Games for Everybody Part 3

Make a square or rectangle of dots, as shown on page 26.

Provide the children with pencils. Each one makes a line joining two dots but tries to prevent the others from making a square.

|A| | | .-.-.-. . . .

|A| | | .-. . . . .-.

|A| | | .-.-.-. .-.-.

|B|B| | .-.-. .-. . .

For a while it is easy, but soon the number of dots is scarce, and it requires careful marking to prevent the squares from being formed.

Finally all the chances are gone and the next player completes a square, as a reward he is given another chance, thus completing several, then he joins two dots and the next player continues.

Each one places his initial in his completed square, so the score is easily counted. The one who has succeeded in making the most squares is the winner.

SIMPLE SIMON'S SILLY SMILE.

All the players sit in a circle and one who is bright and witty is chosen as leader. He stands in the center of the circle and asks the most ridiculous questions he can think of.

The players when asked any question, must always answer "Simple Simon's silly smile." No other answer will do and whoever laughs or fails to say it correctly, must pay a forfeit.

TEA-POT.

One player leaves the room, and while he is gone the rest decide upon some word which has several meanings, which he must guess when he comes in.

The rest of the players converse about the word, but instead of mentioning it, say "Tea-pot" in its place. Suppose the word chosen is "vain." No. 1 may say: "She is altogether too tea-pot for me." (vain) No. 2 says: "The tea-pot pointed North yesterday." (vane) No. 3: "The tea-pot is blue." (vein), and so on, each in turn making some remark about the chosen word until the player has guessed it correctly. The person who gave the broadest hint about the hidden word must leave the room next.

BLIND MAN'S BUFF.

It is hardly necessary to describe this game as almost everybody knows how to play it. There may be some who do not know, however, so it is included here.

Clear the room as much as possible, pushing all the chairs, tables, etc., against the walls. The child chosen as "Buff" is blindfolded, and is asked the following question by the other children. "How many horses has your father got?" He answers "Three." "What color are they?" "Black, white, and gray," is answered. Everyone calls out "Turn around three times and catch whom you may."

"Buff" turns around, and then tries to catch whoever he can. The children try to escape him by dodging him until finally one is caught, and before the handkerchief is raised, "Buff" must guess whom he has caught. If he guesses correctly, the one caught becomes "Buff."

CAT AND MOUSE.

The children sit in two rows facing each other, with a s.p.a.ce between. Blindfold two children, one being the "cat" and the other the "mouse."

The "cat" stands at one end of the row and the "mouse" at the other. They start in opposite directions and the "cat" tries to catch the "mouse." The children may give hints as to the direction the players are to go in. When the "mouse" is caught, he becomes "cat,"

and another child is chosen as "mouse."

MUSICAL CHAIRS.

Musical Chairs, or Going to Jerusalem, is a favorite game of the children. Someone who plays the piano well starts up a lively tune and the children march around a row of chairs which have been arranged facing alternately in opposite directions. There should be one less chair than the number of players.

When the music stops, each child tries to find a seat. Someone will be left out, as there is one chair short. This one takes another chair from the row and the game continues until there is one child left with no chair. This one has won the game.

b.u.t.tON, b.u.t.tON.

All the children sit in a circle with hands placed palm to palm in their laps. One child is given a b.u.t.ton and she goes to each in turn, slipping her hands between the palms of the children. As she goes around the circle she drops the b.u.t.ton into some child's hands, but continues going around as long after as she pleases, so the rest will not know who has it.

Then she stands in the middle of the circle and says: "b.u.t.ton, b.u.t.ton, who has the b.u.t.ton?" All the children guess who has it, the one calling out the correct name first is out and it is his turn to go around with the b.u.t.ton.

STATUES.

Arrange all the children except one on chairs or a bench. This one is the leader and she stands on the floor in front of the children.

Beginning at one end of the row, she pulls each child from the bench, letting her remain in whatever position she falls. Sometimes she can tell them how to pose, for instance, she will say "Like an angel," and that child will fold her hands and look upward. Another might be "cross school-teacher," and this child may pretend to be scolding someone. Each child remains perfectly still, posed in the att.i.tude suggested, until all the children are on the floor. Then the leader selects the one she thinks has posed the best and that one takes the leader's place and the game goes on as before.

OUR COOK DOESN'T LIKE PEAS.