Games And Play For School Morale

Graded Games For Schools And Community Recreation
The Indoor Recreation Work is given in the form of plays and games. While the plays and games listed have been carefully arranged and graded with a view to adapting them to the schoolroom, many of them are suit...

A Day In The Woods
Stretching--Reach up high. Take your coat and hat. Leg movement--Walk quickly (skip) to the woods. (Each two rows walk around one row of desks.) Head exercise--Look up at the bright autumn leave...

The Circus
All ready for the big circus parade. Choose what you want to do or be in the parade. Now we are at the circus grounds. The band marches around the tent. Choose the instrument you want to play. See the big, big elep...

Moving Day
Two adjacent rows, play together. The first of May is moving day. The seats are houses. One player is chosen to be "It" and he walks up and down the street between the two rows. At a signal, the residents along the...

Old Hen And Chickens
Choose a leader to be the old hen, who goes out of the room. All the others sit at their seats, heads bowed on the desk. Touch four on the head. Immediately they become little chickens. The old hen is recalled and ...

Good Morning Game
One child is chosen as leader. He stands in front of class facing the blackboard; the teacher steps lightly down among children and touches a pupil on the head who says to the leader "Good Morning John Brown." The ...

Birds Learning To Fly
Mother bird and little birds all stretch wings. Look up at the pretty blue sky. Fly around lightly. Tuck wings under and hop. Drink from the pretty brook. Stretch wings ready to fly back home. Tired, breathe, raise...

Automobile
Let us go for a spin in the park. Stoop, crank your automobile. Step into the machine. Ride around the track; blow your horn. Pump up your flat tire. Bend and stretch arms upward to rest them. Ride home. Breathe in...

A Day At The Beach
Run down to the beach, one row at a time. Stoop, gather a handful of stones. Raise hand, high, throw stones out into the sea. Now dig a well with your shovel. Put shovel down hard, throw sand over shoulder. See the...

Out For A Picnic
Pack your baskets. Hang them over your arm. Run down to the street car. Give your fare to the conductor. Step down from the car very carefully. Look up and down for passing automobiles. Run down to the beach. Ready ...

Squirrel In Trees
Three players stand so as to represent a hollow tree, facing center with hands on each other's shoulders; a fourth player stoops within to represent a squirrel. Let the other players see how this is done and they i...

Bean Bag Passing
The class is arranged so that there are the same number of players in each row. A bean bag is placed on each front desk. At a given signal the occupant of the front seat passes it overhead to the pupil behind him, ...

Crossing The Brook
Draw two parallel lines on the floor with chalk to represent the banks of the brook. The players form in line and take a running jump across the brook. Those who step into the brook must run home to put on dry stoc...

Days Of Week
Name first row across the room, Monday; second, Tuesday; third, Wednesday, etc. Teacher stands in front of room with rubber ball. As she bounces the ball, she calls "Thursday." The row named Thursday run to the fro...

Wee Bologna Man
I am the wee Bologna Man. Always do the best you can To follow the wee Bologna Man. A leader resourceful in ideas and brisk in movement stands in front of and facing the other players and rapidly rep...

Do This Do That
All players stand facing one of their number who is the leader. The leader assumes any position or imitates any action, at the same time saying "Do this," and the others immediately imitate. Should the leader at an...

I Saw
Class stands as for gymnastics. The teacher, beginning with the first file, asks the leader, "What did you see?" The leader suggests some activity as "I saw a butterfly flying," "I saw a boy beating a drum," "I saw...

Squirrel Game
Players all seated but one, heads on desks, eyes covered, one hand on desk with palm up. The odd player is a squirrel. The squirrel passes up and down between the rows and puts a nut in some player's hand. This one...

I Say Stoop
One person is chosen leader, taking his place before the class which is standing at their seats. Whenever the leader says "I say stoop!" both he and the class stoop and quickly rise again. But when he says "I say s...

Game For Alertness
Draw a circle on the floor. Call upon a child to run into the circle, while you count ten. If he succeeds in getting both feet into the circle before you finish counting he is safe. Otherwise he is out of the game ...

Charley Over The Water
Players stand in a circle, hands joined. One player is chosen to be Charley. If more than twenty players have several Charlies. Charley stands in the center. The other players, skipping around him, repeat: Ch...

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, Dickory, Dock, (Move arms to right, left, right, in pendulum fashion. Stamp right--left.) The mouse ran up the clock. (Run four steps forward.) The clock struck "One!"...

See Saw Margery Daw
(Mother Goose Melody.) 1. See Saw--Margery Daw. (Arms sideward raise, sway body to left and right.) 2. Jack shall have a new master. (Partners join hands--skip forward four steps.) 3...

The Leaves
1. The leaves are green, the leaves are brown. They hang so high they will not come down. Leave them alone until frosty weather And then they will all come down together. Rhythmic--The a...

Run For Your Supper
Players in a circle. One player chosen by teacher goes around inside, holds out his hand between two players and says, "Run for your supper." The two players run around opposite ways outside. The one who returns fi...

Scarf Relay
Divide the room into teams of three rows each. In front of each team, some six or eight feet distant, place a chair with a scarf tied to each. The first child in each team acts as leader. He runs to the chair, unti...

Teacher And Class
One player is chosen for "teacher". The others stand in a line side by side, facing her at an interval of five to ten feet. If there are many players, make several groups of this kind, keeping a distinct interval b...

Slap Jack
The players join hands and form a circle. One is chosen to be "it" and runs on the outside. He taps another player, who quickly runs in opposite direction. The place he left remains vacant until one or the other sh...

Hand Tag
The players form a circle facing inward. A tagger stands in the center of the circle. The players raise their hands forward, palms upward. As soon as a tagger tries to slap a hand it should be quickly lowered. The ...

Drop The Bean Bag Or Handkerchief
Players join hands and form a circle. One is chosen to be the runner and runs around the outside of the circle, dropping the bean bag or handkerchief on the floor directly behind one of the players. This player pic...

Changing Seats
The class is seated in full rows, each two rows playing together. One pupil having no seat stands in the aisle between the two rows. The teacher claps her hands once and all exchange seats as rapidly as possible....

Cat And Rat
The players join hands and form a circle. One is chosen "rat" and stands inside the circle. Another is the "cat" and takes her place outside. The "cat" tries to catch the "rat". The players favor the "rat" and allo...

Round And Round Went The Gallant Ship
Players form a circle, hands joined. Stepping lightly around the circle, they recite the following verse, bobbing down quickly on the word "sank": Round and round went our gallant ship, Round and round...

Jack Be Nimble
Place a small object eight to ten inches high upright on the floor to represent a candlestick. The players run in single file and jump with both feet at once over the candlestick, while all recite: Jack be ni...

Huckle Buckle Bean Stalk
One row of players leave the room. The others hide some small object, placing it in plain sight, but where it would not be likely to be seen, as on the top of a picture frame, in a corner on the floor, behind the s...

Handkerchief Tag
One player has a handkerchief, one is chaser. The players are scattered about the field. The chaser runs after the one who has the handkerchief, who, to save himself from being tagged, gives the handkerchief to ano...

Alphabet Game
Divide the class into two teams. Cards about 5x7, containing in large type the letters of the alphabet, are passed out to each team. The teacher flashes a word before the class. The players, holding the letters nec...

Run Rabbit Run
Class lines up in two groups. One group are rabbits, safe in their homes. The other group are foxes, walking about in the woods. The old mother rabbit takes her young ones out to look for food. They go softly, beca...

Fairies And Indians
Let the girls be Fairies. The boys play they are Indians. The Fairies are in the woods. They run about and at last fall asleep in the woods, all but one Fairy, who keeps watch while the others sleep. The Indians, w...

Automobile Race
This game is to be played by the second and fifth, the first and fourth rows, or the third and sixth rows. Place a flag on the front desk of the first row and name that row an automobile. Place a flag on the f...

Trip Round The World
Geographical. Players form a large circle. Number off by twos. Number one steps in front of number two and kneels facing center of circle. Number two places finger tips on the head of one kneeling. One player sta...

Club Hustle
The players are lined up in files. The leader of each file has an Indian Club. At the word "Go" all jump in half stride position and the club is passed between the legs, each player passing it on to the next un...

Floor Tag
Players form a circle, placing right or left hand on the floor as the teacher indicates. Player who is "it" stands in the center. At a signal the players stand and move about promiscuously, the player who is "it" a...

Circus Game
A leader is chosen who stands before class and says "I went to the circus and saw a bear." The next child says, "I went to the circus and saw a bear and ----" naming another animal of his own choice. The next playe...

The Wind Blows
Players stand as for gymnastics. Leader stands in front of class and says "The Wind Blows East," upon which all turn to the east. If the leader says "The Wind Blows West" all turn to the west. The leader continues ...

Hoop Game
Wind six hoops each with a standard color. Make six bean bags a corresponding color. This game is played by six files of equal number. In front of each file station a player who holds the hoop in a vertical positio...

Flag Relay
Divide room into two teams, each team holding a flag. Upon a given signal the first child in each team runs forward and makes a complete circuit of his team and upon returning gives his flag to the player behind hi...

Touch Game
Players form a circle--one player stands in the center. A basketball is passed quickly around the circle, moving in one direction only. The ball must not be thrown. If the center player succeeds in touching a playe...

King Of The Ring
A circle is drawn on the ground. The players stand shoulder to shoulder inside of the circle with arms folded, either on the chest or behind the back. At a signal, the game begins and consists of trying to push one...

Blackboard Relay
Draw a circle on the blackboard directly in front of each row. Supply the first child in each row with a piece of crayon. At a given signal the first child in each row stands to the right of his desk, runs lightly ...

New Orleans
The players are divided into two groups--A and B. One group (A) performs some action representing an occupation, as sewing, picking flowers, driving nails, etc. The other side (B) must guess in a limited number of ...

Ducks Fly
Children stand in files. Leader stands in front of class and gives names of various birds saying "Blue birds fly," or "Sparrows fly," etc., raising her arms sideward to shoulder height and down again in imitation o...

Simon Says
One player chosen to be "Simon" takes his place before the other players. He commands some gymnastic movement as "raise arms forward, bend knees," etc. As he does so he calls out, "Simon says." If, however, he omit...

Fox And Hound
The players stand in rank and file. They join hands across the ranks. A fox and hound are chosen. The hound is out to catch the fox. They can only run where the passageways are open. At the command "change," the pl...

Grand Right And Left
Players in couples, right hands joined, marching in a circle counter clock wise. For convenience call outside circle number two, the inner circle number one. Odd player in center. At the command "Grand Right and Le...

Automobile Relay
Each row represents some popular automobile. The first child in each alternate row, at a given signal, leaves by the right side, runs forward around his seat, then to the rear of the room on the left side, thus com...

Hop Toads
The players form a circle, hands joined. One toad stands in the center holding a rope, at the end of which is tied a bean bag. The center toad swings the rope first in a small circle gradually enlarging the radius ...

Bear In The Pit
The players join hands and form a circle to represent a bear pit. One stationed as bear stands in the center. The bear tries to get out of the pit under or over or breaking through the bars--(clasped hands). Should...

Follow The Leader
One player chosen as leader performs a series of marching activities; work-a-day occupations, or gymnastic exercises, the other players imitating him accurately--and responding promptly. Anyone failing to do so ret...

Bear In The Ring
One player is chosen as bear, sits in the center of the room on a stool. A second player is chosen to be the keeper. The keeper stands by the bear holding in his hand a short rope about two feet long, knotted at ea...

Fetch And Carry
Each player is supplied with a bean bag. On the floor directly in front of each aisle a circle about eighteen inches in diameter is drawn and close up to the blackboard. At a given signal the first player in each r...

Corner Spry
Divide your players into four stations, one group in each of the four corners of the room. Four captains are chosen, who stand in the center, each with a bean bag and facing his corner of players. At a signal each ...

Sentence Relay
Have the same number of children in each row. Supply the first child in each row with a crayon. Upon a signal from the teacher the first child in each row stands, runs to the board, and writes one word, that serve...

Frog In The Sea
One player is chosen to be frog and sits in the middle of the circle, with his feet crossed tailor fashion. The other players stand in a circle around the frog and repeat: "Frog in the sea, can't catch me." They da...

Hound And Rabbit
The players stand in groups of three, clasping hands to form a circle or tree. The other players, one for each tree, are rabbits. An extra player, who is the hound, tries to steal a tree from one of the rabbits as ...

Dodge Ball
Boys and girls form separate circles. The players form a circle, facing inward. Every other player steps inside the circle, facing outward. The outside players throw a basket or tennis ball at those in the center, ...

False Alarm
Two parallel lines are drawn on the ground, about 40 feet distant. All of the players except one stand beyond one of these lines. In the middle territory between the lines the one player chosen to be "it" takes his...

Got Left
The players stand in couples behind each other. One player is chosen to be catcher and takes his place about ten feet in front of the other players and facing in the same direction. Without turning his head he call...

Statue Tag
Any number of players may participate in the game. The one who is "it" begins the game by striking a posture to be assumed by the other players. To escape being tagged, the players must assume this posture, but no ...

Third Man
Players stand in couples, facing each other, couples scattered in any way about the room. One player is chosen as runner, another as chaser. The runner is free from being tagged when he steps between the two player...

Indian Dance
The players form in a circle about two steps apart. The leader stands in the center holding a cord with a small sand or shot bag attached to the end. He swings the cord around the circle so that the shot bag is clo...

Jolly Miller
Place the boys on the left and the girls on the right. The class marches in a double circle. One child acts as miller, standing in the center. With the completion of the song the boys face about. The song is then r...

Relay Race
Players are divided into two or more teams, the members of each standing one behind the other, directly back of the starting line. The first player of each team holds a handkerchief in one hand and at the word "Go"...

Hill Dill
Players are arranged in two opposite lines facing the center. One player is chosen to be "it" and takes his place in the center of the playground. The center player then calls, "Hill Dill, come over the hill,...

Tommy Tiddler's Land
A square or circle drawn by Tommy around himself represents Tommy's land. Tommy stands in the center trying to protect his supposed huge stores of treasure from the enemy. The other players try to invade his sacred...

Ten Steps
One player who is blindfolded stands in the center of the room. The other players stand anywhere they wish and in such positions as seem safest to them. The blindman is then told to take ten steps in any direction ...

Circle Stride Ball
A football or basketball is necessary to the game. All but one of the players stand in circle formation in stride position, with feet touching those of the next players to make a barricade for the ball. The odd p...

Center Base
One player takes his place in the center, holding a bean bag or ball. The other players form a ring around him, standing a little apart from each other. The object of the game is for the center player to return to ...

The Flying Ball
The players stand in a circle facing the center, some distance apart. One player called the "center" stands within the circle. A basketball is thrown from one player to another, across the circle, or may be passed ...

Guess Who
Two files, A and B, stand on opposite sides of the room, facing each other. One player of file A stands in the center of the room facing his file. A hollow rubber ball or tennis ball is passed to anyone in file B, ...

Beetle Goes Around
The players form a circle, facing inward, with hands behind body. One player who carries in his hand a towel knotted at one end walks outside the circle. After walking or running a short distance, saying "Beetle is...

Hawk And Hen
A file of ten or twelve players, so-called "hens," stand in line behind each other, hands on shoulders of player in front. The first player raises her arms shoulder high to protect those behind her. One player, the...

Bogey-man
One player, called the Bogey-Man, stands on one goal. All the other players stand on the goal opposite. The Bogey-man runs out and calls "Are you afraid of the Bogey-Man?" at which the other players run forward tow...

Day And Night
The players are divided into two teams formed in two lines about three feet apart, facing in opposite directions. Goal ______________________________ ...

Boundary Ball
The players are arranged as shown in figure. The length of the space is about thirty paces, "a--a" being the outer boundaries and "b" a center line. The two parties stand about ten paces from the center line. A mem...

French Blind Man's Buff
A player blindfolded and furnished with a wand stands in the center of the room. The other players join hands and walk or hop around him until he signals them to stop, by tapping the floor with his wand. He points ...

Bull In The Ring
The players join hands and form a circle. One is chosen bull and wanders about in the inside, testing the circle in an effort to get out. If he breaks through and escapes the keepers chase him. The one catching him...

Call Ball
A basketball is needed for this game. The players, 10 to 30, are numbered and form a circle, one of the players standing in the center. The object is to catch the ball before the second bounce, when one number has ...

Arch Goal Ball
Basketball and basket goal are necessary equipment. The players (8 to 10 on a team) are divided into seven groups and line up in a single file in two or more lines, facing a basketball goal. Each line has a basketb...

Chicken And Fox
Two players are chosen--one to be the mother hen and the other to be the fox, who is after a chicken for his meal. The other players are in the brood--each one of them grasps the one in front of him, beginning with...

Changing Places
All players but one stand in a circle of about seven yards or more in diameter facing inward. The odd player stands in the middle. Each player is given a number which he retains all through the game. The teacher ca...

Steal The Handkerchief
Players form in two lines facing each other and about eight yards apart. Each line is numbered so that there are corresponding numbers on each side. The leader then takes a rag, places it midway between the two lin...

On The Bank In The Pond
Players form in a single file. An imaginary line to the left of the column designated as the Bank and an imaginary line to the right of the column designated as the Pond. These lines are about three feet apart. Tea...

Maze
All the players except two stand in parallel ranks, one behind the other. The distance between each player and each rank is that of "double arms' length," so that whichever direction the ranks may face with arms ...

Bombardment
Playground or gymnasium suitable place for this game. Basketball and Indian clubs are necessary equipment. Number of players 10 to 40. The ground is divided into two equal fields by a line across the center. At the...

Japanese Tag
The players are scattered within a limited playing area. This game is played like ordinary tag except that "it" must place one hand on the spot where he was tagged and hold it there while trying to tag another man....

Hook Arm Tag
Players paired in circular formation, inside arms hooked at elbows, outside hands on hips. Two players stand in the center, one is "it," the other is chased by "it". The chased player runs about the circle either i...

Crossing No Man's Land
Formation--In single line. A parallel line is drawn about fifty feet in front and the player being "it" stands between this line and the players. At a signal, players change to the opposite line. "It" tries to ca...

Object Relay Race
Players stand in files, an equal number in each file. Opposite and at about fifteen and twenty yards respectively from the front player of each file, two circles (about eight inches in diameter) are marked on the g...

Pass And Toss Relay
This game is suitable for playground, gymnasium or classroom. Equipment necessary is Bean Bag or ball. Number of players preferably 8 to 10 on a team. The players stand in two or more even ranks, facing sideways an...

Down And Up
Players form in column of files. All spread legs. First player in the column passes some object (stick, stone, hat, eraser, bean bag) back between legs to the next player, who passes it on. When the last player i...

Zig Zag Relay
Players form in columns of files. Place four bean bags four feet apart at a distance of ten feet in front of each column in direction of depth. At a signal the first player in each column runs to the right of the...

Crows And Cranes
Players form in two lines, back to back and at about one yard interval. One line is designated "Crows" and the other "Cranes." If the leader calls out "Cranes," the Cranes will rush forward about thirty feet acro...

Jumping Circle
Players form a circle about 30 feet in diameter. One player in center holds a light rope about fifteen feet long with a soft weight on one end. The player in the center swings the rope around so that players in the...

Hindu Tag
The players are scattered in a limited playing area, about fifty feet square. One player is "it". He chases players about and may tag anyone who is in "safe" position (on both knees, forehead on ground). Players ou...

Swat To The Right
Any number of players may participate. Players form a circle, hands behind back, facing in, eyes closed. One player carrying a swatter (belt, knotted towel, etc.), runs around outside of circle and places swatter i...

Squat Tag
The players are scattered within a limited playing area. One player is "it". He can touch anyone who is not in a full squat position. The player touched becomes "it" and chases about after some other player. Player...

Ten Steps
One player who is "it" blinds his eyes and counts ten while all the other players run for hiding places. As soon as the one who is "it" says "ten," the players must stand motionless wherever they may happen to be w...

Hang Tag
One player is chosen chaser or "it" and changes places with anyone whom he can tag. Players may escape being tagged by hanging from anything overhead which will enable them to lift their feet from the floor. Played...

Club Snatch
A goal is marked off across each end of the playground. An Indian club is placed midway between the goals. A starting base is marked on each goal line in line with the club. The players are divided into two equal t...

Indian Club Wrestle
Players come up in files not more than eight in a file. Each file forms a circle. In the middle of each circle four Indian clubs are placed. At the signal "go" each circle joins hands and pulls. When the umpire sees...

Pass Round
Players are in circle formation about four feet apart. They number off, odds forming one team and evens the other. A ball, eraser or some object is given each team on opposite side of the circle. At a signal the te...

Human Tug Of War
Players form in columns of files facing each other. Players stand close together, arms placed about the waist of the player in front (grasping the left wrist with the right hand is the strongest grip). Leading play...

Volley Ball
Ten to thirty players may play at one time on playground or gymnasium. Equipment consists of volley ball and tennis net. For large teams this game is best played on a ground measuring fifty feet in length and twe...

Chariot Relay
Players line up at one end of the room. Count off by threes. Each group joins hands, and on the command "Go!" they run to the other end of the hall and return without letting go of hands. The first group back wins. ...

Hurdle Race
Place several objects at different distances. Contestants race, jumping over them. ...

Song Contest
Song contestants are supplied with pencil and paper. Standing on one foot, each writes two lines of a patriotic song. One finishing first wins. Contestants are supplied with paper and crayon, and asked to draw a ...

Laughing Relay
Line up players in twos. Partners face and march backwards four steps. Leaders draw for first chance. One side named Blues, other Reds. If "Blues" have first chance, they try for the space of thirty seconds to make...

Telegrams
Give each player a pencil and paper. Ask each to write the name of the city (town or state) in which he was born. Then ask each to separate the letters in the name of his birthplace and, using each letter as the in...

Whirlwind
This is an old English game. Arrange as many chairs as there are players in a circle. All the players but one are seated. This odd player takes his position in the center of the circle. His object is to take the va...

The Laughing Game
Players form a circle. The first player starts with the word "ha," the second says "ha, ha," the third "ha, ha, ha," and so on, each one in turn adding one more ha than has been made by his neighbor. In each case, ...

Game Of Opposite
Players stand in a circle. An extra player stands in the center, holding in his hands as many pieces of tape as there are players in the circle. The tape (or ribbons) are of two colors, red and blue. The opposite e...

Musical Circle
All players sit in a circle. One in the centre is the leader. To each one is assigned some musical instrument, which he must play. The leader waves his baton, but from time to time he will quickly begin to pantomim...

Memory Test
A tray piled high with all sorts of objects, as diverse as possible in character is brought into the room. The players are given one minute in which to take a rapid survey of same. At the end of that period the tra...

Finding A Partner
An odd number of players participate. At a signal (preferably a musical accompaniment), the players, fly or skip promiscuously about the room. When the music stops each player attempts to stand back to back with a ...

Nose And Toe Tag
This game is played like ordinary tag, with the exception that no one can be tagged who has his right hand on his toes and left hand on his nose. ...

Spirits Move
A leader and his accomplice are required in this game. The one illustrating the game leaves the room. His accomplice passes among the players and stopping before one of the number and with hands outstretched says, ...

Hands Over Head
A leader and his accomplice are necessary to this mystifying game. The leader leaves the room while his accomplice passes around among the players, occasionally stopping in front of one of them, and with hands exte...

Bottles
Any number of couples may compete in this game. Arrange two files of Indian clubs, large bottles or ten pins, five in a file, at a distance of four feet apart with an aisle of six feet between files. Each couple is...

Relay Spelling Race
This game is particularly interesting if the men and women of the party compete. For each team a pronouncer is chosen who takes his place directly to the right of the blackboard immediately in front of his team, wh...

The Purpose
The purpose of play leaders' training classes is to develop volunteer leaders who will carry on recreational program in various schools, churches and industrial plants, and later on who will organize play groups on...

Procedure
Before starting the class, confer with superintendents of schools, churches, and industrial leaders, and send to all institutions in the city, which are likely to be interested, invitations to send delegates to the...

The Course
Experience shows that ten lessons of one hour's duration each will be sufficient in which to present a total of thirty games with such directions and general suggestions as will enable the leaders to take the games...

Recognition For Attendance
If the instructor deems it advisable, a certificate of attendance testifying to the interest shown by the student may be presented at the end of the course. It should, however, be made plain that this certificate d...