GamesLag Out Or Knock OutThis game is played by throwing a marble against the wall, wh... Fortune Telling The Fortune Teller must provide the person who is to have his... Last Man _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This is a scho... Specifications For Balls Bean Bags Marking Grounds Etc BALLOONS Gas balloons have been found very useful for quit... Introductory Although young America is growing more and more fond of out o... Music Box _3 to 60 players._ _House party; schoolroom; playground.... Oysterette Race Those sitting on one side of the table constitute team "A", t... Candle And Apple At one end of stick 18 inches long fasten an apple; at the ot... |
Games For The Playground, Home, School And GymnasiumCounting-out Choosing Sides And Turns Who's It?Counting-out rhymes and other methods of choosing players for games form one of the most interesting topics in the whole study of children's games. Such rhymes and methods are found in use all... Counting-out This is a very popular method among children. One player in the group, generally self-appointed, but sometimes chosen by popular consent, does the "counting out." He repeats a rhyme or jingle, touching one player o... Holders A favorite method of choosing players, especially with boys, is that called "holders" or "hand holders." When a group of boys decides to play a game, one suddenly shouts, "Picker up!" picks up a pebble and hands it... Drawing Cuts In this method of choosing players, a blade of grass or hay or a slip of paper is provided for each player in the group. These should all be cut of approximately the same length, with the exception of one which sho... Racing Last Over Etc A popular method of determining who shall be "It" for a game is for the players to race to a certain point, the last one to reach it being "It." Or one of a group of players deciding on a game may say "Last over th... Choosing Sides For many games the players are divided into two opposing groups or teams. When there is no special leader or captain for each group, some of the above methods of counting-out or choosing are used for assigning play... All Up Relay _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players are divided into two or more groups of like numbers which compete against each other. The different groups line up in single file ... Animal Blind Man's Buff _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ One player is blindfolded and stands in the center of a circle with a wand, stick, or cane in his hand. The other players dance around him in circ... Animal Chase _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Two pens are marked off in distant corners of the playground. One player, called the chaser, stands at one side of one of these pens. The other players st... Arrow Chase _8 to 16 players._ _Out of doors._ This game is especially adapted to surroundings where a very devious chase may be given, with many opportunities for the runners to go out of sight, double back on their co... Automobile Race _20 to 30 players at once._ _Schoolroom._ This schoolroom game is played with most of the class sitting, being a relay race between alternate rows. The first child in each alternate row, at a signal from the... Barley Break _6 to 18 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A long, narrow strip of ground is needed for this game, divided into three spaces measuring from ten to fifty feet square. The central one of these three spaces is... Baste The Bear _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ One player is chosen to be bear, and sits in the center on a stool. The bear chooses a second player to be his keeper. The keeper stands by the be... Bear In The Pit _10 to 30 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A bear pit is formed by the players joining hands in a circle with one in the center as the bear. The bear tries to get out by breaking apart the bars (clasped ha... Bend And Stretch Relay _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This game consists in a sideways passing of two bean bags and two dumb-bells alternately. This amount of apparatus should be placed on the floor in the outer aisle beside ea... Bird Catcher _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom; playground._ Two opposite corners are marked off at one end of the ground or room, the one to serve as a nest for the birds and the other as a cage. A mother bird is chosen, ... Black And White _10 to 100 players._ _Gymnasium; playground; parlor; schoolroom._ One player is chosen as leader, the rest being divided into two equal parties. Each player in one party should tie a handkerchief on the left... Blackboard Relay _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ As here explained, this game is adapted to grammar (sentence construction, and punctuation). It may be made to correlate with almost any school subject, as ex... Black Tom _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Two parallel lines are drawn on the ground with a space of from thirty to fifty feet between them. All of the players except one stand beyond one of these... Blind Bell _5 to 100 players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ All the players but one are blindfolded and scatter promiscuously. The one who is not blindfolded carries a bell loosely in one hand, so that it will ring... Blind Man's Buff _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ One player is chosen to be blindfolded and stands in the center. The other players join hands and circle around him until the blind man claps his ... Body Guard _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A small space is marked off at one end of the ground as a "home" or goal. One player is chosen to be the Panjandrum, an important personage requiring a bo... Bull In The Ring _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ All but one of the players stand in a circle with hands firmly clasped. The odd player stands in the center and is the bull. The bull tries to break throu... Bunch Of Ivy _20 to 60 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ The players in pairs form a ring. The inner player of each couple kneels. The outer player of each couple holds the upraised hand of the kneeling ... Bung The Bucket _10 to 30 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game of leapfrog. The players are divided into two parties. Half of them form one continuous "back," on which the other half jump, one at a time, until ... Buying A Lock _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; schoolroom._ Oh, here we all go to buy us a lock; What kind of a lock shall it be? We'll buy a broom handle; if that will not do, With a poker we'... Cat And Mice _5 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ One player is chosen to be cat, and hides behind or under the teacher's desk. After the cat is hidden, the teacher beckons to five or six other players, who creep softly up t... Cat And Rat _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ One player is chosen for cat and one for rat. The others all form a circle with clasped hands. The cat stands outside of the circle and the rat in... Catch And Pull Tug Of War _10 to 100 players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ Any number of players may engage in this contest, which is one of the best for a large number, containing as it does both excellent sport and vigorous exercise. ... Catch Of Fish _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is one of the very strenuous games, and affords opportunity for some very good exercise and sport. A line is drawn across each end of the playgroun... Catch The Cane _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players, who should be numbered consecutively, stand in a circle or semicircle. One player stands in the center of the circle or in front ... Cavalry Drill _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game of leapfrog. I. Two players make a back. They stand with backs to the jumpers and place their inside hands on each other's shoulders with arms e... Centipede _9 to 12 players._ _Gymnasium; seashore._ The players sit in a circle on the floor, with their feet stretched out and mingled in a promiscuous pile. One player, who is leader, and stands outside the circle, ... Changing Seats _20 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This game is played in several different forms. The following are very popular. ... Changing Seat I The teacher gives the command, "Change right!" whereupon each pupil slips from his own seat to the one across the aisle to the right, the pupils in the farthest right-hand row standing in the outside aisle. The ... Changing Seat II In this form of the game the players in the displaced row run around the room and take the vacant row of seats on the opposite side. For instance, the teacher gives an order, "Change left!" whereupon all the pu... Charley Over The Water _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ One player is chosen to be Charley, and if there be more than twenty players there should be two or more Charlies, to make the action more rapid. ... Chickadee-dee _5 to 10 players._ _Dark room._ This game is a good one for the loft of an old barn on a rainy day. The writer obtained the game from a group of boys, who found it one of their chief sports used in this way.... Chicken Market _5 to 20 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is one of the traditional dramatic games. One player is chosen to be market man and another buyer; the rest of the players are chickens; they s... Chickidy Hand _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ One player is chosen to be It, and stands near a post with the fingers of his hands interlocked. The other players, each clasping his own hands in the same... Chinese Chicken _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom; seashore._ This game is played with small blocks of wood or bean bags. Stones, or, at the seashore, bathing slippers, may be used instead. These ... Chinese Wall _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The Chinese wall is marked off by two parallel lines straight across the center of the playground, leaving a space between them of about ten feet in width... Circle Race _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The players stand in a circle a considerable distance apart and face around in single file in the same direction. At a signal all start to run, following ... Circle Relay _9 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The players stand in three or more divisions in single file, facing to a common center. In this formation they radiate like the spokes of a wheel. On a ... Circle Seat Relay _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This game starts with the players all seated, and with an even number in each row. At a signal, the last player in each row runs forward on the right-hand side of his seat, ... Clam Shell Combat _2 to 30 players._ _Out of doors; seashore._ Each of the players is provided with an equal number of clam shells; the players then pair off in twos for the combat. Which of the two shall have the first play ... Club Snatch _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is one of the best competitive chasing games. A goal is marked off across each end of the playground. Midway between the goals, an Indian club is placed; a... Cock Stride _3 to 15 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game is usually played with boys' caps, but knotted handkerchiefs or balls of crumpled paper may be used. One player is the cock; he is blindfolded and stands... Crossing The Brook _5 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ This game is a great favorite with little children. A place representing a brook is marked off by two lines on the ground. For little children ... Cross Tag _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ One player is chosen to be It. He calls out the name of another player, to whom he at once gives chase. A third player at any point in the chase may run be... Do This Do That _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom; parlor._ All the players stand facing one of their number who is the leader. The one who is leader assumes any gymnastic position or imitates an... Double Relay Races _10 to 100 players._ _Schoolroom; playground; gymnasium._ First two rows (Nos. 1 to 14) stand in aisle II and give way to rear to starting point. Third row (Nos. 15 to 21) stand in aisle III, march forward a... Drop The Handkerchief _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ All of the players but one stand in a circle. The odd player runs around on the outside of the circle, carrying a handkerchief, which he drops behind one ... Duck On A Rock _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Each player is provided with a stone, called a "duck," about the size of a baseball. A large rock or post is chosen as the duck rock, and twenty-five fe... Dumb-bell Tag _5 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ The players stand, scattered promiscuously, one of their number, who is It, being placed in the center at the opening of the game. A dumb-bell ... Every Man In His Own Den _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Each player selects for himself a den; a post, tree, or other objective point may serve for this, or the corner of a building, or if in a gymnasium, a piec... Exchange (Numbers Change; French Blind Man's Buff) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ One player is blindfolded and stands in the center. The other players sit in chairs in a circle around... Farmer Is Coming The _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ One player, chosen to be the farmer, is seated. The remaining players, standing at a distance, select a leader who taps some of them on the shoulder as an... Fence Tag _4 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._ This game is a great favorite with boys for outdoor play, but may also be used in the gymnasium, various pieces of apparatus being used in lieu... Fire On The Mountains _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A number of stools are placed in a circle with considerable space between them, there being two stools less than the number of players. If played out o... Flowers And The Wind The _4 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors, out of doors._ This game is suitable for little children. The players are divided into two equal parties, each party having a home marked off at opposite ends of the play... Follow Chase _10 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ The players stand in a circle with arms stretched sideways, resting on each other's shoulders, thus making a wide distance between. One player is chosen f... Follow The Leader _5 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor; schoolroom._ One player, who is especially resourceful or skillful, is chosen as a leader. The others all form in single file behind him, and imitate... Forcing The City Gates _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Two captains are selected, who alternately choose players until all are in two groups. The two sides then line up in two straight lines, facing each other... Fortress _10 to 100 players._ _Out of doors; gymnasium._ This is one of the very strenuous games based on the idea of warfare. The underlying idea is exactly opposite to that of Robbers and Soldiers, b... Fox And Geese (For other games sometimes known by this title, see _Fox Trail_ and, in the division of Quiet Games, _Naughts and Crosses_.) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ One player is chosen to be ... Fox And Squirrel _20 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ The players sit in their seats facing toward the aisles, so that each two adjacent lines have their feet in the same aisle and face each other. The game consists in passing ... Fox Trail Double Rim (Fox and Geese; Half Bushel) .) _3 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors; indoors; snow._ This form of Fox Trail, like the Single Rim game, is distinctively a snow game, but may be used anyw... Fox Trail Single Rim (Fox and Geese; Half Bushel) .) _3 to 20 players._ _Out of doors; snow; seashore; gymnasium._ This is one of the few distinctive snow games, but may be played anywhere that a large diagram m... French Tag _4 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ In this form of tag certain boundaries are agreed upon beyond which players may not run, though they may climb or jump over any obstacles within the bounda... Frog In The Middle _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ One player is chosen for the frog, and sits in the center on the floor with his feet crossed in tailor fashion. Where there are more than twenty p... Garden Scamp _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom; parlor._ This game is a great favorite with children, and may be made an opportunity for much sport with youths and older players. All but tw... Going To Jerusalem _10 to 60 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; schoolroom._ A row of chairs is placed in the center of the room, so that they face alternately in opposite directions, one chair to one side, the next to the ... Good Morning _10 to 60 or more players._ _Schoolroom; parlor._ This is a very pretty sense-training game cultivating discrimination through the sense of hearing. Little children are very fond of it, and i... Guess Who _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor; schoolroom._ Where there are more than ten players, it is desirable to have them separated into several groups. Each group has a leader, and lines u... Gypsy _5 to 10 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is one of the traditional dramatic games, obviously an abbreviated form of _Mother, Mother, the Pot Boils Over!_ One player is selected for gypsy,... Hang Tag _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ One player is It, or chaser, and changes places with any other player whom he can touch (tag). In this form of the game, however, any player may escape being tag... Have You Seen My Sheep? _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; parlor; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players stand in a circle. One walks around on the outside, and touching one of the circle players on the back, asks, "Have you see... Hide And Seek The following games of hiding and seeking will be found in alphabetical order Hide and Seek I spy! Ring-a-lie-vio Run, Sheep, Run! Sardines Smuggling the Geg Ten Steps ... Hide And Seek 2 _2 to 20 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is a simple form of "I spy," played by very little children. One covers his eyes or blinds and the others hide. When securely hidden, they call "Coop!... Hide The Thimble (Magic Music) _5 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom; parlor._ One player is sent from the room; while absent, one of those remaining hides a thimble, a cork, or some small object which has been previously shown ... High Windows _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ All of the players but one join hands in a circle. The odd player in the center runs around on the inside of the circle and hits one of the players with a... Hill Dill _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Two parallel boundary lines are drawn from thirty to fifty feet apart; or the game is often played between the curbings of a street, which serve as bounda... Hip _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground._ All of the players stand in an informal group. One of them is provided with a stick about the size of a broomstick and about two feet long. He throws this as far as h... Home Tag _4 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ One player is It, or chaser, and changes places with any one whom he can touch (tag) outside of the safety places called homes. One or more such places are... Hopping Relay Race _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ A starting line is drawn on the ground, behind which the players stand in two or more single files, facing a goal. The goal should be ten or more fee... Hound And Rabbit _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ A considerable number of the players stand in groups of three, with their hands on each other's shoulders, each group making a small circle wh... How Many Miles To Babylon? _10 to 100 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ The players are divided into two lines and stand facing each other, with a distance of about ten feet between. Each line numbers off in twos, and the players in ... Huckle Buckle Bean Stalk _5 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom; parlor._ This game is a form of Hide the Thimble. A thimble, cork, ring, or other small object may be used for hiding. All of the players leave the room save one, who places... Hunt The _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The ground is marked off with two goals at opposite ends by parallel lines drawn entirely across it. The space between the lines should measure from thirt... Hunt The Fox _20 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The players stand in two parallel lines or files facing to the front, with about five feet distance between the files, and considerable distance between e... Hunt The Slipper _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; seashore; gymnasium._ All of the players but one sit in a circle, with the feet drawn up and knees raised so that a slipper may be passed from hand to hand of each player... Indian Club Race _10 to 100 players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ This game is an adaptation of the Potato Race. See also the related game _All Up Relay_. The players are lined up in two or more single files, the... I Say Stoop! _5 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ This game is a variation of the old familiar game "Simon says," but calls for much more activity than the latter game. The players stand in a... I Spy (See _Hide and Seek_ for list of other games of this type.) _3 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors; indoors._ One player is chosen to be the spy, who blinds his eyes at a central goal while the other pla... Jack Be Nimble _10 to 60 players._ _Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._ This game is suitable for very little children. Some small object about six or eight inches high is placed upright on the floor to represent a candles... Jacob And Rachel _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ All of the players but two form a circle with clasped hands. The two odd players are placed in the center, one of them, "Jacob," being blindfolded... Japanese Crab Race _2 to 60 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ If there be but few players for this game, it may be played as a simple race, without the relay feature, as here described. For large numbers the relay ide... Japanese Tag _4 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ One player is chaser, or It, and tries to touch or tag all of the other players, the one tagged then becoming chaser. In this form of the game, however, wh... Johnny Ride A Pony _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game of leapfrog. The players are divided into two even parties, except for one leader, one party being the ponies and the other the riders, or Johnnies... Jumping Relay Race _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players are lined up in several single files behind a starting line which is drawn at from ten to fifty feet from a finishing line which s... Jumping Rope (Skipping) _3 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Jumping a rope is admirable for both boys and girls, combining much skill with invigorating exercise. It should always be done on the toes, with a "... Jump The Shot (Sling Shot) _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ For this game a shot bag, such as is used to weight the ends of the rope that is drawn over jump standards, may be used, and ... Kaleidoscope (Flower Garden) _5 to 30 or more players._ _Schoolroom; parlor; playground._ This is a quiet game, and makes a pleasant and restful change from more active games. It may be correlated with geography, histo... Lady Of The Land _4 to 10 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is one of the old dramatic games in which various parts are enacted by the different players. One player takes the part of a lady and stands alone... Lame Fox And Chickens _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ One player is chosen for the fox, and stands in a den marked off at one end of the playground. The rest are chickens, and have a chicken yard at the oppos... Last Couple Out (Widower; Last Pair Pass) _11 to 31 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ An odd number of players is required for this game. One is chosen for catcher, who stands at one end of the playground with hi... Last Man _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This is a schoolroom adaptation of the game usually known as "Three Deep," or "Third Man." It is one of the most interesting and popular schoolroom games. ... Leader And Footer _50 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a leapfrog game. One player is chosen to be "back," and he chooses a leader, generally the poorest jumper, and a "footer the best jumper. A start... Leapfrog The back Any player who bends over to make a back for others to leap over is called the "back." He must rest his hands on his knees or near them to make a firm back. It is against the rules f... Leapfrog 2 _2 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The first player makes a back, standing either with his back or his side toward the one who is to leap over. The next player runs, leaps over the back, runs a few... Leapfrog Race _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The players are lined up in two or more single files, as for the simplest form of leapfrog, but the game is a race between the different files. The first play... Letting Out The Doves _3 to 30 players._ _In doors or out of doors._ This game is particularly suitable for young children. The players stand in groups of three. One in each group, usually the smallest, represents a dove; one a h... Lost Child The _10 to 30 or more players._ _Schoolroom; parlor; playground; gymnasium._ This is a quiet game designed to test the memory, and makes an interesting variation when players are tired of active games. The playe... Master Of The Ring _2 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A circle is drawn on the ground. The players stand shoulder to shoulder inside the circle, with arms folded either on the chest or behind the back. The pla... Maze Tag (Line Tag; Right Face) _15 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; house party._ All but two of the players stand in parallel lines or ranks, one behind the other, with ample space between each two player... Menagerie _10 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors._ This game may be one of the funniest possible for a house party. The players sit around the room or in a circle. One player who has ready wit is chosen to be ringmaster... Midnight (Twelve O'clock at Night) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; classroom._ One player is the fox and the others sheep. The fox may catch the sheep only at midnight. The game starts with the ... Moon And Morning Stars _5 to 20 players._ _Out of doors._ This game is played when the sun is shining. One of the players is the moon, and takes her place in a large area of shadow, such as would be cast by a large tree or a house... Mother May I Go Out To Play? This is one of the old traditional dramatic games and is found in many countries. One player represents a mother, and the rest are her children, and stand in front of her in a line. One or all of them... Mother Mother The Pot Boils Over! _5 to 11 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is a traditional dramatic game. One player represents an old witch, another a mother, another the eldest daughter, another a pot boiling on the hearth,... My Lady's Toilet _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ This a French form of a game known in America as Spin the Platter. Each of the players is named for some article of My Lady's toilet, such as her gown, neckl... Numbers Change _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players stand in a large circle and are numbered consecutively. One player takes his place in the center. He calls two number... Observation _5 to 60 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ This game is a test of visual memory. When played in a parlor, all the players are seated except one, who passes around a tray or a plate, on which are from six to tw... Odd Man's Cap _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Twelve players make the best-sized group for this game; where there are more players, they should be divided into small groups. All but one of the players... Old Buzzard _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground._ This is one of the old dramatic games, probably better known in America than any other of this type. One player is chosen to represent the "Old Buzzard"; ... Old Man Tag _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ The players are in groups of two rows each, which play together. These two rows face away from each other. Thus the first and second row will turn respectively to the right ... Old Woman From The Wood (For boys, see _Trades_.) _10 to 60 or more players._ _Parlor; playground; schoolroom._ The players are divided into two even parties, which face each other from a short distance. One party advances toward... Oyster Shell _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ Two parallel lines are drawn across the center of the playground, with a space of ten feet between them, which is neutral territory. At a considerable distance b... Par _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a leapfrog game in which the distance of the back from the jumping line is advanced after each round a "foot and a half," measured in a certain wa... Partner Tag _4 to 100 players._ _Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._ All of the players but two hook arms in couples. Of the two who are free, one is It or chaser, and the other the runner. The runner may save himself b... Pebble Chase _5 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground; out of doors._ One player, who is the leader, holds a small pebble between the palms of his hands, while the others stand grouped around him, each with his ... Pinch-o _5 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ This is a game of chase, an advancing line (rank) of players turning and fleeing from an odd player in front of them when a signal is given. The players in... Pitch Pebble _4 to 10 players._ _Out of doors; seashore._ This game may be played with pebbles, shells, or nuts, each player having two or four of such articles. The object of the game is to throw these pebbles into a ho... Poison _10 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground; seashore._ A circle is marked on the floor or ground considerably smaller than an outer circle formed by the players, clasping hands. Each player tries, ... Poison Snake _10 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ The players join hands to form a circle. About fifteen Indian clubs or tenpins are placed in the center of the circle, with spaces between them in which a... Pom Pom Pullaway _5 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors._ This game is often played between the curbings of a city street, but is suitable for any open play space which admits of two lines drawn across it with a space of f... Poor Pussy _5 to 20 players._ _Parlor._ The players sit in a circle, except one who is chosen for Poor Pussy. Pussy kneels in front of any player and miaous. This person must stroke or pat Pussy's head and say, "Poor P... Potato Races Four forms of Potato Race are here given as follows POTATO RACE I. Individual competition; rules of Amateur Athletic Union of the United States. Placing potatoes on marked spots; gathering... Potato Rac I (For individual competitors) _2 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The simpler and usual Potato Race is played in two forms: (I), the players competing as individuals; and (II), ... Potato Rac II (Team competition) _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; seashore._ The first description here given is for an informal game. This is followed by the rules for strict athletic procedure. The ... Potato Shuttle Relay _20 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; seashore._ This first description is for an informal game. This is followed by rules for an athletic contest. This is a form of potato race suitable for large n... Potato Spoon Race _6 to 60 players._ _Parlor; playground; gymnasium._ This is a form of potato race that may afford much amusement, especially for indoor companies. The players are divided into two or more groups which compet... Prisoner's Base Prisoner's Base is one of the most popular games for both boys and girls who are beginning to care for team organization, and is capital for adults. It gives opportunity for vigorous exercise ... Puss In A Corner _5 to 30 or more players._ _Schoolroom; playground; gymnasium._ All of the players but one are disposed in the corners or at convenient goals that will answer the same purpose. The odd player goes from one t... Puss In The Circle _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A large circle is marked on the ground or floor. One player, who is Puss, stands in the center of this circle; the other players stand outside of the circ... Railroad Train _10 to 100 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom; out of doors._ Each player is named for some object on a train, such as engine, baggage car, dining car, smokestack, boiler, cylinders, wheels, oil, coal, engineer, ... Red Lion _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A place is marked out at one side or end of the ground called the den. In this stands one player who is called Red Lion. The other players choose one of th... Ring-a-lievio (Ring-a-lee-ve-o) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors._ This is a form of Hide and Seek in opposing parties. Players who are caught are prisoners and may be freed as described. The me... Ringmaster _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ This may be made a very amusing game for young children. One is chosen for ringmaster and stands in the center. If he can flourish a whip like a true ring... Robbers And Soldiers _10 to 100 players._ _Out of doors._ This game is best played in the country, where there are woods in which the robbers may hide. The players are divided between robbers and soldiers, there bein... Rolling Target _2 to 30 players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ This game consists in shooting or hurling through a rolling hoop a stick or gymnasium wand. The hoop may be from six inches to two feet in diameter. The smaller ho... Round And Round Went The Gallant Ship _4 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is a simple little game for very little children, consisting simply in dancing around in a circle with clasped hands as the following verse is recited... Run Sheep Run! _10 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors._ This is a form of hide-and-seek, but the hiding and the seeking are done by parties instead of individually, each party acting under the direction o... Saddle The Nag _6 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game of leapfrog. The players are divided into equal parties, with a chief for each. One of the chiefs stands with his back to a wall or fence, a... Sardines _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; house party._ This is a game of hide and seek that reverses some of the usual methods of playing the game. The player chosen to be It, instead of blinding goes out hi... Schoolroom Tag _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ A circle about three feet in diameter is drawn on the floor in the front of the room and serves as a goal. One player is chosen to be It, and stands ten feet from the goal. ... Shadow Tag _4 to 60 players._ _Out of doors._ This is a very pretty form of tag, suitable for little children, and they delight in playing it. It hardly need be said that it requires a sunny day. The ... Shuttle Relay (Double Relay) _20 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This form of relay race is especially adapted to large numbers in limited space. The action is more rapid than in the single rel... Siege _10 to 30 players._ _Out of doors; barn._ This game is suitable for a barn; the greater the number of open doors and windows available in the barn the better. The players are divided into two equal parties... Single Relay Race _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game differs from the track event known as a Relay Race. The form here given is one of the best for engaging in strenuous exercise all of a l... Skin The Goat _6 to 20 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game of leapfrog, differing from Saddle the Nag in the gradual lengthening of the line of backs, though there are similar features... Skyte The Bob _2 to 10 players._ _Playground; seashore._ _Note. The word "skyte" means a sharp, glancing blow, and as here used indicates the way in which the stones are thrown at the "bob." This game i... Slap Catch (Hands Up) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players stand in a circle, with one in the center. Those in the circle bend their elbows, which should touch the sides, and e... Slap Jack (Herr Slap Jack; Skipaway) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ The players stand in a circle, clasping hands. One player runs around the outside of the circle and tags another as h... Slipper Slap _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This game is played with a slipper, or a piece of paper folded in several thicknesses to present a surface of about three by eight inches, firm but flexib... Smuggling The Geg _10 or 30 to more players._ _Out of doors._ This is an old Scotch game, evidently an outgrowth of smuggling. The "geg" is a small treasure or object easily handled, such as a pocket knife, key... Snow Dart _2 to 10 players._ _For the snow._ This game is played with a wooden dart about eight inches long, whittled out of wood about the size of a broomstick, pointed abruptly at one end, and sloping gradually to t... Snow Snake _2 to 10 or more players._ _For the snow._ This game is played by skimming or skipping sticks over the hard surface of the snow, as stones are skipped over the water. Each player is provided with from three ... Spanish Fly _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game of leapfrog in which the leader (first over) sets feats for the others to perform, as in Follow the Leader, any player who fails taking the ... Spans _2 to 10 players._ _Out of doors; indoors._ This is a game played by snapping buttons against a wall, their landing point determining a score. Each player has a button. One of the players lays his button on ... Spin The Platter _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ All the players are numbered and seated in a circle, except one, who stands in the center and twirls a platter, tray, or some other round object. As he... Spooning _10 to 30 players._ _Children's party; adult house party._ All but one of the players stand in a circle. The odd player is blindfolded and placed in the center. He is given two silver tablespoons. The player... Squirrel And Nut _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ All of the pupils but one sit at their desks with heads bowed on the arms as though sleeping, but each with a hand outstretched. The odd player, who is the squirrel, and car... Squirrel In Trees _10 to 100 players._ _Schoolroom; playground; gymnasium._ This game is very like Hound and Rabbit, but is a little less exciting, and under some circumstances better adapted to very young children. Most o... Stage Coach _10 to 60 or more players._ _Parlor; schoolroom; gymnasium._ A leader is chosen who has a faculty for telling a story. This leader gives to each of the players the name of some part of a stage coach or of it... Stake Guard _10 to 30 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game is one of the forms of Duck on a Rock, and in this form is well adapted to use indoors as well as out of doors. The game differs fr... Stealing Sticks _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The ground is divided into two equal parts, with a small goal marked off at the rear of each part, in which six sticks are placed. Each player who r... Step _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The ground is marked off by two parallel lines from fifty to two hundred feet apart. One player, who is chosen to be counter, stands on one of these lines ... Still Pond No More Moving! (Still water, still water, stop!) _5 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground._ One player is blindfolded; the others scatter promiscuously. The blindfolded player is led to the center of the... Stone _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ A large circle is drawn on the ground or floor in the center of the play space. At either end of the ground a goal is marked off. One player, chosen to be... Stoop Tag ("Squat" Tag) _4 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ One player is It and chases the others, trying to tag one of them. A player may escape being tagged by suddenly stooping or "squatting"; b... Sun Dial _2 to 10 players._ _Gymnasium; playground; seashore._ A circle from twelve to twenty feet in diameter is drawn on the ground. This is intersected with straight lines, like the spokes of a wheel, which divide... Tag The game of plain, old-fashioned Tag may be made great sport, especially if suddenly and unexpectedly commenced in a group of players when other interests seem to lag. The game has many vari... Tag 2 _4 to 60 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ Tag in its simplest form may be started by any one of a group of players suddenly turning to another, touching (tagging) him and saying "You're It!" when all must ... Tag The Wall Relay _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ The players should all be seated, an even number in each row of seats. At a signal, the last player in each line runs forward and tags the front wall. As soon as this player... Ten Steps _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; indoors._ This is a game of hide and seek and like all such games is best played where there is plenty of space and many hiding places. The distinctive feature of thi... Thimble Ring _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ All of the players but one stand in a circle, each one clasping with his left hand the right wrist of his left-hand neighbor. This leaves all of the right... Third Man _15 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game is another form of the game commonly known as Three Deep, but instead of being played in the circular formation, the players are s... Third Slap _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players should be divided into groups of from five to ten each. One in each group is chosen to be It; the others line up in front of him, a... Three Deep _15 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game is one of the standard favorites for both children and adults. All of the players but two form in a double ring, facing inward; that is, in two... Tommy Tiddler's Ground _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The ground is divided by a line into two equal parts. One of these belongs to Tommy Tiddler, who stands on his side of the line and may not cross it. All o... Tossing Wands _10 to 60 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ This game is played in two forms, line form and circle form. LINE FORM The players stand in two lines or ranks facing each other, all those... Trades _10 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This game is the boys' form of the game played by girls as "Old Woman from the Woods." The players divide into two equal parties. One party retires and de... Tree Party _5 to 60 players._ _Out of doors._ In these days of nature study this game is especially appropriate. It may be used on any ground or strip of woodland where there is a variety of trees, the game consisting ... Triple Change _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ The players form a circle, with the exception of three who stand in the center. Those forming the circle and those in the center number off in thr... Tug Of War (See _Catch and Pull Tug of War_ and _Wand Tug of War_; also _Contests for Two_, under "Feats and Forfeits.") ... Under The Cuckoo's Nest _5 to 30 players._ _House party; out of doors._ One player is chosen as leader, and stands up, generally with his back against a wall or post, while a second player, who is the cuckoo, bends down, as for lea... Vaulting Seats _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This game is played the same as Changing Seats, except that the pupils vault over the seats instead of sitting in them. The game may be played anywhere above the third year.... Wand Race _10 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ An objective line, fence, or wall is chosen, and from ten to twenty feet from it and parallel with it a starting line is drawn. The players st... Wand Tug Of War _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game is played with wooden gymnastic wands, from three to five feet in length, and not less then one inch in diameter. There should be half as many wands as... Water Sprite _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ The players stand in two lines facing each other, with a large open space representing a river between. One player, representing the water sprite, stands ... Weather Cock _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This game, besides offering much sport, may be made to serve a useful purpose in familiarizing children with the points of the compass. The class having learned which dire... Wee Bologna Man _2 to 60 or more players._ _Parlor; playground; schoolroom._ "I'm the wee Bologna Man. Always do the best you can, To follow the wee Bologna Man." A leader who can be very brisk in movement ... Whip Tag (Light the Candle; Beetle-goes-Round) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This game may be played with a knotted towel, though it is perhaps more skillful and interesting when played with ... Who Goes Round My Stone Wall? _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ There are two ways of playing this game. The one first described is better suited to schools and general playground conditions; the second ... Wink _9 to 25 players._ _House party._ An uneven number of players are required for this game. Enough chairs are placed in a circle to allow one chair to each two players and one for the odd player, that is, half... Wolf _5 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors._ This is an admirable hide and seek game where there are many hiding places, as in a village or the country. One player is chosen for the wolf, who goes off and hi... Wood Tag _3 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors; gymnasium._ This is a game of tag. When there are more than thirty players, it is desirable to have two or more who are It, or taggers. The players venture as near a... Yards Off _3 to 30 or more players._ _Out of doors._ This is a form of I Spy or Hide and Seek, and seems indigenous to New York. All players properly caught by the spy become prisoners, but may be freed... Author's Initials _2 to 60 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ Each player is given a piece of paper on which is written various series or groups of words, each group descriptive of some author, and each word beginning with one o... B Game _5 to 30 or more players._ _House party._ Each player is given a sheet of paper with numbered questions prepared like the following list. The answer to each question is to be written opposite it, and must co... Bargain Counter _5 to 30 or more players._ _House party._ Each player is provided with a paper and pencil. The following is either written on the papers in advance, or by the players from dictation, minus the underscoring. ... Beast Bird Or Fish _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ The players stand or are seated, preferably in a circle. One player stands or sits in the center with a soft ball, made by crushing pap... Buzz _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom; parlor._ This is a quiet game, as distinguished from those requiring much muscular activity. One of the players starts the game by saying "One"; ... Cake Sale _Any number._ _Parlor._ Each player is given a card or sheet of paper prepared with the following questions, or they may be dictated at the time. The one wins who has the largest number of answers correct. ... Cat Party _5 to 30 or more players._ _House party._ Each player is provided with a sheet of paper on which are written the following questions. Each question is to be answered with a word, of which the first syllable ... Crambo _10 to 30 players._ _House party._ Each player is provided with two slips of paper, and also with another full sheet of paper and a pencil. On one of the slips he writes a question. This may be as serious or... Cross Questions _10 to 60 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ All but one of the players sit in two rows facing each other, those directly opposite each other being partners. The odd player walks around the rows behind the othe... Dumb Crambo _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor._ The players are divided into two parties. One party goes outside of the room, and those remaining choose some verb, which is to be guessed and acted by the other party. ... Find The Ring _10 to 30 or more players._ _Parlor; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The players sit in a circle, holding in their hands a long piece of string tied at the ends so as to form a circle large enough to go around, a sm... Flower Match _2 to 10 players._ _Out of doors._ This is one of the pretty Oriental games recorded from Korea by Mr. Culin, and is played by the children of that country, Japan, and China. The players ea... Grass Blade _2 to 10 players._ _Out of doors._ This is a pretty game for little children, recorded by Mr. Culin, as played by the children of Japan, China, and Korea. Each child gathers a handful of grass, t... Hands Up Hands Down _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This is a schoolroom adaptation of Up Jenkins, and is designed especially for use as children assemble in a class room before the opening of the school session. The only mat... 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 introduc... 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 thei... 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 prese... 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. ... 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. Th... 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 ru... Longfellow 1. What poem is it that helps to shoe your horse The Village Blacksmith. 2. The poem that needs an umbrella The Rainy Day. An April Day. 3. The poem that carries you across The Bridg... London _2 players._ _Indoors; schoolroom; seashore._ This is a quiet game in which the players are all seated. A diagram is drawn on a slate or piece of paper of oblong shape, about six by ten inches in outside ... Minister's Cat The _Any number of players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ The first player says, "The minister's cat is an avaricious cat," using an adjective which begins with "a" to describe the cat. The next player makes a remark... Music Box _3 to 60 players._ _House party; schoolroom; playground._ Each player is given a slip of paper and pencil. Some one who has a good repertoire of popular airs sits at the pian or lacking a piano, may sing wi... My Lady's Lap Dog _5 to 30 of more players._ _Parlor._ My lady's lapdog. Two plump partridges and my lady's lapdog. Three great elephants, two plump partridges, and my lady's lapdog. Four Pers... Naughts And Crosses _2 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ A diagram is drawn on a slate, paper, or the ground, and consists of two vertical lines, crossed by two horizontal lines. One player chooses to write "naughts" (o) an... Nimble Squirrel _Any number of players._ _Schoolroom; parlor; playground._ This is a device for mental arithmetic. It is one of which children are very fond. As the play element may enter very largely into th... Penny Wise _5 to 30 players._ _House party._ Each player is provided with a bright new penny (of design prior to 1909), a piece of paper, and a pencil. On the paper are written beforehand, or to dictation, the followin... Planting A Garden _5 to 30 or more players._ _House party._ Each player is provided with a sheet of paper and a pencil. The game consists in one player writing down something that he has planted and the next player stating wh... Prince Of Paris _10 to 30 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ A player is chosen as leader; the others are numbered consecutively from one up, and are all seated. The leader, standing in front, says, "The Prince of Paris has ... Recognition _Any number of players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ Each player is given a card or slip prepared with the following questions, or the list may be dictated at the time. What famous persons, historical or mythica... Scat _2 players._ _Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._ One player holds on his upturned palm a ruler, a paper knife, or a small thin strip of wood. The other player takes this quickly and tries to "scat" or hit t... Seeking For Gold _5 to 15 players._ _Out of doors; seashore._ A handful of small pebbles is collected, and the players sit on the ground in a circle. One of the players scatters the pebbles on the ground in the center of the... Shakespearean Romance A _Any number of players._ _House party; schoolroom._ Each player is provided with a sheet of paper prepared with the following questions, or the questions may be dictated at the time. Each question is to be a... Simon Says _2 to 60 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ The players sit around a table, or if played in the schoolroom, sit at their respective desks. Each player makes a fist of each hand with the thumb extended. One is c... Sketches _3 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom; parlor._ The game here described for use with history may be used simply as a diversion in describing animals or any inanimate objects; or it may be used to cor... Tidbits Farmer The _5 to 30 players._ _House party._ Each player should be given a card or slip of paper on which the following verses are written, the last of each line being left blank. The game consists in filling in the bl... Tip Tap Toe _2 to 8 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ INDOORS A circle is drawn on a slate or paper, the size of it varying with the number of players, a larger circle being desirable for a large number of players. Th... Up Jenkins! _6 to 20 or more players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ This is one of the most popular current games among young people, being usually played to the accompaniment of much laughter and intense interest. It consists... What Is My Thought Like? _5 to 30 players._ _Children's party; house party; playground._ The players are seated in a circle or any convenient group. One of the number decides upon a "thought"; that is, he thinks of some person, obje... Woodland Lovers The _5 to 30 or more players._ _House party._ Each player is given a paper on which the following is written or dictated, the words in parentheses being omitted and a blank space left. The game consists in each ... Zoo _5 to 10 players._ _Parlor; schoolroom._ Each player is provided with ten slips of paper, numbered conspicuously from one to ten, but arranged irregularly in a pile. The players gather around a table or sit ... Contests For Two: Wrestling Matches And Tugs Of War The following group of wrestling matches and races make a very interesting and vigorous form of game with which to close a lesson in formal gymnastics. For instance, if pupils are in a formation that admits of imme... Races ESKIMO RACE ON ALL FOURS The performers stand with hands and feet on the floor, the knees stiff, the hands clinched and resting on the knuckles. The elbows should be stiff. In this position a race is run, or rathe... Miscellaneous Feats ANKLE THROW This feat consists in tossing some object over the head from behind with the feet. A bean bag, book, or basket ball, is held firmly between the ankles. With a sudden jump, the feet are kicked backward ... Forfeits Many of the things described in the previous section of this chapter may be used as forfeits. Forfeits are used in many games as a penalty for failure, and may be an occasion for much merrimen... Did You Ever See A Lassie? _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ This is a game for very little children, and with a little suggestion as to the exercises or movements to be illustrated by the "lassie," may be the sourc... Draw A Bucket Of Water _4 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This game is played in groups of four, generally by girls. Two players face each other, clasping hands at full arm's length. The other two face each other ... Farmer In The Dell _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ The farmer in the dell, The farmer in the dell, Heigh-o! the cherry-oh! The farmer in the dell. The farmer takes a wife, ... Hunting _10 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This game is especially enjoyed by little boys, for whom there is a comparatively small number of appropriate singing games. The players all s... Itiskit Itasket _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is a form of Drop the Handkerchief, differing somewhat in play, and also in that a verse is sung with the game. All of the players but one stand in... Keep Moving _5 to 60 players._ _Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._ One player is chosen as leader. He repeats or sings the following formula, at the same time going through the motions indicated. The other players must... King Of France The _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ The King of France with forty thousand men Marched up the hill and then marched down again. The players stand in two rows or groups facing... Kitty White _10 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is an admirable game for very little children. Their dramatic tendency should be given full rein in impersonating the soft movements of the kitty and... Leaves Are Green _4 to 60 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is a game for small children. The players join hands and form a ring. They dance around in a circle in time to the music, singing to the air of "Mulberry bush... Let The Feet Go Tramp _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ Let the feet go tramp! tramp! tramp! Let the hands go clap! clap! clap! Let the finger beckon thee. Come, dear friend, and skip with ... London Bridge _6 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady! Build it up with iron... Looby Loo _5 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ Here we dance, looby, looby, looby. Here we dance, looby, looby, light. Here we dance, looby, looby, looby, loo, Every Saturday night.... Muffin Man _6 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ The players stand in a circle, with one or more in the center. The circle dances around and sings the first two lines of the following verse. They then sta... Mulberry Bush _6 to 60 players or more._ _Indoors; out of doors._ Here we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, Here we go round the mulberry bush, So early in the morning!... Nuts In May _6 to 60 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ (Sung to the air of "Mulberry Bush") Here we come gathering nuts in May, Nuts in May, nuts in May. Here we come gathering nuts in May, ... Oats Peas Beans _6 to 60 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ Oats, peas, beans, and barley grows, Oats, peas, beans, and barley grows. Nor you nor I nor nobody knows How oats, peas, beans, and barley grows... Round And Round The Village _6 to 30 or more players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ Go round and round the village, Go round and round the village, Go round and round the village, Go as we have done before. Go in an... Snail _10 to 60 players._ _Indoors; out of doors._ This is a favorite game with very little children. For large numbers each verse may be repeated as needed to complete the winding or unwinding of the line. ... Specifications For Balls Bean Bags Marking Grounds Etc BALLOONS Gas balloons have been found very useful for quite a large class of games, and are specially suitable for use in the schoolroom or parlor, though they may also be used out of doors. The balloons are the... Marking Grounds Where boundary lines are important in a game and need to be seen from a distance, as in many ball games, they should be plainly marked. On a gymnasium floor black paint for permanent diagrams is the best. For out o... Bag Pile _10 to 100 players._ _Gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; oat sacks._ The players are divided into two or more equal parties which line up in ranks. Near the front end of each rank is a pile of... Bean Bag And Basket Relay _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ Each player is provided with a bean bag. A waste-paper basket or a box is placed on the floor near the blackboard in front of each aisle. In line horizontally with the forwa... Bean Bag Board (Faba Gaba) _2 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ This game consists in throwing bean bags through holes in an inclined board. The board should be preferably eighteen inches wide ... Bean Bag Box _2 to 20 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ A small box measuring not less than six inches square should be fastened inside of one about twice the size and that in a third, leaving at lea... Bean Bag Circle Toss _10 to 30 or more players._ _Gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; balls._ There should be a bean bag for each of the players except one. All of the players form a circle, separated from each oth... Bean Bag Ring Throw _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; seashore; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; blocks of wood; stones; shells._ This game may be played with bean bags, or when out of doors, especially at the seash... Catch Basket _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Bean bags; gas ball._ The class stands in a circle around the room, each half constituting a team with a leader at one end. On a desk in the center of the room is placed... Criss-cross Goal _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ The class is divided into two teams. Each team is divided into two lines, which stand facing each other, as shown in the diagram. A waste basket is placed on the teacher's... Desk Relay _20 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Bean bags._ The pupils sit on their desks facing the rear of the room and with the toes caught under the seats. The rear player on each line holds a bean bag. At a signa... Fetch And Carry _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom; playground._ _Bean bags._ Each pupil is provided with a bean bag. A circle about fifteen inches in diameter is drawn with chalk on the floor directly in front of each aisl... Hand Over Head Bean Bag _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ This is a relay passing race, the different rows of pupils competing with each other in passing bean bags backward over the head. The players should all be seated, there b... Jump The Bean Bag _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ The class is divided into two equal divisions or teams. The teams stand in opposite outside aisles and face the center of the room. The game consists in a contest between th... Passing Relays There are several forms of this game, some of which are suited only to young children; others may be full of sport and interest for adults. The games may be adapted to comparatively small numbers or very large nu... Passing Race _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; dumb-bells._ The players stand in ranks, and bags are passed from one to another player down each line, starting on a signal for the fi... Pass And Toss Relay Single Line _16 to 60 players._ _Gymnasium; playground; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; oat sacks._ The players stand in two or more even ranks, facing sideways. The players at either end step one long pace forward of the... Pass And Toss Relay Double Line _16 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; oat sacks._ The players are divided into two equal groups which compete against each other. Each group is divided into two lines or rank... Target Toss _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; seashore; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Bean bags; stones; shells._ Three concentric circles should be drawn on the ground or floor, after the idea of a target. Their size will ... Teacher And Class _5 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; class room._ _Bean bags; balls._ This game may be played with either bean bags or balls, and is one of the simplest and earliest tossing games, being generally us... Vaulting Relay _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Bean Bags._ The players stand in line in the aisles between the desks, all facing to the right or left (facing open windows preferred). The first player at the front ... All Run _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; bean bag._ This game is played with a hand ball or basket ball and is a gymnasium adaptation of the wall ball game known as "Burley Whush" o... Arch Ball _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Basket ball; bean bag; oat sack; any substitute._ This game is very similar to Pass Ball, but is here described under another name, as it differs ... Arch Goal Ball _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ The players are divided into groups, and line up in single file in two or more lines facing a basket ball goal or any substitute. Each line has ... Ball Chase _4 to 20 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball or substitute._ A row of caps is set against a wall or fence, or a series of holes dug in the ground. At a point ten or twenty feet from these all of ... Balloon Ball _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Inflated balloon._ There are two goals, each consisting of a string stretched on opposite sides of the room from front to rear, at a height of six feet. There may be any... Balloon Goal _10 to 100 players._ _Schoolroom; parlor; gymnasium._ _Inflated balloon._ The game is played with two toy balloons, preferably twelve inches in diameter, one red and one blue, which are struck with the ... Ball Puss _3 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Gas ball; basket ball; hand ball; bean bag._ This is a form of ball tag. In it each player chooses a home or corner, as in Puss in the Corne... Ball Stand (Burley Whush) _5 to 20 players._ _Out of doors; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; tennis ball._ This game is started by tossing a ball against a wall or on the roof of a house from which it may roll back. The pl... Ball Tag _3 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Gas ball; bean bag; basket ball; hand ball._ There are several forms of ball tag, each quite distinctive, and all interesting and making g... Basket Ball Distance Throw _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ This is an interesting and simple athletic event, as well as a good game. It is especially useful for players drilling on the ... Battle Ball _6 to 12 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; Indian clubs._ This is one of the best and most interesting of the simpler team games. Briefly stated, it consists in trying to dislodge ... Bombardment _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; Indian clubs._ This game resembles Battle Ball in that it consists in trying to overturn Indian clubs or tenpins set up in the opponents' cour... Boundary Ball _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ GROUND The ground should measure about twenty feet in width by forty in length, and should be divided in half by a line, marked across it. P... Bound Ball _10 to 30 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Tennis ball; hand ball._ This game somewhat resembles tennis, but is played over a lower dividing line, and the ball is batted with the hand instead of with a ... Call Ball _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball._ The players are numbered and scatter promiscuously over the playground or gymnasium. One tosses a ball, at the same time calling the numb... Captain Ball Captain Ball is one of the best and most popular games for both children and adults, boys and girls. It is one of the most useful forms of games for the period when pupils are beginning to enj... Captain Bal I _14 players._ _Basket ball; volley ball._ I] This is in some respects a simpler form of Captain Ball than those that follow, as there are but three bases or homes on each side of the field, and the ca... Captain Bal II _18 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; volley ball._ The distinctive features of this form of Captain Ball are: (1) the captain occupies a place in the circumference of the circle a... Captain Bal III _20 to 40 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; volley ball._ This form of Captain Ball is the most strenuous of any, as freer mass play is encouraged among the guards, and there ... Emperor Ball (Captain Bal IV) _30 to 40 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ This game is really a form of Captain Ball, but differs from any of the previous forms in the following points ... Progressive Captain Ball (Captain Bal V) _20 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ This game differs from any other form of Captain Ball in the fact that the players progress after each score from b... Schoolroom Captain Ball _10 to 60 players._ _Gas ball._ TEAM TEAM {_B_ = Bases. {(B) = Bases. I. {_C_ = Captain. II. {(C) = Captain. {_X_ = Guards. {(X) = Gua... Center Base _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; basket ball._ All of the players but one form a circle, with considerable space between each two. The odd player stands in the center, holdi... Center Catch Ball _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; basket ball; bean bag._ I. Simple form for little children. All of the players but one stand in a circle, with two or three feet distance... Center Club Bowls _; _Line Club Bowls (Double)_; _Circle Club Bowls_.) _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; bean bag._ The players join in a large circle and number by twos or consecutively... Circle Ball _10 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Hand ball; basket ball; bean bag._ The players stand in a circle with from three to five feet between each two. The game consists of mere... Circle Club Bowls _; _Line Club Bowls (Double)_; _Center Club Bowls_.) _6 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; football; Indian clubs._ The players divide into two parties and take their place... Circle Stride Ball _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Foot ball; basket ball._ All but one of the players form a circle, standing in stride position with feet touching those of the next players to make a b... Club Bowls Four forms of this game are given in this volume in alphabetic order. Two are in line formation and two in circle formation, as follows 1. Line Club Bowls (Single) (Relay formation, one c... Corner Ball _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; volley ball._ GROUND The ground is marked off into a space measuring at least twenty-five by thirty feet. This is divided across the c... Corner Spry _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Balls; bean bags._ The players are divided into four groups, one group stationed in each corner called North, South, East, and West. Four captai... Crackabout _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Soft hand ball._ The players scatter over the playground, trying to get as far away as possible from the one who has the ball. He throws it at one of the play... Curtain Ball _10 to 100 players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ _Basket ball; volley ball._ This is one of the most interesting ball games and is adaptable to many conditions. For instance, where a curtain cannot be conveni... Dead Ball _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Gas ball; bean bags._ This game may be played with balls or bean bags. If with balls, a light gas ball is preferable, as for all schoolroom games. From one to three ball... Dodgeball This is one of the most popular gymnasium or playground games. It is here described first for an informal game; then in three forms for an athletic contest, the latter as developed by Mr. Will... Dodgeball Informal (Informal) _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ This game is a very popular gymnasium or playground game. An informal mode of play is here described. For match games ... Circle Dodgeball _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ GROUND A circle is drawn on the ground. For practice play, a temporary marking may most quickly be made by the players forming a circle, droppi... Double Dodgeball _20 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ The game is played by two opposing teams in a three-court field, instead of by three teams in such a field as in Progressive Dodgeball. One team... Progressive Dodgeball _15 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ GROUND The ground is divided into three equal courts, each 30 x 30 feet. The end courts may be shorter if full space be not available. TE... Schoolroom Dodgeball _10 to 60 players._ _Gas Ball._ The players are evenly divided into two teams. One team takes its place around the outer edge of the room; the players of the other team scatter through the aisles or seats, w... Double Corner Ball _14 to 100 players._ _Gymnasium; playground._ _2 basket balls._ This game is one of the comparatively few in which a large number of players may be kept actively engaged at the same time. T... Drive Ball _10 to 30 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; volley ball._ This is one of the most interesting games for players beginning to care for team work. The writer has known some boys to play the ga... Fist Ball _6 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; parlor._ _Volley ball; basket ball; gas ball._ This game is very similar to Volley Ball, but differs from that game in the fact that the ball is... Football Tag _5 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Football._ Each of the players has three points at the beginning of the game. The players are scattered promiscuously over the ground or gymnasium. One ... Hand Ball Drill (Preliminary Ball) _1 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; bean bags._ When little children first begin to handle a ball the size of an ordinary hand ball, the acquirement of ... Hand Football _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ GROUND The ground should be marked off with boundary lines, which should inclose a space at least fifty feet long by twenty or twenty-f... Home Run _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Gas balls or bean bags._ Arrange the players so that all the rows are filled and the same number in each row. No. 1 in each row has a bean bag or ball, and at the word "... Line Ball _10 to 60 or more players._ _Schoolroom._ _Gas balls; bean bags._ For this game a line should be drawn on the floor across the front of the schoolroom, a short distance in front of the blackboard. One pla... Line Club Bowls Double _; _Center Club Bowls_; _Circle Club Bowls_.) _2 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Hand ball; bean bag; Indian clubs._ This game is like Single Club Bowls, except that... Line Club Bowls Single _; _Center Club Bowls_; _Circle Club Bowls_.) _2 to 60 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Basket ball; hand ball; bean bag; Indian club._ This game differs from Double Club B... Mount Ball _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball; hand ball._ This is a game of ball played by half of the players while mounted on the backs of the other players. It is therefore desirable that ... Nine-court Basket Ball _18 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ This is one of the comparatively few games that gives a large amount of activity to a large number of players playing at the same... Over And Under Relay _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Balls; bean bags; substitutes._ This game is a combination of Arch Ball and Stride Ball. The players stand in two or more files, the files ... Overtake _20 to 60 players._ _2 balls or bean bags._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ OBJECTS OF GAME This is a toss and catch game between a captain and the players of his team who are lined up around a squar... Pass Ball Relay _10 to 100 players. Playground; gymnasium. Basket ball._ Any number of teams may compete, but should contain an equal number of players. The teams line up in single file, and the game consists in a competit... Pig In A Hole _10 to 60 players._ _Playground; seashore; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ Each player should be provided with a stick about three feet long. This may be made by whittling branches, or a gymnasium wand or pi... Ring Call Ball _10 to 30 or more players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; bean bag._ This game is similar in some respects to Call Ball, but being played in a circle formation, is much simpler and less difficult ... Roley Poley (Hat Ball) _5 to 20 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball; bean bag._ A row of holes three or four inches in diameter is made in the ground, with about one foot space between. There should be on... Round Ball _20 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Hand ball; basket ball._ This is an advanced form of Circle Ball, there being two competing teams in a circle, with wide spaces between. The pla... Russian Hole Ball _3 to 10 players._ _Out of doors; seashore; snow._ _Ball; bean bag; stone._ This game is played with one small ball, in size anywhere from that of a golf to a tennis ball. If played in the snow, a hard fro... Schoolroom Volley Ball _10 to 60 players._ _Gas ball._ The players are divided into two teams, and the players in each team number consecutively. A net or string is placed across the schoolroom, dividing it into two equal parts. T... Spud _10 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Any soft ball or bean bag._ This is a combination of Call Ball and Ball Tag, with scoring and penalties added. It is very popular with boys of almost any age.... Square Ball _8 to 32 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Basket ball._ GROUND The ground is marked out in one large square with a base at each corner, and, should there be enough players, with bases at intervening p... Stool Ball _5 to 20 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Hand ball._ A stool, box, or inverted pail is set in an open place, and from ten to twenty feet away from this a throwing line is drawn. One player is appointe... Stride Ball (Straddle Club) _10 to 100 players._ _Playground or gymnasium._ _Any ball; indian club; bean bag._ The players are divided into two or more groups which compete against each other, each having a ball. E... Ten Trips _6 to 21 players._ _Playground._ _Baseball; tennis ball._ This game is a competition between two or more teams, and consists in rapid pitching and catching of a base or tennis ball by each team. A team ... Tether Ball _2 to 8 players._ _Out of doors._ This is one of the most delightful and vigorous games, especially adapted to small playing space, a plot twenty feet square being enough for it. The paraphernalia for the ga... Three Holes _2 to 10 or more players._ _Out of doors; seashore._ _Small ball._ This game is played by rolling a ball about the size of a golf ball into holes made in the ground. Three holes are made by spinning on the... Toss Ball _10 to 60 players._ _Schoolroom._ _Gas ball; bean bag._ This game should be played with a light gas ball or a bean bag, which the teacher holds, standing in the front of the room. All of the players are s... Tree Ball _5 to 15 or more players._ _Out of doors._ _Football; hand ball; bean bag._ This game is a form of Ball Tag, and may be played with any light-weight football, or with a bag or sack filled with leaves or g... Volley Ball _2 to 30 players._ _Playground; gymnasium._ _Volley ball._ This game consists in keeping a large ball in motion back and forth across a high net by striking it with the open palm. The ball must not be all... Wall Ball Drill _2 to 10 players._ _Out of doors; gymnasium._ _Hand ball._ This drill consists in throwing a ball against a wall, and catching it, with the following variations. It may be used for individu... Circle Zigzag _12 to 60 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Basket ball; hand ball; bean bag._ This is a game of zigzag ball (or bean bag) between concentric circles, two balls being used, going in opposite ... Line Zigza I _20 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Any ball; bean bag._ The players are divided into two or more groups which compete against each other. Each group is divided into two ranks, th... Line Zigza II _20 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Any ball; bean bag._ II] In this form of zigzag ball the players are all in two ranks, which comprise two competing teams, rathe... Line Zigza III (Double Zigzag) _20 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Any ball; bean bag._ This form of zigzag ball is a combination of the two previously described. The players a... Zigzag Overhead Toss _20 to 100 players._ _Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._ _Hand ball; basket ball; bean bag._ This game is a variation of Zigzag Ball, and is more difficult and interesting for older players. The players a... |
