Part 4 — CHAPTER VToC

CHAPTER VToC

RACING GAMES FOR PICNICS

In these games participants are divided into a number of equal teams. Each team is lined up in single file behind a base line. A distance line parallel to the base line and about ten yards from it is indicated on the field.

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 the signal to go the first player on each team, keeping the left hand behind the back, takes one egg from the basket by means of the spoon and carries it on the spoon to the basket from the distance line. Returning to the base line the spoon is handed to the second member of the team who repeats the performance of the first. The game continues until the last player on each team, after carrying the egg forward, returns across the base line. The team first succeeding wins.

Should a player drop an egg, he must gather up as much of the egg as possible and carry it to the far basket and there deposit it before returning with the spoon to the next member of his team.

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 player on each team runs forward, shells his peas into the dish and lays the six empty pods in a straight line behind the dish. Accomplishing this, he returns and tags off the next player on the team who repeats the performance of the first. The team first succeeding in shelling all of the peas and having each player's pods lined up in a straight line, wins.

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 needle, hands it back to the individual and returns and tags off the next player on the team. The individual holding the needle unthreads it, ready for the next player to repeat the performance of the first. When the last player crosses the starting line after threading the needle the race ends.

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 first member of each team runs forward, threads the needle with one of the pieces of thread, sews a button on the strip of cloth, using up all of the thread in his piece. He leaves the needle stuck in the cloth at the distance line and returns and tags off the next player, who repeats the performance of the first, as do all other team members.

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 team, who repeats the performance of the first. Each player must skip the rope at least six times in each direction. The last member of the team, after skipping the rope forward to the distance line, returns across the base line, ending the event.

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 it gets to the last one in the line, who skips twenty times and passes the rope back to the one next in front of him in the line. The rope is passed until it gets to the first member of the team, each one skipping ten times upon receiving it. When the one in the front of the line has skipped ten times, he ends the race by running forward across the distance line.

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 the upper end of the stick. In this position, he circles around the stick three times and then runs forward to the distance line and returns, handing the stick to the next player on his team behind the base line. The second player places his forehead upon the stick and repeats the performance of the first, as does every other player on the team. The last man ends the race by crossing the base line.

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 grasps the ankles of the player next behind him. At the signal to go, the entire column moves forward, endeavoring to keep from breaking the column by any one losing his grip on the ankles of the next member of the team, behind. The caterpillar creeps forward across the distance line and returns. When the rear end of the column crosses the base line, the race is completed, provided the column is unbroken.

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 potatoes are placed in the basket on the base line. The first player takes a position on the right hand side of the basket behind the base line, with a potato in his hand. At the signal to start, he runs around the basket on the distance line, dropping his potato therein. He returns, running around the basket on the base line, picks up the second potato, which he carries and drops into the far basket, as he circles it. He then returns and tags off the next player on the team, who, after being tagged, picks up the first potato and carries it to the far basket, returning for his second. Each player in turn carries two potatoes, one at a time. Both baskets must be circled in carrying the potatoes forward. The player is not allowed to touch the basket in running around it. If his potato fails to go into the basket, he must pick it up and put it in before he goes for his second potato or touches off the next runner. The last player on each team ends the race by crossing the base line after having properly deposited his two potatoes in the far basket.

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 the column. The last player, upon receiving the basket full of apples, runs forward on the right hand side of his line to the distance line, where an empty basket has been placed. He pours the apples from his full basket into the empty basket, leaving the basket which is now empty on the distance line. He returns with the full basket to the front of the column and starts passing the basket full of apples back over his head. When it reaches the individual who is then at the rear of the column, he runs forward, repeating the performance of the first. The race ends when the last man on the team to run returns across the base line after having changed the apples on the distance line.

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 basket. Should he spill any, he must pick them up. All of the apples must be in the basket before he leaves them. He leaves the empty and full baskets on the distance line and returns, tags off the next member on his team and takes his place at the rear of the line. When all members of the team have done this and the last member crosses the base line, the race ends.

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 team picks the apples out of the full basket, one at a time and passes them to the rear as rapidly as possible. Every man in the line must receive and pass back every apple. The last man in the column deposits the apples in the empty basket as rapidly as he receives them.

When the last apple has been passed back, the man in front of the column passes back the empty basket. When the empty basket reaches the last man in the column, he picks up the full basket, places the empty one in its place and runs to the front of the column with the full basket, places it in front of him on the ground and starts passing the apples back, one at a time, as before. The race continues until the last man on the team runs forward and places his full basket of apples on the distance line in front of his team.

Judges should count the apples to see that there are as many in the basket as the team started with, before rendering a decision as to the winner of the race.

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 behind the same, endeavors to toss the apple into the basket. Failing to do this, he may run forward and recover the apple, but must return to the distance line in his endeavor to toss the apple into the basket. When he has succeeded in tossing the apple into the basket, he picks the apple out of the basket and runs back, handing it to the next member on the team, who does the same as he did. The race continues until the last member of the team has properly tossed the apple into the basket, recovered it and has run across the base line.

* Stones may be used in place of apples in these races.

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 basket on the distance line. At the signal to go the second player on the team, who stands by the basket containing the apples, picks up the apples, one at a time, and tosses them to the first player who stands on the distance line. The first player, upon catching the apples, drops them into the empty basket until he has received all four. He then carries the full basket back and places it on the ground in front of his team, while the player who tossed the apples to him runs forward to the distance line with the empty basket. The third player on the team then picks up the apples, one at a time, and tosses them to the second player, who is now beside the empty basket on the distance line, while the first player takes his position at the rear of the line.

The race continues in this way until it becomes the turn of the first player to toss the apples forward. After having tossed the four apples, he picks up his empty basket and runs with it across the distance line, ending the race.

No player can have more than one apple in his hand at a time and the player tossing the apples forward must stand behind the base line and cannot pick up the basket to run forward with it until he has gotten rid of the fourth apple.

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 distance line and back, tagging off the next player, who repeats his performance.

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 distance line and in this position spins twice around, using the man on the distance line as a pivot. Completing his second spin, he remains on the distance line while the man who was there returns and tags off the next member of his team, who repeats the performance. The race ends when the last man to spin around the pivot crosses the base line.

This race can be modified by having two or even three individuals distributed at equal distances between the base and the distance line to spin around, instead of one.

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 forward, sits in the chair, lifting both feet clear of the ground, then running around the chair, returns and tags off the next player, who does the same.

Where folding chairs are available, the chair can be folded and left upon the ground on the distance line. Then each contestant is required to open the chair, sit upon it, then fold it, lay it upon the ground and return to tag off the next player.

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. At the signal to go, he picks up the chair, and passes it to his left hand neighbor who receives it and passes it on to his left hand neighbor and so the chair is passed until it gets to the player at the left end of the line. He, upon receiving it, places it upon the ground and sits upon it, lifting both feet from the ground. Then, picking up the chair, he runs to the rear of his line until he gets to the other end. There again he sits upon the chair, raising both feet from the ground, and then starts passing it to the left. So when every man in the line has run to the right with the chair in turn, the last man ends the race when he sits upon it at the right hand end of the line.

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 right hand end of the line sitting upon the chair. At the signal to go, he picks up the chair, passing it in front of him to the neighbor on his left, who, after sitting upon the chair and lifting both feet from the ground, passes it in front of him to the next player to the left and so the chair is passed towards the left hand end of the line, each player in turn sitting upon it and then passing it in front of him to the next player on the left. The race ends when the man on the far left end of the line sits upon the chair with his feet off the ground.

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 placed on the distance line. A slip noose is made in one end of the twine. The other end is tied to the end of the stick. This fish pole arrangement of twine and stick is handed to the first man on each team. At the signal to go he runs forward to the distance line and proceeds to fish for the squash in the basket by slipping the noose of string over its neck. He is not allowed to touch the string or squash with his hand in his effort to do this. He must use his stick as a fish pole. When he has succeeded in capturing the squash, he picks up the basket and carries the squash swinging from the end of his fish pole to the next player on his team. The second player, upon receiving the squash, the fish pole, and the basket, runs forward, slipping the noose off the squash. He places the squash in the basket on the distance line and proceeds to fish for it as did the preceding player. Each player does this in turn.

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 three feet apart, set on their flat end in a straight line.

At the signal to go the first member of each team hops forward across the distance line, hopping to the right of the first club, to the left of the second, to the right of the third and so on in and out until he has cleared all the clubs. He then completes the distance, hopping to the distance line. From there he may run back and tag off the next member on his team. Should he knock over any of the clubs, he must stop and set it up without touching more than one foot to the ground, before he can proceed to the next club. The race ends when the last individual runs across the base line.

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 first player runs forward, picks up the logs, one at a time, and changes them to the empty circle. When he has changed all three logs, he can then return and tag off the next player on his team. The second player runs forward and proceeds to change the three logs back to their original circle. So each player changes the three logs from the full to the empty circle. When the last player, after having accomplished this, crosses the base line, the race ends.

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 blow the bag forward by means of the fan, until it has crossed the distance line. He then picks up the bag, returns, places it on the base line in front of the next player to whom he hands the fan. The second player repeats the performance. The race ends when the last player blows the bag across the distance line.

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 the second player so that his feet are clear of the ground and carries him forward on his back in this position. When he has crossed the distance line, he lowers the player upon his back, without changing their relative position and that player, upon getting his feet upon the ground, bends forward, lifting the first player upon his back, and runs back with him in this position across the base line.

When the first couple has crossed the base line, the second couple on each team proceeds with the race, copying the first.

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 race when the last man on the team crosses the base line.

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 horses' inside arms are locked together. The driver takes hold of the outside arms. Each team is turned around three times and at a signal, race to the goal.

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 is lying on the ground. He then steps back into it, and lifts it up, passing it over his entire body, legs, trunk and head. When he has lifted it over his head, he places it on the distance line and runs back to tag off the next player, who repeats the performance of the first as do all the others in turn.

Rainy Day Race

The players on the team are grouped in pairs. Each team is given an umbrella, two raincoats, one pair of gloves and one pair of rubbers. This equipment is placed in a pile upon the ground in front of each team. At the signal to go the first couple on each team go to the pile of clothes; one puts on one glove, one the other; they do the same with the rubbers; each puts on a raincoat and opening the umbrella link arms and run to the distance line and back removing the rubbers, gloves, coat and closing the umbrella. They then tag off the next couple who repeat the performance of the first. This continues until the last couple crosses the base line ending the race.

INDEX

GAMES FOR SCHOOLS

Schoolroom Games

For Primary Pupils

Aisle Hunt 3

Aviation Meet 1

Birds Fly 4

Bee 2

Bowing Race 6

Button, Button 1

Cat and Mouse 1

Change Seat Relay 5

Charlie Over the Water 5

Colors 2

Hide in Sight 2

Hide the Clock 3

I See Red 3

Music Rush 5

New Orleans 4

Poison Seat 3

Rat-a-tat Race 6

Spin Around Race 7

Tap Relay 6

For Intermediate Pupils

Compass 11

Corner Spry 9

Change Seats 14

Clapping Song 12

Flag Race 10

Frogs in Sea 9

Geography 11

History Race 13

Hunt the Rattler 8

Indian Trail 12

Initial Tag 8

Jerusalem, Jericho, Jemima 10

Last Man 14

Magic Music 8

Multiplication Race 13

Name Race 9

Number Relay 13

Poem Race 14

Relay Run Around 15

Rhymes 12

Seat Vaulting Tag 10

Spelling Words 11

Sticker 8

For Advanced and High School Pupils

Art Gallery 19

Bowknot Relay 20

Cooking Race 21

Definitions 16

Descriptive Adjectives 17

Directions 23

Distinguishing by Smell 19

Distinguishing Sounds 18

Drawing Animals 20

Geography 16

Grammar Race 22

Guessing Dimensions 19

Historical Pictures 20

Jumbled Words 17

Laugh 19

Mysterious Articles 19

Schoolroom Tag 22

Seeing and Remembering 16

Spelling Game 21

Store 18

Train of Thoughts 20

Schoolyard Games

For Primary Pupils

Back to Back 26

Chase the Rabbit 24

Handkerchief Tag 25

Peggy in Ring 26

Progression 25

Puss in Corner 26

Shadow Tag 25

Squirrel in Trees 25

Statues 24

Steps 24

For Intermediate Pupils

Antony Over 29

Ball Tag 36

Channel Tag 35

Chicken Market 31

Chickidy Hand 31

Circle Chase 34

Couple Tag 36

Fox and Rabbit 31

Fox Trail 33

In and Out 30

Link Race 27

Maze Tag 27

Oriental Tag 36

Pass Ball 32

Poison 32

Reuben and Rachel 35

Roly Poly 29

Snake and Bird 30

Soak 'Em 35

The Dummy 36

Turtle Tag 29

Weavers Race 34

For Advanced and High School Pupils

Dresden Tag 37

Fox and Geese 37

Freight Train Tag 39

Hand Baseball 41

Kick Ball 41

Last Couple Out 41

Partner Swat Tag 38

Pin Ball 40

Plug the Hole 38

Red, White and Blue 39

Roll Ball 39

Spanish Fly 42

Take Away 39

Tony Says 43

SOCIABLE GAMES FOR THE HOME, CHURCH, ETC.

For the Home:

Board and Nail Puzzle 49

Captain Kidd's Gold 53

Catechism of States 47

Chic-a-dee 53

Come-She-Come 45

Floor Baseball 51

Hide the Thimble 45

Last Match 46

Red Triangle Ring Toss 50

Spinning for 20 49

Spin the Platter 48

Step by Step 48

Tit Tat Too 45

Twenty Questions 44

You Know Me 45

Your House, My House 46

Ice Breakers for Sociables

Bean Penalty 57

Bird Hunt 55

Matching Advertisements 56

Matching Proverbs 56

Mixing March 56

Musical Medley 57

My Month 55

Poison Circle 55

Puzzled Words 57

Shoe Hunt 56

Trip Around the World 57

Social Games for Grown-Ups

Analogues 63

Biographic Cartoons 59

Charades 64

Ghost 64

Gossiping 63

Illustrated Songs 59

Knight of the Cracker 65

Match Boxing 66

Muddled Words 60

Poor Pussy 62

Rooster 62

Smiles 59

Tea Pot 60

Trades 61

Who Are They? 61

Who Is It? 61

Sociable Games for Young People

Barnyard Chorus 68

Birds 70

Donkey Solo 68

Exchange 68

Feather Tag 70

Fruit Basket 67

Going to Jerusalem 72

Guess the Sound 69

Hush 71

Jack's Alive 71

Rapid Transit 69

Rhyming Verbs 67

Shifting Seats 69

Simple Simon's Silly Smile 71

What Animal? 67

Wink 71

Trick Games for Sociables

Aeroplane Ride 80

Blind Blow 77

Boots Without Shoes 76

Clairvoyant 75

Coin and Card Snap 77

Divesting 82

Egg Smash 81

Hay Stack 76

Hindoo Blind Reading 73

Knights of the Sacred Whistle 75

Magic Answers 74

Mental Telepathy 73

Musical Notes 81

Newspaper Touch 76

Number Trick 78

Penny Wise 78

Pigs in Pen 78

Reading Temples 80

Scissors Crossed 75

Siam Club 82

The Paper Artist 74

Tricks with Matches 77

Stunt Athletic Meet

Bawl Game 83

Chair Tilting 85

Discus Throw 85

Duel Tug of War 84

Elimination Race 87

Hammer Throw 86

Head Toss 84

Javelin Throw 86

Light Weight Race 86

Long Glum 86

Lucky 84

One Mile Run 86

Peanut Relay 83

Peanut Throw 84

Ring the Bell 85

Running Broad Grin 86

Shot Put 84

Standing Broad Jump 83

Standing High Jump 83

Turtle Race 86

Twenty Yard Dash 86

Competitive Stunts

Aviation Meet 89

Balloon Race 90

Blindfold Obstacles 91

Boat Race 92

Brick Relay 88

Candle Roll Over 91

Chair Stubbing 89

Chair-i-ot Race 89

Cracker Relay 91

Feather Blowing Relay 90

Lobster Race 90

Necktie Race 92

Prune Tag of War 90

Whistle Race 91

OUTDOOR GAMES

For Older Boys and Young Men

Chariot Race 100

Clock Games 99

Flathead Race 101

Forcing the City Gates 95

Fortress 94

Game of Goose 98

Hare and Hound 96

Human Targets 96

Leap Frog Race 102

Push Cross Line 94

Riding the Snail 102

Sling the Sack 97

Spin Around Race 101

Walking Race 100

For Boys

Body Guard 106

Bombardment 108

Bombardment No. 2 109

Fence Tag 105

Fox in Hole 105

Hang Tag 105

Hide and Seek 103

Look Out for the Bear 104

One Step Off and All the Way Across 108

Sardines 106

Shinny 107

Still-a-Feet 104

Treasure Hunt 103

Wheel Away 108

Games of Strength

Cane Wrestling 112

Cumberland Wrestling 111

Finger Wrestling 110

Greco-Roman Wrestling 111

Hand Tug of War 112

Hog Tie 111

Neck Tug of War 112

One Leg Tug of War 111

Referee's Hold 110

Shoulder and Arm Push 111

Squatting Tug 112

Taking the Heights 110

Wrestle Tug of War 110

GAMES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

At the Dining Table

Around the Chair 115

Candle and Plate Race 117

Earth, Air, Fire and Water 114

Jenkins Up 115

Malaga Grapes 115

Name Writing Race 117

Oysterette Race 113

Passing the Drink 113

Rat-a-tat-tat 114

Spearing Peanuts 116

String Winding Race 116

Table Football 116

A County Fair Play Festival

The Games for All 120

The Grand March 119

Games for a Story Play Hour

Paul Revere Race 125

The Midnight Ride 125

The Red Coats 123

Yankee Doodle Tag 124

An Indoor Sports Fair

A Racket Around the Candy Booth 130

Seeing the Old Home Town 128

Racing Games for Picnics

Apple Race 135

Apple Race No. 2 136

Apple Race No. 3 136

Apple Race No. 4 137

Apple Toss 137

Blind Chariot Race 142

Button Sewing 133

Caterpillar Race 134

Centipede Race 142

Chair Passing Race 139

Chair Relay 139

Chair Sitting Race 140

Club Change 141

Dizzy Izzy 134

Egg and Spoon Race 132

Fan and Bag Race 142

Hoop Race 143

Needle Threading Race 133

Pea Shelling Race 132

Poison Club 141

Potato Race 135

Quadruped Race 142

Rainy Day Race 143

Roll Over Relay 138

Rope Skipping Contest 134

Rope Skipping Relay 133

Spin Around Relay 138

Squash Race 140