Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium Part 46

HEN ROOST

_5 to 30 or more players._

_Parlor; schoolroom._

Each of the players except one chooses a word, which should be the name of some object, and in answering any questions put to him in the game he must introduce this word which he has chosen into each answer.

The odd player takes the place of questioner. He may ask one or more questions of each player, as he sees fit, the dialogue taking any turn he chooses, the following being suggestive of the general tone of it:--

The questioner says: "I heard that you got into the hen roost yesterday. How did you get in?"

Answer: "With the dictionary."

To the next player: "What did you find there?"

Answer: "A horse."

To the next player: "What did you give him to eat?"

Answer: "A sofa pillow," etc.

Any player who laughs, or who fails to answer promptly or correctly to the question, must change places with the questioner. Forfeits may also be required if desired.

HORNS

_5 to 60 players._

_Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._

This game is played very much like "Simon says." It is a quiet game that may be played with all of the players seated, their forefingers placed on their knees or on a table or desk in front of them. One who is leader says:--

"All horns up!"

"Cat's horns up!" or

"Cow's horns up!"

whereupon he lifts his own forefingers, pointing upward. Should he name an animal that has horns, all of the players lift their fingers in similar manner, but should he name an animal such as a cat, that has no horns, any player that lifts his fingers in imitation of the leader is out of the game.

INITIALS

_5 to 30 or more players._

_House party._

For this game it will be necessary to prepare slips of paper, one for each player. At the head of the paper are written the initials of some person who will be present; under this a series of questions which the player drawing the paper is to answer. The papers are put in a box or hat and drawn by the players, or held in the hand with the initials concealed and drawn in that way. A certain time may be allowed, if desired, for the answering of the questions.

The answers must be written in each case immediately below the question, must consist of only as many words as there are initials at the top of the sheet, and the words of the answer must begin with the initials in their proper order. For example:--

H. B. B.

1. To whom does this paper belong? (Henry B. Brown.) 2. What is his character? (Horrid, but bearable.) 3. What kind of hair has he? (Heavy, burnished brown.) 4. What kind of eyes has he? (Heavenly, bright blue.) 5. What books does he prefer? (Handsomely bound biographies.) 6. What animals does he prefer? (Howling big bears.) 7. What is his chief occupation? (Hammering bulky boxes.) 8. What do you surmise regarding his future? (He'd better beware.) 9. What does he think of the opposite s.e.x? (Hebes! Bright beauties!) 10. What does he think of the world in general?

(He's becoming bewildered.)

LEAF BY LEAF

_Any number of players._

_Out of doors; indoors._

A basket of leaves is provided, no two of the leaves being alike.

These may be leaves from trees, shrubs, or plants, or flowers may be used in the same way.

The players are each provided with a card or slip of paper and a pencil, and are seated. One leaf is handed to the first player, who pa.s.ses it on to the next, and so on until it has made the round of the group. Each player, in turn, if he can identify the leaf, writes the name of it on a card. Each leaf is thus pa.s.sed.

The host or hostess then reads a correct list, naming the leaves in the order in which they were pa.s.sed. The player wins who has the largest number correct.

This is an especially pleasing game for nature students.

LITERARY LORE

_5 to 30 or more players._

_House party._

Each player is given a sheet of paper on which the following questions are written. The player wins who writes correct answers to the largest number of questions. This game may be worked up from the writings of any poet or author. Examples are given from Tennyson and Longfellow.

The answers are appended here, but in playing the game should be read by the host or hostess at the end.

TENNYSON

1. What poem is it that sings down the vale?--The Brook.

2. What is the poem whose father is king?--The Princess.

3. The poem that honors a friend who is gone?--In Memoriam.

4. The poem that rules in the spring?--The May Queen.