Games For All Occasions

A Running Maze
Form a long line of children--one behind the other. The leader starts running, and is followed by all the rest. They must be sharp enough to do exactly as the leader does. After running for a moment or two in the...

Bean Bag
All stand in a line except one who is the leader who stands a short distance opposite the line. The leader throws the bean bag to the child at the head of the line who returns it to the leader. The leader throws ...

Birds Fly
This is a very simple game. Each player places a finger on the table, which he must raise whenever the conductor of the game says: "Birds fly," "Pigeons fly," or any other winged creatures "fly." If he names any ...

Button Button
All the children except the one who passes the button sit in a circle with hands placed palm to palm in their laps. The child passing the button holds it between her palms and goes to each one, in turn, slipping ...

Bingo
"The miller's dog lay at the mill, And his name was little Bingo, B with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O, His name was little Bingo. "The miller he bought a cask of ale, And he called it ...

Blindman's Buff
Before beginning to play, the middle of the room should be cleared, the chairs placed against the wall, and all toys and footstools put out of the way. The child having been selected who is to be "Blind Man" or "Bu...

Blowing The Feather
All the children, except one, sit on the floor around a sheet or table cloth which they hold about eighteen or twenty inches above the floor. A feather is placed on the sheet and at a signal the child nearest it bl...

Cock Fighting
This is a most amusing game, and although only two boys can play at it at one time they will keep the rest of the company in roars of laughter. The two who are to represent the "cocks" having been chosen, they are ...

Catching The Mouse
The children sit in two rows opposite each other with a space between. One child takes the place of "cat," being blindfolded, the cat standing at one end of the row and the mouse at the opposite end. They start in ...

Drop The Handkerchief
A ring is formed by the players joining hands, whilst one child, who is to "drop the handkerchief," is left outside. He walks round the ring, touching each one with the handkerchief, saying the following words:-- ...

Donkey's Tail
A good-sized donkey without a tail is first of all cut out of brown paper and fastened to the wall. The tail is then cut out separately, and a hat-pin is stuck through the end. The players arrange themselves in a l...

Frog In The Middle
One child is seated on the ground with his legs under him and the other players form a ring round him. They then pull him about and give him little pushes, and he must try and catch one without rising from the floo...

Green Gravel
Girls form a circle and dance around one of their number. The girl in the ring turns her head gravely as a messenger advances, while the rest sing to a pleasing air-- Green gravel, green gravel, The grass ...

Hunt The Ring
For this game a long piece of string is required. On this a ring is threaded, and the ends of the string are knotted together. The players then take the string in their hands and form a circle, whilst one of the co...

Hot Tamales
The "tamale" in this game is a knotted handkerchief. One player is chosen for the Hot Tamale man and stands in the center of the room while the others sit around in a circle. The Hot Tamale man begins the game by...

Hunt The Slipper
The players seat themselves in a circle on the floor, having chosen one of their number to remain outside the circle. The children seated on the floor are supposed to be cobblers, and the one outside is the customer...

Hot Boiled Beans And Bacon
This is a game for young children. Some small article is hidden in the room, while the little one who has to find it is sent outside. This finished, the players call out together: "Hot Boiled Beans and Bacon; it's ...

Hide And Seek
One child is chosen "It." This one stands by a post or in a corner which is called "base," and hides his eyes. The children decide among themselves how many he shall count while they are hiding. Suppose they choose...

Hiss And Clap
This is an excellent party game. One of the company goes outside the room, whilst the remainder of the players decide amongst themselves which of them he shall kneel to. When this is settled upon, the person who is...

London Bridge
No game has been more popular with children than this, and any summer evening, in the poorer quarters of the cities, it may still be seen how six years instructs three years in the proper way of conducting it. Two ...

Miss Jennia Jones
The story of this is originally a love story. The young lady dies from a blighted affection and the prohibition of cruel parents. A mother, seated, Miss Jones stands behind her chair, or reclines on her lap as if...

Oats And Beans And Barley
All the children form a ring with the exception of one player, who stands in the center. The children then dance round this one, singing the first three lines of the verses given below. At the fourth line they stop...

Puss In The Corner
This game is really for five players only, but, by a little arrangement, six or seven children can take part in the fun. Four players take their places in the different corners of the room, and the fifth who is P...

Rule Of Contrary
This is a simple game for little children. It is played either with a pocket-handkerchief, or, if more than four want to play, with a table cloth or small sheet. Each person takes hold of the cloth; the leader of...

Soap Bubble Battle
Two children act as captains, one of company A, the other of company B and each in turn choose a soldier until the children are evenly divided into two companies. Stretch a rope or cord at a medium height across ...

Spider Web
Attach one end of a number of strings (one for each guest) to the chandelier. Fasten to the other end of each string a small prize wrapped up in tissue paper. Have strings of various lengths and twine them around t...

Severed Flowers
Cut from colored cloth or paper a number of petals for forming wild roses, using pink material; marguerite daisies of white material and pansies of purple. Five petals for each rose, five for each pansy and ten for...

Acting Proverbs
The best way to play this game is for the players to divide themselves into two groups, namely, actors and audience. Each one of the actors should then fix upon a proverb, which he will act, in turn, before the aud...

Blind Man's Wand
This is another way of playing Blind Man's Buff, and is thought by many to be an improvement on that game. The player, who is blindfolded, stands in the centre of the room with a long paper wand, which can be mad...

The Blind Postman
First a postmaster-general must be appointed, whose duty is to write down the names of the players, and the names of the cities they have chosen to represent. The postman is blindfolded and led to the middle of the...

Blowing The Candle
Place a lighted candle on a table at the end of a room. Invite someone to stand in front of it, then blindfold him, make him take three steps backwards, turn round three times and then advance three steps and blow ...

Cat And Mouse
All players form a ring, joining hands, except one called the Mouse, whom they enclose within the circle, and one who is on the outside who represents the cat. They then dance around, raising their arms at interval...

The Clairvoyant
The clairvoyant goes out of the room, undertaking to name the person whom his confederate shall point out. The door being shut upon the clairvoyant the confederate points to one whom we will call Mr. B. "At wh...

The Cushion Dance
The children first of all divide themselves into two parties. They then form a ring, and commence dancing round a hassock which is placed, end upwards, in the middle of the room. Suddenly one party endeavours to pu...

Change Seats: The King's Come
In this game as many seats are placed round the room as will seat all the players but one. This one stands in the middle of the room, repeating the words: "Change seats, change seats;" but no one moves unless he sa...

Duck Under The Water
Each child chooses a partner and stands opposite to her, so that two long lines are formed. Each couple holds a handkerchief between them, as high as they can lift their arms, so as to form an arch. The couple stan...

The Gardener
Any number of children can play. One is chosen as leader and is called the "gardener." All the children sit in a circle and the "gardener" gives each one in turn the name of some flower. When all are named the "g...

Going To Jerusalem
A row of chairs, facing alternately different ways, is placed through the centre of the room--a chair for every player except one. Some one at the piano plays a lively air, first fast, then slow, very loud, then ...

Game Of Cat
The person who is to play the part of Cat should stand outside of the door of the room where the company is assembled. The boys and girls, in turn, come to the other side of the door and call out "miaou." If the ...

Grand Mufti
One of the company is chosen as Grand Mufti. The others then form a circle with the Grand Mufti in the centre, and every action which he performs, if preceded by the words, "Thus says the Grand Mufti," must be imit...

Here I Bake Here I Brew
The players join hands in a circle, with one of their number in the middle, who is supposed to be a captive, longing for freedom and reduced to diplomatic means to secure it. The prisoner touches one pair of join...

Hat Game
One of the players has two hats, one he places on his own head and the other he hands to one of the company. The person who has received the hat must then make every action contrary to the action of the person who ...

The Huntsman
One person represents the huntsman, the other players call themselves after some part of a huntsman's belongings; for instance, one is the cap, another the horn, others the powder-flask, gun, whip, etc. A number ...

He Can Do Little Who Can't Do This
One of the players takes a stick in his left hand and thumps the floor with it, saying, "He can do little who can't do this." Then he hands the stick to another player, who will most probably use his right hand when...

Hissing And Clapping
As many chairs as there are players must be arranged down the middle of the room. The girls then all sit down so that each has a vacant chair next her, and the boys retire from the room. During their absence the gi...

Hold Fast! Let Go!
For this game the company must divide themselves into parties with four in each group, and one odd player who must issue commands and lead the game. Each party of four must hold a handkerchief cornerwise, one player...

Hunt The Whistle
The chief participator in this game must be ignorant of the trick about to be played. He is told to kneel down whilst a lady knights him, naming him "Knight of the Whistle." During the process someone fastens a smal...

I Sell My Bat I Sell My Ball
A ring is formed with one child in the middle, who is called the "drummer-man." Whatever this child does the others mimic, moving round as they do so, and singing the following words:-- "I sell my bat, I sell m...

Judge And Jury
The company should be seated in two lines facing each other, and one of the party should then be elected to act as judge. Each person has to remember who is sitting exactly opposite, because when the judge asks a q...

My Master Bids You Do As I Do
For all those children who are fond of a little exercise no better game than this can be chosen. When the chairs are placed in order round the room the first player commences by saying: "My master bids you do as I ...

Magic Music
One of the players is sent out of the room, and the rest then agree upon some simple task for her to perform, such as moving a chair, touching an ornament, or finding some hidden object. She is then called in and so...

Malaga Raisins
The players sit in a circle and one who is acquainted with the trick takes a small stick in his right hand, makes some funny movements with it, and then, having taken it in his left hand, passes it to his neighbor,...

Our Old Grannie Doesn't Like Tea
All the players sit in a row, except one, who sits in front of them and says to each one in turn; "Our old Grannie doesn't like T; what can you give her instead?" Perhaps the first player will answer, "Cocoa," an...

Oranges And Lemons
Two of the players join hands, facing each other, having agreed privately which is to be "Oranges" and which "Lemons." The rest of the party form a long line, standing one behind the other, and holding each other's...

Old Soldier
Old Soldier is a game for young children, and though it seems very simple, yet there is a good deal of fun in it. One of the children pretends to be an old soldier, and goes round begging of each of the other playe...

Post-office
One player begins the game by going out of the room, and then giving a double (or postman's) knock at the door; it is the duty of one of the other players to stand at the door inside the room to answer the knocks t...

Peter Piper
This is an amusing game for children. A blackboard is needed upon which the verse, "Peter Piper," etc., is illustrated or written so that the words are mixed up and it will be difficult to point out. Some older per...

The Sea And Her Children
The players seat themselves in a circle, one of the number remaining in the center to represent the "Sea." Each player takes the name of some fish and the Sea walking around the circle calls each person by the name ...

The Stage Coach
The leader tells every member of the company to choose as a name some article connected with a stage coach; the wheels, the horses, the whip, the bridle, etc., may be chosen. These the leader jots down on a piece o...

Shadow Buff
A splendid game, and one specially suitable for a large party. A sheet or white tablecloth is first of all stretched right across the room, and on a table behind it is placed a bright lamp. All the other lights in ...

Steps
The blindfolded player is placed in the middle of the room, and the other players all place themselves at various distances round him. The blind-man is then told how many steps he must take in order to be able to t...

The Spelling Game
Each player in this game has what are called three "lives," or chances. When the company is seated in a circle, the first player mentions a letter as the beginning of a word. The game is for each of the company, in...

Simon Says
Seat yourselves in a circle and choose one of the company to be the leader, or Simon. His duty is to order all sorts of different things to be done, the funnier the better, which must be obeyed only when the order ...

The Sergeant
One player represents the Sergeant, and the others the soldiers, whom he is supposed to be drilling. When the Sergeant says "Do this," all the players must imitate him. But when he says "Do that," they must take no ...

The Sea King
This game can be played by any number of children. They proceed by first choosing one of the party to act as the Sea King, whose duty it is to stand in the centre of a ring, formed by the players seating themselves ...

Tongue Twisters
The leader begins by saying the first sentence, which is repeated by each player in turn. The leader in every case adds the new line, which is repeated by the other players in succession. Anyone making a mistake or...

Trades
Each player must choose a trade and pretend to be working at it. For instance, if he is a tailor he must pretend to sew or iron; if a blacksmith, to hammer, and so on. One is the king, and he too, chooses a trade. ...

Think Of A Number
In this game the leader tells one of the players to think of any number he likes, but not to say it aloud. He next tells him to double it; this done, the player is told to add eight to the result, and then halve it....

This And That
A confederate is necessary for this trick. The one performing the trick goes out of the room and the confederate agrees with the audience to touch a certain article. The person outside is recalled and his confedera...

What Am I Doing?
The players seat themselves in a row and the leader of the game takes his place behind them, beginning at the top of the row. He makes some absurd gesture and then asks the person behind whom he is standing "What a...

Wonderment
It is necessary that only two of the party should have a knowledge of this game, and then "wonderment" is sure to be the result. The two players agree that a certain word shall be regarded as a signal word. As an...

Wink
All the girls sit in a circle, and the boys stand outside, one boy behind each girl's chair. One chair is left vacant, but a boy stands behind it, and by winking at the girls one at a time, tries to get one for his...

Riddles
Few children think they will ever tire of playing games; but all the same, towards the end of a long evening, spent merrily in dancing and playing, the little ones begin to get too weary to play any longer, and it ...

Advice
Each player is given a slip of paper and asked to write a piece of advice--the ladies write to the gentlemen and vice versa. The slips are collected and again distributed and each player is asked to read the advice...

Adjectives
A slip of paper and a pencil is given to each player, who must then write a number of adjectives upon it. The slips are collected and given to the principal player, who has undertaken to read out a short story, sub...

Animal Vegetable Or Mineral?
This is a capital game for a large party, for it is both instructive and amusing. One player is selected who has to guess what word or sentence the remainder of the company has chosen. He goes out of the room, and ...

Acting Rhymes
For this game, half the players go outside the door, whilst those who stay in the room choose a word of one syllable, which should not be too difficult. For instance, suppose the word chosen be "Flat," those who ar...

The Bird-catcher
To play this game you must first decide which one of you is to be the Bird-catcher; the other players then each choose the name of a bird, but no one must choose the owl, as it is forbidden. All the players then sit...

Buzz
This is a very old game, but is always a very great favorite. The more the players, the greater the fun. The way to play it is as follows. The players sit in a circle and begin to count in turn, but when the number ...

Birds Fruits And Flowers
In this game every one in the company has to describe in a riddle, first a bird, then a fruit, and finally a flower. The others must guess. Whoever guesses the most is the winner of the game. Here are examples of...

Cities
Materials required.--As many sheets of paper and pencils as there are players. The players seat themselves round a table, and each one is provided with a sheet of paper and a pencil. The hostess then asks them to...

The Cook Who Doesn't Like Peas
One of the players commences the game by saying to his neighbor, "I have a cook who doesn't like peas (p's); what will you give her for dinner?" The person addressed must avoid the letter P in his answer. For insta...

Consequences
One of the most popular games at a party is certainly "Consequences"; it is a very old favorite, but has lost none of its charms with age. The players sit in a circle; each person is provided with a half sheet of n...

Cross Questions And Crooked Answers
To play this game it is best to sit in a circle, and until the end of the game no one must speak above a whisper. The first player whispers a question to his neighbor, such as: "Do you like roses?" This questi...

The Curate
A player is chosen to represent "The Curate." The other players are assigned such names as printer, plumber, jeweler, butcher, druggist, shoemaker, etc. "The Curate" starts the game by saying, "Mr. Butcher (or an...

Definitions
A subject is given to the company by the "teacher" and those joining in the game are each to define the subject in as terse a manner as possible, in epigram or verse, written on a slip of paper. The cards are then ...

Earth Air Fire And Water
To play this game seat yourselves in a circle, take a clean duster or handkerchief, and tie it in a big knot, so that it may easily be thrown from one player to another. One of the players throws it to another, at ...

The Farmyard
This game, if carried out properly, will cause great amusement. One of the party announces that he will whisper to each person the name of some animal, which, at a given signal, must be imitated as loudly as possib...

The Forbidden Letter
The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can be spoken without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon. Supposing, for instance, the letter "f" is not to be introduced, the first player migh...

The Forbidden Vowels
The players seat themselves and are questioned by the leader of the game and must answer without bringing in a word containing a forbidden vowel. Say the vowel "a" is forbidden, the leader asks--"Are you fond of pl...

Fortune Telling
The Fortune Teller must provide the person who is to have his or her fortune told with a piece of paper and a pencil and then proceed to say: 1. Write "Yes" or "no." 2. "State a gentleman's or a lady's na...

The Game Of Conversation
To play this game successfully two of the company privately agree upon a word that has several meanings. The two then enter into a conversation, which is obliged to be about the word they have chosen, whilst the re...

Guilty Or Innocent?
One of the company gets himself up to represent the old man of the woods, the rest take the names of various animals, such as lion, tiger, leopard and so on. The players seat themselves round the room, and the ol...

Guessing Groceries
Into bits of muslin should be tied samples of groceries--tea, coffee, starch, rice, beans, spices, etc. The players are allowed one guess for each sample, depending entirely upon the sense of feeling, and the one g...

Gossip
The leader writes out a short story. It may be a bit of gossip, a newspaper incident or anything he wishes, it should however be rather excitable in character. He reads the story over, that he may whisper it to one...

How? When? Where?
One of the players goes out of the room and the players decide upon an object. Let us suppose that the word chosen is chest. The word being agreed upon, the other player is called in. The game is for this player to...

I Love My Love With An A
To play this game it is best for the players to arrange themselves in a half-circle round the room. Then one begins: "I love my love with an 'A,' because she is affectionate; I hate her with an 'A,' because she is ...

It
One of the players is asked to go outside whilst the company think of some person in the room, and on his return he has to guess of whom the company has thought. The players then arrange themselves in a circle, a...

Jack's Alive
A match or small piece of wood is lighted and when well afire blown out. It is then passed from one player to another with the words, "Jack's alive," and may be handed about so long as a live spark remains. The tri...

The Menagerie
To each member of the company is given the name of a bird or animal by the "Keeper" who is to relate a story of adventure in which the names of the birds and animals are frequently mentioned. At the mention of the ...

The Minister's Cat
This game is very similar to that of "I love my love." Each of the players must describe the minister's cat, going right through the alphabet to do so. "The minister's cat is an angry cat," says one; "an anxious ca...

Magic Writing
In this game a confederate is necessary. The player states to the company, after a few remarks on ancient sign-language, that he is able to read signs made with a stick on the floor, and agrees to leave the room wh...

The Mimic Club
This is a game which causes much amusement to a company of children, and even grown-ups may join in. All the players, with the exception of two, leave the room. One of the outside party is then called in, and tol...

My Lady's Toilet
The leader gives to each of the party the name of some article used by a lady--a glove, fan, handkerchief, slippers, veil, belt, ribbon, brooch, back comb, collar, hairpins, cloak, etc. The players to whom the names...

Partners Pair
Partners Pair The players divide themselves into ladies and gentlemen, if the ladies predominate they must personate gentlemen, and vice versa. The gentlemen then proceed to choose lady partners. One of the play...

Proverbs
"Proverbs" is a game that will always remain popular. One of the players is sent out of the room, and during his absence the others decide upon a well-known proverb which he must, by asking questions, guess on his ...

Questions And Answers
Each player is furnished with a pencil and two slips of paper. On the first slip a question must be written. The papers are then collected and put into a bag or basket. Then the players write an answer on their s...

Ruth And Jacob
One player is blindfolded, the rest dance in a circle around him till he points at one of them. This person then enters the ring, and when the blind man calls out, "Ruth," answers, "Jacob," and moves about within t...

Rhymes
A number of slips of paper are passed among the players and each one is asked to write upon one of the papers, two words which will rhyme. These papers are collected and in turn read aloud, the players then writing ...

Sketches
Each player is asked to draw a haphazard line on a piece of paper. The line may be anything he wishes and does not need to suggest or resemble any object. The papers are collected and again distributed. Any player...

Traveler's Alphabet
The players sit in a row and the first begins by saying, "I am going on a journey to Athens," or any place beginning with A. The one sitting next asks, "What will you do there?" The verbs, adjectives, and nouns use...

Thought Reading
This is a very good game, which always causes considerable amusement, and if skilfully carried out will very successfully mystify the whole company. It is necessary that the player who is to take the part of tho...

The Little Dutch Band
The players sit or stand around the room in a circle. The leader assigns to each some imaginary musical instrument--horn, fife, drum, trombone, violin, harp, flute, banjo, etc. Some well known, but lively air is gi...

What's My Thought Like?
The players sit in a circle and one of them asks the others: "What's my thought like?" One player may say: "A monkey"; the second: "A candle"; the third: "A pin"; and so on. When all the company have compared the t...

Forfeits
In going through this book of games the reader will find that the players for various reasons are penalized or required to pay a forfeit. When a player is so fined he must immediately surrender some pocketpiece or ...

New Year's Day
Resolved:--To do my best to-day-- Tomorrow is far away. New Year's day calling and receiving--the custom of our Grandmother's time--is in vogue again. If it is desirable to announce that one w...

Good Resolutions
Each person is given a paper and pencil and requested to write at the top of the page the word "Resolved," followed by expressions of amendment that he or she is conscious of needing. One such attempt at self exami...

Testing Fates
Upon the floor are twelve candles in a row, all alight and each of a different color. Each candle stands for a month in the year. The white one for January, blue for February, pale green for March, bright green for...

Spin The Plate
The players seat themselves in a circle except one who gives all a name pertaining to the calendar and chooses a name for himself. If there are twelve or less players, each take the name of a month. If more than a ...

A New Year's Eve Entertainment
Look through your old newspapers and magazines and cut out all the pictures of the famous men and women of the century you find--everybody, from Decatur to Li Hung Chang, from Daniel Boone to Kruger, from Queen Hor...

Suggestions For New Year Parties
A novel way of selecting partners for a New Year's party is to paint upon water color paper such objects as may illustrate the different months of the year. A candle for January, to represent Twelfth Night, or "The...

Lincoln's Birthday
At dinners, parties and entertainments given on February 12th, the anniversary of the birth of our immortal Lincoln, one aim of the host or hostess should be to imbue the affair with the spirit of patriotism; so ...

Military Euchre
A most enjoyable afternoon or evening may be furnished ones friends by giving a military euchre party, as suggested for Washington's Birthday. ...

Guessing Contest
Supply pencils and papers to the guests having the following mixed words written upon them:-- 1. Olinnlc 2. Averlys 3. Sidetenpr 4. Lair-sliptter 5. Stohen-Bea 6. Yawrel 7. Roft-Termus ...

Splitting Rails
Guests are to be supplied with pencils and papers containing the following letters:-- 1. Loadailrrfliar 2. Aliredalrig 3. Ginlatirlairgruad 4. Wilrayalingir 5. Letairrlailerry Which are the rails ...

Breaking The Chain
Several children are chosen as slaves and stand in the center of the room. The other children stand in a circle about them, forming a chain by linking each arm into the arm of a child on either side and clasping hi...

Log Cabin
The tiny tots would enjoy building a log cabin of tooth-picks by placing upon the table two wooden tooth-picks about two inches apart in a horizontal line, then laying two tooth-picks across them in a vertical posi...

St Valentine's Day
Invitations for this party are written on red paper hearts. The decorations also are red paper hearts strung from the corners of the rooms to the chandeliers, between arches, draped across windows, etc., etc. ...

St Valentine's Post Office
The players sit in a circle around the room except one who is selected for postman, blind folded and placed in the center of the room. Some grown person, who acts as Postmaster General giving each child the name of...

Cupid Is Coming
The players seat themselves round the room, and one having announced "Cupid is coming," another questions, "How is he coming?" Whereupon everyone must in turn say "Cupid is coming amblingly" or "amiably," or use so...

Heart Hunt
Candy or paper hearts are hidden in nooks and corners, behind bric a brac, curtains, etc. Heart shaped paper baskets, boxes or envelopes are given to each hunter, to put the hearts in. The one finding the greatest ...

Cupid's Dart
A large white heart-shaped target having a small red heart for the bull's eye, a bow and cupid's dart are necessary for this game. Each person in turn stands a certain distance from the target and shoots at the red...

A Heart Guessing Contest
The following sentences are written on heart shaped cards and passed with pencils to the guests who are told to supply the missing word with a word whose first five letters spell heart. 1. Cupid's symbol--. ...

Broken Hearts
Place two red paper hearts which have been cut into several irregular pieces into an envelope and distribute to each gentleman guest, who selects a lady for a partner and at a signal they begin putting the pieces t...

Two Hearts That Beat As One
Fasten a large white handkerchief on the wall or door. Paste or sew a small red paper heart in the center of it. Let each person in turn be blindfolded and try to pin a heart of corresponding size over the heart ...

Washington's Birthday
To give a patriotic air to the surroundings should be the aim of the hostess in giving a party or entertaining on Washington's Birthday. Use the American flag, various sizes, for draping and decorating pictures...

A Washington's Birthday Luncheon In White And Red
A White cloth covered the table at this luncheon--a white embroidered linen center piece with lace edge under which showed red crepe tissue paper--vase of red and white carnations. Place Cards ornamented with hand ...

Hunting The Hatchet
Small paper hatchets (containing candy if desired) are previously hidden in every conceivable place in rooms to which guests have access, behind doors and pictures, in vases, under chairs and tables, on the gas fix...

Cherry Ripe
A tooth pick is suspended by a string in the door way or from the ceiling just out of reach of the children. Stick a ripe cherry or a candied cherry on the tooth pick. The children in turn jump up and try to catch ...

Washington Pi
Distribute to each guest a pencil and a slip of paper with the following letters written upon it:-- 1 Higtaswonn 1 Washington 2 Itesrpden 2 President 3 Nutom Nervon 3 Mount Vernon 4 Le...

Crossing The Delaware
A space about four or five feet wide is marked off on the floor by stretching two strings from one side of the room to the other or with chalk which represents the "Delaware River." Or an imaginary line will answer...

April Fool's Day
April first would be an occasion for a fancy dress party en masque. Invitations may be written on a large sheet of paper and folded or rolled into a small parcel and tied up in wrapping paper like a package. Decora...

An April First Festival
A "King's Jester," painted in water-color, clad in red and yellow, smiling and beckoning, is painted on one side of the white card of invitation. On the reverse side is written, in gold ink, "'Fools make feasts and...

Follies Of Fortune
Let one of the ladies be blindfolded and seated behind a large screen or curtain or in a tent in an adjoining room which is dimly lighted. A gypsy tent may be improvised with three long sticks tied together at one ...

Follow My Foot-steps
Place a number of articles such as pillows, books, handkerchiefs, inexpensive bric-a-brac, etc., on the floor. One person acts as leader and walks in a zigzag path around the obstacles, followed by the others. Then...

Foolishness
Ask the guests to tell the most foolish thing they ever did and give a suitable prize for the most foolish answer. ...

It Is To Laugh
The players form a circle taking hold of hands and circle around one of the players who is blindfolded and holds a staff or cane. When he raps on the floor with the cane they all stand still. He then points the cane...

The Museum
The guests are invited to inspect your collection of curios and souvenirs which are displayed in numerous paste board boxes, collectively on a large table, or distributed in convenient places about the room on mant...

Easter
Easter Day should be a peaceful, happy day of rejoicing, thanksgiving and praise to the Giver of all good. Easter is symbolic of a new life, and a brighter one. It is springtime, the sun shines brightly, and Natu...

A Luncheon In White And Yellow
Use a large plateau or mirror for the centerpiece, in the center of which lay an irregular piece of real (or artificial) moss about one-half the diameter of the plateau (to represent an island.) Stick a few sprays ...

An Easter Bonnet Party
A very pleasant entertainment to be given about Eastertide is one at which the all-engrossing head covering of the season is to be manufactured. The materials required are simple--two sheets of tissue paper for e...

Matching Eggs
Give each person a certain number of hard boiled eggs. The one who succeeds in cracking the shells of his opponent's by hitting the ends together is the winner. ...

Egg Race
Place six hard boiled Easter eggs on each side of the room about one foot apart. A large basket is placed at the far end of the room. The players are divided in two sides, each side being chosen one at a time by th...

Hen And Chickens
A leader is chosen for the "hen" and the remainder of the children are "chickens," except one who is supposed to be a chicken hawk. They stand in a row behind one another and grasp the skirts or coat-tails of the...

An Egg Hunt
Hide colored Easter eggs or small candy eggs in various places, in corners, behind curtains, bric a brac, etc., etc. Provide each child with a small basket or paper bag and at a signal they start to hunt for the hi...

Bowling
Get ten small toy ten-pins or use wooden clothes pins. Stand them upon end about six or eight inches apart in a line across the room. Use five colored eggs for the balls. A player kneels on one knee at a distance of...

May Day
May Day was one of the chief festivals of ancient times and also in more modern times. The Romans held the "Floralia" or festivals in honor of Flora, the Goddess of Flowers, from April 28th to the First of May. Th...

May Pole Dance
If this entertainment is to be out-of-doors a long pole is erected in the center of the lawn; or fastened into a solid base and set in the center of the room if desired for indoor amusement. Procure a very light ...

May-day Fete
A Japanese fete is suitable for a May Day affair, especially for a large affair where house and grounds can be utilized. The hostess who wishes to carry out the Japanese idea correctly will study a book on Japanese ...

Variegated Roses
Pass pencils and slips of paper to the guests with the following written on each paper:-- 1. (A Symbol of purity.) 2. (What has been done with a newspaper.) 3. (A pronoun.) 4. (A product of Japan.) ...

Ring Around A Rosy
The children take hold of hands and form a circle; except one who stands in the center of the ring. They circle around singing this little verse Ring Around a Rosy A pocket full of posy The one who stoops ...

Drop The Flower
This is played the same as drop the handkerchief except a flower is used instead of a handkerchief and the verse is a trifle different. The song runs thus--"A tisket a tasket a green and yellow basket. I sent a bou...

Fourth Of July
Fire crackers and fire works seem to have first place in the celebration of our Glorious Fourth, but a few games and amusements of a patriotic nature or connected in some way with the symbols of the day may not come...

What Will You Do For Your Country
The players are seated in a row or circle except the leader who is seated in the center of the group. The leader begins the game by asking the first one "What will you do for your country." The player must reply im...

Rally Round The Flag
The children take hold of hands and form a circle, except one who is standard bearer and stands in the center of the circle holding an American flag having a staff about four feet long, which is pointed so it can b...

Torpedo Hunt
Hide a lot of small paper torpedoes in various places around the lawn. Give each child a paper bag and at a signal, which is the explosion of a torpedo, they begin to hunt for the hidden torpedoes. The one finding ...

The Flag Of The Free
With water colors or crayons sketch the American flag on white cards omitting the stars. Give each guest a card and forty-six tiny mucilaged stars. Wave a flag as a signal to begin placing the stars on the blue of ...

Battles Of The United States For Fourth Of July
Try the following: What battle of the United States is 1. A fortified place, to perform and a walking stick? 2. An English coin and the act of directing attention? 3. A royal weight? 4. A teuto...

Flags Of All Nations
Drape the red, white and blue bunting from tree to tree and nail to the trees flags of sixteen different countries; the flags to be numbered. Provide each guest with a card containing as many numbers as there are f...

Hallow-e'en
Hallow-e'en or Hallow-Even is the last night of October, being the eve or vigil of All-Hallow's or All Saint's Day, and no holiday in all the year is so informal or so marked by fun both for grown-ups as well as ...

Apple Seeds Forehead
Name two wet apple seeds and stick them on forehead. First seed to fall indicates that the person for whom seed is named is not a true lover. ...

Apple Paring
Each guest, receiving apple and knife, is requested to peel apple without breaking; then swing paring around head, and let it drop to floor. The letter formed is initial of future mate's name. Or, you may hang your...

Apple-seed Test
Cut an apple open and pick out seeds from core. If only two seeds are found, they portend early marriage; three, legacy; four, great wealth; five, sea voyage; six, great fame as orator or singer; seven, possession ...

Blind Nut Seekers
Let several guests be blindfolded. Then hide nuts or apples in various parts of room or house. One finding most nuts or apples wins prize. ...

Barrel-hoop
Suspend horizontally from ceiling a barrel-hoop on which are fastened alternately at regular intervals apples, cakes, candies, candle-ends. Players gather in circle and, as it revolves, each in turn tries to bite o...

Raisin Race
A raisin is strung in middle of thread a yard long, and two persons take each an end of string in mouth; whoever, by chewing string, reaches raisin first has raisin and will be first wedded. ...

Hallow-e'en Souvenir Game
Suspend apples by means of strings in doorway or from ceiling at proper height to be caught between the teeth. First successful player receives prize. These prizes should be Hallow-e'en souvenirs, such as emery cus...

Candle And Apple
At one end of stick 18 inches long fasten an apple; at the other end, a short piece of lighted candle. Suspend stick from ceiling by stout cord fastened in its middle so that stick will balance horizontally; while ...

True-lover Test
Two hazel-nuts are thrown into hot coals by maiden, who secretly gives a lover's name to each. If one nut bursts, then that lover is unfaithful; but if it burns with steady glow until it becomes ashes, she knows tha...

Ring And Goblet
Tie wedding-ring or key to silken thread or horsehair, and hold it suspended within a glass; then say the alphabet slowly; whenever ring strikes glass, begin over again and in this way spell name of future mate. ...

Threading A Needle
Sit on round bottle laid lengthwise on floor, and try to thread a needle. First to succeed will be first married. ...

Alphabet Game
Cut alphabet from newspaper and sprinkle on surface of water; letters floating may spell or suggest name of future husband or wife. ...

Needle Game
Each person floats greased needle in basin of water. Impelled by attraction of gravitation, needles will act very curiously; some cling together, others rush to margin and remain. The manner in which one person's n...

Apples And Flour
Suspend horizontally from ceiling a stick three feet long. On one end stick an apple, upon other tie small bag of flour. Set stick whirling. Each guest takes turn in trying to bite apple-end of stick. It is amusing...

Cyniver
Each girl and boy seeks an even-leaved sprig of ash; first of either sex that finds one calls out cyniver, and is answered by first of opposite sex that succeeds; and these two, if omen fails not, will be joined in ...

Walnut Boats
Open English walnuts, remove meat, and in each half shell fasten short pieces of differently colored Christmas candles, each of which is to be named for a member of party and, after lighting, set afloat in large pan...

Winding Yarn
Throw a ball of yarn out of window but hold fast to one end and begin to wind. As you wind say, "I wind, who holds?" over and over again; before end of yarn is reached, face of future partner will appear in window, ...

Snapdragon
1. The dragon consists of half a pint of ignited brandy or alcohol in a dish. As soon as brandy is aflame, all lights are extinguished, and salt is freely sprinkled in dish, imparting a corpse-like pallor to every ...

Necklace
Make barrel-hoop into necklace of bread, candies, red peppers and candle-ends, and hang horizontally from ceiling. Set hoop whirling and try to grasp its freight with your teeth. Accordingly as you like your first ...

Winnowing Corn
Steal out into barn or garden alone and go three times through motions of throwing corn against the wind. The third time an apparition of future spouse will pass you; in some mysterious manner, also, you may obtain...

Magic Stairs
Walk downstairs backward, holding lighted candle over your head. Upon reaching bottom, turn suddenly and before you will stand your wished-for one. ...

Pumpkin Alphabet
Carve all the letters of the alphabet on a medium sized pumpkin. Put it on a dish and set on a stand or table. Each guest in turn is blindfolded and given a hat-pin, then led to pumpkin, where he (she) is expected t...

Jumping Lighted Candle
Place a lighted candle in middle of floor, not too securely placed; each one jumps over it. Whoever succeeds in clearing candle is guaranteed a happy year, free of trouble or anxiety. He who knocks candle over will ...

Dumb Cake
Each one places handful of wheat flour on sheet of white paper and sprinkles it over with a pinch of salt. Some one makes it into dough, being careful not to use spring water. Each rolls up a piece of dough, spread...

Hiding Ring Thimble And Penny
Hide ring, thimble and penny in room. To one who finds ring, speedy marriage is assured; thimble denotes life of single blessedness; penny promises wealth. ...

Pulling Kale
All are blindfolded and go out singly or hand-in-hand to garden. Groping about they pull up first stalk of kale or head of cabbage. If stalk comes up easily the sweetheart will be easy to win; if the reverse, hard ...

Perplexing Hunt
In this game the seeker for a prize is guided from place to place by doggerels as the following, and is started on his hunt with this rhyme: "Perhaps you'll find it in the air; If not, look underneath your ch...

Dough Test
Take water and meal and make dough. Write on slips of paper names of several of opposite sex friends; roll papers into balls of dough and drop them into water. First name to appear will be future husband or wife. ...

Water Experiment
A laughable experiment consists in filling mouth with water and walking around house or block without swallowing or spilling a drop. First person of opposite sex you meet is your fate. A clever hostess will send tw...

The Dreamer
If a maid wishes to know whom she is to marry, if a man of wealth, tradesman, or traveler, let her, on All-Hallow-e'en, take a walnut, hazelnut, and nutmeg; grate and mix them with butter and sugar into pills, and ...

Mirror And Apple
Stand in front of mirror in dimly lighted room and eat an apple. If your lover reciprocates your love he will appear behind you and look over your right shoulder and ask for a piece of apple. ...

Cellar Stairs
Cellar-stairs' test is where girl boldly goes down stairs backward, holding a mirror, and trying to catch in it the features of him who is to be her mate. ...

Around The Walnut Tree
Of all Hallow-e'en spells and charms associated with nuts, the following is one of the oldest: If a young man or woman goes at midnight on Hallow-e'en to a walnut tree and walks around three times, crying out each ...

Ducking For Apples
Into one tub half filled with water are placed apples to the stems of which are tied bits of paper containing the names of the boys present at the party, while across the room is a similar tub in which the names of ...

Combing Hair Before Mirror
Stand alone before mirror, and by light of candle comb your hair; face of your future partner will appear in glass, peeping over your shoulder. ...

The Four Saucers
Place four saucers on table in line. Into first put dirt; into second, water; into third, a ring; into fourth, a rag. Guests are blindfolded and led around table twice; then told to go alone and put fingers into sa...

Game Of Fate
Guests take part, seated in a circle. Three Fates are chosen, one of whom whispers to each person in turn name of his (her) future sweetheart. Second Fate follows, whispering to each where he (she) will next meet h...

Where Dwells My Lover?
Steal out unobserved at midnight; plucking a small lock of hair from your head, cast it to breeze. Whatever direction it is blown is believed to be location of future matrimonial partner. "I pluck this lock of ...

Feather Tests
To foretell complexion of future mate, select three soft fluffy feathers. (If none is handy, ask for a pillow and rip open and take out feathers.) On bottom end of each feather fasten a small piece of paper; a drop...

Rose Test
Take two roses with long stems. Name one for yourself and one for your lover. Go to your room without speaking to any one; kneel beside bed; twine stems of roses together, and repeat following lines, gazing intentl...

Dry Bread
Dreams mean much on Hallow-e'en, but certain ceremonies must be carefully followed in order to insure the spell. Before going to sleep for the night have some one bring a small piece of dry bread. No word can be sp...

The Loaf Cake
A loaf cake is often made, and in it are placed a ring and a key. The former signifies marriage, and the latter a journey, and the person who cuts the slice containing either must accept the inevitable. ...

To Try One's Luck
In a dish of mashed potatoes place a ring, a dime, and a thimble. Each guest is provided with a spoon with which to eat the potatoes; whoever gets the ring is to be married within a year; the thimble signifies sing...

Melting Lead
Each person melts some lead and pours it through a wedding-ring or key into a dish of water. The lead will cool in various shapes, supposed to be prophetic. Any ingenious person will interpret the shapes, and furni...

Naming Chestnuts
Roast three chestnuts before the fire, one of which is named for some lady (or gentleman); the other two, for gentlemen (or ladies). If they separate, so will those for whom they are named; those jumping toward the...

The Mirror
Walk backward several feet out of doors in moonlight with mirror in your hand, or within doors with candle in one hand and mirror in the other, repeating following rhyme, and face of your future companion will appe...

Bowls
One bowl is filled with clear water, another with wine, a third with vinegar, a fourth is empty. All are placed in line on table. Each person in turn is blindfolded, turned about three times, and led to table. A ha...

Lover's Test
A maid and youth each places a chestnut to roast on fire, side by side. If one hisses and steams, it indicates a fretful temper in owner of chestnut; if both chestnuts equally misbehave it augurs strife. If one or ...

Flour Test
A bowl is filled tightly with flour. During the process of filling, a wedding ring is inserted vertically in some part of it. The bowl, when full, is inverted upon a dish and withdrawn, leaving the mound of flour o...

Apple Seeds Charms
Apple seeds act as charms on Hallow-e'en. Stick one on each eyelid and name one "Home" and the other "Travel." If seed named travel stays on longer, you will go on a journey before year expires. If "Home" cling...

After Dinner Games For Thanksgiving Day
The game of enigmatical menus, as its name implies, is not only especially appropriate for Thanksgiving Day, but has the further merit of not requiring a great deal of preparation beforehand, and is therefore not t...

A Dinner For Historic Celebrities
The Guests 1. He who refused the crown of England.--Cromwell. 2. The conqueror of Napoleon I.--The Duke of Wellington. 3. He who escaped from his foes by reversing his horse's shoes. --Isr...

A Dinner For Literary Celebrities
The Guests 1. A barrel maker.--Cooper. 2. A mixture of black and white.--Gray. 3. The baby of the flock.--Lamb. 4. A disagreeable fellow to have on one's foot.--Bunyan. 5. Joyous hardness...

Nuts To Crack
Pass pencils and paper to each guest with the following written upon it:-- 1 (A Dairy product.) 2 (A Vegetable.) 3 (A Country.) 4 (A Girl's name.) 5 (A structure.) 6 (A name often ...

Christmas
"Christmas comes but once a year and when it comes it brings"--a whole lot of things. If there doesn't seem to be anything to be thankful for, there was a Christmas hundreds of years ago which gave us One who com...

Jolly St Nicholas
One child is chosen to represent Jolly St. Nicholas or Santa Claus and stands in the center of the room. The other children stand around in a circle while Santa Claus reads his rules of good behavior to them which ...

Christmas Stocking
Paint or draw on a sheet the picture of a fireplace. Tack this to the wall and after providing each child with a small stocking and pin, blindfold them in turn, telling them to hang up their stocking at the mantel....

Christmas Candles
Place on a low table a small Christmas tree, on which there is arranged lighted candles. Blindfold each child in turn, having them stand about one foot away with their back turned toward the tree. He is then told to...

Holly Wreath Or Snow Ball
Make several snowballs from crepe paper or white cotton. Hang a large holly wreath in the doorway and let each child in turn try to throw his snowball through the wreath. The players who are successful throw three ...

A Dinner For Contemporary Celebrities
The Guests 1. The first month of the year. Janvier. 2. Strong and sturdy. Hardy. 3. An out of date arrangement for the front hair. Bangs. 4. An author whose name is on every page. Page. 5...

A Luncheon For Literary Women
The Guests 1. A verdant one. Greene (Anna Katherine). 2. To evade. Dodge (Mary Mapes). 3. A head covering and a tavern. Wiggin (Kate Douglas). 4. What ships and schooners often cross. Barr (Ame...