If a soldier makes a mistake he has to pay a forfeit, and takes the Sergeant’s place.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Good ‘ol Simon Says:

A classic kid’s game that’s great for Backyard BBQs or just lazy days around the house.

Remembering the game kids used to play – being a simple kid, I could play this game for hours, especially with adults – it always felt good to be the kid and get one over the parents – even if they were letting you trick them.

Of course, anyone can get sick of something if they play it too much – Board Games That Might Not Bore You. I Mean, Are Great for the Whole Fam!

But, lets see how it was played back in 1909 -

Simon Says

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

As, for instance, “Simon says: ‘Thumbs up!’” which, of course, all obey; then perhaps comes: “Thumbs down!” which should not be obeyed, because the order did not commence with “Simon says.”

Each time this rule is forgotten a forfeit must be paid. “Hands over eyes,” “Stamp the right foot,” “Pull the left ear,” etc., are the kind of orders to be given.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © presta @ Flickr, Share-Alike

The players sit in a circle and one who is acquainted with the trick takes a small stick in his right hand, makes some funny movements with it, and then, having taken it in his left hand, passes it to his neighbor, saying: “Malaga raisins are very good raisins, but I like Valencias better.”

He then tells his neighbor to do the same. Should any of the players pass on the stick with the right hand, they must pay a forfeit, but of course they must not be told what mistake they have made until the stick has been passed right round the circle.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © Brianfit @ Flickr, Attribution

For all those children who are fond of a little exercise no better game than this can be chosen.

When the chairs are placed in order round the room the first player commences by saying: “My master bide you do as I do,” at the same time working away with the right hand as if hammering at his knees.

The second player then asks: “What does he bid me do?” in answer to which the first player says: “To work with one as I do.” The second player, working in the same manner, must tum to his left-hand neighbor and carry on the same conversation, and so on until everyone is working away with the right hand.

The second time of going round the order is to work with two; then both hands must work; then with three; then both hands and one leg must work; then with four, when both hands and both legs must work; lastly with five, when both legs, both arms, and the head must be kept going. Should any of the players fail in keeping in constant motion a forfeit may be claimed.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © goodnight_photography @ Flickr, Attribution

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

If he names any creature without wings, such as “Pigs fly,” and any player thoughtlessly raises his finger, that player must pay a forfeit, as he must also do if he omits to raise his finger when a winged creature is named.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © Peter Gene @ Flickr, ShareAlike