Shadow Buff

June 27th, 2007
kids shadow play

A splendid game, and one specially suitable for a large party.

A sheet or white tablecloth is first of all stretched right across the room, and on a table behind it is placed a bright lamp. All the other lights in the room are then extinguished, and one of the players takes a seat upon a low stool midway between the lamp and the sheet.
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The Stage Coach

June 26th, 2007
Children Cowboys

The leader tells every member of the company to choose as a name some article connected with a stage coach; the wheels, the horses, the whip, the bridle, etc., may be chosen. These the leader jots down on a piece of paper and then begins to tell a thrilling
story.
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The Sea and Her Children

June 25th, 2007
Kids Playing in the Ocean

The players seat themselves in a circle, one of the number remaining in the center to represent the “Sea.” Each player takes the name of some fish and the Sea walking around the circle calls each person by the name they have adopted. As they are called they must rise and follow the “Sea.”
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“Our Old Grannie Doesn’t Like Tea”

June 22nd, 2007
Child Carrying Tea

All the players sit in a row, except one, who sits in front of them and says to each one in tum; “Our old Grannie doesn’t like T; what can you give her instead?”

Perhaps the first player will answer, “Cocoa,” and that will be correct; but if the second player should say, “Chocolate,” he will have to pay a forfeit, because there is a “T” in chocolate. This is really a catch, as at first everyone thinks that “tea” is meant
instead of the letter “T.” Even after the trick has been found out it is very easy to make a slip, as the players must answer before “five” is counted; if they cannot, or if they mention an article of food with the letter “T” in it, they must pay a forfeit.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © micha niskin @ Flickr, ShareAlike

Oranges and Lemons

June 21st, 2007
Child Eating a Lemon

One quick link for you today –

Parenting Guide gives us 10 easy kid activities – perfect for those summer days that you need some help figuring out what to do.

Oranges and Lemons

Two of the players join hands, facing each other, having agreed privately which is to be “Oranges” and which “Lemons.” The rest of the party form a long line, standing one behind the other, and holding each other’s dresses or coats. The first two raise their hands so as to form an arch, and the rest run through it, singing as they run:
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Old Soldier

June 20th, 2007
Children with a Soldier

Playing games is fun and all, but it’s easy to forget how enjoyable simple outdoor things like Picking Strawberries can be.

Throw all the boring work that has to get done aside and go run around outside with your kids – it’ll mean the world to them.

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Post-Office

June 19th, 2007
Kids Mail

Hope everyone had a wonderful Fathers Day!

A Future Rock Star grinds out a killer rendition of Doe-Ray-Me on her pink guitar.

Take-g Toy’s produces some stunning Wooden Robots. I have no clue how to buy them, or if they are just computer drawings – but I want them!

Both links found via – Boing Boing

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Peter Piper

June 18th, 2007
Follow the Leader

This is an amusing game for children. A black-board is needed upon which the verse, “Peter Piper,” etc., is illustrated or written so that the words are mixed up and it will he difficult to point out. Some older person will be needed to superintend the game.

One child is given a pointer and as the others sing, to any familiar tune:

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Now if Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where is that peck of pickled peppers,
Peter Piper picked?"

she must point out each word or drawing as quickly as it is sung.

If a mistake is made in pointing, the child takes her place with the rest and another child is out. Each one is given a turn.

It is an achievement, if done successfully, and some suitable gift should be given as a prize.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © Alex & le temps qui passe @ Flickr, Attribution

Malaga Raisins

June 11th, 2007
Kids Circle Raisin

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

Magic Music

June 8th, 2007
Kid’s Magic

One of the players is sent out of the room, and the rest then agree upon some simple task for her to perform, such as moving a chair, touching an ornament, or finding some hidden object. She is then called in and some one begins to play the piano. If the performer plays very loudly the “seeker” knows that she is nowhere near the object she is to search for.

When the music is soft, then she knows she is very near, and when the music ceases altogether, she knows that she has found the object she was intended to look for or has found the task she is to perform.

Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain

Image © BohPhoto @ Flickr, Attribution