School, Church, and Home Games

Cat and Mouse
One pupil is designated to play the role of cat, another that of mouse. The mouse can escape the cat by sitting in the seat with some other pupil. Thereupon that pupil becomes mouse. Should the cat tag a mouse befo...

Aviation Meet
Three pupils constitute a team. Two are mechanicians, one the aviator. Each team is to have a piece of string about 25 feet long, free from knots. A small cornucopia of paper is placed upon each string. The mechani...

Button Button
The pupils sit or stand in a circle with their hands in front of them, palms together. The one who has been selected to be "It" takes a position in the center of the circle, with his hands in a similar position. A ...

Bee
Some object is determined upon for hiding, such as a coin, a button, a thimble, etc. A pupil is sent from the room. During his absence the object is hidden. Upon his return the children buzz vigorously when he is n...

Hide in Sight
In this game all of the pupils except one are sent from the room. The one left in the room hides a coin, or some similar object, somewhere in plain sight. It must be visible without having to move any object. When ...

Colors
A certain color is determined upon. Each pupil in turn must name some object which is of that color. Failing to do this he goes to the foot of the line, provided some one beyond him can think of any object of that ...

I See Red
One pupil is given the privilege of thinking of some object in the room, of which he discloses the color to the rest of the pupils. For example, if he sees a red apple he says, "I see red." Thereupon the other pupi...

Hide the Clock
This is a good quiet game for the schoolroom. A loud ticking clock is necessary for the game. All of the pupils are sent from the room. One of their number is selected to hide the clock. The others, upon coming bac...

Poison Seat
The children all endeavor to shift seats at the clapping of the hands of the teacher. Have one less seat than pupils, so that one may be left without a seat. This can be arranged by placing a book on one seat and c...

Aisle Hunt
Some object--a coin will do--is selected to be hidden. The children of one of the aisles leave the room, the others determine upon a hiding place and hide the coin in plain sight. Those out of the room are called b...

New Orleans
The pupils of the room are divided into two groups. One side decides upon some action it will represent, such as sawing wood, washing clothes, etc., and thereupon represents the action. The other group has five cha...

Birds Fly
This is an attention game. The teacher stands before the class and instructs them that if she mentions some bird or object which flies and raises her arms sideward, imitating the flapping of the wings of a bird, th...

Music Rush
A march is played on the piano and the children march from their seats in single file around the room. As soon as the music stops, all rush to get into their seats. The last one in, must remain in his seat during t...

Change Seat Relay
The teacher claps her hands. This is the signal for all to shift one seat back. The one in the rear seat runs forward and sits in the front seat. The first aisle to become properly seated wins one point. Again the ...

Charlie over the Water
This is an old game and is always popular. The children form a ring, joining hands. One is selected to be "It" and takes his place in the center. Those in the ring then dance around, singing, "Charlie, over t...

Tap Relay
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. All bend their heads forward, placing their faces in the palms of their hands on the top of the desk. At the signal to go, given by the teacher, the one in the last seat ...

Ratatat Race
Similar to the preceding race with the exception that upon the signal to go the one in the back seat knocks with the knuckles of his right hand on the top of the desk a "rat-tat, rat-tat-tat," as in a drum beat, an...

Bowing Race
A book is handed to the pupil in the last seat of each aisle. At the signal to go the pupils holding the book step into the aisle at the right hand side of their desks, holding the books on the tops of their heads ...

Spin Around Race
A boy is selected from each aisle to take his place at least six feet in front of the aisle. Upon the signal to go, the last boy in each aisle runs forward to the right of his desk and links his left arm in the rig...

Initial Tag
A pupil who is "It" is sent to the board. He writes thereupon the initial of some other pupil in the room. That pupil is to try to tag "It" before he can return to his seat. If successful, he becomes "It" and conti...

Magic Music
One pupil is sent from the room. Thereupon the remaining pupils hide some object agreed upon. The pupil sent from the room is recalled. The teacher or one of the pupils plays the piano loudly when the seeker approa...

Hunt the Rattler
All of the players in the room are blindfolded, except one, who is given a tin can in which is placed a loose pebble. He is known as the "rattler." The blindfolded players attempt to locate and tag the rattler by t...

Sticker
The pupils stand in a circle in the center of which is "It" blindfolded, holding in his hand a blunt stick about 12 or 15 inches long. Those in the circle dance around two or three times, so that the blindfolded pl...

Name Race
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A slip is handed to the one in the first seat in each row. At the signal to go, he writes his full name thereupon and passes it immediately to the one next behind him, wh...

Frogs in Sea
One pupil sits in tailor fashion in the center of the playing space. The others try to tease him by approaching as closely as they dare, calling him "Frog in the sea, Can't catch me." If the frog succeeds in taggin...

Corner Spry
The pupils in the room are divided into four equal teams. Each team is assigned to a different corner. A leader stands in front of each team with a bean bag, cap, or ball. At the signal to start the leader tosses t...

Flag Race
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. Flags are given to the pupils in each front seat. On the signal to go, each pupil holding a flag steps out on the right hand side of the seat, runs around the front of hi...

Seat Vaulting Tag
A pupil is selected to be "It." He attempts to tag any other pupil in the same aisle in which he stands. The pupils avoid being tagged by vaulting over the seats. No one is allowed to run around either end. "It" ca...

Jerusalem Jericho Jemima
This is a simple game of attention. The three words in the title are near enough alike to require close attention on the part of the pupil to distinguish between them and to act accordingly. Have the pupils turn in...

Compass
An attention game. The pupils stand in the aisle beside their seats. In starting the game, the teacher asks them to face to the north, then to the south, then to the east, and to the west, so that they have the dir...

Geography
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. Those in the front seats are Number 1, those next behind them, Number 2, and so on back. The teacher calls some number. The pupils having that number race to the board an...

Spelling Words
Have the pupils in aisle 1 face those in aisle 2, those in aisle 3 face 4, those in aisle 5 face 6. Appoint a captain for each aisle. The captain of one team starts spelling a word containing more than three letter...

Rhymes
This game stimulates quick thinking. Some one is selected by the teacher to start the game, and thereupon gives some word to which the first pupil in the aisle must give a rhyming word before the former can count t...

Clapping Song
A pupil is selected by the teacher to clap the rhythm of some familiar air. The rest of the children in the room endeavor to guess the song clapped. The pupil succeeding in doing this is given an opportunity to cla...

Indian Trail
A pupil is blindfolded and placed in the front of the room. Other pupils, one or two at a time, are given the opportunity to stealthily approach the one blindfolded, in an endeavor to take some object, from before ...

Number Relay
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. They are numbered, beginning with the one in the first seat. The teacher describes some mathematical problem she desires done and calls certain numbers. All the pupils ha...

Multiplication Race
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. The teacher decides on a multiplication table which is to be placed upon the board. A piece of chalk is handed to the first pupil in each aisle. At the signal to go Numbe...

History Race
Similar to the preceding, with the exception that the pupils are requested to write upon the board the name of some historical personage or some historical event, date, etc. ...

Poem Race
The pupils having learned some poem may use it in a game in the following way: The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. At the signal to go the last pupil in each aisle stands up and recites the first line of ...

Last Man
This is a good active game thoroughly enjoyed by the children. The teacher selects one pupil to be "It," and another to be chased. The one chased can stand at the rear of any aisle and say, "Last man." Thereupon th...

Change Seats
This is a good relaxation game. The teacher says, "Change seats left." Thereupon all the pupils shift to the seats to their left. The children who are in the last aisle on the left must run around the room and occu...

Relay Run Around
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. The pupil in the last seat in each row, upon the signal to go, steps out in the right hand aisle, runs forward around the front of his row of seats, back on the left hand...

Geography
The group is divided into two equal teams. A leader is chosen for each. The leader of Team A begins the game by giving the name of a country beginning with the letter "A" (Austria). The leader of Team B gives anoth...

Seeing and Remembering
Fifteen or twenty articles are placed upon a table under a sheet, in front of the pupils. The sheet is removed for a space of 10 seconds and the pupils are given a good chance to study the articles on the table. Af...

Definitions
The teacher selects some word from the dictionary, which is written upon the blackboard. Each pupil then writes the definition of that word on a slip of paper. After this is done, the teacher compares the definitio...

Jumbled Words
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. Each pupil in the aisle is given a number. The one in each front seat is Number 1, the one behind him Number 2, and so on back. The teacher has prepared a different sente...

Descriptive Adjectives
An historical personage is selected, such as Columbus, George Washington, etc. The first pupil called upon must describe the subject with a descriptive adjective beginning with "A". The second, third, and fourth, e...

Store
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. The one in the front seat in each aisle is Number 1, the one behind him, Number 2, etc. The teacher has a number of cards upon each of which appears a letter of the alp...

Distinguishing Sounds
This game is good training for the ear. Various noises, such as the shaking of a pebble in a tin can, in a wooden box, in a pasteboard box, in a large envelope; knocking on wood, on tin, on coin (as silver dollar),...

Laugh
This is a good relaxing game and one in which the practice of self control is a factor. An open handkerchief is tossed into the air. While it is in the air the pupils are to laugh as heartily as they can, but the i...

Guessing Dimensions
The ability to measure with the eye is well worth cultivating. Each pupil is to guess the distance between various points indicated on the blackboard, the height of a door, the width and the height of a school desk...

Mysterious Articles
An article is concealed under a cloth on the table. Each pupil is given an opportunity to feel the article through the cloth and guess what it is, educating the sense of touch. ...

Distinguishing by Smell
Various articles invisible to the eye, with distinctive odors, such as vinegar, rose, mustard, vanilla, ginger, clove, tea, coffee, chocolate, soap, etc., are placed before the pupil. The one able to distinguish th...

Art Gallery
Pictures of a number of famous paintings by the masters are placed on exhibition. The pupil guessing the largest number of masters and titles, of the various pictures, wins. ...

Drawing Animals
The teacher whispers in the ear of each pupil the name of some animal, whereupon the pupil proceeds to draw that animal, each pupil being given the name of a different animal. Drawings are made and put on exhibitio...

Historical Pictures
A long sheet of paper is given to each pupil, with instructions to draw thereupon a picture representing some historical event. After completing the drawing, each paper is passed about the room. Each pupil writes u...

Train of Thoughts
A word is suggested by the teacher. This is written at the top of a sheet of paper by each pupil. The pupil then writes beneath that word various thoughts that are suggested to him by the word. For instance, the wo...

Bowknot Relay
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A piece of string is given to each pupil in the front seat. At a signal to start each pupil with the string runs forward and ties it in a bowknot on some article placed i...

Cooking Race
This is a good game for the class in domestic science. The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A piece of chalk is handed to the one in each front seat. At the signal to go, the chalk is passed back until it re...

Spelling Game
The group, if numbering 40 or more pupils, is divided into two teams. The contestants of each team are given a different letter of the alphabet. The teacher gives a word. Thereupon the pupils in both teams whose le...

Grammar Race
The pupils of each aisle constitute a team. A piece of chalk is given to the one in each front seat. At the signal to go, the one with the chalk rushes to the board and writes the first word of a sentence on the bo...

Schoolroom Tag
A three foot circle is made with a piece of chalk in the front of the room. Each pupil in the room is given a different number. The teacher selects one to be "It," who must stand at least ten feet from the circle a...

Directions
An attention game. Taking for granted that the pupils have a general knowledge of the directions of various towns or cities in their state or the surrounding states, the following game can be played. All are requ...

Chase the Rabbit
The group kneels in a circle with their hands on each other's shoulders. The one selected to be rabbit runs around the circle and tags some individual. Thereupon that individual must get upon his feet and run to th...

Steps
One of the group is selected to be "It". He stands with his back to the group and counts five, at the end of which he turns rapidly around. If he sees any of the group moving, that one seen must go back to the star...

Statues
This game is similar to the game "Steps," above described, excepting that the players standing behind "It" assume the poses of statues. "It" upon turning around endeavors to detect some movement on the part of the ...

Progression
The players stand behind a line. Each in turn must cover the space between said line and another line twenty yards distant by a manner of progress different from that used by any of the previous players. For exampl...

Squirrel in Trees
Players stand in groups of three--two facing one another with hands joined to form hollow trees, and the third within the tree hollow to represent the squirrel. There is also one odd squirrel outside the tree. The ...

Shadow Tag
This game is similar to ordinary tag, with the exception that "It" endeavors to touch or step on the shadow of one of the players. Succeeding in doing this, that player becomes "It". ...

Handkerchief Tag
A player is selected to be "It". A knotted handkerchief is given to the rest of the players. "It" can only tag the player holding the handkerchief in his hands. The players endeavor to get rid of the handkerchief b...

Puss in Corner
The players are distributed about the playing area, and given goals, such as trees, fence and building corners, etc. One player is selected to be "It". The other players endeavor to change places. "It" can either t...

Back to Back
This is a tag game in which "It" may tag anyone who is not back to back with one other player. ...

Peggy in Ring
A blindfolded player takes his place in the center of the group which has joined hands, forming a ring. The ring begins to dance around in a circle until "Peggy", who is blindfolded in the centre, pounds three time...

Link Race
The group is divided into two teams, and a leader appointed for each. A large square is marked upon the ground and the opposing teams line up upon opposite sides of the square behind their leader, each locking his ...

Maze Tag
All but two of the players stand in parallel lines or ranks, one behind the other, with ample space between each player and each two ranks. All the players in each rank clasp hands in a long line. This will leave a...

Turtle Tag
One player is selected to be "It" and chases the rest. In order to avoid being tagged, a player may lie upon his back with both feet and hands off the ground. ...

Roly Poly
This game must be played in groups, not larger than 12. Holes are dug in the ground with the heels of the shoe. These holes are placed about 6 inches apart in a line. They should be about 3 inches in diameter and a...

Antony Over
A group is divided into two teams, A and B. The game is played around a small building, such as a small school house or wood shed, around which there is free running space. To team A is given a soft ball, such as a...

Snake and Bird
Two lines are drawn in the schoolyard about fifty feet apart. The group is divided into two teams. The one team links hands and takes a position between the two lines, and the leader calls, "Birds run". The other t...

In and Out
The group grasp hands, forming a circle. Two individuals are selected, one to be "It", and the other to be chased. These two are placed on opposite sides of the circle. Then "It" endeavors to tag the other. The one...

Fox and Rabbit
The group link hands and form a circle. Two players are selected, one to be "It" and the other to be chased, as in the preceding game. In this game, however, it is not necessary that the fox follow the same course ...

Chicken Market
One player is selected to be a buyer, another to be the market man. The rest of the players are to be chickens. They stoop down in a row, clasping their hands under their knees. The buyer inquires of the market man...

Chickidy Hand
The player who is selected to be "It" interlocks the fingers of his hands and holds them against a post, which is known as the goal. The other players fold their hands in the same way and place them against the pos...

Pass Ball
The group form a circle and are counted off in 2's. The Number 1's are given a ball or some other object easily tossed, at one side of the circle and the Number 2's a like object on the other side of the circle. Th...

Poison
The group forms a circle, linking hands. In the center of the circle is placed on end a short log about a foot long. (A tall bottle may be used in place of the log). By it is lying a soft playground baseball or a y...

Fox Trail
[Illustration] A large circle is drawn upon the ground. This should measure from 30 to 40 feet in radius. Another circle is drawn within this first circle and should have a radius 10 feet less than the first. Eig...

Weavers Race
A group forms a circle which is counted off by 2's. The Number 1's in the circle constitute team A, and the Number 2's team B. Two captains stand side by side in the circle. Each holds a small stick. At a signal to...

Circle Chase
The group forms a circle and counts off by 4's. The leader takes his place in the center of the circle. He calls any number from 1 to 4, and all of the men holding that number step back and run around the outside o...

Reuben and Rachel
The group forms a circle, joining hands. One of the players is blindfolded and placed in the center of the circle. All the rest in the ring dance around him until he points at some one. That one enters the circle a...

Channel Tag
The group forms a circle, faces to the right and assumes a stride position. The one selected to be "It" takes his place in the center of the circle. The others pass a ball or bean bag either backward or forward bet...

Soak em
A sock stuffed with straw is used in this game. A circle is drawn upon the ground. The group is divided into two teams. One team takes its place in the center of the circle, the other lines up around the circumfere...

The Dummy
One of the group, known as the "dummy", must take a position 30 feet in front of a line and stands with his back to the rest of the group. A soft ball is thrown at him and he endeavors to guess who hit him. If he s...

Oriental Tag
Similar to ordinary tag, except that the one "It" cannot tag any one who has his forehead to the ground. ...

Ball Tag
The one who is "It" is armed with a soft ball. He attempts to tag another by means of hitting him with the ball. The one who is hit becomes "It". ...

Couple Tag
Similar to ordinary tag, except that the group is arranged in couples. Couples must lock arms. The couple which is "It" endeavors to tag some other couple. If either of the men making up the "It" couple succeeds in...

Dresden Tag
The group forms a circle with at least three feet space between each individual in the circle. One individual is selected to be "It", another to be chased. Those in the circle are to place their hands upon their kn...

Fox and Geese
One player is chosen to be fox, another to be gander. The remaining players all stand in single file behind the gander, each with his hands upon the shoulders of the one next in front. The gander tries to protect h...

Plug the Hole
The players form in a circle with their legs in a stride position, their toes touching those of the next player. The one who is "It" takes his place in the centre of the circle. A partner to "It" takes his place on...

Partner Swat Tag
Form a circle in pairs, partners linking arms together. Two stuffed clubs (made by stuffing stockings with waste or rags), are placed in the hands of one of the couples selected to be "It". This couple runs about t...

Freight Train Tag
The boys are divided into groups of three's. Each three line up, one behind the other, with their arms locked around the waist of the man in front. The first man in the group is the engine, and the last man the cab...

Roll Ball
The players form in a circle, grasping the hands of their neighbors. The one selected to be "It" takes his place in the center and is given a basketball or a stuffed sack, which he endeavors to kick outside of the ...

Take Away
The group is divided into two teams. One team is given a ball or some other object which can be easily caught. The object of the game is to keep the ball away from the opponents as long as possible. Should the oppo...

Red White and Blue
Two lines are marked upon the ground, about fifteen feet apart. The group is divided into three equal teams; one team is known as the red, the other the blue, and the third the white. The blue team takes its positi...

Pin Ball
This game is played with the same rules as basketball, except that in place of the baskets a 6 foot circle is drawn in the center of each end of the playing space, and in the center of each circle a short flat end ...

Kick Ball
An inflated ball about the size of a basketball is best for this game, but a bean bag can be used. The group is divided into two teams. One team is at the bat and the other in the field, arranged as in regular base...

Hand Baseball
This game is like regular baseball, with the exception that a tennis ball or soft rubber ball is used for a ball and the hand is used for a bat. The pitcher throws the ball so that it bounds just in front of the ba...

Last Couple Out
This is an old Swedish game and one which can still be played and thoroughly enjoyed. The players are arranged in double file. One player is selected to be "It" and takes a position about 10 feet in front of the fi...

Spanish Fly
This is an old leap frog game. One player is chosen to be "down". The others follow the leader in taking frog leaps over the back of the one downed. At the first leap the leader says, "Spanish fly". All the others ...

Tony Says
This is a good game to follow formal gymnastic exercises, maintaining the same formation. The players are lined up in open order upon the playing space. The leader asks for a number of exercises for the arms and le...

Twenty Questions
This is a quiet, entertaining and instructive game. One member of the family is given the privilege of thinking of some specific object anywhere in the universe. The others endeavor to guess what that object is and...

You Know Me
One of the group is given the privilege of starting the game by assuming he is some well known character, and makes the statement, "I am the man who invented the lightning rod". The others of the group endeavor to ...

ComeSheCome
One member of the group is given the opportunity to select some object in plain sight in the room, to be guessed by the others. That individual says, "Come she come". Another individual says, "What does she come by...

Hide the Thimble
All of the group leave the room, except one, who hides somewhere about the room a thimble. The others are then called back and endeavor to find it. If the thimble is hidden in a very difficult place, the one who hi...

Tit Tat Too
A diagram similar to the illustration (Fig. 1) is drawn on a sheet of paper. Two players only can participate. The first player marks a cross in any of the spaces between the lines; the next player makes a circle i...

Last Match
Three piles of matches are placed upon the table. Each pile can contain anywhere from ten to twenty matches. The object of the game is to make your opponent pick up the last match, two players playing. Playing proc...

Your House, My House
A piece of string about three feet long is tied to the end of a slender stick of about the same length. A slip knot is tied in the end of the string. A loop about two inches in diameter is made with the slip knot o...

Catechism of States
Q.--Which is the best State for fresh pork? A.--New ham, sure. Q.--Which is the best for an early summer hotel? A.--May inn. Q.--In which should surgeons dwell? A.--Connect-a-cut. Q.--In whic...

Step by Step
A bean bag or soft ball is needed for this game. All of the group excepting one who is selected to be leader sit on the bottom step of the stairs. The leader tosses the ball to the one at the right end of the line ...

Spin the Platter
All of the players in the room are given a number. A tin plate is spun in the centre of the room by one of the players who calls some number. The one whose number is called endeavors to catch the plate before it ha...

Board and Nail Puzzle
[Illustration: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] A rectangular board 2 inches broad and 3 inches long has holes bored ...

Spinning for 20
A wooden top is made by sawing off the end of a large spool and sticking a match or small stick through the hole in the centre. Four concentric circles are drawn upon a sheet of paper which should be about twelve i...

Red Triangle Ring Toss
[Illustration] A triangle is drawn upon a board and nails are driven in, as indicated in the accompanying diagram. Six rubber Mason jar rings are used. The triangle is hung on the wall at a height equal to the he...

Floor Baseball
(_Game invented by T.A. Coates_) A diagram is marked with chalk on the floor, as per accompanying diagram. Round wooden disks six inches in diameter, one inch thick at the centre tapering to a quarter of an inch ...

Chicadee
This is a good game to be played in the loft of a barn. One player is blindfolded and sits on the floor with legs folded under him, Chinese fashion. The other players creep up and say "Chic-a-dee" as near his ear a...

Captain Kidd's Gold
This is a good game in which all the members of a family may find pleasure. It develops one's power of observation and memory. A small coin is hidden somewhere about the yard or in the woods, wherever the game may ...

Bird Hunt
Names of different birds are written on small slips of paper and pinned upon the backs of all the guests. A small card and a pencil are given to each guest and they are instructed to go on a bird hunt. They proceed...

My Month
Twelve placards with the name of a month of the year on each are posted about the room, and the players are instructed to gather around that placard bearing the name of the month in which they were born. Then each ...

Poison Circle
The group marches in couples around the room while a march is being played intermittedly on some instrument. Small rugs are placed in the path of the marchers or circles are drawn on the floor, through which the ma...

Shoe Hunt
Advertisements of shoes are cut out and the illustrations of pairs of shoes are halved. These are hidden around the room. The individual finding the largest number of pairs of shoes wins. Players are allowed to tra...

Matching Advertisements
Advertisements are cut from magazines and each advertisement is divided by irregular cuts into two halves. One half is placed in the pile to be distributed among the men; the other half to be distributed among the ...

Matching Proverbs
Familiar proverbs are divided into groups of three or four words. These are distributed among the guests. There should be at least two words, and preferably more, on each slip. Each individual then seeks to find th...

Mixing March
The group, arranged in couples, forms a circle with the ladies on the inside facing their partners. When the music starts playing, the partners separate, both going to the right about the circle. This means that th...

Musical Medley
This game is similar to the game entitled "Matching Proverbs", except that different lines of songs are distributed among the guests present and each seeks to find the individuals holding the lines necessary to com...

Puzzled Words
Words are written out on slips of paper and then cut into single letters. Each letter going to make up a word is given the same number. For example, in the word "battle", number each letter of "Battle" No. 1. All...

Trip Around the World
Various articles are distributed around the room, each representative of some country. For illustration, a package of tea, representing China; a shamrock, representing Ireland; a maple leaf, representing Canada. ...

Bean Penalty
Each guest, upon entering the room, is given ten beans and instructed to ask questions of each other. Should a question be answered by either yes or no, the individual so answering must surrender a bean to the one ...

Biographic Cartoons
Each individual is given a cardboard 12x15 inches, an old magazine, containing numerous ads, a pair of scissors, and is instructed to write the biography of his right hand neighbor, using the advertisements cut fro...

Illustrated Songs
Each member of the group is given a sheet of paper and a pencil and is instructed to draw thereupon a picture or pictures illustrating the title of some song. (Illustration: One individual decides to illustrate the...

Smiles
The group forms in couples and marches around the room. They are then subdivided into from four to eight smaller groups. These are stationed in various parts of the room and the ladies are lined up facing the men. ...

Tea Pot
One member of the group is selected to be "It" and leaves the room. The others decide upon some object or word which "It" is to guess. "It" is called back into the room and each member of the group is to make a sen...

Muddled Words
The group is divided into two teams. Each individual is given a slip of paper and takes the name of some animal, bird, or fish, and muddles up the letters so as to make it difficult to recognize the name. Illustr...

Who Are They?
Photographs of prominent individuals are numbered and placed on exhibition about the room, with the wrong title beneath them. Each member of the group is given a card and pencil. He goes around the room and writes ...

Who Is It?
A sheet is hung up in a doorway. The group is divided into two teams. One group goes behind the sheet. A small hole is cut in the sheet. The members of the group behind the sheet take turns in sticking their noses ...

Trades
The men are lined up on one side of the room. To each is given three or four buttons, a needle and thread, and a piece of cloth. They race to see which can sew the buttons in a straight line on the piece of cloth, ...

Rooster
Ten or twenty are as many as can well play this game. The group is arranged in seats around the room. The leader starts the game by saying, "My father had a rooster". His left hand neighbor says, "A what?" The lead...

Poor Pussy
The group is arranged in a circle around the room. One player is selected to be "Pussy" and takes his place in the centre of the group. He takes a position on all fours before each member of the group, in turn sayi...

Gossiping
The group is arranged in a circle around the room. The leader whispers some information to his left hand neighbor, remembering the exact sentence or sentences. His left hand neighbor is expected to whisper the same...

Analogues
A member of the group thinks of some object, and without disclosing to the other members of the group what he is thinking about, he addresses in turn all of the others, asking, "What is my thought like?" The first ...

Ghost
The group sits in a circle about the room. The leader starts the game by giving a letter of the alphabet. The one at his left adds a letter to the first with the view of making a word. The third adds another letter...

Charades
Five of the group are selected to act out a charade. These five act out a word in pantomime. While they are doing this a second group of five is selected and prepares to act out another word, immediately following ...

Knight of the Cracker
The ladies are lined up on one side of the room. Each is provided with a cracker. The men are lined up on the opposite side. At the signal to go the men rush forward and try to secure a cracker from one of the ladi...

Match Boxing
Competitors are divided into equal teams and the teams are arranged in parallel lines. The outside cover of a small safety match box is given to the first man on each team. He slips this over the end of his nose an...

What Animal?
The leader whispers the name of a different animal or object to each individual. When called upon each must try to represent the noise or action of the animal or object. The rest of the group guess what is represen...

Rhyming Verbs
Half of the group leaves the room while the others decide upon a verb. The group which left the room is then called back and tries to guess the verb from the clues which are given by those who determined the verb. ...

Fruit Basket
The group is seated in a circle and counted off in 4's. The number 1's are given the name of oranges, number 2's lemons, number 3's bananas, number 4's apples. One of the individuals is selected to be "It". He take...

Exchange
The group is arranged in seats around the room. "It" takes a place in the centre. All of the players are given a different number. "It" is blindfolded. The game is started by "It" calling two numbers. Thereupon the...

Barnyard Chorus
Each player in the group is given some barnyard noise to represent. The leader takes his place in the centre of the room. If he holds up his left hand, all is quiet; if he holds up his right hand, they all imitate ...

Donkey Solo
This is a good game to follow immediately after the Barnyard Chorus. The leader announces that he is to whisper to each member of the group the name of some animal that is to be imitated by that member in chorus wi...

Shifting Seats
The group is seated in a circle. There is one more chair than there are players. One individual is selected to be "It" and takes his place in the centre of the room. "It" gives the command to shift right. Thereupon...

Guess the Sound
The group is arranged in a circle. The one selected to be "It" is blindfolded and takes a position in the centre of the circle. After the blindfolded player has been spun around a few times so that he does not know...

Rapid Transit
The players form in a circle. To each is given some article to be passed. These articles should vary in size anywhere from a peanut to a flat iron. The game starts by the leader commanding them to pass to the right...

Feather Tag
The group sits in a circle in the centre of the room, holding a large sheet stretched tightly between them. A fluffy feather is placed in the centre of the sheet. One of the group who is "It" endeavors by running a...

Birds
All the players sit in a circle. Each is given the name of a bird. The keeper takes a position in the centre of the room and begins to tell a story about birds. When a bird's name is mentioned, that bird must stand...

Simple Simons Silly Smile
The group is arranged in chairs around the room. The one who is selected to be "It" goes from one to another asking questions. All questions must be answered by "Simple Simon's Silly Smile", without laughing. Shoul...

Wink
Chairs are arranged around the room in a circle, with the boys standing behind each chair. There should be one more chair than there are girls in the group. The boy standing behind the empty chair winks at one of t...

Hush
The group sits in a circle in a room which is semi-dark. The leader goes around inside of the circle and slips a button in the hands of one of the players. He does this after making an offer to do it to several oth...

Jacks Alive
The group sits in a circle in the room. A lighted splinter is handed to one of the group in the circle. It is then passed around the circle, still lighted. Should the flame become extinguished, the one in whose han...

Going to Jerusalem
The chairs are arranged in a circle in the center of the room, with the seats away from the center. There should be one less chair than there are participants in the game. The participants form a line around the ou...

Hindoo Blind Reading
Slips of paper are given to all of the guests and they are instructed to write thereupon a brief sentence of three or four words and to carefully fold the paper. These messages are then collected, and the Hindoo My...

Mental Telepathy
The group is told that if enough people think hard enough about one object they can communicate the thought to a person who knows nothing about it. One or two "unwise" persons are asked to leave the room and nothin...

The Paper Artist
A sheet of newspaper or any other kind of paper can be used for this game. The accomplice is sent from the room. The one performing the trick then holds the paper in front of the face of one of the individuals in t...

Magic Answers
An accomplice is sent from the room. Those remaining in the room determine upon some object, this object to be recognized by the accomplice. When the object has been selected, the accomplice is called back. The one...

Clairvoyant
The one who plays this trick must have an accomplice. The accomplice is sent from the room. It is announced that the accomplice will name the person pointed to. The demonstrator points at an individual and the acco...

Scissors Crossed
A simple catch game. The group is seated in a circle. It is best to have two of the company know how to play the game. One of these hands a closed pair of scissors to the other, who takes it and says, "I received t...

Knights of the Sacred Whistle
One or two of the group are informed that they are to be initiated into the Order of the Knights of the Sacred Whistle. They are shown a whistle and told that to become a member they must find this whistle. It is t...

Hay Stack
Chairs are piled to a considerable height in the centre of the room and the person to be initiated is instructed to take off his shoes and jump over them. The leader insists that this is possible, but the uninitiat...

Boots Without Shoes
The leader asks one of the players to say as he directs and then asks him to say, "Boots without shoes." The player immediately says, "Boots without shoes." The leader says, "That is not correct," and goes to the n...

Newspaper Touch
Two individuals are instructed to stand upon a sheet of newspaper, so as not to be able to touch each other. This seems impossible and the individuals taking their places upon the paper endeavor to maneuver in impo...

Coin and Card Snap
A card is balanced upon the end of the middle finger of the left hand, flat side down. A quarter or some small coin is placed upon the card, directly over the end of the finger. The trick is to snap the card from u...

Blind Blow
A lighted candle is placed upon a table. The players are blindfolded in turn, spun around, and instructed to blow out the candle. The time of each player is recorded and the one succeeding in blowing out the candle...

Tricks with Matches
Six matches are given to an individual and he is requested to make with them four equilateral triangles. The Trick--Three matches are laid upon the table, forming an equilateral triangle. The other three are held...

Pigs in Pen
A farmer has six pigs and five pens. He desires to place the pigs in the pens so that there will be an odd number of pigs in each pen. How can he accomplish this? The Trick--He places a pen within a pen. Then he ...

Number Trick
How can four be made out of three 3's? 3-3/3 ...

Penny Wise
The players are provided with a bright new penny, a piece of paper and a pencil. On the paper have been written the following requirements, each player being expected to write the answers, the one having the larges...

Reading Temples
The group is told that thoughts can be transmitted through the temples. The demonstrator of the game has to have an accomplice knowing the trick, who leaves the room. The others decide upon a number, not greater th...

Aeroplane Ride
The player selected to take the ride is sent from the room and blindfolded. A strong board is held a few inches from the floor by several of the players. The blindfolded player is then called back into the room and...

Egg Smash
Several players of the group are blindfolded and take a kneeling position upon the floor. Each is given a fake egg and is told to knock it upon the floor to summon the good spirit. They do this very carefully the f...

Musical Notes
This trick is easily played where a group is sitting around a bare wooden table. The player knowing the trick, pricks the prongs of a fork with his finger nails, causing it to vibrate as a tuning fork. He then make...

Siam Club
Players are invited to join the Siam Club, for which certain rites and ceremonies are necessary. Those to be initiated into the club then kneel in a circle in the centre of the room and after bowing forward so that...

Divesting
The trick is to remove the vest of one of the players while he is still wearing his coat. To accomplish the trick one must stand in front of the subject, unbutton the vest, loosening the buckles on the strap behind...

Standing Broad Jump
The group is divided into competing teams. Each team lines up behind the starting line. Each is instructed to see how many feet he can have credited to him in this event. The first player on each team is then instr...

Standing High Jump
Doughnuts are suspended by means of a string, so that one hangs about eight inches above the head of each contestant. The one first succeeding in eating his doughnut without the use of his hands, wins the event. ...

Bawl Game
Competitors are lined up and directed to bawl. The one doing this the best, in the judgment of the judges, wins. ...

Peanut Relay
A bowl full of peanuts is placed before each competitor. An empty bowl is placed at some distance opposite each. Each competitor is given a table knife. At the signal to go, keeping his left hand behind his back, h...

Shot Put
Competitors endeavor to throw a handkerchief unknotted from a given line for distance. ...

Lucky
A number of bags are suspended in such a way as to hang four feet above the heads of the competitors. One bag contains candy; one contains flour; another peanuts; another water, etc. An individual is blindfolded, g...

Peanut Throw
Each contestant is given an equal number of peanuts. The one succeeding in dropping the largest number of peanuts into the mouth of a jug, wins. The peanuts must be dropped from a distance equal to the height of th...

Head Toss
A salt bag is filled with sand. Competitors heel a given line and place the bag of sand upon the back of their necks and without the use of the hands, endeavor to throw the bag as far back into the line as possible....

Duel Tug of War
Two opponents are given a piece of rope about three feet long. Each takes a position on the opposite side of a line drawn upon the floor. One tries to pull the other across the line by means of the rope. If success...

Discus Throw
Contestants are given some object like a quoit, a block of wood, etc. A small circle about eighteen inches in diameter is drawn upon the ground. The contestant places the object to be thrown between his feet and en...

Ring the Bell
In the centre of a hoop eighteen inches in diameter--(an ordinary barrel hoop)--is hung a bell. The hoop is suspended from the ceiling or a door, so that it will be five feet above the floor. The group is divided i...

Chair Tilting
Opponents are placed upon chairs and must stand thereon upon one foot. Each is armed with a long pole, the end of which is padded with a wad of cloth. The object is to dislodge the opponent from the chair. Dropping...

Hammer Throw
An inflated paper bag tied on the end of a yard of string is used as the hammer for this event. Each contestant by swinging the bag from the end of the string tries to throw it as great a distance as possible. ...

Twenty Yard Dash
Contestants carry an egg to the distance line and return with a spoon held at full arm's length from the body. ...

Running Broad Grin
Have each competitor grin as broadly as possible. The judges measure the grins with a tape measure. ...

Light Weight Race
Contestants carry a lighted candle in one hand and a glass or bowl brim full of water in the other. If the water is spilled over or the candle blows out, the contestant is out of the race. ...

Javelin Throw
Contestants endeavor to throw a short stick through a rolling hoop. ...

One Mile Run
Contestants are required to add a column of figures, the total of which will be 5280. ...

Long Glum
The player who can keep from smiling the longest in spite of the jeers and efforts to make him laugh, on the part of the others, wins. ...

Turtle Race
Contestants lie flat upon their backs and throw an object over their heads with their two feet, for distance. ...

Elimination Race
An equal number of chalk marks are made upon the floor in front of each contestant. A damp rag is then handed to each, and at the signal to go they are to run to and rub off the chalk mark on the floor. After erasi...

Suitable for Sociables and Entertainers
These stunts may be used as a means of amusement at social functions. In order to avoid calling for volunteers to come forward to participate in the various stunts, cards may be distributed among those who are ex...

Brick Relay
Have four contestants to a team and as many teams as there is space for. Two lines are drawn upon the floor about ten yards apart. Two members from each team line up opposite to and facing each other, behind each l...

Chairiot Race
Competitors stand on the starting line. Two chairs are given to each. They place the chairs behind the starting line, side by side, with the backs of the chairs forward, and stand upon the seats of the chairs. At t...

Chair Stubbing
Each contestant sits upon a chair with his legs straddling the back and his toes on the bottom side round. Keeping his feet off the floor, he advances the chair forward by jerking it with his body until it has cros...

Aviation Meet
Each team is made up of two mechanicians and four aviators. The two mechanicians hold stretched between them a piece of string upon which have been placed two funnels of paper made in the form of cornucopias, point...

Feather Blowing Relay
Four contestants constitute a team. A feather is placed on the starting line and is blown by the first member of each team to the distance line. Then the second member of the team blows it back to the starting line...

Balloon Race
An inflated rubber balloon and a palm leaf fan must be provided for each team. Four players constitute a team. A balloon is placed on the starting line before each team and a fan handed to the first competitor. At ...

Lobster Race
Each competitor gets down on the starting line on all fours and at the signal to go travels backward on all fours to the distance line and returns. ...

Prune Tug of War
Prunes are tied in the middle of a piece of string, three yards long. Opponents are placed opposite each other, each with an end of the string in his mouth. At the signal to go they are to chew the string towards t...

Whistle Race
Contestants take a deep breath and whistle. The one who can whistle longest on one breath, wins. ...

Cracker Relay
Six players to a team. The players on each team sit in a row. Four crackers are given to each player. The one on the rear of each team starts the race by standing up and eating the crackers. When he has eaten all f...

Blindfold Obstacles
Obstacles, such as vases of flowers, china ware, chairs, etc., are placed in four or more long rows. Each contestant is given a row and is requested to try distances before being blindfolded. They then are all blin...

Candle Roll Over
Four players are chosen for each team. Two are lined up in front of the starting line and two opposite on the distance line. One of the players on the starting line is given a lighted candle. A mat is placed half w...

Boat Race
Two players constitute a team in this race. One of the players on each team sits upon the floor. His knees are raised so as to allow his feet to rest flat upon the floor. The other member of the team then sits upon...

Necktie Race
Two players constitute a team. Each team may stand opposite each other at different ends of the room. At the signal to go Number 1 runs forward to Number 2, who must wear a four-in-hand necktie. Number 1 unties Num...

Push Cross Line
Three parallel lines are marked upon the ground about six feet apart. The group is divided into two teams. Each team lines up behind one of the outside lines, facing the opponents. At the signal to start, both grou...

Fortress
This game is similar to the preceding game. Three parallel lines are made around a hollow square not less than 25 to 40 feet in dimensions. This square is known as the fortress. A small space is marked off in the c...

Forcing the City Gates
This is an old Chinese game. Two captains are selected, who in turn choose all the other players. The two teams are first formed in two lines, facing each other and about ten feet apart, with the players grasping h...

Hare and Hound
This is an old game which is always popular. Two or three players are designated as hares. Each is given a large bag filled with paper torn into small bits. The hares are allowed a few minutes' start ahead of the r...

Human Targets
An old flour or salt bag stuffed with straw or cloth may be used for this game. One player is selected to be the target. The others endeavor to hit the target by throwing the bag. The target may run or dodge in any...

Sling the Sack
Either a good sized sack well stuffed with rags or straw, or a small cloth sack filled with sand, may be used for this game. The game can be played on a level stretch of road or in a good sized field. The group is ...

Game of Goose
A good sized level field should be used for this game. Two gander poles, five feet high, are erected, one at each end of the field, each having two forks at the top, opposite each other. Stout tree crotches may be ...

Clock Games
The group forms a large circle. If it be a large group, the circle is counted off into 6's or 8's, if small into 4's. If they be counted into 6's each group of six constitutes a team. Number 1 in each case is to ac...

Walking Race
See clock games above. At the signal to go, the number 6 man steps out of his place in the circle and walks to the right around the circle, until he gets back to the point in the circle he left, and tags off the ...

Chariot Race
See clock games above. Similar to the preceding walking race, except that instead of running around the ring singly, the competitors go in pairs, as follows: At the signal to go Number 6 locks his left arm in t...

Flathead Race
See clock games above. Similar to the preceding. A small block of wood or flat stone is given to Number 6 on each team. At the signal to go he places the block on the head of Number 5 and follows Number 5, who wa...

Spin Around Race
See clock games above. Similar to the preceding race, except that each captain takes a position about four feet outside of the circle near his own team. At the signal to go, Number 6 steps out of his position in ...

Leap Frog Race
See clock games above. Similar to the preceding. In this race, Number 2 will take the place of the captain outside of the ring. At the signal to go, Number 6 leaves the ring and proceeds around the circle, leapin...

Riding the Snail
A group is divided into two equal teams. These two teams line up in parallel lines about six feet apart, back to back. A safety line is drawn at each end of the field about twenty-five yards from where the teams li...

Treasure Hunt
This game is a very adaptable one and can be run in a great number of different ways. It can be as simple or as complex as any leader may desire. A mysterious letter may be read to the group or a letter in code p...

Hide and Seek
One boy is chosen to be "IT." He blinds his eyes while the others hide. He counts 100 by 5's, then says, "Ready or not, you must be caught." He then endeavors to find the hidden players. Succeeding he must tag the ...

Look Out for the Bear
All of the players hide their eyes, except one, who is the Bear. He hides. When sufficient time has been given for him to find a hiding place, the others seek him. When a player finds the bear he calls out, "Look o...

StillaFeet
This is a simple tag game. The player selected to be "It" starts the game by saying, "One, two, three, Still-a-feet, One, two, three, Still-a-feet, One, two, three, Still-a-feet, One, two, three; no more moving of ...

Hang Tag
This is a good game to play around a barn or in a grove where there are low limbs. A player is selected to be "It." He may tag any player who is not hanging with feet clear of the ground. The player tagged immediat...

Fox in Hole
Any number of players may participate in this game. The playing area should not be too large. A four foot circle is marked upon the ground as a base. One player is selected to be the Fox. While the fox is on the ba...

Fence Tag
This is a simple active game which can be played where there is a low fence or bar, over which the players may easily climb or vault. A player is selected to be "It". He takes his place on the opposite side of the ...

Body Guard
A small space is marked off at one end of the ground as a base or goal. One player is chosen to be the chief, an important personage requiring two body guards. The game starts with these three players in the goal a...

Sardines
One of the players in the group hides, while the other players seek to find him. Should a player succeed, he endeavors to get into the hiding place unobserved by the others and hides with the first player. As the g...

Shinny
This is a good game for boys and girls. It has furnished amusement for many generations of children. Each player must secure a stick about 2-1/2 feet long. An alder stick with a small bend at one end furnishes an i...

One Step Off and All the Way Across
Two goal lines about fifteen yards apart are marked upon the playing space. This game can be played on the road, using the opposite curb stones as goal lines. A player is selected to be "It" and takes his place bet...

Wheel Away
This game is similar to the preceding game except the players must be behind the same goal line, and the one who is "It" says, "Wheel away", which is the signal for all of the players to run across the space to the...

Bombardment
This is a game enjoyed by boys. It is necessary to have half a dozen soft yarn balls or indoor baseballs or bean bags for this game. A large number of players can participate. A playing space is marked off on the g...

Bombardment No. 2
This game is similar to the preceding, except that each player must secure a stick not over two feet long, which can be stuck loosely into the ground in a vertical position. A 2x4 block of wood, about 8 inches long...

Taking the Heights
This is a good rough and tumble game for boys. A bank, a low platform, a pile of dirt or some elevated position is necessary. The object of the game is for the players to strive to get upon the bank and maintain th...

Wrestle Tug of War
Opponents are so arranged on opposite sides of a line marked upon the ground that those of equal size and strength are facing each other. Each player puts his right hand on the back of his opponent's neck and his l...

Referees Hold
Opponents take the same position as in the preceding event, but instead of attempting to pull across the line, each endeavors to make the other move one or both feet. The best two out of three are used to determine ...

Finger Wrestling
Opponents are arranged as in the preceding game on opposite sides of a line. Holding their hands well above their heads, opposing players grasp each other's hands, interlacing fingers, and each endeavors to bend th...

One Leg Tug of War
Opponents are arranged as in the preceding game on opposite sides of a line. They turn their backs towards each other and standing upon their right foot, raise their left leg to the rear and hook the foot in that o...

Hog Tie
Two players of equal strength are each given a piece of quarter-inch rope or a strap. Each endeavors to tie together the other's ankles. ...

Cumberland Wrestling
Players face each other and take a waist hold, arms around opponent's waist, and stand close up. At the signal to "go" each player tries to lift his opponent off his feet. No throwing is allowed. Three tries are pe...

GrecoRoman Wrestling
Opponents face each other and may take any legitimate wrestling hold in their effort to secure a fall from the other. Should any part of the body other than the feet touch the ground, it constitutes a fall. ...

Shoulder and Arm Push
Opponents face each other with a line marked upon the ground between them and place their right hand on the other's left shoulder and their left hand on the opponent's upper right arm. In this position they endeavo...

Squatting Tug
Opposing players sit upon the ground facing each other, with the soles of their feet flat against each other's. They then bend forward without bending the knees any more than necessary and grasp the opponent's hand...

Neck Tug of War
Opponents interlace their fingers behind each other's necks and endeavor in this position to pull the other across a center line. ...

Hand Tug of War
Opponents grasp each other's hands and each endeavors to pull the other across a center line. ...

Cane Wrestling
Opponents are given a stick, like a broomstick, which is grasped with both hands. Each endeavors to break the grasp of the other upon the stick. ...

Oysterette Race
Those sitting on one side of the table constitute team "A", those opposite them, team "B". The two captains should be sitting opposite each other. At one end of the table place a dish containing ten to twenty oyste...

Passing the Drink
Teams are arranged as in No. 1. A glass of water is given to the man at one end of the table. The glass should be filled to the brim. With the signal to "go" it is passed to the far end of the table and immediately...

RataTatTat
Teams arranged as in previous games. A plate or glass must be placed in front of each contestant. Two spoons are handed to contestants at the head of each line. At the signal to "go" the opponents beat on the plate...

Earth Air Fire and Water
Teams are arranged as in previous games. A member of team "A" is given an object, which can be conveniently passed or tossed across the table. The game starts by his passing the object to any member of the opposing ...

Around the Chair
The teams are arranged as in previous games. The opponents at the head of the line are handed an orange. At the signal to "go" they must stand up, push their chair back from the table and run around the chair twice...

Jenkins Up
Divide the company into two sides. One division sits around the table on one side, the other on the opposite side. The members of the division "A" put their hands under the table and a small coin, dime or quarter, ...

Malaga Grapes
One who knows the game takes a spoon in his right hand, then taking it in his left hand, he passes it to the one sitting at his left, saying, "Malaga grapes are very fine grapes, the best to be had in the market". ...

Table Football
An egg is blown and the shell used as the football. Two captains are selected, each choosing his side. Teams take places on the opposite sides of the table and endeavor to blow the egg shell over a goal line which ...

Spearing Peanuts
A number of peanuts are placed in the centre of the table. Each guest is armed with a hat pin. A few of the peanuts have black spots marked upon their end. These peanuts count 5 points. All other peanuts count 1 po...

String Winding Race
Those seated at one side of the table compete against those on the opposite side. A ball of string is given to the two players sitting opposite each other at one end of the table. At the signal to go the two player...

Name Writing Race
The teams are arranged on opposite sides of the table. A long slip of paper and a pencil are handed to two players sitting opposite at the head of the table. At the signal to "go" the two players holding the paper ...

Candle and Plate Race
The teams are arranged on opposite sides of a table. The two players at the head of the table are given a plate and a candle and a box of safety matches. At the signal to "go" the candle is placed on its end on the...

The Grand March
Here is one way that it can be done. While the band is playing a lively march at one end of the field which is to be used for the games, have the leaders, who have been previously instructed, get all of the folks l...

The Games for All
One American flag on a short stick is handed to the leaders of both lines, that is, the leading lady and the leading gentleman, and at the signal to start the flags are passed about the circle (over the head), the ...

The Story"Paul Revere"
Following the reading of Longfellow's poem the listeners are given the opportunity to give expression to their imagination in the following games,-- ...

"The Red Coats"
Divide the group into two equal teams. One team is called the farmers, the other the red coats. A goal is marked off on the ground in the form of a hollow square large enough to contain all the members of one of th...

"Yankee Doodle Tag"
The group is divided into two equal teams. Two lines are marked upon the playing space parallel to each other and about 20 yards apart. These lines should be long enough to allow all of the expected number of playe...

"Paul Revere Race"
The group is divided into teams of from 8 to 15 each. These teams are placed on the field in parallel columns of file with a distance of 10 feet between each team. The players on each team are then arranged in the ...

"The Midnight Ride"Quiet Games
Two teams of equal numbers are chosen and arranged in two lines facing each other. If the game is played in-doors place the teams on opposite sides of the room. A pad of paper and a pencil is given to the two playe...

Seeing the Old Home Town
Down the line next to the baseball diamond came the bowling alley, where everyone who was not a fan or a golf fiend was taking a hand at the sport. This alley was laid on a long board table, and the game played wit...

A Racket Around the Candy Booth
Mrs. Peterson, who sells the best bread in town, had charge of the cake archery. You bought arrows for this, three for ten cents, but you could not shoot until a dollar's worth of arrows had been sold. Then you took...

Egg and Spoon Race
A basket of eggs, apples, potatoes or stones is placed in front of each team and a spoon given to the first member of each team. Empty baskets are placed on the distance line opposite the position of each team. At ...

Pea Shelling Race
A basket containing peas and an empty dish are placed on the distance line opposite each team. There should be at least six peas contained in each basket for every player on the team. At the signal to go the first ...

Needle Threading Race
An individual holding a needle and a short piece of thread is on the distance line opposite each team. At the signal to go, the first player on each team runs forward, takes the needle and thread, threads the needl...

Button Sewing
As many buttons as there are players on each team are placed on the distance line opposite each team, a strip of cloth, a needle, and as many short lengths of thread as there are players. At the signal to go, the f...

Rope Skipping Relay
A piece of rope is necessary for each team. At the signal to go, the first member of each team skips rope forward to the distance line. From the distance line he runs back and hands the rope to the next one on the ...

Rope Skipping Contest
A piece of rope is needed for each team. At the signal to go, the first individual skips rope ten times, in place, hands the rope back to the next individual who skips ten times, and so the rope is passed on until ...

Dizzy Izzy
A cane or stick is given to the first player on each team. Upon the signal to go he places the end of the stick upon the ground, holding the stick in a vertical position, and places the centre of his forehead on th...

Caterpillar Race
The players on each team sit upon the ground in single file, with the head of each team behind the base line. The knees are bent so that the feet are near the hips. Each player reaches back with his two hands and g...

Potato Race
Two peach baskets and two potatoes, stones or blocks of wood for each contestant are needed for each team. One basket is placed before each team on the base line and one directly opposite on the distance line. The ...

Apple Race
A strawberry basket full of small apples is handed to the first member of each team. At the signal to go the basket full of apples is passed back over the heads of the players until it reaches the last player in th...

Apple Race No. 2
A basket full of apples and an empty basket are placed upon the distance line opposite each team. At the signal to go the first man on the team runs forward, empties the apples from the full basket into the empty b...

Apple Race No. 3
Peach baskets containing an equal number of apples (fifteen makes a good number) are placed at the front of each team. An empty basket is placed at the rear of the column. At the signal to go the first man on the t...

Apple Race No. 4
A peach basket is placed opposite each team and ten feet beyond the distance line. The first member of each team is handed a good sized apple. At the signal to go he runs forward to the distance line, and standing ...

Apple Toss
A basket containing four apples is placed on the ground in front of each team. An empty basket is placed on the distance line opposite each team. The first player on each team takes a position beside the empty bask...

Roll Over Relay
At the signal to go, the first player on each team runs towards the distance line. Somewhere between the base line and the distance line, he must take a forward roll upon the ground. He then runs across the distanc...

Spin Around Relay
One member of each team takes a position on the distance line, opposite to and facing his team. At the signal to go the first man on each team runs forward, locks his right arm in the right arm of the man on the di...

Chair Relay
A chair is placed on the distance line opposite each team, with the back of the chair towards the team. Boxes may be used instead of chairs in this race. At the signal to go the first player on each team runs forwa...

Chair Passing Race
A box can be used instead of a chair in this event. All of the players are asked to face to the right. A chair is given to the man at the right hand end of the line to sit upon. All of the others remain standing. A...

Chair Sitting Race
A box can be used for this event instead of a chair. If a chair is used, it is well to have a very sturdy one. This race starts with the players in the same position as in the preceding race, the player on the righ...

Squash Race
One crook-neck summer squash, a short stick, a piece of twine and a strawberry basket are needed for each team in this race. The strawberry basket, containing the squash with its neck projecting over the edge, is p...

Poison Club
Small logs of stove length, flat on one end, are lined up between the base and distance lines in front of each team. There should be at least five of these for each team and they should not be placed more than thre...

Club Change
Two small circles are drawn on the base line opposite each team. Three short logs similar to those in the preceding game are balanced on end in the right hand circle opposite each team. At the signal to go the firs...

Fan and Bag Race
A small paper bag well inflated with air, and a palm leaf fan are given to the first player on each team. The bag is placed on the base line in front of the team. At the signal to go, the first player proceeds to b...

Quadruped Race
The first two players on each team stand back to back behind the base line, with the first player facing the distance line. The two lock arms behind them. At the signal to go the first player bends forward, lifting...

Centipede Race
The players of each team lock their arms around the waist of the player next in front of them and race in this compact position across the distance line, turning around without breaking their formation, and end the...

Blind Chariot Race
Several teams can be used in this race. The distance line is pointed out before blindfolding each team. Each team is made up of two horses and a driver. All three are blindfolded, facing in the same direction. The ...

Hoop Race
A wooden hoop is placed on the distance line opposite each team. At the signal to go the first player rushes forward and picks up the hoop and passes it down over his head, body, and legs, steps out of it, while it ...