The Farmyard

This game, if carried out properly, will cause great amusement.

One of the party announces that he will whisper to each person the name of some animal, which, at a given signal, must be imitated as loudly as possible. Instead, however, of giving the name of an animal to each, he whispers to all the company, with the exception of one, to keep perfectly silent.

To this one he whispers that the animal he is to imitate is the donkey. After a short time, so that all may he in readiness, the signal is given. Instead of all the party making the sounds of various animals, nothing is hard but a loud bray from the one unfortunate member of the company.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Earth, Air, Fire and Water

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

If “Earth” is called, the player to whom the hall is thrown has to mention something that lives on the earth, as lion, cat; if “Air” is railed, something that lives in the air; if “Water,” something that lives in the water; hut; if “Fire” is called, the player must keep silence. Always remember not to put birds in the water or animals or fishes in the air; be silent when “Fire” is called, and answer before ten can he counted. For breaking any of these rules a forfeit must he paid.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Riddles 10

When are two apples alike?
Answer: When pared.

What is the difference between a blind man and a sailor in prison?
Answer: One cannot see to go and the other cannot go to sea.

Why is a plum-cake like the ocean?
Answer: Because it contains so many currants.

What pudding makes the best cricketer?
Answer: A good batter.

Continue reading ‘Riddles 10…’

The Forbidden Letter

The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can he spoken without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon supposing, for instance, the letter “F” is not to be introduced, the first player might ask:

“Is this a new game to you?”

The second player could answer: “Oh, no! I played it years ago when quite a youngster.” He would perhaps turn to the third player, and ask: “You remember it, do you not?”

The third player might answer: “Yes, but we used to play it differently.”

This player, having used a word with an “F” in it, must pay a forfeit and remain out. The answers must be given at once, without hesitation, and the player who avoids for the greatest length of time using a word containing the forbidden letter wins the game.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Riddles 9

Why is coffee like an axe with a dull edge?
Answer: Because it must be ground before it is used.

What is the difference between a bottle of medicine and a troublesome boy?
Answer: One is to be well shaken before taken, and the other is to be taken and then shaken.

What makes more noise than a pig under a gate?
Answer: Two pigs.

When is a door not a door?
Answer: When it is a-jar.

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The Forbidden Vowels

The players seat themselves and are questioned by the leader of the game and must answer without bringing in a word containing a forbidden vowel. Say the vowel “a” is forbidden, the leader asks-

“Are you fond of playing the piano?”

The answer “Yes, very much,” would be correct as the words do not contain the letter “a.” But if the answer were “Yes, and I am fond of singing too,” the speaker would have to pay a forfeit Any vowel may be forbidden, or if the player choose to make the game very difficult, two vowels may be forbidden. Say “a” and “e” are forbidden, and the question is, “Will your father be late home?” “I do not know” would be a correct answer.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Riddles 8

What plant stands for No. 4?
Answer: Ivy (IV).

How can a gardener become thrifty?
Answer: By making the most of his thyme, and by always putting some celery in the bank.

Why is it probable that beer was made in the Ark?
Answer: Because the kangaroo went in with hops, and the bear was always bruin.

“What was the biggest thing you saw at the World’s Fair?” asked a wife of her husband.
Answer: “My hotel bill!” said he.

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The Game of Conversation

To play this game successfully two of the company privately agree upon a word that has several meanings. The two then enter into a conversation. Which is obliged to he about the word they have chosen, while the remainder of the company listen, When a member of the party imagines that he has guessed the word, he may join in the conversation, but if he End; he is mistaken, must immediately retire.

To give an illustration: Supposing the two players who start the conversation decide upon the word box. They might talk about the people they had seen at the theater and the particular part of the house in which they were sitting. Then they might say how nice it looked in a garden, and one might mention that it grew into big trees. Perhaps one of the company might imagine that he had guessed the word correctly and join in, when the conversation would be immediately changed, and the two would begin to converse about a huge case in which a very great number of things were packed away. By this time possibly the person who joined in the conversation will leave off, completely mystified.

If, however, the word should be correctly guessed. the person guessing it chases a partner, and they together select a word, and the game begins again.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Riddles 7

Why is a diner on board a steam-boat like Easter Day?
Answer: Because it is a movable feast.

Why is a little man like a good book?
Answer: Because he is often looked over.

Why is a pig in a parlor like a house on fire?
Answer: Because the sooner it is put out the better.

What is the difference between a soldier and a bombshell?
Answer: One goes to war, the other goes to pieces.

Continue reading ‘Riddles 7…’

Guilty or Innocent

One of the company gets himself up to represent the old man of the woods, the rest take the names of various animals, such as lion, tiger, leopard and so on.

The players seat themselves round the room and the old man standing in the center tells them that some of their number have committed a crime and he is about to question them, in order that he may discover the guilty ones. He then begins - “Now. Mr. Lion, where have you been hunting, and what have you eaten today?” “I hunted in the forest and caught an antelope.” “Then you are twice guilty and must pay two forfeits,” says the old man; and the lion must pay his forfeit without being told the crime he has committed. The old man passes an to a Polar Bear. “Where did you hunt and what have you eaten?” he asks. “I hunted in the water and had a fine fish to eat.” The Polar Bear is pronounced innocent. The real game is that no animal may bring in the letter “o” either in their hunting ground or the food they eat. “Forest” and “Antelope” bath have an “o” in them, so the lion has to pay two forfeits whereas “Water” and “Fish” having no “o” the hear was declared innocent. The great fun is for the old man to keep the secret of “guilty” or “innocent” to himself ; but even if the other players know the secret, it is very difficult not to make a slip, as the answers must be given promptly.

When the game is over the players must pay for their forfeits in any way the old man decides.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain