ACT III.--In the last act the whole word is to be given. The children

pretend to have a baker's shop (see 'Shopping Game,' No. 6), one child keeps the shop, and the rest come to buy. One asks for a loaf, another for rolls, a third buys a _tea-cake_, and so on.

Bricks and tablets may be used for the loaves and cakes, or they may be made in the clay-modelling lesson and kept for this game.

_Finding the word._--The children who have been listening are now asked to guess, and may be encouraged by remarks, such as, 'Think of the first act, and what the children said to their mother.'

'Remember the tea-table and what was said there.'

Some of the words thus obtained may be written on the blackboard, words for each act being put in separate columns.

'Now what did the baker sell?' In this way the answer is soon obtained.

It is well worth while to help the children to learn how to play charades, because it makes such a pleasant home-play for them in wintry and wet weather.

34. _PASSING THE STICK_

The children sit round the room, or stand in a semi-circle. The teacher should start the game, standing at the left extremity of the semi-circle, with the stick in her right hand, and repeat the lines:--

On the floor you see I [1]tap my [1]stick, [1]stick, [1]stick, Then I [2]pass it to my [3]neighbour quick, quick, quick, If you know it, then please do the trick, trick, trick.

The children who do not know the game will probably _omit_ to pass the stick into the left hand; as each one tries to do the trick, the teacher says 'right' or 'wrong' as the case may be, and those who are wrong are told to notice particularly how the teacher does it.

[1] Tap floor.

[2] Pass stick from right hand to left.

[3] Give it to neighbour.

35. _FINDING THE THIMBLE_

This is a favourite game and can be played with very little noise. At home, _all_ the children would go out of the room except the one who remains behind to hide the thimble, but when played in the school or classroom, it will be sufficient if six children are sent out.

The thimble is to be placed where it can be seen, the children are then called in, and the one who has hid it says:--

Try to find the thimble out, Use your eyes and look about, Look before and look behind, And when you the thimble find, Just sit down.

As soon as any child sees the thimble, he takes a seat and remains quite still until all the seekers have seen it, and each in turn has sat down. Then the child who _first_ saw the thimble takes it from its hiding-place, and has the privilege of remaining behind to hide it next time. Different children should go out each time, so that all may have a turn.

36. _THROWING THE HANDKERCHIEF_

The children stand in a ring, or sit round the room, one child standing in the middle. The handkerchief is thrown from one to another, and the one who is 'out' tries to find a child with the handkerchief in its hand. As soon as he can do this, the child who was caught with the handkerchief has to stand in the centre, and the other one sits down, or stands in the ring, as the case may be.

As the game begins, the children say:--

The handkerchief is thrown, Find quickly where 'tis gone: From you to me, from me to you, To keep it long will never do.

37. _PICKING UP POTATOES_

Take twelve potatoes and place them in two rows of six each, thus:--

Two medium-sized spoons are required with which to take up the potatoes, and a basket is placed two or three yards away to receive them.

Two children are chosen to pick up the potatoes, one standing at the end of each row. The rest of the children may be grouped on the gallery, or may stand round in a ring.

The following verse is repeated either by teacher alone, or by all the children, as the spoon is handed to each child.

Take this spoon, and with it see That you lift so carefully These potatoes. One! two! three!

The last three words are said slowly, and the game is to begin immediately 'three' is said. The child who gets his row of potatoes _first_ picked up and deposited in the basket wins the game. The potatoes are not to be touched, except by the spoon, and they are to be carried one by one in the spoon to the basket.

II. GAMES FOR THE PLAYGROUND

38. _THROWING THE BALL_

One child holds the ball in her hand and stands at a little distance from the wall against which it is to be thrown. The other children are gathered near in a group or semi-circle. When all are ready, the children say:--

Throw the ball against the wall, Then we'll listen for your call.

The child who is holding the ball replies:--

'One, two, three, Pollie Burton' (supposing that to be the name of the child called), and throws the ball, all the children running off except the one whose name was mentioned. If the latter is successful in catching the ball, it is returned to the girl who had it first and the game is repeated, another name being substituted. If the ball is not caught, the child who was called picks it up and runs after the other children until she manages to hit some one with it. The child who is hit picks up the ball and all return to the starting place. The lines are again repeated and the game proceeds as before.

39. _LAME LASSIE_

At the commencement of the game the children stand in a large ring, and the girl who is to be 'Lame lassie' stands in the centre. The children then say:--

Now Lame lassie give us chase, Get one quick to fill your place.

They all run off, and 'Lame lassie' follows until she manages to touch some other child. Wherever the latter is touched, she must place her hand on that particular spot and run after the others until she is successful in reaching some one else. Sometimes a child will be holding its shoulder or elbow, or it may have to hold up one leg and hop on the other. This is a game which causes much fun and merriment.

40. _POLLY FLINDERS_

The children form a ring, joining hands, and one child sits in the middle. Those who form the ring walk round singing to the tune of 'The Keel Bow.'

Here's Polly Flinders, She sits on the cinders, Waits for a fairy to come and bring her news. Stand upon your feet, dear, Take a look around here, Kiss the one you love best, the one you like to choose.

At the word 'stand' the child in the centre rises to her feet, and when the rhyme is ended she chooses a child to take her place in the centre and returns to the ring. All the children stand still while the choice is being made.

41. _DROP, DROP, DROP_

The children stand eighteen inches apart in a ring, _not_ joining hands.

One child walks round the ring, holding a handkerchief in her hand, and repeating the words:--

One, two, three, Come follow me, Drop, drop, drop, Where shall I stop?

At the word 'stop,' she drops the handkerchief near one of the children, and runs; the child picks it up and follows her as she threads her way in and out of the ring, until she is caught. Then the 'chaser' goes round the ring with the handkerchief, repeating the rhyme, and the child who was caught stands in the other one's place.

42. _PUSS IN THE CORNER_

This game may be played by four children, each standing at a corner, with one in the centre for 'pussy,' or it maybe played by a ring of children.

The child who is 'pussy' stands in the centre of the ring, and the others say:--

Pussy cat, pussy cat looking so spry, Might very soon catch us, if she would but try.

Two children then beckon to each other and exchange places. (If a ring is formed, the two children should come from opposite sides of it.) As they are crossing, 'pussy' tries to catch one of them; if she succeeds, the child who is caught stands in the centre, and the old 'pussy' takes her place in the ring or corner.

43. _WOLF AND SHEEP_

One child is the 'wolf' and stands on one side of the playground, while the rest of the children are 'sheep,' and stand in a row on the opposite side.

_Wolf_: Where's your shepherd, pretty sheep? _Sheep_: In his cottage, fast asleep. _Wolf_: I will catch you as you run, _Sheep_: If we let you, there's the fun!

The 'wolf' and 'sheep' then change sides, and in crossing the 'wolf' touches as many of the 'sheep' as she can; these all go to her side and help to catch more 'sheep' next time. The game proceeds until all the 'sheep' are caught except one, and that one is 'wolf' next time.

44. _DANCING GAME_

The children stand in two rows facing each other, thus:--

The following is sung to the tune of 'Pop Goes the Weasel.'

Have you seen my monkey, Jack? Gay old Jack, so funny! He can climb, or nuts can crack, Or take your money.

As the children begin to sing, '=a=' and '=b=' join hands and dance down to '=o=,' then change hands and dance back again to []; then '=a=' goes behind '=e=' as shown by line '=g=,' and stands at '=c=,' while '=b=' goes behind '=f=,' following the line '=h=' and stands at '=d='; '=e=' and '=f=' proceed in the same way, and each couple follows in turn.

45. _DUCKING UNDER_

The children stand in rows facing each other, each child holding the handkerchief of its opposite partner, and so helping to make a long tunnel. As they stand thus the verse is repeated:--

Ducking under is the game, Are you ready, children, all? Hold your handkerchiefs quite fast, Then run under when I call, One, two, three.

At 'three,' '=a=' and '=b=' run under, and stand at '=c=' and '=d=' respectively, extending handkerchiefs as quickly as possible, so that the next couple may be able to pass under. The couple who stood next '=a=' and '=b=' at the beginning follow, then the next couple, and so on until the 'tunnel' has moved round the playground.

46. _WHO'LL GO A-HUNTING_

The children stand behind each other in couples at one end of the playground, ready to dance off when the song begins. They start from point '=b=,' and each holds his partner's hand until the other end of the playground is reached, point '=a=,' then the hands are dropped; one goes to the left (following direction of arrow '=c='), the other to the right (arrow '=d='), and they meet again at the starting point '=b=,' where they join hands and repeat the movement.

The following is sung to the tune of 'Weel may the Keel Row.'

Who'll go a-hunting, a-hunting, a-hunting, Oh! who'll go a-hunting this merry, merry day? We'll catch the sly old fox--O, Safe in a box--O, Then who'll go a-hunting this merry, merry day?

47. _SHEEP GATHERING_

Two rows of children are formed facing each other, with a long chalk line between. The children join hands.

[The first row advances to the chalk line, singing:--

KEY F.

| d:--:d | d:--:m | s:--:m | d:--:d | | Here we come to| ask of you a |

| r:--:r | r:--:d | t_{1}:--:l_{1}|s_{1}:--:|

[First line recedes as second advances.

[Second line advances singing:--

| d:--:d | d:--:m | s:--:m | d:--:d | |Pray which good sheep | would you like? the |

| r:--:r | s_{1}:l_{1}:t_{1} | d: || |name you please must | say. ||

[Second line retires, and first again advances singing:--

Mary Burton [or any other name] is the name, so send her right away, away,

[Second line advances as first retires and sings:--

Johnny Smith [or any other name] will come to fetch her, then begins the play.

The two children named then come out, and joining hands with the line between them, try to pull each other over the line. If the child from first line succeeds, then both children join that line, or _vice versa_, and the game begins again.

48. _HOPPING GAME_

Squares are chalked on the ground, thus:--

and a stone or pebble is put at the place marked =x=.

The object of the game is to pass the pebble into each square with one foot only, following the numbers in order. The child who is to begin the game stands near the pebble, while the children say:--

Here is a game for you, hippity, hop, Into the next place you make the stone pop.

The child then sends the stone into No. 1 square (hopping on one foot), from that into Nos. 2, 3, 4 and so on. If the stone be sent outside the square into which it should go, the player is out, and another begins. The child who first gets the pebble into No. 10 square, having passed it into each of the others successively, keeping on one foot all the time, wins the game.

49. _MAKING A CHAIN_

The game is started by one child who catches another and says:--

I have caught you, come away, Let us make a chain to-day.

The two then join hands and catch another, repeating the same words; then the three start off and catch another, and so on until all are caught.

The last child caught starts the game again, or the completed 'chain' may form a ring and play one of the ring games, Nos. 40, 41, 42.

50. _MOTHER, MAY WE GO OUT TO PLAY?_

One corner of the playground may be the 'house' in which the 'mother' sits. If the game is played by the children elsewhere, they will probably mark out the shape of the 'house' on the ground with stones or pebbles, a practice of which they are very fond. The children come to the 'house' where the 'mother' sits, and standing in front of her, ask:--

_Children_: Mother, may we go out and play? _Mother_: Yes, good children, that you may.

The children then run away, and after a little while return to the mother; she asks:--

_Mother:_ Where have you been? _Children:_ Away up the hill. _Mother:_ What have you seen? _Children:_ A house by a mill. _Mother:_ Who was there in it? _Children:_ A little, old man. _Mother:_ What said he to you? _Children:_ Catch me if you can.

The children then run off, and the 'mother' chases until she has caught one or more; these are kept prisoners in the 'house,' and the game proceeds until all are caught except one, and she is the 'mother' when the game begins again.

III. GUESSING RHYMES

_Notes._--The Guessing Rhymes are intended to be read by the teacher to the children, who then try to find out the word. The verse should be repeated slowly two or three times before the children are asked to guess. At first only the familiar and well-known objects should be given, and even then it will sometimes be necessary to assist the imagination of the children by a question or two. Before reading the rhyme, the teacher should say whether it is a flower, object or animal, &c., that is to be guessed.

The rhymes about animals, flowers, and natural phenomena will not be difficult to the children if these subjects have been included in their object lessons, or have formed the subject of 'morning talks' (see p. 14, 'Kindergarten Guide').

The Nursery Rhymes will have been learnt by the children when they were in the Babies' class, and the rest of the rhymes belong to fairy tales that are commonly told to all children.

_MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS_

51. I'm tied up in a basin And boiled well in a pan, And then turned out and eaten, So guess me if you can. PUDDING.

52. Two hands I have, my face is round, In father's pocket I am found, My hands do move, I make a noise, Now guess me quickly, girls and boys. WATCH.

53. Are there cobwebs, is there dust, Are there crumbs upon the floor? Then you surely bring me out From behind the pantry door, And on sweeping days I'm seen, Making all things nice and clean. BRUSH.

54. Sometimes I'm made of willows, But oftener of wood, Four legs they always give me, Or else I am no good; A back I should have also, And two strong arms as well, Now if you think it over, My name you soon should tell. ARM-CHAIR.

55. You have me in your pocket, I'm square and white, 'tis true, And many things I'm used for By children, such as you. POCKET-HANDKERCHIEF.

56. I may be white, I may be brown, You draw me up or pull me down, At night I'm mostly down, you know, But in the morning up I go. WINDOW BLIND.

57. I glide along or fast or slow, And only on the water go; I'm long and narrow, and you see My pointed end [bow] that first should be; The broad end always goes behind [stern], And both have names as you will find. BOAT.

58. By steam alone I move and go, Men have an engine down below; Long journeys oftentimes I make, When o'er the sea my way I take. STEAMER.

59. I skim so lightly o'er the sea, With wings outspread like bird so free, What are my wings? [sails] and do you see How o'er the waves they carry me? SAIL BOAT.

60. The fire burns very slowly, You come to look for me, I blow it till it blazes, All bright and cheerfully; I'm partly made of leather, The rest is iron and wood, I always have a round hole, Or else I am no good.--BELLOWS.

61. I'm made of wood, or made of clay, And used at any time of day; When father comes from work at night, Perhaps he takes me, strikes a light, And puffs--ah, then what do you smell? Now surely you my name can tell. PIPE.

_ANIMALS_

62. I watch your house all night, When you're asleep, my dear, If any thief should come, My voice you soon would hear. DOG.

63. A gentle, timid creature, I Shall soon run off if you come nigh; My horns, like branches of a tree, Above my head you always see. STAG.

64. A little, creeping thing I saw, Upon a plant it stayed all day, And very many legs it had, And how it ate the leaves away! CATERPILLAR.

65. They are frisking in the field, By the side of mother dear, Playful, happy creatures, they Never think of danger near, And their coats so soft and light Keep them warm by day and night. LAMBS.

66. I take my trunk with me, wherever I go, 'Tis not made of tin or of wood, oh, dear no, I use it to lift to my mouth things I eat, Just give me a biscuit, that would be a treat! ELEPHANT'S TRUNK.

67. My coat is made of soft, warm fur, My tail is thick and round, My eyes are very sharp and bright, Among the trees I'm found; I like to crack the nuts, you see, And jump about from tree to tree. SQUIRREL.

_FLOWERS_

68. Before the winter changed to spring, I saw a graceful, white, wee thing; Its pretty bell was hanging down, As if it thought, 'Too soon I've grown,' Although more snow we yet may see, We give glad welcome, flower, to thee. SNOW-DROP.

69. A yellow eye and frill of white, Which closes up when comes the night, Sometimes my frill is edged with pink, Now, surely of my name you'll think. DAISY.

70. I come in the spring, and my bells are all blue, A pretty blue carpet I'm spreading for you. WILD HYACINTH. (Commonly called 'Bluebell.')

71. Another blue flower, that in summer we see, Has bells that are larger, in which dips the bee, And if you should give these blue bells a slight shake, A pretty, soft tinkle for you they would make. HAREBELL.

72. Five petals I have which are white, as I think, Unless I should blush, then they turn rosy pink, I smell, oh, so sweetly, now guess me quick, quick! And mind, when you pluck me, the thorns do not prick. WILD ROSE.

73. All the hedge is snowy white, Covered with my blossoms bright, Sweetly I do smell, they say, And I come in month of May. MAY BLOSSOM.

_NATURAL PHENOMENA_

74. All the trees have buds of green, Pretty, yellow flowers are seen, Lambs are frisking, happy, free, Pray what season can this be? SPRING.

75. Sunny days so bright and long, Sweet, new hay, and mower's song, Honeysuckle, roses sweet, Holidays, that are a treat. SUMMER.

76. The reapers' scythes are heard among the yellow corn, There's harvest moon at night, and frosty air at morn, The hunter sounds his horn, ripe nuts and fruits are here, The leaves go whirling by, and colder days draw near. AUTUMN.

77. Now we have the North wind bold, Bringing frost and snow and cold, Sliding, skating, oh what fun, When this season is begun! WINTER.

78. Four sisters come past, one by one, every year, The _first_, in a dress of green buds will appear, The _second_ brings roses and flowers, oh, so sweet, The _third_ scatters gold and brown leaves at our feet, The _fourth_ often wears a white robe--now please tell The names of these sisters, you know them quite well. THE FOUR SEASONS.

79. We are sometimes dark and heavy, Then you think there will be rain, We are sometimes light and fleecy, And the blue sky shows again, If you would see us, look above, Across the sky we always move. CLOUDS.

80. On a frosty morning, you may sometimes see All the fields and houses white as white can be, If the sun arise, the whiteness soon will go, Pray what can its name be? for it is not snow. HOAR-FROST.

81. In the early morning Drops are shining clear, On the leaves and grasses, In the flower-cups here; Through the night 'tis falling, But by noon of day, Sunshine warm and pleasant Sends it quite away. DEW.

82. You want me very much when you go to fly your kite, I send it soaring upwards, to such a great, great height, Sometimes I lift your hat off, and you to catch it fly, You wonder where I come from, so now to guess me try. WIND.

_NURSERY RHYMES_

83. A little boy once had a horn, I think he lived among the corn, And wore a pretty dress of blue, I've nearly told his name to you. LITTLE BOY BLUE.

84. A boy and girl walked up a hill, But tumble, tumble, down they came, And where's the water? where the pail? Of each poor child you know the name. JACK AND JILL.

85. Somebody has a garden, We ask her how it grows, Such funny things she says are there, A-growing all in rows. MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY.

86. Who sat down in a corner, One Christmas, long ago, And thought himself a good, good boy, While eating pie, you know? LITTLE JACK HORNER.

87. 'Twas something about a supper, And something about a knife, And something about a boy that cried, And something about a wife. LITTLE TOM TUCKER.

88. 'Where is your flock, my little maid?' 'They're lost, all lost, kind sir,' she said, 'I slept and dreamed, but found not one, Ah! here they are with tails all gone!' LITTLE BOPEEP.

89. She had a dog, and he could smoke, And dance, and laugh or cry, This woman and her dog you know, To find her name please try. MOTHER HUBBARD.

90. He tumbled from a wall so high, And if to pick him up they try, They find it is in vain, in vain, He cannot be picked up again. HUMPTY DUMPTY.

91. She sat upon a little stool, To eat her food one day, A spider came and frightened her, And quick she ran away. LITTLE MISS MUFFET.

_FAIRY TALES_

92. Who was it went her Grandmamma to see, In cloak and hood as pretty as could be? RED RIDING HOOD.

93. And pray whom did she meet, that said 'Good-Day, I'll race you, little maiden, all the way?' WOLF.

And when, at last, she reached her Grandma's house, Who lay there in the bed, still as a mouse? WOLF.

94. She sat by the fire, and she looked oh, so sad, Until a kind fairy made everything glad, Away drove the maiden in carriage so bright, With slippers that sparkled like jewels that night. CINDERELLA.

What time did the fairy tell someone to come To her carriage, and quick, oh, so quickly drive home? 12 O'CLOCK.

And what did she lose? [Her slipper.] I think you know well, And what was the end of it all, can you tell?

95. They say she slept a hundred years, Her hair down to her feet had grown, And then the brave prince woke her up, And claimed the maiden for his own. SLEEPING BEAUTY.

96. He climbed a stalk so wondrous high, It seemed almost to reach the sky, And then he slew, so we are told, A giant who was bad and bold. JACK THE GIANT KILLER.

97. Who was it had a pussy cat, And sent it o'er the sea, And then became Lord Mayor, they say, And rich as rich could be? DICK WHITTINGTON.

_Works by the same Author_

1. 'The Dinner Table Song'} by Lois Bates, 'The Tea Table Song' } 1_s._ 4_d._ each Song, 'Washing Dishes' }(E. J. Arnold.)

2. Foot-Rules, 9_d._ per dozen.

3. 'Kindergarten Guide,' by Lois Bates, 6_s._ (Messrs. Longmans.)

4. Cardboard Coins. Box of 220, 1_s._ 8_d._

5. Wooden Knitting-pins. 10_d._ per dozen pairs.

_Spottiswoode & Co. Printers, New-street Square, London._

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.

Page 12, "Hubbare" changed to "Hubbard" (89. Mother Hubbard)

End of Project Gutenberg's Games Without Music for Children, by Lois Bates