals are numbered and placed on exhibition about the room, with the wrong title beneath them. Each member of the group is given a card and pencil. He goes around the room and writes upon his card the proper name of each individual with the number which is on that individual's photograph. The individual making the largest number of correct guesses wins. Photos of men like Lincoln, Lloyd George, Robert E. Lee, Obregon, etc., should be used for this game.

Who Is It?

A sheet is hung up in a doorway. The group is divided into two teams. One group goes behind the sheet. A small hole is cut in the sheet. The members of the group behind the sheet take turns in sticking their noses through the hole in the sheet. The group on the inside attempts to guess whose nose protrudes through the sheet in the order in which they are exhibited. One member of the group behind the sheet keeps a record of the order in which individuals of that group display their noses, so that this can be checked up with the guesses of the other team. After all the noses have been displayed the group returns to its place in the room and listens to the guesses.