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"Dame Curtsey's" Book of 
 Games for Children 
 
The "Dame Curtsey" Books 
 
 " Dame Curtsey's " Book of Novel Enter- 
 tainments for Every Day in the Year. 
 Illustrated. $1.00 net. 
 
 *• Dame Curtsey's " Book of Guessing 
 
 Contests. 50 cents net. 
 
 More Guessing Contests. 50 cents net. 
 
 " Dame Curtsey's " Book of Etiquette. 
 50 cents net. 
 
 " Dame Curtsey's " Book of Recipes. 
 Illustrated. $1.00 net. 
 
 *' Dame Curtsey's " Book of Party 
 Pastimes for the Up-to-Date Hostess. 
 Frontispiece. $1.00 net. 
 
 " Dame Curtsey's " Book of Candy 
 Making. Frontispiece. 50 cents net, 
 
 "Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games for 
 Children. 50 cents net. 
 
 A. C. McCLURG & CO., Publishers 
 Chicago 
 
 1 
 
"Dame Curtsey's" Book of 
 Gaines for Children 
 
 For Indoors and Outdoors and 
 All Occasions 
 
 Edited By 
 
 Ellye Howell Glover 
 
 Author of " 'Dame Curtsey's* Book of Guesslngr Cofitests," " 'Dame 
 
 Curtsey V Book of Novel Entertainmeiits,*' '"Dame 
 
 Curtsey*s* Book of Candy Making," etc. 
 
 Chicago 
 
 A, C. McClurg & Co. 
 
 1914 
 
G,^^ 
 
 
 Copyright 
 
 A. C. McClurg & Co. 
 
 1914 
 
 Published September, 1914 
 
 SEP 21 I9J4 
 
 . F. HALL PRINTING C0^f1PANY, CHICAaO 
 
 0)GI,A380513 
 
Foreword 
 
 THE demand for games and pastimes for children 
 between the ages of three and fifteen has been 
 such as to show " Dame Curtsey '' and the pub- 
 lishers the need of a collection of entertainments to 
 enable mothers and teachers to supply amusements for 
 any and all occasions. Great care has been taken in 
 compiling this book, and all schemes will be found prac- 
 ticable. It is designed to assist in planning many a 
 delightful party, solving the problem of *' something to 
 do " when rainy days come. Herein will be found games 
 for indoors and out, some of them new and some old, 
 and some from foreign lands. E. H. G. 
 
 August, 1914. 
 
Contents 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I Bon Voyage Gifts 15 
 
 II A Bunny Party 16 
 
 III A Valentine Post Office Party 17 
 
 IV Another Valentine Party 18 
 
 V A Children's Lawn Party 19 
 
 VI For the Eastertide 21 
 
 VII A Jolly '^Animal" Game 23 
 
 VIII Animal Blind Man's Buff 24 
 
 IX A June Birthday Party 24 
 
 X For July Fourth 25 
 
 XI A Cobweb Doll Party 27 
 
 XII A Sewing Party for a Dolly 28 
 
 XIII A Paper Doll Party 28 
 
 XIV A Doll Birthday Party 29 
 
 XV A Sale for Dolly 30 
 
 XVI A Doll's Wedding 31 
 
 XVII Pretty Christmas Table 33 
 
 XVIII A Christmas Tree for the Baby 34 
 
 XIX For the Birds' Christmas 35 
 
 XX Red Balloons for a Holiday Party 35 
 
 XXI Christmas Snowballs 36 
 
 XXII A Santa Claus Party . 37 
 
 XXIII " Puss in Boots " at Christmas 38 
 
 XXIV Invitation Jingle for a Christmas Party ... 39 
 XXV Poinsettia Birthday Party 39 
 
 XXVI A Christmas Post Office 41 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 XXVII The Game of Christmas Candle 41 
 
 XXVIII A Christmas Pastime for Children .... 42 
 
 XXIX Unique Holiday Party 43 
 
 XXX For the Closing of School 44 
 
 XXXI The Game of "Pass It" 47 
 
 XXXII Music for Children 48 
 
 XXXIII Novel Birthday Party 49 
 
 XXXIV Snow Men for Children's Party ..... 50 
 XXXV A New "Garden" Party 51 
 
 XXXVI "Up Jenkins" 52 
 
 XXXVII Indian Geographical Names 53 
 
 XXXVIII Christmas Tree Party 54 
 
 XXXIX Old-Fashioned Games 56 
 
 XL Shut-in Day Amusements 58 
 
 XLI A Bluebird Party 59 
 
 XLII A Caramel Hunt 59 
 
 XLIII Fun with Soap Bubbles 60 
 
 XLIV Chinese Game for Children 61 
 
 XLV Advertising Pictures 62 
 
 XLVI Drummer Boy 62 
 
 XLVII A Scotch Game 63 
 
 XLVIII Letter Game 63 
 
 XLIX A Fairy Gift Bag 64 
 
 L Passing Pennies 65 
 
 LI A Cranberry Hunt 66 
 
 LII A Field Day Party 66 
 
 LIII An Easter Party for Children 67 
 
 LIV A Spring Paper Chase 68 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 LV A Merry April Fool Party 70 
 
 LVI Fire Buckets "^2 
 
 LVII Stagarino 72 
 
 LVIII An After-Dinner Trick . 73 
 
 LIX Deft Finger Test ^2> 
 
 LX Character and Object 74 
 
 LXI A Bird Party 74 
 
 LXII "Buzz" 75 
 
 LXIII "Lady Jane" ^(, 
 
 LXIV The Minister's Cat ^6 
 
 LXV Novel Birthday Party Decorations .... "]*] 
 
 LXVI The Daisy Chain 78 
 
 LXVII A Football Party ^% 
 
 LXVIII A Knickerbocker Party 80 
 
 LXIX Bobbing for Apples 81 
 
 LXX The Flour Stunt 81 
 
 LXXI A Ship Party 82 
 
 LXXII Fairy Party 83 
 
 LXXIII Blowing the Cone 84 
 
 LXXIV Matching Partners 85 
 
 LXXV A Birthday Custom 85 
 
 LXXVI An April Party 86 
 
 LXXVII " Bell " Blind Man's Buff 87 
 
 LXXVIII A New Blind Man's Buff 88 
 
 LXXIX Bag and Wand 89 
 
 LXXX "Number" Blind Man's Buff 89 
 
 LXXXI Playing Menagerie 90 
 
 LXXXII Chestnut Brownies 90 
 
 I 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 LXXXIII A Hallowe'en Party Invitation 91 
 
 LXXXIV Patriotic Entertainment 91 
 
 LXXXV Sunday Pastimes for Children 94 
 
 LXXXVI A Baby's Birthday Party 95 
 
 LXXXVII Hallowe'en Fun 96 
 
 LXXXVni Games for the Sand Pile or Beach .... 97 
 
 LXXXIX A Baby Parade 99 
 
 XC An Unique Musicale 100 
 
 XCI Guessing Noses loi 
 
 XCn Portraying Nature with Bible Verses . . . 102 
 
 XCni Pastime for February Twenty-Second . . . 103 
 
 XCIV For a Birthday Child 103 
 
 XCV "Catches" for Idle Moments 104 
 
 XCVI For a Child's Christmas 105 
 
 XCVII A Snowball Christmas 105 
 
 XCVIII " Bird Sellers " 106 
 
 XCIX At the Sign of the Holly 106 
 
 C Santa Claus Puzzle Game 108 
 
 CI Christmas Fun 108 
 
 CII May-Day Fun 109 
 
 cm An Old- Fashioned Thanksgiving 11 1 
 
 CIV May-Day Parties 113 
 
 CV Russian Hole-Ball 114 
 
 CVI A "Grandmother's" Tea Party 115 
 
 CVII A Buttercup Party 116 
 
 CVIII Sweet Pea Tea Party for Children .... 118 
 
 CIX The Glad Thanksgiving Time 119 
 
 CX A Kite Party 120 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 CXI Following the Flag Contest 122 
 
 CXII A Wonder Box 122 
 
 CXIII Legomachy 124 
 
 CXIV June Birthday Party 125 
 
 CXV A Clothespin Party 127 
 
 CXVI A Baseball Luncheon 129 
 
 CXVII Stool-Ball (England) 130 
 
 CXVIII A Juggling Match 130 
 
 CXIX Pebble-Chase (Greek) 131 
 
 CXX Buck the Indian 132 
 
 CXXI Three Chinese Games 132 
 
 CXXII New Version of a Peanut Party 134 
 
 CXXIII A Lottery Bag 135 
 
 CXXIV Japanese Tag . 136 
 
 CXXV The "Sandpiper^' Game . 136 
 
 CXXVI Giving a Pea Party .......... 137 
 
 CXXVII A Jolly Easter Party 138 
 
 CXXVIII Easter Tree 139 
 
 CXXIX For a "Track Meet" 139 
 
 CXXX A List of Forfeits 142 
 
 CXXXI A Paper Party 143 
 
 CXXXII A Doll Fete 144 
 
 CXXXIII Easter Party for Little Folks 145 
 
 CXXXIV An Animal Party .146 
 
 CXXXV Circus Suggestions for Parties 147 
 
 CXXXVI Moon and Morning Stars 148 
 
 CXXXVII Cobbler Game for Wee Tots 149 
 
 CXXXVIII A Bonnet Party 149 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 CXXXIX A Gypsy Party 150 
 
 CXL Widower, or Last Couple Out 151 
 
 CXLI A Hunting Game 152 
 
 CXLII Duck on a Rock 153 
 
 CXLIII "Sneeze" for the Children 154 
 
 CXLIV A Clever After-Dinner Trick 154 
 
 CXLV An Indian Party 155 
 
 CXL VI United States Mail 155 
 
 CXLVII Charades 156 
 
 CXLVIII "Hop Over" 157 
 
 CXLIX Fun with Buttons 158 
 
 CL A Witch and Goblin Party 159 
 
 CLI A Spool Party 160 
 
 CLII A Jolly Outdoor Party 161 
 
 CLIII An Indian Wigwam Party 162 
 
 CLIV Stunts for a Musical Party 163 
 
 CLV The Story Tent 164 
 
 CLVI The Game of Deerfoot 164 
 
 CLVII Human Ninepins 165 
 
 CLVIII Barrel Hoop Bean Bag 166 
 
 CLIX Royalty 166 
 
 CLX New Bird Game 167 
 
 CLXI Mystic Thoughts 168 
 
 CLXII A Tree Picnic 169 
 
 CLXIII Snake and Humming Birds 171 
 
 CLXIV Fox and Geese 171 
 
 CLXV A Vagabond Party 172 
 
 CLXVI Clock Golf 173 
 
"Dame Curtsey's" Book of 
 Games for Children 
 
 I 
 
 Bon Voyage Gifts 
 
 FOR a young boy who was going to Europe, a girl 
 friend made this charming gift whereby many an 
 hour was happily spent, and it provided amuse- 
 ment not only for him, but the grown-ups in the party 
 enjoyed it quite as much. 
 
 It was a blank book, the first pages containing ninety 
 cleverly illustrated book " titles/' The " key " to this was 
 given to the lad's mother. Then there were a number of 
 pages ruled off forming a diary, covering the months of 
 the journey. 
 
 After this came snap shots of his own house, the street 
 on which he lived, and of the children who were his 
 playmates and friends. There were valentines from these 
 chums, also Easter cards, April fool jokes, and Fourth of 
 July souvenirs. The *' special '' pages were tied together 
 with *' not to be opened till the date," written on the page 
 preceding, and the boy's birthday pages were concealed in 
 the same manner. 
 
 Another "going away" gift was arranged for a baby 
 of three years, who was to make the long month's 
 voyage to South America. A friend provided a huge 
 
 15 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 ball of worsted, with the instructions to unwind one 
 " surprise " a day. The ball contained all sorts of little 
 novelties, a top, dolls of various kinds, a tiny bottle of 
 perfumery, a gay handkerchief, knife, pair of round- 
 pointed scissors, small boxes of odd shapes filled with 
 bonbons, toy animals, a coarse needle, threaded, and a 
 number of large-holed buttons. 
 
 II 
 
 A Bunny Party 
 
 THERE is a quaint old German legend of the Easter 
 rabbit, and this party was planned to give the 
 rabbit the prominence it has with the children of 
 the " Fatherland." All grocers keep animal crackers, and 
 will doubtless order a couple of pounds " all rabbits " for 
 the occasion. Hide these about the rooms and provide 
 baskets or bags for the spoils. Allow twenty minutes 
 for the hunt. For prizes award a book about rabbits 
 or some one of the Easter novelties with which the shops 
 are filled. 
 
 The next thing on the program was a rabbit race. 
 The children were told to stoop down like " bunnies," and 
 when the bell rang to start to hop to the goal, which was 
 a spot at the other end of the room. Then each child 
 was given a half -yard of ribbon, with which to make a 
 bow to pin on a rabbit's neck. This may be a good-sized 
 toy rabbit, or the game may be managed like the old- 
 
 i6 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 fashioned "donkey*' party; only instead of pinning on 
 the tail, the bow is pinned on the neck after the children 
 are blindfolded. If there is a blackboard the guests 
 may be allowed to show their artistic talents by drawing 
 a rabbit, each artist signing his or her name to the 
 masterpiece. This will afford amusement for another 
 thirty minutes. Slips of paper and pencils will answer 
 if there is no blackboard. 
 
 Next chairs were arranged as for " Going to Jerusa- 
 lem," and placed in the four corners of the room were 
 four rabbits. When the music stopped the children made 
 a dash for the bunnies, those securing the rabbits retiring 
 from the game. The refreshments consisted of hard- 
 boiled eggs, each one in a nest of lettuce, with sand- 
 wiches and nuts. 
 
 Ill 
 
 A Valentine Post Office Party 
 
 £ POST OFFICE was erected in the large hall 
 / \ from clothes bars covered with dark green cam- 
 ^ ^ brie on which quantities of red hearts were 
 pasted. A window was placed in the opening, and a 
 table behind for sorting the mail. A mail bag hung 
 on the outside, and there was a slit below the window so 
 as to permit the children dropping their valentines in. 
 Each child brought one and the hostess provided the 
 others, so that each child received at least three. A sign 
 " office closed '' was over the window and then one " office 
 
 17 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 open" was put up after all had arrived and were ready 
 for the distribution of the mail. United States mail uni- 
 forms may be purchased at the large department stores 
 and the postmaster might wear one, just to add fun. 
 
 Here is a new version of an old game called "blind 
 postman" to be played at this party: Count out and 
 choose a child for postman, then each child selects the 
 name of a city and takes a chair in the circle. The 
 postman is blindfolded, stands in the middle, and says: 
 **A letter has been sent from New York to Chicago." 
 Then those two children change places and the postman 
 tries to get a vacant chair. Tiny mail bags may be found 
 at the favor counter, filled with candy hearts ; they may 
 be given as favors at this party. 
 
 Another Valentine Party 
 
 ISSUE the invitations on heart-shaped cards, preferably 
 of pink, and decorate them with little pink hearts cut 
 from thin cardboard. These hearts may be purchased 
 by the hundred if there is not time to make them at home. 
 Have ready on a large sheet of white paper the drawing 
 of a man, just the head and shoulders. Place this on the 
 wall, then blindfold a child and give him or her a bright 
 red cardboard heart. Turn the victim around three times 
 and then tell him to walk to the man on the wall and pin 
 the heart to its place. The result is laughable. Next 
 
 i8 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 hang from the doorway or the ceiling a heart made 
 heavy enough so it will hold the string down within 
 reach of the guest. Give him a pair of scissors and 
 walk him once around the room with final instructions 
 to walk to the heart and cut it down. 
 
 After this a quiet game will be acceptable, so pass cards 
 with the word "valentine" at the top in fancy letters. 
 Allow fifteen minutes for making as many words as pos- 
 sible out of the one word. Collect the cards and award 
 a prize for the most or fewest words just as the hostess 
 decides. Small prizes should be awarded winners of the 
 first two games, as it always adds zest to work for some- 
 thing. There are so many pretty symbolic favors that 
 are inexpensive. 
 
 If the hostess desires she may ask each child to bring 
 one valentine, which must be dropped in a box as they 
 arrive. Just before serving refreshments give each one 
 a pencil and tell the girls to address a valentine to the 
 boys, and the boys to the girls. (All the valentines should 
 be in envelopes.) 
 
 V 
 
 A Children's Lawn Party 
 
 REMEMBER, children are the most satisfactory of 
 all guests, the very fact of dressing and going to a 
 party and bringing home the spoils is bliss. Pro- 
 vide little baskets or dainty tissue paper bags in which to 
 put the favors and candies, and even the cake, for some 
 children love to take samples home. 
 
 19 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Now for the party. We will need a lawn, some trees, 
 and a big porch, and then with these accessories there 
 must be a big bowl of lemonade on hand under a Jap- 
 anese umbrella, the stake or handle being driven into the 
 ground. Children are always thirsty and this will pre- 
 vent them from running into the house for a drink every 
 five minutes. Hide animal crackers over the grounds and 
 tell the guests there is a whole menagerie hidden imder 
 the bushes, in the grass, and even in the branches of the 
 trees ; give each one a paper bag in which to put the game 
 and give a little prize to the one who finds the most. A 
 small flag may be hidden and that will make anothei hunt, 
 the gay little '' stars and stripes '' being pinned on the 
 lucky finder. 
 
 The " eats " will be tKe climax of the party and the 
 cake should be lighted with due ceremony and the chil- 
 dren allowed to blow out the candles. Cunning favors 
 are made by sticking animal crackers together with icing, 
 and thus made they will stand upright at each plate. 
 Delicious small cookies may be ornamented with daisies 
 made from blanched almonds, the stem and leaves of 
 angelica; fasten them on with frosting. 
 
 Snapping motto caps always give pleasure, and some- 
 times the Christmas tree sparkles are obtainable at this 
 season, and they are lovely set to going outdoors, and are 
 not harmful. 
 
 Ice cream may be served in orange halves, thus making 
 baskets with smilax for handles. Orange ice is very good 
 served this way and is not so rich as ice cream. The 
 
 20 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 party stationery that comes for parties is a joy to use for 
 the invitations and the " Sunbonnet '* baby cards are 
 attractive also. The *' five and ten cent store " will fur- 
 nish any number of trifles for a fish pond if one cares for 
 this, or for a grab bag, or, better still, for a '' fairy tree." 
 Tie the parcels onto the low branches and let each child 
 clip off one with a pair of scissors. Anything that makes 
 for mystery is an adjunct to a child's party. 
 
 VI 
 For the Eastertide 
 
 May the glad dawn 
 Of Easter morn 
 Bring holy joy to thee. 
 
 This message, sweet and holy, 
 
 Tired souls forget your pain ; 
 Christ, the Lord, for you is risen ; 
 
 Doubting hearts. He lives again. 
 
 May the calm eve 
 
 Of Easter leave 
 
 A peace divine with thee. 
 
 MOTHERS with little children always have Easter 
 eggs to color. An easy and satisfactory method 
 is to use the aniline dyes that come especially 
 prepared for this purpose. If directions are followed 
 there will be good results. The name and date, which 
 
 21 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 will greatly delight the child, may be written on the egg 
 with a pointed stick dipped in melted lard before placing 
 in the dyestuff . When removed all will be colored except 
 the writing. 
 
 By the way of variety, paint some of the eggs with gold 
 and silver paint, dip others in a solution of gum arabic 
 and then in diamond dust, wrap some in colored calico 
 that is warranted to fade and boil for half an hour. This 
 way was about the only method known to our grand- 
 mothers for decorating the annual eggs. " Calico '* eggs 
 and those colored a vivid magenta by the use of cochineal 
 were very dear to childish hearts " a long time ago.'* 
 
 Baskets may be arranged in neat form by using tissue 
 paper cut in fine strips; all sorts of dainty receptacles 
 may be concocted from boxes, crepe paper and a bottle 
 of paste. Children enjoy these preparations, so let the 
 little ones have a share in planning for this beautiful 
 festival season. 
 
 Eggs for breakfast on Easter are served as a matter 
 of course. Let each one choose how his or her egg is to 
 be cooked. Only a little more time will be consumed and 
 much will be added to the interest of the meal. For a 
 centerpiece have a large nest filled with colored eggs and 
 spring flowers. 
 
 28 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 VII 
 A Jolly "Animal" Game 
 
 HAVE two tables with six at each (any number 
 can play, however), but over six requires two 
 packs of cards. This is the way to do it : 
 
 A deck of playing cards is dealt evenly among the 
 players. Then each places his cards face downward in 
 front of him, first a name of an animal being given to 
 each player, such as elephant, snail, leopard, giraffe. 
 The person on the left of the dealer takes the top card 
 off his pile, placing it face upward on the table. Suppos- 
 ing this card is the nine spot, then the next player lays 
 his top card on the table. If it should happen to be a 
 nine spot, too, the one who first calls the animal name 
 of the other wins, giving him the card. The player who 
 gets rid of all his cards first wins the game. If the 
 card does not match the next person turns a card. 
 
 Sometimes as many as twenty cards will be forced 
 upon a player whose wits desert him and he cannot 
 quickly remember the animal name. The whole pile 
 goes when the top cards match. The game continues 
 only until there are two players. The others must sit 
 absolutefy quiet ; if a word is spoken each player makes 
 the unlucky one take a card and start all over again. 
 This is a most amusing game, even for grown-ups. 
 
 23 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 VIII 
 
 Animal Blind Man's Buff 
 
 I FIND many versions of old-time games ; for instance, 
 this way of playing our old favorite, " Blind Man's 
 Buff : *' Seat the children in a circle, or they may 
 stand. The leader is chosen by the time-honored custom 
 known as " counting out,'' blind-folded and placed in the 
 middle. He is given a cane; he then walks around the 
 circle, stops and points the cane, the one it touches or 
 comes closest to must repeat in a disguised tone the noise 
 made by either a cat, dog, cow, or horse. He may repeat 
 the sound three times. If the blind man cannot guess 
 who it is he must try some one else; if he names the 
 right child, that one takes the place of the leader. 
 
 IX 
 A June Birthday Party 
 
 AS June is the month of roses, have one for each 
 child. It is quite a new idea to have as many little 
 cakes as there are guests, all put together on a big 
 round plate, a candle in each one held in a candy rose or 
 regular rose candle holder. When it is time to pass the 
 cakes each child blows out a candle and takes one. Serve 
 ice cream, peppermint candies, sandwiches, and cocoa 
 with a marshmallow in each cup. Have an animal 
 cracker hunt and a " fish pond " for amusement. 
 
Dame Curtsey's^' Book of Games 
 
 For July Fourth 
 
 That the time may pass more gaily, 
 And the guests be more contented. 
 
 NOW, with our saner " Fourth," I fancy mothers are 
 having a much more peaceful time, for they are 
 quite certain that " Tom," " Dick," and " Harry " 
 will come in with the requisite number of arms and legs 
 and with two eyes where they belong, but I have my 
 secret doubts as to whether the average small boy of 
 today will have the memories to gloat over that his 
 father did before him. With cannon crackers tabooed 
 (thanks be to the law) we must find appropriate pastimes 
 that will still have a significance of the glorious day we 
 celebrate. 
 
 The children must be amused and it concerns us to do 
 it. So get out a big sheet of drawing paper and with a 
 heavy pencil or crayon draw the American eagle with 
 tail and wings outspread. Leave the large feathers off 
 of the wings and get an obliging butcher to save you one 
 nice big wing and tail feathers. Blindfold the players 
 and proceed as in the time-honored ** donkey " party, 
 only instead of pinning on a tail the game is to put a 
 pinion in '* Old Abe's " wing, and the child who pins on 
 the most in three trials will be rewarded by a fire cracker 
 box filled with candy fire crackers. 
 
 25 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 The shops have all sorts of symbolic novelty favors 
 for this day we celebrate with such brave display of 
 '' Stars and Stripes." 
 
 The following is a good contest: A small boy told 
 his mother what he wanted and the answers are the 
 articles she brought him. Ornament the cards bearing 
 the questions with bows of red, white, and blue ribbon 
 and tie a wee pencil to each card. 
 
 Articles Necessary for an "Unsane Fourth" 
 
 1. A powerful submarine weapon of offense. 
 
 2. A destroying element and an accompaniment to an 
 oyster stew. 
 
 3. An ancient civilization and a feeble means of light. 
 
 4. A woman's toilet necessity and part of a wagon. 
 
 5. A color and a means of warmth. 
 
 6. The chief implement of warfare. 
 
 7. A two-wheeled vehicle and the peak of a house. 
 
 8. Where nature's wealth is stored. 
 
 9. A kind of stone used in paving. 
 
 10. Bardolph's companion in King Henry IV. 
 
 11. One kind of headgear. 
 
 12. What a wise mother does not do to her baby. 
 
 13. A carnation with u instead of i. 
 
 14. A musical organization and a long lapse of time. 
 
 15. An Irishman's name, a disorderly uprising, and an 
 intellectual fad. 
 
 26 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 
 Answers 
 
 I. Torpedoes. 
 
 9. Flag. 
 
 2. Fire-crackers. 
 
 10. Pistol. 
 
 3. Roman candles. 
 
 II. Caps. 
 
 4. Pinwheels. 
 
 12. Rock it (Rocket). 
 
 5. Red fire. 
 
 13. PinkP(u)nk. 
 
 6. Guns. 
 
 14. Band-ages. 
 
 7. Cart-ridge. 
 
 15. Pat-riot-ism. 
 
 8. Mines. 
 
 
 XI 
 
 A Cobweb Doll Party 
 
 THIS party was given for little girls aged from 
 six to nine. Arrange like a cobweb party, using 
 colored cords all starting from one place with 
 the name of each girl on a card fastened to the cord. 
 Let them wind up the strings and at the end of each 
 have an inexpensive dolly, with only its undershirt on. 
 Then go into another room and on a clothes bar or line 
 have the name of each child pinned to the dress that 
 belongs to her doll. Dressing the babies will occupy 
 at least a half hour. At the table have paper dolls for 
 the place cards, and the cookies should be cut in doll 
 shape. 
 
 27 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XII 
 
 A Sewing Party for a Dolly 
 
 A GIRL of ten entertained her little friends by 
 giving a doll party. She asked a dozen doll 
 mothers to bring their favorite child and spend 
 the hours from three until five. Gay silk pieces, odds 
 and ends of lace were provided, and each child made 
 one article for her doll. 
 
 The place cards were tiny dolls, each one dressed 
 differently, and tied on its arm was a wee basket with 
 the doirs name tied on the handle. Boxes in shape of 
 little trunks contained the candy. 
 
 The girls enjoyed this delicious menu: Minced chicken 
 sandwiches, cocoa with whipped cream, ice cream in 
 small flower pots with a pink carnation "growing'* in 
 it, assorted cakes ornamented with tiny china dolls, and 
 fluffy tgg kisses. 
 
 XIII 
 A Paper Doll Party 
 
 THE invitations were sent out for 2 o'clock, with 
 a request to bring scissors. On the appointed 
 - hour a gay party of ten-year-olds had assembled 
 and were seated at sewing tables. Each child was 
 allowed to select from a colored fashion sheet the dress 
 she liked best. This took some time. Heads had pre- 
 viously been cut out of advertisements. Then the head 
 
 28 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's*' Book of Games 
 
 was mounted on the dress. This made one kind of a 
 doll. Then tissue paper, lace paper, and all sorts of odds 
 and ends of paper were put on the table, and dresses 
 were made for paper dolls that stand in little blocks and 
 may be purchased for a trifle. Paste was provided and a 
 busy hour was spent. 
 
 A prize of a pair of round-pointed scissors in a little 
 case delighted the child who made the prettiest dress, the 
 girls voting on this momentous question. 
 
 The table was decorated with gayly dressed paper 
 dolls, which the children took home as souvenirs, besides 
 the dolls they had made. Cocoa, chicken sandwiches, 
 and crullers in shape of dolls were served. The hostess 
 said never before had she gotten through a party with so 
 little fatigue and friction. Perhaps it was because the 
 boys were not invited. But I think boys could be enter- 
 tained in the same way, for the secret of keeping young- 
 sters good is to keep them busy. 
 
 XIV 
 
 A Doll Birthday Party 
 
 A LITTLE girl who dearly loved her doll conceived 
 the happy idea of giving her a birthday party. 
 No sooner thought of than the little girl and her 
 mother put the thought into execution, with the result 
 that seven girlies received invitations to bring their favor- 
 ite doll to **Annabelle's " birthday party. The hours were 
 
 29 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 from " 3 to s/' and it was indeed a pretty sight when the 
 dolls and their mothers assembled around the daintily 
 decorated table. Doll dishes were used and the small 
 table was set entirely with miniature articles and the 
 gifts brought the birthday doll were most fascinating, for 
 everything that grown people have is now made for dolls. 
 There were wee cakes with tiny pink tapers, which were 
 lit, and the little mothers were just as grown up as pos- 
 sible and looked after their respective children with true 
 motherly solicitude. At a large table the real children 
 had their repast, and I noticed that some of them ate the 
 doll's portion also. When your six or seven-year-old 
 daughter wants a party, try this. 
 
 XV 
 
 A Sale for Dolly 
 
 A CLUB composed of ten girls from the age of ten 
 to fifteen managed and made ready this bazaar, 
 which they gave for a charity devoted to children. 
 It was given in the afternoon at the home of one of the 
 members. The room was arranged like a department 
 store, with all articles belonging to dolls most attractively 
 displayed. Now that there are patterns for dolls so that 
 complete wardrobes may be made, the girls found it 
 great fun to make the clothes, hats, muffs, etc., and 
 orders were taken for all articles for doll houses, such 
 as sheets, pillow cases, even with the doll's monogram 
 
 30 
 
*^Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 embroidered, wee towels, wash cloths, etc. The mothers 
 and big sisters of the girls served light refreshments, or 
 rather donated them, and the girls served. 
 
 XVI 
 
 A Doll's Wedding 
 
 THIS affair proved to be so interesting that I 
 can hardly wait to tell all our little readers about it, 
 and I fancy the grown-ups will be interested a bit, 
 too. A dear grandmother told me about it and I imme- 
 diately saw the possibilities for a "party,'' not only for 
 dollies, but for their devoted mothers, big and little ; for 
 some big girls love their dolls long after they are afraid 
 to admit it. 
 
 "Well," said grandmother, "Annette's engagement Is 
 announced," and she handed me the tiniest envelope 
 imaginable, sealed with a wee gilt heart. I opened it, 
 took out the gilt-edged card and read the following, 
 written in violet ink: 
 
 Annette Melinda Fitz James 
 
 Engaged to 
 
 Sir Horace Algernon Travers 
 
 August Thirtieth 
 
 1913 
 
 "Annette is my little granddaughter's favorite doll and 
 she is coming with her ' mother * to visit me and you 
 shall meet her." 
 
 31 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 And I did, hence this story : 
 
 "Annette" came with her trunk full of pretty clothes 
 and was the honored guest at luncheons, teas, and even 
 card parties, at which diminutive packs of cards were 
 used. Then there finally came the great event, the wed- 
 ding day. When '' Sir Horace " and his best man arrived 
 (taken from the trunk) the house (one corner of the 
 drawing room) was decorated, aisles formed of white 
 satin baby ribbon, and the bridal party marched down 
 the aisles (with assistance, of course). 
 
 The ceremony was performed by the doll minister in 
 his robe and stole; the wedding breakfast was served; 
 the bride changed her gown, threw her bouquet, and the 
 happy pair stepped into the waiting automobile and went 
 off for their wedding journey midst a shower of confetti 
 and rice. 
 
 All these events took place in one afternoon and a 
 number of little girls participated with their dolls. 
 
 I can only tell you briefly that there were wedding 
 invitations, presents which went into the doll house and 
 were displayed with the diminutive cards of the donors. 
 
 Don't you see what good fun this was ? Just try it. 
 Best of all is the preparation, so many dolls may be 
 invited to take part, and on the "wedding day" I am 
 sure mother will see to it that refreshments are forthcom- 
 ing. I assure you there is much excitement in the events 
 which follow in rapid succession. Girls even as old as 
 fourteen will be interested in getting up this pretty 
 pageant. 
 
 32 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XVII 
 
 Pretty Christmas Table 
 
 THE arrangement of this table was quite unusual, 
 inasmuch as it was an old-fashioned square one, 
 lengthened to accommodate twelve children. It 
 was pushed back against the wall and at the back was the 
 largest sized Yule log candy box resting on a bed of holly 
 and mistletoe. On top of the log was a doll dressed as a 
 jester, called the '' Lord of Misrule,'' and attached to the 
 front end of the log by red ribbons were six dolls dressed 
 to represent the first six months of the year. Following 
 after the log were six more figures dressed like the last 
 six months. 
 
 At each plate was a horn covered with holly paper and 
 a wee tree lit with red wax tapers. The children were to 
 blow out the candles, making a wish for each one. If 
 they go out with the very first puff, the wish will come 
 true. A white and red Christmas ribbon goes to each 
 plate, fastened by a spray of holly, then each child looks 
 at the dolls and says which one he or she thinks repre- 
 sents the month in which he was born. If there should 
 be two in the same month, the one who is the oldest 
 gets the doll for that month; as there is one for each 
 guest, a satisfactory adjustment is easily made. The 
 Yule log also contains small favors for each guest. 
 
 33 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 XVIII 
 
 A Christmas Tree for the Baby 
 
 "^■^UR tree last year was indeed a thing of beauty ;'■ 
 I 1 said a young mother. The color scheme was 
 
 ^■^ white and silver, as befitted the tiny maiden for 
 whom it was arranged. Each little sprig was tipped with 
 a grain of popcorn, giving the eflfect of a snow-covered 
 tree. The corn was fastened on with a pin, and it took 
 several papers of pins to " snow ball '' this tree. Strings 
 of popcorn were festooned from branch to branch. White 
 tarlatan stockings, button-holed together with silver tin- 
 sel, hung from the boughs. Walnut shells silvered con- 
 taining wee dolls of china made acceptable souvenirs for 
 the small guests. 
 
 There was a plentiful sprinkling of silver tinsel thrown 
 over the tree and all the candles were white. The pres- 
 ents were done up in white paper tied with silver cord and 
 in silver paper tied with white ribbon. Stars of silver 
 sparkled in the topmost branches, and there were silver 
 chains made kindergarten fashion. This pure white sil- 
 very tree was pronounced the most beautiful one ever 
 seen by the friends who were present when it was lighted. 
 
 34 
 
**Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 XIX 
 
 For the Birds' Christmas 
 
 DO not forget our little feathered friends, but give 
 them a Christmas tree. If you had not thought 
 of it before, plan for one. 
 Where there are children in the household they will 
 love the idea. Take some suet and bones, some cracked 
 nuts, some bread crumbs, even raw oatmeal or any of 
 the uncooked breakfast foods, and scatter in the yard; 
 tie bits of the suet to trees with a red apple or two. Then 
 go inside and watch the delighted guests. In the North 
 the chickadees, woodpeckers, blue jays, and sparrows 
 ought to abound in grateful throngs. Don't forget the 
 squirrels, and put out some nuts, even though they have 
 helped destroy Qur gardens. They often have a hard 
 time to exist when the snow is deep. At Christmas time 
 we all should remember our dumb friends. 
 
 XX 
 
 Red Balloons for a Holiday Party 
 
 IN cities balloons are almost always obtainable, so get 
 bright red ones and try this novel scheme for a chil- 
 dren's party. If it happens to be a birthday so much 
 the better. Surround the cake with tiny candlesticks or 
 candelabra holding red tapers, sprinkling the cloth with 
 
 35 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 holly sprays and diamond dust (Christmas snow). Here 
 is the way to give the favors (red snapping motto caps) : 
 Tie one to the end of the string of a red balloon and let 
 it go away up to the ceiling. If the snapper is not 
 heavy enough weight it with a chocolate bonbon or 
 one of the many hard all-chocolate shapes that children 
 love. Then let each little guest catch a balloon and bring 
 it down to earth. To make more fun each balloon may 
 have a card attached bearing the name of a child, and 
 each must find his own. 
 
 XXI 
 
 Christmas Snowballs 
 
 PREPARE as many snowballs as there are guests. 
 Make them by using a small toy or favor for the 
 center, wind it with cotton until round in shape, 
 then wrap in white tissue paper, dip in mucilage or liquid 
 glue, then in diamond dust. These will dry over night 
 and be ready for use the next day. Decorate two market 
 baskets with holly and red ribbon and place on two chairs 
 at the end of the room. Divide the company into equal 
 sides, drop the balls in two long rows equally distant 
 from each other, and at the word " Go " the children 
 start from the chairs and get the farthest ball first. The 
 side first getting all the balls back into the basket wins. 
 It is a jolly time and each child has a ball to keep. It 
 makes a little novelty in distributing the favors, and the 
 children dearly love to tear open the balls and find the 
 
 36 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 treasures inside. All the scraps of paper must be picked 
 I up and put in the baskets. 
 
 XXII 
 
 A Santa Claus Party 
 
 A SANTA CLAUS party is what a mother planned 
 for her little daughter's sixth birthday which 
 occurred ten days before Christmas. 
 From the dining-room door, suspended by red ribbons, 
 there was a large holly wreath and through this the chil- 
 dren threw a pretty inflated ball of red rubber. When 
 the ball went through the circle the successful child 
 entered the dining-room. 
 
 At a long kindergarten table the small guests were 
 seated on little chairs. A miniature Santa Claus with a 
 pack on his back and a cane in his hand stood in the 
 center of the table, while around him were a number 
 of artificial trees in toy-sized jardinieres. At either end 
 of the table there was a wreath of holly, enclosing an- 
 other tree. Red candles blazed from the mantel, plate 
 rail, and table. Alphabet crackers spelled out the name 
 of each child at the place where he or she sat. Snapping 
 caps and confetti were the souvenirs, with sticks of 
 candy. Sandwiches of entire wheat bread, with ice 
 cream on which there was a red cherry, and an angel 
 food birthday cake, were the refreshments served these 
 little people. By the way, at children's parties it is quite 
 the thing to serve the ice cream in ramekins. 
 
 Z1 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book o£ Games 
 
 Wires were stretched across the ceiling in all direc- 
 tions, from which red Japanese lanterns and red Christ- 
 mas bells were suspended. 
 
 XXIII 
 "Puss in Boots" at Christmas 
 
 A MOTHER who is continually on the watch for 
 novelties had this unusual centerpiece on her 
 Christmas table when she entertained at a neigh- 
 borhood children's party on Christmas afternoon. She 
 took the idea from the Scandinavian custom of placing 
 in a row all the shoes of the household on Yule night 
 as a symbol that the family would live in peace and har- 
 mony during the coming year. So all around the table 
 were tiny red doll shoes filled with bonbons, and a red 
 leather boot was in the middle of the table with red rib- 
 bons going to each child's place. Gold lacing went up 
 the front and a white pussy cat peered out of the top 
 with a string of bells around his neck and holly leaves 
 depending from the top of the boot. When the children 
 pulled the ribbons a Christmas favor was forthcoming. 
 Around. the ''boot" was a mound of snapping mottoes, 
 gorgeous ones with a spray of holly attached and a chime 
 of three gilt bells. 
 
 Afterward they played a romping game of " Pussy 
 Wants a Corner " and then had this contest, which was to 
 pin a paper pussy cat on the top of a red cloth boot which 
 
 38 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 was pinned upon the wall. Each child was blindfolded 
 in turn and the prize was a scarlet tarlatan stocking filled 
 with toys and favors. The ice cream was frozen in shape 
 of white stockings with wee Christmas trees standing 
 upright on individual white frosted cakes. The children 
 were delighted with this party. 
 
 s 
 
 XXIV 
 
 Invitation Jingle for a Christmas Party 
 
 END the invitations written on little red stockings, 
 inclosed in an ordinary envelope, with this jingle 
 written in white ink : 
 
 At the " Sign of the Stocking/' warm and bright, 
 We '11 expect you sure on Christmas night ; 
 The hour is six, so don't be late, 
 A good time's coming, for you we wait. 
 
 Hang a big red stocking in the window with a light 
 behind it and the '' sign " will be visible for blocks. 
 
 XXV 
 Poinsettia Birthday Party 
 
 OF late the tropical poinsettia has been very much in 
 favor for decoration and gifts at the holiday time. 
 In way of variety a mother issued these invita- 
 tions for a little daughter's birthday that came close to 
 Christmas. The cards bearing the message were of 
 
 39 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 white, ornamented with poinsettia seals, and the envelopes 
 were closed with them : 
 
 Come to my poinsettia party, don't forget the place and day; 
 As my invitation's hearty, kindly do not stay away. 
 
 The table was lovely with a centerpiece of scarlet 
 poinsettias in a round, gilded basket, glass candlesticks, 
 and scarlet candles, a white iced individual cake at each 
 child's place, with a wee red taper resting on a poinsettia 
 doily. Crepe paper napkins ornamented with the same 
 flower were used. Across one end of the dining room a 
 red cord was stretched, on which hung a red filled stock- 
 ing for each child, fastened on with a gilded clothespin. 
 Cherry ice was served instead of ice cream, and the 
 bonbon box was gay with a big red poinsettia fastened 
 to the lid. The young hostess wore red slippers and a 
 red hair ribbon. They had great fun playing a game 
 that went like this: The first child said, *^I hung up 
 my stocking," and the second asked: "What did you 
 find in it ? " " Nuts," was the reply. Then the second 
 child asked the next child what she found in her stocking, 
 who said, '' Nuts," and added an article like '' candy." So 
 the game went around, with the list unchanged. If a 
 child forgot and left out an article she dropped out and 
 the next one continued until the stocking was well filled. 
 
 40 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XXVI 
 A Christmas Post Office 
 
 IN a large family it is great fun to deliver gifts through 
 a Christmas post office arranged the week beforehand 
 in a corner of the living room or hall. Rig up post- 
 men's suits or uniforms for the small boys in the home 
 and call them *' Santa Claus' assistants/' The day before, 
 tell the postman on the beat that he is to deliver all his 
 mail to the family postmaster, who will hold all Christ- 
 mas mail for distribution on Christmas morning. The 
 use of holiday labels and seals is so common that it will 
 be very easy to distinguish letters and parcels that may 
 hold over. If all members of the family and those who 
 are to be numbered in the house party enter into this 
 scheme it will work out satisfactorily, as I can personally 
 testify. It does not take long to do up the packages and 
 they may be stamped with *' play " postage stamps or can- 
 celed ones ; there should be registered letter department, 
 special delivery, etc. 
 
 XXVII 
 
 The Game of Christmas Candle 
 
 HOW many have ever played the game of the 
 ''Christmas Candle?'' Try it this year and get 
 all the grown people in it, fpr it is so very funny. 
 Of course, it goes without saying that children will not 
 attempt to play this without an older person, for I do 
 
 41 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 not want to be responsible for any fires or burned fingers. 
 This pastime comes to us from our English cousins and 
 was a favorite way back in the time of Queen Elizabeth. 
 Get a nice, long, fat candle, such as we see on church 
 altars, light it, and choose one child to be the candle 
 bearer and another to be the ''blower." Blindfold the 
 latter, turn her around three times, and then tell her to 
 blow out the candle. Just as likely as not she will start 
 off in the opposite direction, while all the others giggle. 
 If a long candle is not at hand take one of the little 
 artificial trees that come with several lights. They will 
 burn long enough for one trial. A little prize may be 
 offered to the successful blower. 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 A Christmas Pastime for Children 
 
 WHEN the children have tired of even their new 
 possessions (and how soon the new becomes 
 old!) and it is too early for the sandman to pay 
 his nightly visit, try this simple amusement. Suspend a 
 wreath of holly or evergreen from a doorway and give to 
 each child an equal quantity of nuts, paper-wrapped can- 
 dies, or favors that will stand handling, then see who can 
 throw the most articles through the wreath into a basket 
 placed to catch them. Give a simple reward to add zest 
 to the game. 
 
 In the same manner the game of '* Toss '* is conducted. 
 
 42 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 Take a large napkin or piece of stout paper. Place a lot 
 of nuts or hard candies in the center. Let a child take 
 hold of each corner and give three vigorous tosses, 
 singing : 
 
 Goodies, goodies, dance, my Christmas goodies. 
 
 Up they go, down they go ; dance, my Christmas goodies. 
 
 Then there will be a lively scrimmage to see who can 
 recover the most. 
 
 These little devices will make a jolly ending to the 
 happiest day in the year for the children. Put them to 
 bed with pretty songs ringing in their ears: 
 
 Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight, 
 Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and whi;.e, 
 Christmas where cornfields lie sunny and bright 
 Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight. 
 
 A 
 
 XXIX 
 
 Unique Holiday Party 
 
 T a jolly party for twenty youngsters, this scheme 
 was carried out. Invitations like these went to 
 those bidden : 
 
 There is an old lady 
 
 Who lives in a shoe, 
 Santa Claus has left her so many stockings 
 
 She does n't know what to do. 
 
 Will you come and help her solve the difficulty at eight o'clock? 
 
 43 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Name and date followed. When the guests arrived 
 they found the hostess standing in a room mysterious 
 with various colored cords running in all directions. She 
 explained that the name of each guest was written on a 
 stocking-shaped card attached to the end of one of the 
 cords, and just imagine the score of merry lads and 
 lassies finding themselves and then winding their strings 
 until the end was reached in a stocking of tarlatan which 
 contained a charming little favor from the hostess — 
 who, by the way, is a middle-aged woman whose heart 
 has never grown old. She entertains each year during 
 the holidays, and always has something different. This 
 time the ice cream was in shape of bells, served on plates 
 wreathed with holly. The dining-room table had an 
 enormous bell over it, and the place cards were stocking- 
 shaped, the nut holders being little wooden shoes. 
 
 XXX 
 
 For the Closing of School 
 
 THIS little scheme is very pretty and not difficult to 
 work out. It is called '' Childhood's Happy Year." 
 Select four girls about the same age and size to 
 form each "season." Make the costumes from crepe 
 paper and represent " Spring " by green frocks with 
 wreaths of green about the head ; " Summer ^' with white 
 frocks and crowns and roses, either real or artificial, and 
 gowns trimmed with garlands of small roses; "Autumn" 
 
 44 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 should have brown dresses with fall leaves in red and 
 brown tints, and " Winter " all white with holly wreaths 
 and mistletoe, or red dresses trimmed in cotton. 
 
 " Spring " should enter first and march to the front of 
 the platform and sing the first verse of the following 
 song, which is easy to sing to the tune of " Swinging 
 'Neath the Old Apple Tree/' At the end of the Hues, 
 two of the girls turn to the right and two to the left and 
 march down the sides, joining at the back in a line. 
 '' Summer,'' "Autumn," and '' Winter '' follow, a group 
 at a time, sing their verse, and march as did "Spring" 
 and take their places at the back behind the preceding 
 "season." This retains " Spring" at the front, and then 
 all join hands, forming a circle, and sing the chorus 
 through and march off in single file, "Spring" leading. 
 It is really very effective. 
 
 Happy Childhood's hours, 
 With the budding flowers, 
 With the warbling songsters 
 
 In leafy trees; 
 When the earth rejoices, 
 Glad we join our voices, 
 
 Happy in the spring we are. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 Happy Childhood ! Happy Childhood ! 
 Singing all the day right merrily; 
 Happy Childhood ! Happy Childhood ! 
 Happy all the year are we. 
 
 45 
 
L 
 
 ''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 In the summer weather, 
 Glad we are together, 
 Chasing little butterflies 
 
 While on the wing; 
 Ringing *round o' rosies. 
 Gathering sweetest posies, 
 
 Happy in the summer as in spring. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 When the winds are sighing 
 And the leaves are dying 
 Opening prickling burrs 
 
 'Neath chestnut trees — 
 Merrily we 're racing 
 In the air so bracing 
 
 Happy in the autumn breeze. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 When Jack Frost is nipping 
 Still we're gayly sipping 
 I All the sweetness stored throughout the year 
 
 So, with cheecks aglowing 
 Welcome we the snowing 
 Winter brings us all good cheer. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 46 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XXXI 
 
 The Game of "Pass It" 
 
 AT each end of the drawing room have an empty 
 clothes basket and another basket filled with arti- 
 cles of all sorts, such as books, balls, pens, pencils, 
 shoe horn, bell, old hats, clothes brush, nail brush, old 
 doll — in fact, anything that can be collected around the 
 house. Choose by lot or ballot two captains, who then 
 choose sides and place their players in line so that they 
 face each other. A full basket is placed on the right of 
 each captain and an empty one at the left of the players 
 at the end of each line. At a signal from the one in 
 charge each captain selects an article from his basket and 
 hands it to the next person, who immediately passes it as 
 quickly as possible to the person at his side. In this man- 
 ner the articles are picked up and rapidly passed on. If 
 an article is dropped it has to go back to the captain and 
 be started over again. The side which first lands every- 
 thing in the basket at the other end wins. The prizes 
 should be good things among the articles passed, such as 
 boxes of bonbons, wee favors like pencils, key rings, 
 etc. It may add to the interest of the game to offer 
 a prize to the player who can remember the names of 
 the articles passed and write them down on a slip of 
 paper ten minutes after the game has been played and 
 the objects removed from sight. The hostess, of course, 
 must have a correct list and check off the articles. This 
 makes quite a memory test. 
 
 47 
 
Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 T 
 
 XXXII 
 
 Music for Children 
 
 HE following delightful programmes will be most 
 helpful to those casting about for something 
 musical of interest to little people : 
 
 Children's Matinee Song Recital 
 
 This programme of songs and ballads is designed especially for 
 the little folks, for whom it is a unique as well as valuable and 
 delightful form of entertainment. 
 
 This programme can also be given in connection with a children's 
 descriptive piano recital, in which each number is accompanied by 
 a brief description, within the comprehension of children, of the 
 music sung or played and incidents of interest connected with the 
 lives of the different composers. 
 
 " The Wedding Bell." Schumann. 
 
 " There, Little Girl, Don't Cry." Campion. 
 
 "Why Don't You Sleep, My Baby?" Rosabel. 
 
 "The Sandman." Schumann. 
 
 " Cherry Ripe." C. E. Horn. 
 
 " This Little Pig Went to Market." Gustave Kerker. 
 
 " Little Boy Blue." F. H. Brackett. 
 
 " The Elf's Trip." Gounod. 
 
 To Play for Children 
 
 " Rondo Capricioso " — A musical story of fairy frolic. Men- 
 delssohn. 
 
 " The Little Orphan," " The Happy Farmer," A glimpse of sor- 
 row and gladness. Schumann. 
 
 " Wayside Sketches," " By the Brook — Sunset." Volkman. 
 
 48 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 "Moments of Pleasure/* "Spring Song'' — German dance. 
 
 GURLITT. 
 
 " Hush-a-Bye Baby/' Cradle song. Barili. 
 
 " Pleasant Recreation/' " The Little Rope Dancer " — Skating 
 
 Song. KULLAK. 
 
 " An Unpleasant Failing/' " The Tattler." Wolff. 
 
 " The Result/' " The Complaint." Wolff. 
 
 " A Delightful Time/' " The Children's Ball." Westerhout. 
 
 **A Fortunate Little Boy/' "Happy Johnnie" — Festival 
 March. Low. 
 
 " The Bird's Song/' Nightingale Polka. Cerito. 
 
 " The Mischief-Maker/' " The Little Gossip." Reinecke. 
 
 "The Rebuke/' "Grandmother's Story." Reinecke. 
 
 " I Know a Little Maiden/' " The Dance of the Elves/' Some 
 Norwegian Stories. Grieg. 
 
 XXXIII 
 Novel Birthday Party 
 
 AT a birthday party given for a ten-year-old girl the 
 guests were asked to come, each wearing an object 
 to represent a '' Mother Goose '' character. To 
 illustrate : " Little Boy Blue " tooted a horn and carried 
 a wee wooly sheep. " Miss Mufifet " was adorned by a 
 huge spider which did not seem to frighten her in the 
 least, although it was very close " beside her." The " Old 
 Woman Who Lived in the Shoe" carried an armful of 
 dolls, which caused her a great deal of trouble. 
 
 When all had arrived cards were passed and small 
 pencils, and the names of the boys and girls present were 
 
 49 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 written on the cards, then each child was to write oppo- 
 site, the name of the character he thought was repre- 
 sented. '' Big Sister'' kindly looked over all the lists and 
 determined who had the most correct and awarded the 
 prize, which consisted of a lovely "Jack Horner" pie, 
 from which sugar plums for every one were drawn, the 
 winner keeping the pretty gilt basket from which the pie 
 was made. The top was covered with crepe tissue paper 
 and pink ribbons came through for each guest. Delicious 
 tarts were a feature of the refreshments, supposed to be 
 made by the '' Queen of Hearts." 
 
 XXXIV 
 
 Snow Men for Children's Party 
 
 NOW don't say *' these are too much trouble to 
 make." Of course it would be a little easier to just 
 dish up the ice cream plain, but we must all take 
 a bit more care with holiday parties, and the kiddies will 
 just love these snow men. What you need is ball scoops 
 in two sizes, some grated chocolate, some white stick 
 candy, and some cloves. Take vanilla ice cream, scoop 
 out a league ball first, place the smaller ball on top, roll 
 in grated cocoanut if you want them fuzzy, and if you 
 want some darkies use a chocolate cream for the head; 
 stick in the candy arms, sprinkle on some chocolate for 
 hair, put in cloves for eyes, and stand off to admire the 
 result. Don't forget a clove for the nose and a couple 
 
 50 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 for mouths. In place of cloves, citron bits or candied 
 cherries cut up may be used, or all three, to make a 
 variety. Cloves or tiny, hard red candies may be used for 
 buttons down the front. In fact, there are many possi- 
 bilities in making these ice cream figures very fascinating. 
 
 XXXV 
 
 A New /'Garden" Party 
 
 THIS is carried out exactly like any " stage coach,^' 
 only the girls are all given names of flowers and the 
 boys of insects, bugs, etc., like Midge, Grub, Moth, 
 Spider, Wasp, Mosquito, Fly, Hornet, Ant; while a 
 starter for the girls would be Heliotrope, Violet, Mignon- 
 ette, Pansy, Rose, Lily, Morning-glory, Forget-me-not. 
 " The Butterfly " takes the place of the " driver " in 
 ** stage coach,*' and tells the story. When "sunshine" is 
 mentioned, all the flowers and insects move around 
 swiftly. When rain is mentioned, flowers throw up their 
 heads, insects scurry away from the flowers. When a 
 flower is mentioned by name, that flower is obliged to 
 answer by mentioning another flower insect. When the 
 gardener or a garden tool is spoken of, the flowers bow 
 their heads or bend their bodies. The insects shrink 
 away, and wander around the room ; when the butterfly 
 is making only general remarks, the insects move around 
 the flowers, making characteristic remarks about them- 
 selves, or about the emblems of the flowers in the garden. 
 
 SI 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 If a flower or insect fails to respond when mentioned, a 
 forfeit is demanded. 
 
 XXXVI 
 
 "Up Jenkins" 
 
 HAVE you ever played the exciting game of '*Up 
 Jenkins"? If not, try it. I hope I can make the 
 rules clear so you can all understand, and the 
 faster it is played the more fun it is. The players are 
 divided into sides with leaders or captains and sit in a 
 line on opposite sides of a table. A toss up is made for 
 the first start, and it is the place of the leader of the 
 " in " team to say what shall be done by the " out " team, 
 who have a coin (a quarter is best) which they must 
 endeavor to keep concealed. 
 
 The players on the ** out '' side pass the coin from one 
 to another beneath the table, leaving it hidden with one of 
 the members. 
 
 When the leader calls "Up Jenkins" and raises his 
 hands over his head, the opponents follow his example 
 with their hands closed. He says " Down Jenkins " and 
 brings his own hands down on the table. The "out" 
 team follow his example, and now the leader must say 
 under which hand the quarter is concealed. Crying 
 " off," which means off the table, he touches each hand 
 which he thinks is empty and leaves the hand which he 
 suspects has the coin until the last. If he is mistaken 
 and the coin is beneath one of the hands he has ordered 
 
 52 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 *' off/' his side loses and the other team is " in " and his 
 *' out." If the last hand should happen to have the quar- 
 ter, the game is won and another turn is taken. The 
 side that is *'out" must follow the opponents' captain, 
 only if he says ** Up Jenkins '' while his hands remain on 
 the table and the hands of his team go up, the opponents 
 take no notice of the order, when if all hands are held 
 up and he calls " Down Jenkins '* without his suiting the 
 action to the command, the leader's example only is fol- 
 lowed, not his words, and here is where many players get 
 caught. For all mistakes made by the "out'' side a 
 forfeit is paid to the " in " team. The hands are brought 
 down on the table hard so that the ring of the coin will 
 not be easily detected. 
 
 XXXVII 
 
 Indian Geographical Names 
 
 THE red men as a race are rapidly disappearing, so 
 that to children of the next generation they will 
 be mostly known through traditions, songs, and 
 stories, but how many of us realize that they have left 
 enduring monuments behind them, inasmuch as nearly 
 half the names of our states and territories bear names 
 of Indian origin. I append a list that may be interesting 
 to read aloud at the dinner table or a party. It's an 
 interesting bit of information to have on hand: 
 
 Alaska means the great land; Alabama, here we rest; 
 Arkansas, bow on the smoky water; Connecticut, long 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 river; Dakota, friendly; Idaho, gem of the mountains; 
 Illinois, the men ; Iowa, drowsy ones ; Kansas, smoky 
 water; Kentucky, at the head of the river; Massachu- 
 setts, the place of great trees; Missouri, great muddy 
 (river); Michigan, a fish- weir; Minnesota, whitish 
 water; Mississippi, great river; Nebraska, shallow 
 water; Ohio, beautiful (river); Oklahoma, red people, 
 or beautiful land; Oregon, great river of the West; 
 Tennessee, river of the great bend; Texas, friendly ; 
 Utah, dwellers in the mountains; Wisconsin, wild-rush- 
 ing river ; Wyoming, broad plains. 
 
 XXXVIII 
 Christmas Tree Party 
 
 s 
 
 END out invitations like this: 
 
 Come and see 
 
 Our Christmas tree, 
 Wednesday next, 
 
 At half-past three — 
 
 AT Frank and Susie's House 
 
 Decorate the invitation with a row of trees across the 
 top. Next, after you have delivered or mailed the cards, 
 proceed to make a circle of four cards of white paper 
 cambric to be pinned or tacked down to the floor around 
 the tree. Next, draw or paint Roman letters or plain 
 figures and place to represent the face of a clock. Have 
 
 54 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 the favors or gifts wrapped in red paper, tied with gold 
 or silver cord at each number. When the children enter 
 tell them to join hands and circle around the tree singing 
 to the tune of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry 
 Bush": 
 
 Here we go round the Christmas tree, 
 Here we go round the Christmas tree, 
 Here we go round the Christmas tree. 
 With merry hearts and Christmas glee. 
 
 At a given signal agreed upon they halt suddenly and 
 each child picks up the parcel before which he or she 
 stops. A guessing game like this follows, to last only 
 a few moments or as long as the youngsters seem 
 interested : 
 
 Send one person out of the room while the others 
 decide upon a figure on the clock's face ; when called to 
 enter, the outsider has two guesses to see which was the 
 lucky number. If rightly guessed the place is taken and 
 the one having it goes out. If not guessed the unlucky 
 one retires and sits down. Before going home sing this 
 song; it may be set to most any tune the children like. 
 I once heard it to " Yankee Doodle." 
 
 Oh ! dainty Christmas tree ! 
 
 You came from woodlands deep, 
 Where winds were blowing chill. 
 
 And flowers were asleep. 
 Now on your branches wide, 
 
 The strangest fruit you bear, 
 With pretty toys for girls and boys, 
 
 For children everywhere. 
 
 55 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Christmas tree 1 Christmas tree ! 
 
 Shining bright and fair, 
 The dearest tree in all the world 
 
 To children everywhere. 
 
 Serve gingerbread figures trimmed with colored icing, 
 and hot chocolate, or ice cream, if you Hke, and the chil- 
 dren are not already too full with Christmas stuffing. 
 
 XXXIX 
 
 Old-Fashioned Games 
 
 MOST mothers will recall the tunes to these old 
 game songs ; they will delight little children, who 
 generally enjoy playing the same things that 
 mother used to. 
 
 For " Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush '' form 
 a circle, with a leader in the center, and sing the 
 following : 
 
 Here we go 'round the mulberry bush, 
 The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, 
 Here we go 'round the mulberry bush, 
 So early in the morning. 
 
 All stop and rub faces with hands and sing: 
 
 This is the way I wash my face, 
 I wash my face, I wash my face, 
 This is the way I wash my face. 
 So early in the morning. 
 
 Joining hands again, all sing the first verse; then, 
 **This is the way I brush my hair," **This is the way 
 
 56 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 I wash my clothes/' '* This is the way I iron my clothes/' 
 each illustrated with appropriate movements. The last 
 two verses are : " This is the way I go to school '' (slow 
 steps), "This is the way I come from school" (quick 
 steps). Children love action plays and this is a general 
 favorite. 
 
 " I sent a letter to my love " is another beloved game. 
 A handkerchief is folded like an envelope, the leader 
 gives it to a child, who walks around the inside ring, 
 singing: 
 
 I sent a letter to my love; 
 
 I lost, I found it. 
 
 Illustrating by first holding the envelope behind and 
 then in front of her. 
 
 I sent a letter to my love ; 
 Oh, what is this around it? 
 
 Looking wonderingly around the circle, the player 
 sings : 
 
 Who will take my letter, my letter, my letter, 
 Who will take my letter to my love from me? 
 
 Choosing a boy, she approaches him, singing: 
 
 You will take my letter to my love from me. 
 
 Dropping the handkerchief at his feet, she runs across 
 the other side of the ring, the boy runs and breaks 
 through the ring after her. If he can touch her with the 
 letter before she gets into his place, she must send the 
 letter back again ; if not, the boy sends it, etc. 
 
 57 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XL 
 
 Shut-in Day Amusements 
 
 AS soon as a child, girl or boy, is able to handle 
 round-pointed scissors, provide a pair, with quan- 
 tities of colored pictures to cut out. Then, if 
 there is no handy man available, get the nearest carpenter 
 to make a screen or the frame for one ; tack cheap paper 
 cambric on the back. Cover the youngster from top to 
 toe with an apron, spread a sheet on the floor, give him 
 a bottle, or, better still, a tube of library paste (they 
 dearly love to squeeze it), and you happily may go your 
 way rejoicing, knowing that several hours will elapse ere 
 the charm of cutting and the joy of pasting will have 
 been lost. 
 
 When the screen is full take it out and replace with a 
 fresh piece of cambric. This amusement gives the child 
 ample scope to exercise his originality, and the enjoy- 
 ment of not being assisted is keenly appreciated by the 
 little soul. If a box of water color paints is added to the 
 outfit, so much the better. And, by the way, those colors 
 are made harmless for these embryo artists, so if the 
 brush should find its way into the little mouth no serious 
 consequences will follow. 
 
 58 
 
^*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XLI 
 
 A Bluebird Party 
 
 CUT the cards on which to write the questions from 
 blue water color board or from heavy blue paper, 
 and they should be bird shaped. The answers are 
 all birds, and children will love this game. As a reward 
 a "bluebird'' pin might be a suggestion: i. A child's 
 plaything. (Kite.) 2. What you do at every meal. 
 (Swallow.) 3. Nothing, twice yourself, and fifty. 
 (Owl.) 4. Less than the whole and the top of a house. 
 (Partridge.) 5. Equality and decay. (Parrot.) 6. A 
 celebrated English architect. (Wren.) 7. A tailor's 
 implement. (Goose.) 8. Part of an ancient fireplace. 
 (Crane.) 9. A girl's nickname and a baked dish. (Mag- 
 pie.) 10. A turbulent country. (Turkey.) 11. To 
 spoil and half a score. (Marten.) 12. A bit of wood 
 and a disturbance. (Sparrow.) 
 
 XLII 
 A Caramel Hunt 
 
 AT a party for children aged from seven to twelve, 
 they had this jolly "hunt," the happy little guests 
 taking home the booty in dainty tissue paper bags 
 made by " mother." She took the smallest size bag and 
 covered it neatly with pale pink crepe paper, then lettered 
 
 59 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 the initials of the young hostess in gilt. All kinds of 
 caramels (wrapped in waxed paper) were hidden in the 
 rooms and ten minutes were allowed to find them. The 
 ones having the most and least were av/arded quaint 
 paper caps. No candy was eaten and the bags were put 
 away until going-home time. 
 
 At this party an innovation was the serving of refresh- 
 ments soon after the guests arrived, and thus the dinner 
 hour was not so greatly disturbed. The hours were from 
 "three to six." 
 
 XLIII 
 Fun with Soap Bubbles 
 
 HERE is a pretty way to amuse one child or any 
 number of children: For a real party, cover sew- 
 ing or card tables with old blankets, shawls, or 
 pads of cheesecloth and wadding — anything to make 
 the table top soft. Then get little bowls of blue, yellow, 
 or so-called " Dutch " ware, a quantity of baby ribbon and 
 a plentiful supply of clay pipes to allow for breakage, 
 the penny-a-yard quality of ribbon is good enough. 
 Wind the pipe stems with the ribbon, tying a jaunty bow 
 at the bowl. Of course it will get wet, but it looks pretty 
 when the pipes are passed. 
 
 Next fill the bowls with a mixture made from boiling 
 shaved castile soap with water; to every pint of this 
 liquid add one teaspoon of glycerine. This recipe pro- 
 duces gorgeous bubbles. Offer prizes for the largest 
 
 60 
 
^*Dame Curtsey's^' Book of Games 
 
 bubble, for the one lasting the longest and for the one 
 with the most vivid colors. By the way, grown people 
 have been known to indulge in "soap bubble" parties 
 with great satisfaction. The bubbles may be blown or 
 fanned about the room. 
 
 XLIV 
 
 Chinese Game for Children 
 
 ACTION games are enjoyed by children and they 
 gladly welcome any new idea, especially when it 
 is an out-door stunt, so I am very glad to describe 
 this pastime so loved by little Chinese girls and boys. It 
 has been dubbed the "chicken'' game, and most appro- 
 priately, I think. The requisites are as many rows of 
 sticks of wood as there are players ; kindling wood is just 
 the right thing. Each row must have ten sticks placed 
 within easy hopping distance apart. 
 
 Each player or " chicken '' takes his or her position at 
 the head of a line and at the signal "Ready" begins to 
 hop over each stick with only one foot. It is not so easy 
 as it sounds. When the row has been successfully 
 " hopped," the last stick is removed and the return trip is 
 begun and at that end the last stick is kicked out of the 
 line. Then the start back is made and the return made 
 until there is but one stick of wood left in the line. The 
 player who first reduces the line to one, wins the game. 
 School children can play this at recess. At a home party, 
 a prize could be offered to add interest to the game. 
 
 6i 
 
<( 
 
 Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XLV 
 Advertising Pictures 
 
 ADVERTISING pictures is a new rendering of the 
 old and beloved "bird, beast, fish." A child 
 stands in the center of a circle with a sofa pillow, 
 which is thrown at a child, who must reply with an adver- 
 tising picture before the one in the center can count ten. 
 The fun of this game is that advertisements cannot be 
 named twice. This makes the players keep their wits and 
 adds interest to the game. It is best fitted for youngsters 
 from twelve to fifteen. Even grown-up people enjoy this 
 pastime. In fact, grown-ups should be a factor where it 
 is possible in all children's plays, especially at parties. 
 
 XLVI 
 Drummer Boy 
 
 THIS is a game that boys love and I think girls 
 would like it, too. The players form in a circle an 
 arm's length apart. The leader is in the middle 
 with a basket ball. He says : *' Rah, rah, rah, run, boys, 
 run; you with the red coat follow the drum." As the 
 word " drum " is said the leader throws the ball at a boy 
 in the circle, who, if he catches it, takes his place 
 as leader. At the word '' drum " all those in the circle 
 take very short steps to the left and clap their hands in 
 time like the beating of a drum. Of course, good lively 
 music adds to the charm of this game. 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XLVII 
 A Scotch Game 
 
 THE game is called " King-a-be-low/' or, as it has 
 become in this country, " Kinggalo," and is played 
 by the children in the lowlands of Scotland. The 
 players form at one side of the lawn, and a player is 
 chosen to be king. His duty is to stand in the middle and 
 when he calls '* King-a-be-low, who shall come through? " 
 the other players try to run by to the opposite side while 
 he endeavors to touch them on the head, or, as it is called, 
 
 ' crown." 
 
 XLVIII 
 Letter Game 
 
 THIS is a very old game, but I have no doubt that it 
 will be new to many, and I am sure those of us who 
 knew it in our youth will be glad to renew the 
 acquaintance. Any number of players may participate. 
 The one who proposes the game explains that the letter 
 chosen must begin the answer to the question; for 
 instance, suppose the letter "A" is agreed upon and 
 the leader says '' Mention the name of an American 
 city beginning with *A,'" (Atlanta). A foreign city, 
 (Amiens) ; an American river, (Alabama) ; a mineral, 
 (amethyst) ; a vegetable, (artichoke) ; an animal, (ape) ; 
 an article to be worn, (arctics), etc., are some of the 
 innumerable questions which may be suggested. 
 
 63 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XLIX 
 A Fairy Gift Bag 
 
 A FAIRY gift bag is somewhat newer than the 
 Jack Horner pie. It is a pretty way of dispensing 
 souvenirs to the children and adds an element of 
 mystery that youngsters love. They may be just as 
 expensive or cheap as the hostess wishes. First select 
 the requisite number of toys or favors, wrap neatly in 
 tissue paper of two colors, one for boys and one for girls ; 
 tie very securely with colored cord or ribbon. Pale green 
 and pink or red and white make good combinations of 
 colors. Get a large brown paper sack from the grocer, 
 one that will hold all the parcels without crowding. Now 
 cover this bag with a dainty crepe paper and make two 
 bows of ribbon ; fasten on either side of the bag quite low 
 down. Attach a ribbon to each parcel (very narrow) 
 three-quarters of a yard long. These ribbons fall over 
 the top of the bag when it is tied up and look very pretty. 
 Next blindfold each child, one at a time, and let him 
 walk to the bag and select a ribbon, standing perfectly 
 still, then when all have ribbons they are pulled good and 
 hard, the bag bursts and each one has a favor. Some- 
 times the children are given a stout cane and each allowed 
 a strike at the bag until it bursts. A hostess may choose 
 her own method. For very small children a little tale 
 may be told of how a good fairy has filled the bag for the 
 party, and interest will rise to fever heat by the time the 
 bag is opened. 
 
 64 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Passing Pennies 
 
 THIS is a jolly pastime much enjoyed by children 
 and hailed by mothers as something new. Place 
 five chairs in a row and five chairs opposite them 
 with a small table or taboret at each end. Ask ten chil- 
 dren to take the seats thus provided, with a captain at 
 each head of the line. Then the captain takes five pennies 
 that are given him and lays them on the head table. 
 Every other child must hold out his hands for the penny 
 to be dropped into them, the palms flat and close together. 
 Now the captains sitting beside the head tables start 
 sending the pennies to the other end. They pick one cent 
 off the table, drop it in the next child's hand, then the 
 third person picks it out and drops it in the next hand 
 and so on until the last player is reached and the coin is 
 laid on the foot table. As soon as the fifth cent reaches 
 the foot table it is sent back by the same process. The 
 side getting the five coins " home " first wins. The faster 
 this game is played the more exciting it is and the 
 children always want to do it over and over. 
 
 e$ 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LI 
 
 A Cranberry Hunt 
 
 A Thanksgiving Day Game 
 
 HIDE cranberries, either outdoors or inside, just 
 as the powers that be decide. Provide bags or 
 baskets for the spoils, and award a box of goodies 
 for the prize. 
 
 Instead of the time-honored "pinning the tail'' on the 
 donkey, they have gotten out a pumpkin pie, and the trick 
 is to put a slice of pie back in place. And another good 
 stunt is to draw or paint a turkey gobbler and give each 
 child a feather to be pinned on. The reward may be 
 a turkey candy box. 
 
 LII 
 A Field Day Party 
 
 THE guests may be any number, but twenty-four 
 I find is just about right for the competition. This 
 affair is fine for children, young people, and those 
 who are older grown. 
 
 Egg and spoon races are great fun, as well as the 
 " needle and thread " contest. Then there should be run- 
 ning races, forty-yard dashes, interspersed with three- 
 legged and sack races. 
 
 Rope climbing is most laughable, as well as the merry 
 ''obstacle" race. 
 
 66 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 A timekeeper, referee, and a "judge'' add to the 
 interest and the prizes may be as many and elaborate as 
 the hostess wishes. In some of the races blue and red 
 ribbons may be awarded. 
 
 Perhaps tennis, croquet, archery, and baseball matches 
 may be arranged. 
 
 Refreshments or supper should be served on the lawn 
 or porch. 
 
 It would be a jolly thing to have the guests conveyed 
 to and from the place in a hay wagon drawn by four 
 horses. Provide horns and have bells on the harness. 
 
 It is needless to say that outing suits should be worn. 
 From four to ten are good hours, but the time should be 
 set to suit the convenience of the largest number. 
 
 LIU 
 An Easter Party for Children 
 
 NO party is a real Easter affair without the time- 
 honored egg hunt, and the eggs may be genuine 
 ones colored,^ or the pretty candy ones that come 
 in all sizes. Provide little baskets or bags for the finds, 
 and zest is added by having prizes for certain eggs, say 
 one of gold, one silver, and one royal purple. The 
 rewards may be pretty boxes filled with bonbons or a big, 
 fat "Benjamin Bunny" candy box. Large sized egg- 
 shaped boxes come ready to be filled with bonbons or 
 any little favors the hostess may wish to bestow. 
 A jolly game is to set up Easter chickens or rabbits 
 
 67 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 like tenpins and roll Easter eggs instead of balls. Play it 
 just like tenpins ; keep score and have a prize. 
 
 Children always adore the blindfolding game, when 
 something is pinned on, and in this case draw a rabbit on 
 the sheet or paper and have an egg-shaped bit of paper 
 to be pinned on in his front paws. Have each paper 
 numbered and caution the children to remember what 
 number they had. Have a large Easter cake decorated 
 with white and yellow frosting with a circle of wee 
 chicks around the edge, so when the cake is cut there will 
 be one on each slice. 
 
 If a Jack Horner pie is to be part of the attraction, 
 have it of yellow and white crepe paper, nest-shaped, 
 with a rabbit on top holding the yellow and white ribbons 
 in his paws. Let each child pull a ribbon and draw out 
 a favor. 
 
 The ice cream may be served in nests of candy such as 
 confectioners have at this season. 
 
 LIV 
 A Spring Paper Chase 
 
 THIS is a jolly outdoor sport for a bright, warm 
 day and may be arranged for after school or a 
 Saturday, just as '* mother" deems best. Children 
 from the ages of eight or nine up to thirteen or fourteen 
 may be invited. Outing clothes and stout shoes must be 
 the costumes, and it is a wise thing to ask each child to 
 
 68 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 bring an extra pair of stockings and a pair of slippers to 
 put on when they return from the chase, for there is no 
 telling what may happen and shoes will be sure to be 
 more or less muddy. 
 
 The " meet '' should be on the lawn at the hour 
 appointed, and only one "hare" will be necessary for a 
 small party, say twelve ; if there are twenty guests there 
 should be two. If just one is sufficient it should be a boy ; 
 if two, choose a boy and a girl. It will probably be best 
 for the mother or whoever acts as hostess to assign the 
 parts of the " hares/' who should be well acquainted with 
 the country for several miles around ; then there must be 
 one of the older boys for "whipper-in"; he belongs to 
 the hounds; and one of the smaller lads may be the 
 huntsman and have a good, loud horn. 
 
 The hares have sacks (a stout clothes-pin bag or a 
 pillow case will do), with a cord to go over the shoulder. 
 Fill the sack with well-torn newspaper or white paper 
 with which to make the trail. 
 
 All being in readiness, the hostess produces her watch 
 and at a word the hare is off, and he has a ten or fifteen 
 minute start. No one knows what he will do or where he 
 will go, but he must leave the paper trail. 
 
 At a given signal the " hounds " are off, and the only 
 rule is that every one must be back at a certain hour, the 
 hare included, whether he has been caught or not. 
 
 Boys and girls love this kind of a party, and it is truly 
 very exciting when the hare is seen and the hunter blows 
 the horn; if a "killing" is made the "hounds" are jubi- 
 
 69 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 lant and all troop back to the house ready to do full 
 justice to the "hunt" tea, or luncheon. Red is an 
 appropriate color scheme and simple refreshments should 
 be served, but be sure to have plenty of everything. . 
 
 H 
 
 LV 
 A Merry April Fool Party 
 
 ERE is a bit of jingle for an invitation to a 
 First-of- April party: 
 
 For merry jests, 
 Do be my guest 
 On Wednesday, 
 "All Fools' Day;" 
 'The hour is eight, 
 So don't be late, 
 And do not say me " nay/' 
 
 Please reply to Miss Annabel Scott. 
 
 If you should wish to entertain at a card party have 
 the *7^ster's head rattles/' to be found in the toy depart- 
 ment, for the scores and keep track of the games by let- 
 ting the winners attach little gilt costume bells to the rattle 
 by gilt safety pins. By tying the rattles with ribbons, two 
 of each color, partners may be found ; the blues playing 
 together; the reds, etc. When refreshments are served 
 you may have a surprise menu by serving well-known 
 viands in the most unexpected forms, such as : 
 
 70 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Potato salad arranged as cream puffs ; English walnut 
 shells as receptacles for olives; sandwiches as slices of 
 cake with nut filling ; ice cream as croquettes, cone-shaped 
 and plentifully sprinkled with toasted cake-crumbs ; cake 
 as sandwiches, with ice cream between and tied with 
 ribbon ; coffee served in bouillon cups ; bonbons served in 
 artificial fruit candy boxes. 
 
 A dish filled with this joke fruit makes a lovely center- 
 piece. Pass it after the dessert, and I want to tell you 
 that real banana skins may be filled with salad or ice 
 cream, and neatly baked Irish potato shells, scooped out 
 and lined with waxed paper, may be filled with salad or 
 ice cream, or even creamed chicken, the halves being 
 carefully put together. Of course, we all remember the 
 April Fool bonbons of our childhood — chocolates stuffed 
 with cotton, button molds coated with chocolate, marsh- 
 mallows dipped in quinine, maple kisses made from salt 
 and molasses, and little pill boxes filled with flour and 
 iced like small cakes. 
 
 All this and more, too, is permissible on the first day 
 of April. The French call this day '' La Poisson d'Avril " 
 (The Fish of April), so why not have fish-shaped place 
 cards and see who will be the first to be "caught**? 
 
 71 
 
Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 LVI 
 
 Fire Buckets 
 
 •«w— ^IRE buckets'' is a jolly game, so called from the 
 -1"*^ old way of passing buckets of water from hand 
 * to hand in the volunteer fire companies. The 
 players are formed in two long lines opposite each other 
 with captains at the head, each having a basket or box 
 filled with all sorts of hastily collected articles — handker- 
 chiefs, balls, hats, hair ribbons, pocket knives, etc., which 
 are to be passed on one at a time until the end of the line 
 is reached. The last player, depositing the objects on the 
 ground beside him, begins at once to pass them back. The 
 line first accomplishing the task wins. 
 
 LVII 
 Stagarino 
 
 THIS may be played on the lawn, porch, or sea- 
 shore. Have two bases opposite each other. The 
 players are on either side with " It '' in the middle 
 (the latter being chosen by drawing lots, or the old-time 
 method of "counting out''). The game is to run from 
 one goal to the other without being caught. When once 
 touched he or she joins in trying to catch the others. 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LVIII 
 An After-Dinner Trick 
 
 THIS sounds very easy, but try it and see. Boys 
 will enjoy it, and I am told even men are not 
 averse to attempting what is apparently so simple. 
 Tell the victim that he is to brush a coin out of your 
 hand. Proceed to lay a quarter in the middle of the palm 
 and hand *' him '^ a whisk broom. The motion used must 
 be only a brushing one, no fair digging the coin out with 
 a corner of the broom. Sometimes as many as a dozen 
 people will try to brush the quarter out and not one will 
 succeed. 
 
 LIX 
 Deft Finger Test 
 
 I HARDLY know what to call this amusing stunt that 
 a hostess sprang on her guests after a dinner party. 
 It will serve for any age and is very easy to get ready. 
 All required is a new paper of black and white pins ; tear 
 off a row of white and a row of black for each person, 
 and provide a little tray to hold the pins. At the ring 
 of a bell or the word ''go," all take the pins out of both 
 rows, put them in the holder and go to work to replace 
 them "as was.'' The one who finishes first wins the 
 prize, which may be a fancy box of assorted pins, beauty 
 pins, safety pins, or whatever the hostess wishes 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LX 
 
 Character and Object 
 
 TRY this little game and see how amusing it is. 
 Send two persons out of the room, then select a 
 character and an object which are closely related 
 to each other — for instance, ''George Washington and 
 his hatchet," " Sir Walter Raleigh and his cloak," '' Cleo- 
 patra and the asp." Then call in the persons and tell one 
 to be the ** character " and the other the " object." Ques- 
 tions must be asked by them which must be answered by 
 either "yes" or "no." After much adroit questioning 
 they usually ascertain " who " and " what " they are. 
 Persons and objects may be of local fame, and provoke 
 much good-natured merriment. 
 
 LXI 
 
 A Bird Party 
 
 BIRDS drawn in sepia ornamented the invitations and 
 the favors were Japanese paper birds that chirped 
 in a most natural manner. 
 On the wall a peacock was drawn vv^ithout the tail, 
 which was to be supplied after the manner of the old- 
 time "donkey" party. Each child was blindfolded and 
 had three chances to supply the missing glory to this 
 vainest of birds. The prize to the one pinning on the 
 most tails in the place where they should go was a copy 
 of the " Birds' Christmas Carol." 
 
 74 
 
**Dame Curtsey's*' Book of Games 
 
 The next contest was headed, " Birds You Ought to 
 Know." The questions were as follows: 
 
 A jolly outdoor time? — A meadow lark. 
 
 What hunters sometimes do? — Killdeer. 
 
 A quaint, old-fashioned name ? — Phoebe. 
 
 Used in decoration? — Bunting. 
 
 From whom do you buy meat ? — Butcher bird. 
 
 A color Quakers like ? — Dove. 
 
 An unsteady light ? — Flicker. 
 
 Material for summer trousers ? — Duck. 
 
 A stupid fellow ? — Booby. 
 
 A boy's name? — Bob White. 
 
 What friends do ? — Chat. 
 
 A bird never seen in summer? — Snowbird. 
 
 An amusement for children? — Teeter. 
 
 What farmers need in summer ? — Thrasher. 
 
 What a dog does when happy ? — Wagtail. 
 
 A colored tool ? — Yellowhammer. 
 
 A celebrated artist ? — Whistler. 
 
 LXII 
 "Buzz" 
 
 THE players sit in a circle and the one designated 
 begins to count, his neighbor says the next number 
 and so on until 7 is reached, when, instead of giving 
 the next number, the player says ** buzz." The next says 
 " 8," and so it goes until 14 brings another *' buzz," and 
 so on. For every number having a 7 or a multiple of 7 
 
 7S 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 the word '' buzz " is substituted. The player who forgets 
 is left out of it, or must pay a forfeit. 
 
 The thing to remember is 7 or the multiple, like 14, 
 21, 28, 35, etc. The one who holds out the longest may 
 receive a prize. 
 
 LXIII 
 
 "Lady Jane" 
 
 DO you know her? If not, introduce her to the chil- 
 dren the next time they ask you " what to play." 
 It is done by forming a circle, then giving each 
 child the name of an article of a woman's belongings, a 
 parasol, a fan, a hat, slippers, and so on. Another player 
 spins a plate in the middle of the floor and says, ** Lady 
 Jane is ^oing a-visiting and needs her hat,'' or some other 
 article, and the person to whom the hat was given must 
 seize the plate before it ceases to spin, using as he twirls 
 it the name of another one of Lady Jane's possessions. 
 
 LXIV 
 The Minister's Cat 
 
 WHY the minister's cat I know not, only I do know 
 that this game is just as much fun as the children 
 make it; all depends upon how fast they can 
 think and how long they can make one letter last. 
 
 One begins by saying, '*The minister's cat is ambi- 
 tious." The next one states, "The minister's cat is 
 
 76 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 anxious/' and so on until all the a's are exhausted and the 
 next letter is taken up. 
 
 It is very much like the old game beginning, *' I love 
 my love with an A/' and some one says *' Apple," and 
 then " B '' is taken and so on down the alphabet or until 
 the players are tired. 
 
 LXV 
 Novel Birthday Party Decorations 
 
 IN search of something new to amuse a bevy of a dozen 
 youngsters invited to celebrate her daughter's tenth 
 birthday, a mother had a glass bowl of goldifish for 
 the centerpiece, surrounded by tiny nosegays of flowers, 
 from which ribbons ran to each place. At the close of 
 the repast the ribbons were pulled and each child found a 
 fish candy box attached to the flowers, to be taken home. 
 
 Sets of toy fish that float after a pole may be pur- 
 chased, and they were provided for amusement, much to 
 the delight of those embryo Izaak Waltons. Large bowls 
 furnished the water, and the children fished in pairs. 
 The prizes were candy box lobsters. 
 
 This menu was served : Bouillon in cups, chicken sand- 
 wiches, ice cream, and lovely little frosted sponge cakes. 
 
 Besides, each one had a slice from the birthday cake, 
 which was on a side table by itself surrounded by candles. 
 The guests each blew out a candle, wishing the birthday 
 girl many happy returns of the day. Then there were gay 
 snapping motto caps, without which no party is complete. 
 
*rDame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LXVI 
 The Daisy Chain 
 
 THIS is a good exercise for little girls from six to 
 eight years old for their closing day at school. 
 Have them dressed in white, with garlands of 
 daisies and wreaths of daisies on their heads. Let them 
 sing this verse to the tune of " The Old Oaken Bucket : " 
 
 How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, 
 
 When fond recollections present them to view; 
 The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood, 
 
 And all the broad fields, where the wild daisies grew. 
 How eager we gathered the fair, blooming flowers, 
 
 And plucked off their petals our fortunes to tell ; 
 Or quickly in garlands we wove them for bowers 
 
 Or wreathed them for crownlets youth's beauty to swell. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 The daisy, the daisy, the bright blooming daisy, 
 The white-petaled daisy, we all love so well. 
 
 LXVII 
 A Football Party 
 
 BOYS, and incidentally the girls, are greatly inter- 
 ested in football these days; in fact a little chap 
 only ten who had to go to the hospital for an opera- 
 tion was so keen about a forthcoming game that his one 
 desire was to " get back '' in time to witness it. 
 
 78 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book o£ Games 
 
 I must confess I am not a " fan," so have no personal 
 knowledge of how to use the terms correctly. I do know 
 that the favor departments of the stores show cunning 
 little footballs to be used as containers for nuts or 
 candies, and there are pennants galore, so all well-known 
 colleges and many high schools are represented. A large 
 football may form the centerpiece, from which ribbons 
 (team or school colors) may run to smaller footballs at 
 each place. The names of guests may be printed on the 
 sides and so be used for place cards. 
 
 To choose partners for any desired game, have a basket 
 or plate with cards (one for each person), half of them 
 being of the color of one team and half the color of the 
 opponents. Thus the guests will be divided into teams 
 according to the colors drawn. On the cards write the 
 positions of the players; for instance, the one drawing 
 ** right end " will hunt for the one having " left end " and 
 the one who gets "right tackle" will hunt for "left 
 tackle " ; the right guard and the left guard, and the right 
 halfback and the left halfback, the quarterback and the 
 fullback, the center and the referee, the umpire and the 
 field judge, may be partners. The hostess and her partner 
 may be the captains. 
 
 Another pastime may be finding how many words 
 may be made from " football," the one having the most 
 at the end of a stated period to receive a prize. A good 
 way to end the evening will be to have a rousing " sing" 
 of college songs and an impromptu dance. 
 
 79 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LXVIII 
 A Knickerbocker Party 
 
 A MOTHER who was about to put her small son 
 into his first trousers conceived the clever idea of 
 holding a party in his honor on the eventful day. 
 On her card she wrote : '* Come to meet our little man 
 Jack at three on Saturday, September lo." 
 
 The first game is for the amusement of the children 
 and is called ''menagerie." A picture of an animal is 
 pinned on the coat or dress of each as they pass in line. 
 The leader should be a ten-year-old boy, who will be able 
 to manage better than a younger child. He says he 
 wishes to catch a menagerie to go with a circus, and then 
 the children scatter over house and grounds, each mak- 
 ing the noise of the animal he is supposed to represent. 
 All the animals must be caught, and if they are especially 
 wary the hunter may employ those already caught to help 
 get the others. When all are caged (placed in a corner 
 designated) he forms them in line, two by two, and they 
 march around to the owner of the circus, who removes 
 the animals. 
 
 This is a lively game, keenly enjoyed by all children. 
 For favors have little clowns and serve pink lemonade, 
 ice cream in shape of animals, and animal cookies; of 
 course, have the snapping motto caps which all children 
 love. 
 
 80 
 
"Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 LXIX 
 Bobbing for Apples 
 
 IN a light zinc tub which may be brought from the 
 laundry put at least a dozen red apples, and in four of 
 them conceal a ring a thimble, a button, and a coin. 
 Just press the articles carefully into the fruit and the 
 mutilation is not discernible in the water. The boy or 
 girl getting the ring will be married or engaged within 
 the year. The thimble means no such luck; the one 
 getting it must remain single or unattached for another 
 twelve months. The coin means wealth and the button 
 means one must win fame or fortune by one's own 
 exertions. 
 
 LXX 
 
 The Flour Stunt 
 
 WHO remembers the old trick of trying to get a 
 coin out of a pan of flour with the teeth, the 
 hands being tied behind the back? This is a 
 laughable sight. Sometimes a wedding ring is concealed 
 in the flour, and the one getting it will be married within 
 the year. Of course, the coin denotes wealth. 
 
 8i 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LXXI 
 A Ship Party 
 
 THIS affair was given for a boy's eighth birthday 
 and he just loved boats better than anything else, 
 so his mother had. the tinsmith make an oval pan 
 four inches deep, v^hich she filled with water and put in 
 the center of the dining-room table. Around the edge 
 she arranged ferns and vines with moss, and in the water 
 she placed the gold fish from the aquarium. At the toy 
 store she bought ducks, miniature rowboats, sailboats, 
 a little steamer, swans, frogs, and play fish. There was a 
 five-cent sailboat at each place with the name of child 
 on the side. The cake had a sailboat done in pink icing 
 for decoration, with the boy's name, date of birth and 
 present date underneath. All this had been kept a pro- 
 found secret and all the children were wild with delight. 
 This mother is noted for her successful children's parties 
 and she says it's because she has just the same things for 
 each child to take home, and she usually serves refresh- 
 ments first, as ice cream and cake are after all what 
 make a real party to the average child, and, served early, 
 the supper hour is not interfered with. Then, too, she 
 says children are much happier and easier to manage 
 when their stomachs are full. 
 
 82 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LXXII 
 
 Fairy Party 
 
 THE world of " Make Believe " is a most fascinat- 
 ing one to both old and young, so you who are 
 contemplating giving a party for children try this. 
 First, I would advise you to consult some of Andrew 
 Lang's fairy story books, as well as Hans Christian 
 Andersen and our well-beloved old Grimm; then your 
 guests will not be so long forgotten when they announce 
 themselves as " Snow White," *' Sinbad,'' " Titania," etc. 
 Let me tell you that " Fairy Tale " parties with costumes 
 and characters for grown-ups are not to be tabooed, as 
 one of the famous eastern hostesses, a society leader, has 
 just given such an afifair. But I always think first of the 
 children when planning a party, so ask them all to come 
 representing some favorite fairy tale hero or heroine. 
 
 These delightful creatures are invariably wood folk 
 and water folk, and the boys will surely come, many of 
 them as Brownies, and they will not forget the Kewpies 
 either. If the hostess represents "Titania," the fairy 
 queen, she may have several pages and ladies in waiting. 
 Crepe paper, silver and gilt paper, with yards of parti- 
 colored tarlatan, will evolve gorgeous costumes. Have a 
 fairy " gift " tree on the lawn from which the guests will 
 clip favors to be taken home. This tree may be festively 
 trimmed with paper chains, lanterns, and dainty wands 
 for each child. 
 
 83 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Then there can be a hunt for the pot of gold at the 
 end of the rainbow, which may be arranged "spider 
 web" fashion with gold and silver cords (Christmas 
 parcel cords) wound in and out of the shrubs and trees 
 until the end comes under a rainbow canopy made of the 
 seven colors (crepe papers), where favors are found, 
 vv^hich should be little steins wrapped in gilt paper, filled 
 with tiny bonbons. 
 
 Queen Titania may then assemble her court and com- 
 mand a certain subject to suggest a pastime to be played ; 
 this may continue for an hour, then serve refreshments. 
 These may be elaborate or simple. Ice cream may be 
 frozen in individual molds if expense is not to be con- 
 sidered ; mushrooms with tiny figures are most attractive. 
 
 LXXIII 
 Blowing the Cone 
 
 MAKE a large cone of stiff paper and slip it on a 
 string stretched between two trees, about three 
 feet from the ground. 
 Give each child a try to see if by blowing into the large 
 end of the cone he can send it across the string. The 
 art is to see who can send it over with the fewest 
 "blows.'' 
 
 Another very good amusement is to tie a knot in a 
 clothesline and stretch it conveniently high between two 
 trees or posts, blindfold each child in turn and give him 
 
 84 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 three clothespins. Then see who can come the nearest 
 the knot. Each pin is marked with the player's number ; 
 for instance, three will be marked " i/' three "2/' etc. 
 This gives each one three trials. If the party is a large 
 one it will be best to let each child have just one pin and 
 instead of numbering the clothespins have colored rib- 
 bons tied to them, each child to remember his or her color. 
 
 LXXIV 
 Matching Partners 
 
 A FUNNY way to match partners is to write halves 
 of Mother Goose jingles on cards and pass one 
 half to the boys and the other to the girls, and 
 when the jingles are completed, the partners are found. 
 Another way is to hide pairs of animal crackers and tell 
 them to hunt for their mates. 
 
 Matching flowers is always a pretty way to find mates. 
 
 LXXV 
 A Birthday Custom 
 
 A PRETTY birthday custom is observed by a 
 family rejoicing in the possession of six beautiful 
 children. On the first natal day of each child a 
 tree is planted, and each succeeding year the same custom 
 prevails. When the tenth birthday is reached a real 
 
 85 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 festival is held. The "birthday'' child is permitted to 
 choose the variety of tree to be planted, and, if possible, 
 it is obtained, and the tree planting is made the fea- 
 ture of the occasion with a procession around the lawn. 
 Oftentimes there is a ''tree guessing'' contest of some 
 kind, or the refreshments will all be from " tree " prod- 
 ucts. It is needless to say that these children are devoted 
 to their own special trees, and watch their growth 
 with scrupulous care. It is certainly a custom worthy 
 of emulation, and not expensive, so it is within the 
 reach of almost everyone. 
 
 LXXVI 
 An April Party 
 
 My name is April; and I 
 
 Often laugh, as often cry; 
 
 And I cannot tell what makes me; 
 
 Only as the fit overtakes me! 
 
 I must dimple, smile and frown, 
 
 Laughing though the tears roll down. 
 
 But *t is nature, sir, not art; 
 
 And I 'm happy at my heart. 
 
 WE are all happy '* at our hearts " when planning 
 good times for children, and none more so than 
 the little mother who had this party for the chil- 
 dren of the neighborhood, her own boy and girl being the 
 host and hostess. The usual invitations were sent out, 
 save that in one corner were the words "Soap-Bubble 
 
 86 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 Party." The decorations were umbrellas suspended from 
 the ceiling. Under each was a small table holding two 
 pipes ornamented with bows of rainbow colors, a bowl 
 and a bottle containing soap-bubble water. This mixture 
 was soapsuds with the addition of a tablespoon of 
 glycerine in every pint of water, which gives luster and 
 stability to the fairy bubbles. Prizes were offered for 
 the largest bubble, for the one remaining longest in the 
 air, for the one with the most vivid coloring, and for the 
 one soaring the highest. 
 
 A pretty game was arranged by stretching a broad 
 ribbon across the room like a tennis net, providing fans 
 to blow the bubbles. The contest was to see which side 
 could blow the greatest number of bubbles and get them 
 over the ribbon. Two persons played at a time, or four, 
 as in tennis. 
 
 The table was gay with a circle of candles in the seven 
 prismatic colors around a large crescent-shaped cake. 
 The flowers were hyacinths in delicate pink, lavender, 
 white, yellow, and purple. One stalk in a tiny pot at the 
 plates made a beautiful table. 
 
 LXXVII 
 
 ''Beir' Blind Man's Buff 
 
 ERE is a new version of blind man's bufT: 
 Divide the players into sides ; all on one side arc 
 blindfolded and those on the other side arc given 
 little bcll$. No running is permitted, and only a certain 
 
 87 
 
 H 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 space allowed to play in. When caught, the bell is sur- 
 rendered and the captive is blindfolded. A most laugh- 
 able stunt is to seat two persons opposite each other on 
 the ground. Blindfold them and see who can feed the 
 other a small saucer of rolled cracker crumbs first. This 
 is a popular game with the birds, for they are assured a 
 most luxurious meal after the merry picnickers are gone. 
 
 LXXVIII 
 A New Blind Man's Buff 
 
 TRY this innovation on the old way of playing blind 
 man's buff. Count to see who will be the blind 
 man, then tell him to imagine himself in a barn- 
 yard. Let each one in the ring choose silently what 
 animal he shall be. Hand the blind man a wand or cane 
 and when he touches a person such is to take hold of 
 the stick and imitate some barnyard creature, disguising 
 the voice as much as possible. If guessed correctly, the 
 child takes the place of the blind man. Sometimes two 
 trials at guessing are allowed, this to be decided before 
 the game is commenced. 
 
''Dame Curtsey's^' Book of Games 
 
 LXXIX 
 Bag and Wand 
 
 THE game of *' bag and wand '' is always welcome. 
 Suspend a good sized paper sack from the center 
 of the room. Fill the sack with paper-wrapped 
 candies, snapping mottoes, English walnuts wrapped in 
 gold and silver paper, and any other small articles that 
 will be unharmed by falling. Blindfold each child in 
 turn, hand the striker a stout cane with which he makes 
 three strikes in an attempt to break the bag. When the 
 bag is broken all the rest of the children scramble for the 
 goodies as they fall. 
 
 LXXX 
 
 "Number^' Blind Man's Buff 
 
 HERE is a new way for you to play " blind man." 
 Form a circle and "count out'* to see who shall 
 be "it." Number each player, and the "blind 
 man" remains in the middle trying to catch the two 
 whose number he calls, when they must take each other's 
 places. When he has called on three or four couples to 
 change and has caught no one he says "one hundred," 
 when everyone must change, and the chances are there 
 will be a victim. 
 
 89 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LXXXI 
 Playing Menagerie 
 
 CHILDREN love this game. This is the way it is 
 done : Each person is given the name of an ani- 
 mal; a circle is formed with someone in the 
 middle, who is "it;" he calls the name of the animal a 
 person represents three times, and if the one called does 
 not respond by saying the name once, he or she must take, 
 the middle and catch the next victim. It sounds simple, 
 but just try it. Here is a list of animals: Horse, cat, 
 bear, donkey, bison, muskrat, leopard, camel, elephant, 
 alligator, snake, pig, mouse, opossum, rhinoceros, hippo- 
 potamus, sheep, tiger, monkey, frog, toad, squirrel. 
 
 LXXXII 
 Chestnut Brownies 
 
 FROM a friend over the ocean comes this suggestion, 
 which is fine for Hallowe'en : Procure shiny horse 
 chestnuts, select a small one for the head and a 
 larger one for the body. Then provide for the guests 
 some good wire hairpins, some yarn or heavy silk with 
 which to wind the pins, and some sealing wax from which 
 to fashion hands and feet. Hats should be made from 
 acorn cups, pins will fasten them on ; also secure the head 
 to the body. Make the faces with water colors. These 
 
 go 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's^^ Book of Games 
 
 little Brownie folk are great fun, so our English friend 
 who made them says. They could form part of a contest 
 with a prize for the best one. 
 
 u 
 
 LXXXIII 
 
 A Hallowe'en Party Invitation 
 
 SE a Hallowe'en post card or a pumpkin-shaped 
 card and write the following jingle for an invita- 
 tion to a party on October 31 : 
 
 At our house on Monday night 
 You will surely see a sight. 
 Ghosts, and goblins, witches, too, 
 Are busy preparing fates for you. 
 The hour is eight, don't be late, 
 But come — be brave at any rate. 
 
 LXXXIV 
 Patriotic Entertainment 
 
 HERE is the description of a successful entertain- 
 ment given by a boys' military company, to which 
 the G. A. R. of the town were bidden as honored 
 guests. The affair was given on Washington's birthday. 
 First the fife and drum corps played " Yankee Doodle/' 
 and then there was a pretty drill by the boys, followed by 
 
 91 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 a tableau which showed a group of soldiers round a 
 camp fire made by a brazier of burning charcoal, a large 
 mat of asbestos being underneath it. They sang ''When 
 Johnny Comes Marching Home," " Marching Through 
 Georgia," and ''Tenting Tonight." The background had 
 dark green paper cambric hangings and there were sev- 
 eral evergreen trees to one side. After this some one 
 read, "The Blue and the Gray," and the next tableau 
 showed "Barbara Frietchie." She stood upon a con- 
 cealed ladder and looked through a window frame, and 
 while a portion of the poem was read she waved a flag. 
 Then "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are March- 
 ing," and "America" were sung, in which all joined. 
 All were now seated and these tableaux were shown. 
 
 1. The Bivouac. A darkened stage and a small fire 
 burning low; soldiers wrapped in blankets lie sleeping 
 under the trees and in groups ; a sentry softly pacing up 
 and down. 
 
 2. Writing Home. A soldier sits in the foreground on 
 a log writing on his knee, using a pencil ; in the back- 
 ground soldiers are moving about, passing in and out, 
 talking in pantomime ; a horse or two may be led across 
 the stage; a general air of confusion and hurry, but 
 everything done without words. The stage is lit for this 
 picture. 
 
 3. The Picket. A darkened stage, with trees ; a soli- 
 tary soldier pacing slowly back and forth and listening; 
 he stops, seems to hear a noise, and brings his gun to his 
 shoulder. 
 
 92 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 4. The Hospital A very large tent, the flaps fastened 
 back; rows of cots on either side with men in the beds; 
 bandaged heads, arms, etc.; table with medicines; army 
 nurse in costume passing back and forth. Trees arranged 
 at the ends of the platform. 
 
 5. The Leisure Hour, Trees scattered irregularly; 
 leaves on the ground. In the background and at the sides 
 of the tableau men sitting in pairs or alone ; one mending 
 his coat, one polishing his gun, one rubbing up a horse's 
 bridle, one writing, a couple playing cards, in front two 
 men playing checkers on a large drum. 
 
 6. The Soldier's Return. A cottage (made of gray 
 cambric tacked on frames, window and door open, vines, 
 flowers and trees all about). In the door stands a gray- 
 haired woman in simple gingham dress with apron, look- 
 ing as though down a road ; presently a soldier appears, 
 lame, ragged, very tired, and as he approaches the door 
 his mother, who has gone in, comes out and catches him 
 in her arms as he falls on the threshold. 
 
 After these had been applauded the manager 
 announced a series of living pictures representing 
 famous soldiers in the world's history. I give the list, 
 which may be changed to suit those in charge : Richard 
 Coeur de Lion in Crusader's dress, Cromwell, Frederick 
 the Great, Napoleon, Washington, Grant or Lee, and 
 Roosevelt. A bugler could blow a blast as each picture 
 is ready to be shown to attract the attention of the audi- 
 ence. I am sure school teachers could easily plan and 
 carry out this entertainment. 
 
 93 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 LXXXV 
 
 Sunday Pastimes for Children 
 
 IN the first place, after the usual duties are attended to 
 and church service over, there should be an hour in 
 the afternoon — more, if the time can be given — that 
 belongs to the children alone. It may mean giving up a 
 nap, a walk, a call, but do it faithfully. Then use a part 
 of this time for holding a little "court of appeals''; 
 encourage each child to tell all the troubles and grievances 
 of the week, condole when necessary, and smooth out 
 knotty problems in the fairest manner possible. After 
 things have been satisfactorily adjusted, have a chapter 
 in some interesting book known as the " Sunday Book," 
 and never used any other day. 
 
 To induce Bible reading, let each child spell his name 
 with verses from this holy book, making acrostics and 
 memorizing those especial verses. Illuminating favorite 
 texts with a box of water colors is another Sunday 
 pleasure. 
 
 A never-failing source of amusement for young chil- 
 dren is a good-sized Noah's ark. Tell the story of the 
 flood and give a little history of the animals, their homes, 
 and habits. Then at the end pair the animals and put 
 them away in the ark. 
 
 It is the exceptional child who does not enjoy music, 
 and the earlier the singing habit is cultivated the better. 
 Teach the good old hymns which will never be forgotten. 
 The melodies learned on Sunday afternoon will echo 
 
 94 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 through the busiest day and soothe the darkest hour in 
 the years to come. 
 
 So few parents stop to think that it is in the earUest 
 years that the memories are being made which will be 
 most vivid the latter days of their children's lives. 
 
 One mother of sound sense . and farsightedness in 
 bringing up her children makes it a rule to permit each 
 child a turn in planning the Sunday night luncheon, giv- 
 ing the order on Saturday so ample preparations may be 
 made. 
 
 Much depends upon how Sunday is observed whether 
 a child looks forward with pleasure or dread to the first 
 day. It should be such a dear, happy time that the little 
 ones welcome its advent with delight. 
 
 LXXXVI 
 A Baby's Birthday Party 
 
 IF possible, rent or borrow enough high chairs to seat 
 the small guests around the table. Have a birthday 
 cake iced in white, with a pink candle and "one to 
 grow on." Of necessity, the beverage for these little ones 
 must be of milk, but there can be a variety of crackers. 
 For souvenirs and amusement nothing will be more pleas- 
 ing than toy balloons or bouncing balls fastened to the 
 chandelier over the table by baby ribbons. The balls 
 may be made of worsted and will delight the babies. 
 Have a generous supply of rattles, jumping jacks, and 
 rubber dolls for playthings, and with plenty of assistance 
 
 95 
 
**Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 the party should be a great success. Rosebuds, either 
 pink or white, are the most appropriate flowers to use. 
 For the mothers and grown-ups, serve cocoa, whipped 
 cream, chicken sandwiches and charlotte russe, nuts and 
 bonbons. The babies will provide all the entertainment 
 necessary. 
 
 LXXXVII 
 
 Hallowe'en Fun 
 
 HOW many have ever tried an "owl hunt"? To 
 each guest give a wooden gun such as may be pur- 
 chased at a toy shop for a few cents, and tell him 
 to hunt owls. First, of course, these funny little gray 
 paper owls decorated with water colors must be hidden 
 throughout the rooms. Ordinary gray owls count five, 
 white owls count ten, and horned owls count fifteen. 
 Each bird has a looped bit of red string tied through a 
 punched hole, so it may be hung on the gun. This makes 
 great sport, the one bagging the most owls and the one 
 who has the fewest being awarded a prize. 
 
 I have not tried this next trick, but I am told that for- 
 tunes may be written on white paper with milk. When 
 held over the heat from a lamp or gas jet the letters 
 turn brown so the writing is perfectly plain. The fortune 
 slips can be distributed by a little fairy, then each guest 
 takes one at a time into a room where a wizard is hidden 
 who, with a magic lamp, interprets the writing. All such 
 things add to the mystery of a party. 
 
 96 
 
''Dame Curtsey's^' Book of Games 
 
 Provide each guest with a neat bundle of fagots and 
 tell him he must tell a mystery story while they burn. 
 This is only practical where there is a large open fireplace 
 around which the guests may gather. Have plenty of 
 cushions and no light save perhaps a candle or "Jack" 
 here and there. If some of the guests have been asked 
 to prepare for this part of the program, so much the 
 better, but many people do their best on the spur of the 
 moment. 
 
 Making tissue paper pumpkin caps is a favorite stunt. 
 The hostess provides stiff cardboard for the rims and 
 plenty of orange crepe paper with some green paper and 
 tubes of library paste, some coarse needles and thread. 
 This is especially good for young girls of twelve to 
 fifteen, as they are just at the age when they love to make 
 things. The caps are worn the rest of the evening. 
 
 LXXXVIII 
 Games for the Sand Pile or Beach 
 
 THE sand games were arranged by Patten Beard. 
 They are adaptable not only to the beach, but some 
 of them to the sand pile which many children have 
 in their back yards. 
 
 CLAMSHELL SCUD 
 
 A good race that can be played upon the beach is clam- 
 shell scud. To play this, gather at least thirty large clam- 
 
 97 . 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 shells that you will find strewn around upon the sand. 
 Find a smooth strip of beach about fifteen feet long and 
 arrange these clam shells in a double row of fifteen each, 
 each row with its shells about a foot apart. 
 
 At a given signal two players start to pick up the shells, 
 each in his own row. The one to gather all his first wins 
 the game. 
 
 BURIED TREASURE 
 
 To play this, find a large handful of shells. Mark out 
 upon the beach a circle three feet round. Count out for 
 ''leader" and give him the shells. The other players 
 must then go and hide in the sand dunes till they have 
 counted 300, and the one who is '' leader '' must hurriedly 
 dig a deep hole somewhere within the circle and bury 
 three shells. He must then seek to cover up the traces 
 entirely, and as soon as the other players return they 
 start to work to hunt for the *' treasure'' of the three 
 shells. The one who finds them first becomes leader. 
 The game may be continued till one player has obtained 
 six shells. 
 
 CIRCLE SAND 
 
 Make a hole in the sand deep enough to sink a tin 
 sand pail. Place your tin pail in it and draw about the 
 hole a circle that is about two feet in diameter, with the 
 pail in its center. 
 
 Gather a handful of pebbles and sort out the light and 
 dark ones. Each player may take the kind he prefers — 
 one chooses dark ones and another light ones. Each 
 
 98 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'^ Book of Games 
 
 player must have ten pebbles and must sit four feet from 
 the circle's edge. 
 
 All play is made in turn, and the object of the game 
 is to see who can make the highest score trying to throw 
 the pebbles into the pail. 
 
 Each pebble that goes into the pail scores the count of 
 two and entitles a player to one turn more. 
 
 LXXXIX 
 
 A Baby Parade 
 
 AT a New Jersey resort famous for its beach and 
 board walk, a very pretty custom has been carried 
 out with great success at the close of each season. 
 The " baby parade " is a feature unique and as yet exclu- 
 sive with the resort, but I see no reason why the idea is 
 not adaptable to other places, and even as a drawing card 
 for an indoor bazaar where there is ample room. 
 
 All the children under seven participate. They are in 
 costume or not, just as their mothers wish; those unable 
 to walk are in flower-decorated perambulators and go- 
 carts. Pony carts are sometimes pressed into service 
 drawn by little boys harnessed with garlands of flowers 
 and blue ribbons. The children are entered in classes 
 according to age, and there are various committees and 
 judges. Prizes are given, bands play, and it is altogether 
 a gala day. The line of march is on the board walk only. 
 
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''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 XC 
 
 An Unique Musicale 
 
 A DECIDED novelty in the way of musicales was 
 given recently by a charming musician and her 
 husband. They have done and are doing a won- 
 derful work for children. The invitations were issued to 
 the youthful guests with the request to bring " the dolly 
 you love the best to the doll musicale." 
 
 The hostess was assisted by a much-beloved corn-husk 
 dolly who belongs to this musical household. 
 
 On the day appointed there were over 30 dolls of 
 various ages and stations in life assembled in demure 
 silence to listen to the following clever program : 
 
 " Dolly Lost and Dolly Found." Martin. 
 
 " The Japanese Doll." Swift. 
 
 " Sleep, Dolly, Sleep," and " Dance, Dolly, Dance." Reinecke. 
 
 " Dolly Goes to Sleep." Goodrich. 
 
 " I Love the Old Doll Best," Song. Gaynor. 
 
 "In Dolly's Kitchen." Hollander. 
 
 " DolFs Dance." Tschaikowski. 
 
 " Dance of the Marionettes." Mrs. Crosby Adams. 
 
 " Overture to the Marionettes." Gurlitt. 
 
 " My Dear Jerushy," Song. Gaynor. 
 
 "Now Go to Sleep, My Dolly," Song. Mrs. Crosby Adams. 
 
 " Teaching Dolly to Waltz." Bartlett. 
 
 " Funeral March of a Marionette." Gounod. 
 
 " Poupee Valsante." Poldini. 
 
 "Dancing Doll." Seeboeck.. 
 
 " DolPs Reverie." Mrs. Crosby Adams. 
 
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''Dame Curtsey^s'' Book of Games 
 
 The children were perfectly delighted and took in the 
 ideas expressed to the great satisfaction of the hostess. 
 It was a revelation to find that all the world loves a doll, 
 as is evidenced by the fact that "music-makers of every 
 clime" have "told the doll's own story in song and 
 rhyme/' 
 
 This suggestion may be carried out easily, as the 
 selections are within reach of the average musician. 
 
 XCI 
 Guessing Noses 
 
 DID you ever let the children try to guess whose 
 nose belonged to whom? It is very amusing and 
 this is the way to proceed : Hang a cloth in front 
 of a doorway and place one-half of the company in each 
 room, only one of which is lighted. Cut a V-shaped 
 hole in the cloth and let those in the dark room place 
 their noses through it, one by one, while those in the 
 light room guess whose nose it is. When a right guess 
 is made, the owner of the nose must join the guessers, but 
 should the guess be wrong the one making it must join 
 players. The game ends when all are in one room, unless 
 there are too many children and they will tire before all 
 have been successful. It is a better plan to stop one 
 thing and go to the next amusement before anyone 
 wearies. 
 
 lOI 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XCII 
 Portraying Nature with Bible Verses 
 
 HERE is something that will interest the children in 
 looking up Bible references ; it could be used on 
 " Children's day/' which is observed in so many 
 churches early in June. 
 
 1. Lily (Luke 12:27). Bouquet of lilies, anemones, 
 or some lilaceous flower. 
 
 2. Grass (Luke 12:28). Bouquet of long grassblades 
 tastefully arranged. 
 
 3. Star (Matthew 2:9-10). Large star. 
 
 4. Vine (John 15 : i, 5). Long, graceful cutting of a 
 grapevine. 
 
 5. Cedar (Psalms 92: 12). Branch of cedar. 
 
 6. Wheat (Matthew 13:24-30). Stalks of wheat. 
 
 7. Flower (Isaiah 40:8). Bouquet of any flower in 
 season. 
 
 8. Palm (John 12: 12, 13). Palm branches. 
 
 9. Mustard (Matthew 13:31,32). A mustard plant 
 from some wheat field ; the larger the plant, the better. 
 
 10. Willow (Psalms 137:1,2). Long willow branches. 
 
 11. Barley (Ruth 1:22). Stalks of barley. 
 
 12. Fir (Psalms 104: 16, 17). Branches of fir. 
 
 13. Rose (Isaiah 35 : i). Bouquet of roses. 
 
 14. Rushes (Isaiah 35 : 7). Handful of tall rushes. 
 
 15. Oak (2 Kings 13: 14, revised version). Some oak 
 branches. 
 
 16. In concert: Psalms 96: 11, 12, 13. 
 
 102 
 
**Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 XCIII 
 Pastime for February Twenty-Second 
 
 FOR a children's Washington party decorate the room 
 prettily with flags and pictures of Washington and 
 Mount Vernon. Have a paper hatchet in which 
 there is a pin for each child. Blindfold each child, one 
 at a time, and have him pin the hatchet on the nose of 
 Washington. A large cheap print may be obtained for 
 this purpose. This will make lots of fun. Award a 
 cherry log cabin box filled with candied cherries. 
 
 T 
 
 XCIV 
 For a Birthday Child 
 
 HESE charming verses by Alice Corbin were 
 written on a card, the initial letter of each being 
 done in gold shaded with pink: 
 
 FOR A BIRTHDAY CHILD 
 
 What shall we give to the birthday child? 
 A blessing, a kiss, or a golden ring? 
 A kiss lasts only a second or two, 
 The ring is lost ere the year is through, 
 But the blessing of God is a precious thing, 
 So the blessing of God is the gift we bring 
 To the child that is gentle and sweet and mild, 
 To the dear little, good little birthday child ! 
 
 103 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XCV 
 
 "Catches" for Idle Moments 
 
 ON a rainy Sunday afternoon at a hotel when the 
 children/and grown-ups too, were wondering what 
 to do next, the clever lady came in with a pencil 
 and twenty slips of paper and set them to working on 
 these stunts, and so the hour passed and the storm was 
 over and every one happy again. 
 
 First she told us to punctuate this sentence so as to 
 make sense : '* He that is is he that is not is not." After 
 some moments and no one getting it she came around to 
 each one, and here is the way the sentence read : " He 
 that is, is ; he that is not, is not." Next she wrote these 
 seemingly meaningless letters on our slips and asked us 
 to make a readable translation : "iiuriiublcurii 
 for me." Here it is : " Too wise you are, too wise you 
 be; Isee you are too wise for me." 
 
 The following mystical message was translated this 
 way: 
 
 stand take to taking 
 I you throw my 
 
 *' I understand you undertake to overthrow my under- 
 taking," 
 
 104 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 ■ ' "" ' ' ■ ' ^ ' ■ 
 
 XCVI 
 For a Child's Christmas 
 
 MAKE a large bag of white tarlatan, sew it up with 
 red wool. Now make a trip to some toy depart- 
 ment, or *^ five and ten cent store " and purchase 
 about a dozen or two of little trinkets that children love ; 
 a colored pencil, a miniature flatiron, a baby doll, a dolFs 
 jewelry set, a ball, a knife, anything small that would 
 please a child. Wrap each article in different colored 
 paper and tie with ribbon. Then fill the tarlatan bag. 
 
 This interesting looking grab bag delights a child more 
 than I can tell, and a wise mother will limit the number 
 of grabs a day, thus prolonging the pleasure and giving 
 the child something to which to look forward. 
 
 XCVII 
 A Snowball Christmas 
 
 ROLL each gift in a ball of white cotton, dip lightly 
 in mucilage or gum arabic water, then sprinkle 
 plentifully with diamond dust. Pile these balls in 
 a pyramid in the center of the table or in the middle of 
 a room with a wreath of holly around them. 
 
 The child dressed as ^' Santa Claus '' may distribute 
 the balls and carry the larger packages in a pack on his 
 back. 
 
 105 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 XCVIII 
 "Bird Sellers" 
 
 GET the players in a row, leaving two outside. 
 These two represent the bird buyers. Give each 
 child the name of a bird, one being a crow, one a 
 crane, another a canary, etc. One bird dealer says to the 
 other : 
 
 " I wish to buy a bird." 
 *'What kind?'' inquires the other. 
 "A bird that can fly swiftly,'' says the first buyer. 
 " Very well, take what you wish." 
 " Then," says the first buyer, " I '11 take a robin." 
 As soon as he says this the " robin " child must jump 
 out of the row and run around, trying to escape. If the 
 dealer catches the bird the captured one stays until the 
 other " birds " have been selected and caught. 
 
 XCIX 
 At the Sign of the Holly 
 
 A MOTHER issued these invitations, written on 
 holly-decorated paper; the envelopes were tied 
 around with silvery cord, through which a spray 
 of holly was thrust. The seals were decorated with 
 holly: 
 
 At the sign of the holly, my friends, I '11 await. 
 I think 'twill be jolly, so don't you be late. 
 
 io6 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 As each guest arrived a spray of holly and a long pin 
 were handed out by an attendant in the dressing room. 
 I forgot to say this was a party for children from seven 
 to ten years of age. The first thing all were ushered into 
 a room which was called the " Christmas Garden." Here 
 on a long table was a small artificial tree for each child 
 and a holly paper-wrapped box which, when opened, was 
 found to contain very small tree ornaments, colored 
 papers, paste (tubes), and a pair of scissors. 
 
 Fifteen minutes were allowed in which to decorate 
 these miniature trees. At the expiration of the time a 
 prize was awarded for the best trimmed tree. Then all 
 made a trip to the " postoffice,'' where a big, fat Santa 
 Glaus distributed Ghristmas postals to each one, on which 
 instructions were given where to look for a parcel. Then 
 such merriment ! The packages had been cleverly hidden, 
 each marked with the child's name. 
 
 The refreshment table had a tree in the center with red 
 ribbons running to each plate, where there was a little 
 gilded basket in which to take home the goodies. A 
 white iced angel food cake had " Merry Ghristmas " in 
 red candies. The ice cream was in the shape of snow 
 balls, on top of which a wee Santa stood. 
 
 107 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 C 
 
 Santa Claus Puzzle Game 
 
 CHILDREN like puzzles, so try this as part of your 
 Christmas fun. Give each child an envelope con- 
 taining a picture of Santa Claus dissected ; also a 
 sheet of cardboard and a tube of paste, or have a bottle 
 of mucilage accessible. The one who first completes the 
 picture is the prize winner. 
 
 CI 
 
 Christmas Fun 
 
 MAKE a Santa Claus figure about three feet high 
 with a tall, peaked cap on his head (a mask and 
 a beard make the head) ; provide five soft rubber 
 balls and see who can knock the hat off with the fewest 
 balls. When the hat is off, a ball for each one in the 
 party will roll QUt, and on these balls numbers will be 
 pasted. Next each child is told to hunt for a parcel 
 bearing his or her number, which is hidden within a 
 prescribed space to be explained by the hostess, whether 
 upstairs or down, and in which the package will be dis- 
 covered. This is a merry way to present the favors 
 or gifts, which may be Christmas boxes filled with 
 sweetmeats. 
 
 io8 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CII 
 
 May-Day Fun 
 
 GIRLS and boys who have read *' Jack and Jill/' by 
 Louise Alcott, will remember what a fine time 
 they had going on a hunt for wild flowers for their 
 May-Day baskets and how the flowers were so scarce 
 that some of them had to resort to paper blossoms. The 
 first day of May has always been a festive occasion in 
 England, with its dance around the Maypole, plays on 
 the green, and all sorts of revels in which young and 
 old alike took part. All children enjoy filling and hanging 
 baskets or even nosegays on the doorknob, ringing the 
 bell, and then slipping noiselessly away out of sight. 
 This occasion is another opportunity for sending flowers 
 to the sick and shut-ins, and perhaps a more substantial 
 gift may be concealed among the posies. I hope some of 
 you are going to have parties and will send the invitations 
 in little baskets filled with spring flowers ; the notes may 
 be tied to the handles. If possible, have a Maypole on 
 the lawn with streamers of rainbow-hued cheese cloth or 
 tarlatan fastened to the top, one for each child. When 
 all have arrived, let a boy and a girl alternately take hold 
 of an end, all facing the pole, and skip around, in and 
 out, thus weaving the streamers as they go, and the pole 
 will soon be covered with a network ; when down to the 
 end of the streamers, reverse and unwind. 
 
 For the table centerpiece, a small Maypole is very 
 effective. Three feet of an old broomstick gilded and 
 
 109 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 fastened into a piece of wood concealed by moss and 
 flowers will answer admirably. A small, round embroid- 
 ery hoop on top makes the crown from which the rib- 
 bons radiate to around the edge of the table, where they 
 may be tied to very tiny baskets filled with white enamel 
 paint. It makes a pretty effect to sprinkle the table with 
 small flowers and ferns. Serve chicken sandwiches, 
 cocoa or lemonade, orange ice or cup custards, and sun- 
 shine cake. Individual sunshine or angel food cakes iced 
 are delicious. I really think small, fancy cakes are nicer 
 than layer ones for parties and so much easier to serve, 
 also to eat. 
 
 If the weather should be unfavorable, a cobweb party 
 could be arranged indoors, using gaily colored twine, as 
 ribbons are rather expensive unless the half cotton is 
 procurable in fifty-yard spools. Children like to untangle 
 these webs and the only rule to be strictly observed is 
 that no string shall be broken. It adds zest to have little 
 favors here and there on the strings. Start all from a 
 common center, marking the end with the name of the 
 child who is to untangle it, and have them end any and 
 everywhere. The one finishing first receives a prize, and 
 the one last should have some kind of a '' consolation." 
 
 no 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 cm 
 
 An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving 
 
 AT a real old-fashioned Thanksgiving party they 
 played games, and grown-ups and children and 
 every one had a lovely time. I jotted down some 
 of the games in my memory book, which I give here. 
 We played **Airship" just like ''Stage Coach," and it 
 was astonishing to see how glibly the children named the 
 various parts, like propellers, engine, wings, wheels, 
 steering gear, etc. When the ship fell into the ''Atlantic 
 Ocean " everybody changed places and there was a grand 
 scramble. Wireless messages were sent, and I just won- 
 dered how the shades of our forefathers felt if they 
 were within hearing distance. They must have been 
 impressed with the changes wrought in comparatively so 
 few years. 
 
 Next they placed a sheet upon the floor and blindfolded 
 the sedate professor and the maiden aunt, gave each a 
 saucer of rolled cracker crumbs and a dessert spoon. 
 The one who first fed the other the contents of the saucer 
 won a prize, a box of fancy crackers. It was the most 
 laughable sight. Then there was a whistling contest. 
 The company was lined up, each one given a small soda 
 cracker to eat, then the first one who succeeded in 
 whistling " Yankee Doodle " clear through in the shortest 
 space of time won a prize. Just try to pucker and whistle 
 after eating a dry cracker, if you think it 's easy. Next 
 there was a "One- Yard Penny Push," in which only 
 
 ITI- 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 those under twenty participated. This consisted in push- 
 ing with one's nose a bright copper cent across the floor 
 the space of one yard. Such fun, and the reward was 
 the penny! 
 
 The '*Tug of War'' came next on the program, and 
 consisted of tying a good bit of molasses candy in the 
 middle of a three-yard piece of clean white crochet cotton. 
 The pair chosen to contest took hold of each end with 
 their teeth, hands were tied behind them, and they had to 
 see who could chew up the string the quickest and get 
 the candy. 
 
 Then came the ** High Jump " for men and the " High 
 Jump" for women. There were three aspirants for 
 honors in each class, and three hard cookies with holes in 
 the middle, known as jumbles, were suspended from an 
 archway about five inches above the heads of the con- 
 testants. Doughnuts or crullers could be used. The 
 successful biters got the cakes to eat. 
 
 A *' Needle-Threading " contest for both boys and girls 
 made loads of fun. The first in each class who succeeded 
 in threading six needles, all the same size, in the shortest 
 space of time received a reward of a stuffed turkey candy 
 box. By this time every one was in a hoHday humor, 
 and it was not difficult to make entries for the *' Broad 
 Grin" contest. The one whose smile measured the 
 largest received a prize, and the *'Foot Race" brought 
 out a hearty laugh when the one in charge came around 
 with a real foot-measure such as is used in shoe shops, 
 and the girl with him recorded the length of every stock- 
 
 112 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 inged foot. The last contest was called a "Drinking 
 Race/' and the contestants were given tumblers of water 
 that were to be consumed by the spoonful. 
 
 CIV 
 
 May-Day Parties 
 
 THERE has been a delightful revival of many old- 
 time dances which were given on the green-sward, 
 among them the " Morris " dance, which is still 
 danced in Warwickshire. May Day meant in England all 
 sorts of pleasant plays and dances which were indulged 
 in by both old and young. This *^ Morris '' dance had a 
 gay jingling of bells and a clashing of staves and swords. 
 It was supposed to have been named from the Moors and 
 several certain characters always participated — a fool, a 
 piper. Maid Marian, and a hobby horse. There is an old 
 saying that the hobby horse was really the '' king'' of the 
 May. 
 
 A dance around the May pole is one of the prettiest 
 sights imaginable. Instead of ribbon use streamers of 
 tarlatan. Each child should have a crown of real or 
 artificial flowers, the little queen to have a gilt circlet 
 besides. A flower hunt is a good stunt, hiding the blos- 
 soms in all sorts of places, providing little baskets to 
 contain the spoils. In a sand pile each may take his turn 
 in laying out a garden, dividing off the beds with shells 
 and pretty stones, the best design to receive a prize of a 
 
 "3 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 package of flower seeds. At this May-Day party, plan 
 for all sorts of races, with a timekeeper and judge, all 
 the prizes to be flowers in pots or single blossoms. The 
 ice cream should be served in little pottery flower pots, 
 small size, lined with waxed paper. Plant a flower in 
 each pot, one of the straight, stiff-stemmed variety, like 
 tulips or jonquils. Sprinkle chocolate over the top to 
 look like earth. The children will be delighted with this 
 method of serving. 
 
 CV 
 Russian Hole-Ball 
 
 AS many holes as there are players are made in the 
 ground in a straight line, one beyond the other, 
 about three feet apart. Each player has a number 
 corresponding to a hole. About ten feet from the first 
 hole is drawn a line facing it. On this the first player 
 stands, in line with the holes, and tries to throw a ball 
 into one of them. If the ball falls into the fifth hole, 
 he scores five, and the player who is No. 5 takes his 
 place on the line and pitches the ball. A score of twenty- 
 five or fifty is made, and the one who obtains that amount 
 first wins. 
 
 114 
 
Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 CVI 
 A "Grandmother's" Tea Party 
 
 T 
 
 HE invitations, which portrayed a dear old lady 
 in a pen-and-ink sketch, read as follows: 
 
 If you Ve quite fond of your cup of tea, 
 
 Do come and have one or two with me. 
 
 Please dress yourself as your grandmother dressed. 
 
 In her every day clothes, or in her best. 
 
 Grandma Brown at home will be 
 
 On January third, precisely at three. 
 
 And the quaint grandmothers who responded ! 
 
 And quainter still were the dear little mannerisms of 
 each delightful old lady. The costuming would have 
 afforded amusement enough, but the mother of the thir- 
 teen-year-old hostess had provided little slips of paper 
 on which were written questions about each grandma 
 present ; the tea she used or did n't use. The first ques- 
 tion was: Of what tea is Grandma Graham fond? 
 Answer : Honesty. 
 
 Another question was : 
 
 Of what tea did Grandma Holmes drink too freely in 
 her youth? Answer: Naughty. 
 
 Other questions were: 
 
 What brand of tea do Grandma Hall's guests drink 
 often ? Answer : Hospitality. 
 
 What tea does Grandma Gray dislike ? Answer : Par- 
 tiality. 
 
 115 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 What tea does Grandma Biddle drink too often? 
 Answer : Frivolity. 
 
 And so on through as many brands of tea as there were 
 grandmas present. The answers were given as charades, 
 which added to the fun. The refreshments were old- 
 fashioned, and tea was indulged in by those charming 
 little grandmothers in a manner which proved the art 
 was by no means a lost one. 
 
 CVII 
 A Buttercup Party 
 
 SOMEHOW children and buttercups always seem to 
 go together, so in a locality (and there are many) 
 where buttercups grow try this pretty party. Use 
 this merry little jingle for the invitation, which may be 
 written in gold ink on a white card : 
 
 My dear little friend, 
 
 A welcome most hearty 
 To you I extend 
 
 To my buttercup party. 
 
 ' If skillful with water colors, do a row of tiny figures 
 across the card with buttercup caps and buttercup wands 
 in the hand. Decorate with the showy blossoms com- 
 bined with feathery grasses. 
 
 The first diversion may be a " buttercup " contest, man- 
 aged like the time-honored donkey party, only instead of 
 
 u6 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 the stubborn little beast minus his tail have a large yellow 
 buttercup pinned on the sheet, made from cambric or 
 drawn with yellow crayons, minus the stem. Blindfold 
 each child in turn and see who comes the nearest in 
 pinning on the pasteboard or cloth stem. Award a prize. 
 
 In the next stunt, provided the children can spell, pass 
 cards with the word " buttercup '' at the top, and see how 
 many words may be made in ten minutes, no letter to be 
 used more times than it appears in the word. The best 
 fun is the last, when little baskets of yellow, tied with a 
 yellow ribbon on the handle, are given to each with 
 orders to find all the " buttercups " (candy) possible. Of 
 course these have all previously been hidden, and if very 
 hot weather each buttercup should be wrapped in waxed 
 paper. 
 
 These candies come In all colors, so additional interest 
 may be added by having so many of a color counting so 
 much in way of points for the prize ; besides, each child 
 is to keep all that are found to eat. 
 
 On the table have a mound of buttercups combined 
 with ferns; at each plate, if obtainable, get the small 
 doll-size jardinieres, put a wee cluster of buttercups in 
 each one for favors to take home. Serve chicken and 
 lettuce sandwiches, lemonade, orange cake, and cream. 
 
 If a small maiden is to be the hostess at such a party 
 she could wear a frock with a yellow sash and hair bow. 
 
 117 
 
**Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 CVIII 
 Sweet Pea Tea Party for Children 
 
 THE invitations were written on diminutive note 
 paper and said : '' Prepare yourself for a ' Sweet 
 Pea Tea/ We '11 look for you exact at three/' Day, 
 date, and street. Place name of little host or hostess 
 in lower left-hand corner. Paint a spray of sweet peas 
 across the top of page. After all had arrived the follow- 
 ing flower contest was played (the guests were all over 
 ten years old) : 
 
 1. The flower which reminds us of the meadows and gold. 
 
 2. What did the soldier say when he bade his sweetheart good- 
 bye? 3. The name of what flower is used every day in a slang 
 expression? 4. The name of what flower did Johnny's mother use 
 when she told him to rise? 5. What hotel in New York City bears 
 the name of a flower? 6. What flower is most popular in April? 
 7. The name of what flower means comfort? 8. What is the 
 saddest flower? 
 
 The answers are: i. Buttercup. 2. For-get-me-not. 3. Daisy. 
 4. Johnny-jump-up. 5. Aster. 6. Easter lily. 7. Heartsease. 8. 
 Bleeding-heart. 
 
 To find partners for refreshments, baskets of sweet 
 pea blossoms were passed, two of each kind, and the 
 children matched colors. The table centerpiece was of 
 sweet peas in a clear crystal vase with loose blossoms 
 scattered over the cloth. The effect was lovely. A small 
 bouquet of the same blossoms was laid on each napkin 
 for the children to take home. 
 
 118 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book o£ Games 
 
 CIX 
 The Glad Thanksgiving Time 
 
 The elm trees are yellow, 
 The apples are mellow; 
 The corn is ripe on the ear, 
 
 The time of the clover 
 
 And wild bee is over, 
 For this is the fall of the year. 
 
 The crickets are calling, 
 
 The red leaves are falling, 
 The meadows are now brown and sere. 
 
 The birds are not nesting, 
 
 The earth begins resting. 
 For this is the fall of the year. 
 
 IN preparing for Thanksgiving one naturally thinks 
 first of the dinner, but after that happy repast is over 
 and conversation lags there must be something to do, 
 so I am going to tell you about a pumpkin party that 
 would be nice for the evening if you want to ask in some 
 children to help celebrate. You may call it a " pumpkin 
 party,'' for somehow we always associate this gorgeous 
 yellow vegetable with Thanksgiving time. So we '11 have 
 
 " Pumpkins large and pumpkins small, 
 Pumpkins short and pumpkins tall, 
 Pumpkins yellow and pumpkins green. 
 Pumpkins dull and those with sheen." 
 
 Use one cut in halves, lengthwise, for the centerpiece 
 (just half). Fill it with apples, bananas, red apples, and 
 
 119 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 white grapes, purple ones, too, if you can get them. 
 Around the top stick Christmas tree candle holders and 
 fill with small white candles. When lit the effect is 
 lovely, and as pretty a centerpiece as you can imagine. 
 Yellow crepe paper may be fashioned into adorable 
 pumpkins for holding salted nuts, and the lights may be 
 shaded with paper pumpkin blossoms. Have a huge 
 paper pumpkin for a "^Jack Horner'' pie, with yellow 
 ribbons, one for each child. For favors you may use 
 pop corn put up like ears of corn in green oiled paper 
 with green paper corn leaves. For this informal occasion 
 I would suggest using the pretty "Thanksgiving'' paper 
 napkins, and if you do not mind extra trouble each child 
 may have a yellow crepe paper pumpkin cap to wear. 
 Serve very simple " eats," consisting of cold turkey sand- 
 wiches, cocoa, popcorn, molasses candy, and wee pumpkin 
 tarts with a spoonful of ice cream on top. 
 
 CX 
 
 A Kite Party 
 
 CASTING about for something to amuse the guests 
 of her son's eighth birthday party, a clever mother 
 evolved this exceedingly pretty party. The obli- 
 ging man of the house saw to it that there was an abun- 
 dance of sticks on hand suitable for frames, also strings 
 and plenty of gay papers. The invitations were kite- 
 shaped, with cunning little thread tails, with baby ribbon 
 
 120 
 
'^Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 for weights. Across the kite's face there was this 
 "jingle:'' 
 
 Come fly a kite 
 
 With me at three, 
 
 On Wednesday next, 
 
 Much fun you '11 see. 
 
 Bobby Jones. 
 
 Of course, this was an outdoor party, or mostly so, 
 for the children wore play clothes and sweaters, in case 
 they were chilly. They worked on the big inclosed porch, 
 and what fun they had ; those not very skillful had some 
 assistance and '* mother" saw to it that when the hour 
 allotted to kite building was up, each child had a flyer 
 ready to sail up into the bright blue sky. 
 
 Out on the lawn there was a " Jap," " bird," or " fish " 
 kite for each guest, flying on short lengths of string from 
 the trees and bushes. These were the favors and dis- 
 tributed at supper time. If there were any kites returned 
 from their journey into the air with safety, they were 
 taken home, too. 
 
 All the children said they liked this party. Competi- 
 tion ran high, and a prize of a box of candy was awarded 
 to the owner of the kite that went up farthest into the 
 blue sky. 
 
 121 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 CXI 
 
 Following the Flag Contest 
 
 CHILDREN like this and it's quite the proper 
 thing to do on Washington's birthday. Get Httle 
 paper flags by the dozen or hundred, according to 
 how many kiddies are to be entertained. The flags have 
 pins attached; hide them throughout the rooms and let 
 the children hunt for them; as they find them stick in 
 the front of dress or coat. When a horn is blown at the 
 expiration of the time limit the ones that have five flags 
 pinned on will receive a flag in a standard (price ten 
 cents), and those who have more will get flag-decorated 
 boxes containing candied cherries, which they are to 
 share with those less fortunate. Candy boxes come in 
 the shape of logs with wee hatchets which may be used 
 as favors, and manufacturers of crepe papers have most 
 charming designs just for patriotic occasions. 
 
 CXII 
 A Wonder Box 
 
 DID you ever make one? Well, if not, after you 
 read this, I know you will want to start one right 
 away. I was asked to go and see the contents of 
 one prepared for a little twelve-year-old girl who had 
 been very ill and was now forced to lie quietly many 
 
 122 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 hours a day; so her relatives prepared this wonder box. 
 They all happened to be staying at the same hotel I was, 
 and all wished to do something to help amuse Phyllis and 
 make the days less monotonous ; hence the wonder box. 
 They went shopping and selected thirty articles, one for 
 each day of the month of September; each object was 
 daintily wrapped in tissue paper and marked with the 
 giver's name. 
 
 Then all the parcels were packed in a box and sent by 
 parcel post. A letter instructing the recipient to open 
 one package each morning after breakfast, was sent by 
 the same mail. Now don't you think a "wonder box'' 
 is a very nice idea? Here are some of the things in this 
 one: Two books, a box of note paper, bottle of per- 
 fumery, two enamel pins, a sachet, three handkerchiefs, 
 a hair ribbon, a bonbon box (filled), a dainty apron, box 
 of crayons, pretty plate, box of candy, "blue bird" ring, 
 pink celluloid comb, little locket, trick pencil, a guest 
 towel, two blue-bordered wash cloths, a fountain pen, 
 cup and saucer, and a fancy basket. 
 
 Sometimes very small articles are used and wound into 
 a ball of worsted or yarn, and one gift a day unwound. 
 These are called " wonder " balls, and may be filled with 
 seven articles, to last a week, or for any time desired. 
 These boxes and balls are sometimes given as "bon 
 voyage" presents, and are enjoyed by both children and 
 grown-ups. 
 
 123 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 CXIII 
 
 Legomachy 
 
 THE regular "Legomachy" sets may be obtained, 
 and " Anagrams " may be used. The cost is very 
 small. Home-made sets are quickly constructed by 
 taking letters from the top of a daily paper (as they are 
 usually good-sized letters). Mount them on squares of 
 cardboard or very thin wood. With a scroll saw, these 
 are easily managed. Make about three dozen of the let- 
 ters most commonly used, with a few extra vowels; a 
 half dozen each of "Q," "X," and "Z" will be enough. 
 To play the game, give each one the same number of 
 letters, the faces turned downward on the table. Each 
 one in turn places a letter face up in the center of the 
 table, and if he can form a word of not less than three 
 letters from those collected, he takes them. This may 
 be done either before or after the player has turned up 
 the letter. The one playing continues to draw new letters 
 as long as he can add them to words already made by 
 himself or any other person. The one who turns up the 
 last letter is permitted about twenty seconds to claim the 
 word, after which any one may take it by first naming it. 
 Any player may take from another a word, if by 
 adding another letter he can make a materially different 
 word from it. 
 
 A change of verbs into their own participles or nouns 
 to adverbs or adjectives, is not counted. Proper nouns 
 and abbreviations are not counted. A standard dictionary 
 
 124 
 
Dame Curtsey's'^ Book of Games 
 
 should be agreed upon as an authority for settHng any 
 controversy. 
 
 If one player has a word which may be changed into 
 another he must name this transposition ; if he does not 
 do so, one of the others, upon announcing it, may capture 
 the word for himself. When any one player has ten 
 words, all must count the number of syllables their words 
 contain and the person having the greatest number of 
 syllables wins that game. 
 
 Some players count the one who first has ten words 
 as the winner. This point may be decided by those 
 playing, before the game is started. 
 
 CXIV 
 June Birthday Party 
 
 A LITTLE girl whom the gods favored by ushering 
 into this mortal sphere on a sunny June day 
 always has her birthday celebrations on the lawn. 
 Each year this affair, which was always a costume party 
 or a character party of some kind, was looked forward 
 to not only by the participants in the pretty pageant, but 
 by the grown-ups who were asked to view the scene from 
 the broad piazzas. 
 
 The invitations, which were issued two weeks in ad- 
 vance, requested the guests to come costumed as an 
 accompanying flower designated. These notes were 
 written in gold ink on pale pink paper, tied to a pink 
 
 125 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 rosebud; they were delivered from a rose-trimmed 
 basket. 
 
 The girls came as roses in all varieties. Then there 
 were lily of the valley, violet, tiger lily, daisy, pansy, 
 black-eyed Susan, etc. The boys were sunflowers, bach- 
 elor's buttons, tulips, red carnation and chrysanthemums, 
 and nasturtiums. Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Johnny Jump- 
 Up were also represented. Crepe tissue paper and cheap 
 gauzes, tinsels, and cambrics entered largely into the con- 
 struction of the costumes worn. 
 
 Soap bubbles occupied the first part of the afternoon, 
 the tennis court being the place selected for the contest. 
 The girls blew the- bubbles and the boys fanned them 
 over the net ; the opposite side tried to keep the bubbles 
 from going over. The side getting ten bubbles over the 
 first won a prize. Then things were reversed, and the 
 boys blew and the girls fanned. Glycerine in the propor- 
 tion of a tablespoonful to a pint of water was used for 
 blowing the bubbles and the pipes had a rim of soap 
 around them inside the bowl, which causes the fairy balls 
 to grow to immense size ; the glycerin gives lasting quali- 
 ties unknown to plain water. There were prizes for this 
 contest, consisting of flower-shaped candy boxes filled 
 with candied violets and rose petals. 
 
 At five o'clock supper was served from a long table 
 over which a canopy of paper roses had been made by 
 putting up tall stakes at regular intervals from which 
 these garlands were festooned; the roof was made by 
 criss-crossing heavy wire and covering with vines. The 
 
 126 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 roses were suspended by fine wire. The effect was 
 excellent. 
 
 Making the roses had furnished the children of the 
 house pleasant occupation for more than one rainy spring 
 day; having helped in the preparations, they were most 
 keenly interested in the success of the party. 
 
 The refreshments consisted of minced chicken sand- 
 wiches, lemonade, sugar wafers, strawberry ice cream, 
 and a huge birthday cake wreathed in pink roses. Pink 
 rose holders held the candles and each child had a wee 
 pink iced cake with a wee pink candle in front of his 
 place to take home. 
 
 cxv 
 
 A Clothespin Party 
 
 A MOTHER of a twelve-year-old daughter was at 
 a loss just how to entertain for her. The doll and 
 playing at house and " Come to See " period was 
 past and she was too young for a card party, so her 
 mother's clever brain evolved the clothespin party which 
 I am about to describe. 
 
 The invitations were written and folded, held fast by a 
 wee gilded clothespin, and delivered by an obliging young 
 brother. When all had arrived a big basket of ordinary 
 clothespins was placed in the middle of the room and all 
 were told they could have ten minutes in which to build 
 a block-house on the floor, following these instructions, 
 which the mother read aloud : 
 
 127 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Start the house foundation with two clothespins laid 
 down parallel and sufficiently far apart for two more 
 clothespins to bridge this intervening space. Be sure to 
 places the clothespins so that they rest on the open edge 
 of the prongs and lie steady, for the round edge is apt 
 to roll and slide. 
 
 Lay the second two pieces across with their ends on 
 the first two pins. Build up the lower part of the house 
 in this way, eight layers high. The upper part of the 
 building will need longer logs, which may be made by 
 taking two pins and fitting the prongs together; with 
 these cross the top of the house so the edge projects an 
 equal distance on both sides. After the four logs are 
 adjusted proceed with the second story the same as the 
 first. Use all long logs and continue until it is ten 
 *' pins'* high, then make a brown paper or pasteboard 
 roof. 
 
 Next take clothespins, dress them like *' early settlers " 
 and see how good and lifelike they appear. Plenty of 
 black, white, and colored tissue paper must be provided, 
 and paste, scissors, and thread. Prizes are awarded for 
 the best little men and women manufactured by the 
 young artists. 
 
 The table centerpiece was a clothespin house in a yard 
 with miniature *'pin" figures; small trees, animals, and 
 chickens completed this most realistic scene. The napkins 
 were pinned together with gilded " pins," the name card 
 tied to the top. 
 
 128 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 GXVI 
 A Baseball Luncheon 
 
 A MOTHER who had two sons in a local baseball 
 nine gave this original luncheon, inviting the 
 ''nine" as her special guests. The invitations 
 went out on diamond-shaped bits of pink papers and 
 were received with great enthusiasm. The hour was one 
 o'clock, after which there was a practice game for the 
 approaching "big" game which was to decide a cham- 
 pionship ; so all were told to come in their baseball suits. 
 The center of the table was laid out for a game with 
 miniature figures on a " diamond " made from green 
 paper; a wire mask held flowers and the place souvenirs 
 all represented names of famous baseball nines. There 
 were the "Cubs," little stuffed "Red Socks," the 
 " Pirates," represented by skull and cross-bones, the 
 "Tigers," "Giants," and "Indians." There were also 
 miniature bats and balls and the " nine's " mascot, a dog, 
 was not forgotten. A hearty meal of beefsteak, spa- 
 ghetti with tomato sauce, scalloped potatoes, olives, brown 
 and white bread, salted nuts, fruit salad with hot cheese 
 sandwiches, individual apple pies, and generous cups of 
 cocoa delighted the youthful guests. Molasses candy 
 and peppermint sticks were the sweets. The boys went 
 off with three cheers and a tiger for the popular mother, 
 and she declared she never had more appreciative guests. 
 
 129 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXVII 
 Stool-Ball (England) 
 
 THIS game originated first in Merrie England, and 
 was played by the milkmaids. 
 A certain number of " stools " (flat stones in the 
 open air and cushions indoors) are set up in circular 
 form, at a considerable distance from each other, and 
 every one of them is occupied by a single player; when 
 a ball is thrown with the hand high in the air by "it,' 
 who stands in the center of the circle, every one of the 
 players is obliged to alter his situation, running in suc- 
 cession from stool to stool, and if he who threw the ball 
 can regain it in time to strike any one of the players 
 before reaching the stool to which he is running, "it^ 
 takes his place, and the person touched must throw the 
 ball until he can in like manner return to the circle. Ris- 
 ing quickly from the stone or cushion requires consid- 
 erable agility on the part of the players. 
 
 
 A 
 
 CXVIII 
 A Juggling Match 
 
 T English country fairs this amusement used to be 
 
 in great favor : 
 
 A large circle, inclosed by a rope, was occupied 
 by nine or ten people, and all except one were blindfolded. 
 This one was called the " jingler,'' because he held in his 
 
 130 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 hand a small bell, which he rang incessantly. His com- 
 panions, following the sound of the bell, tried to catch 
 him. If at the end of an allotted time he was not caught, 
 he received a prize; otherwise the prize went to the 
 catcher. 
 
 CXIX 
 
 Pebble-Chase (Greek) 
 
 IN this present-day amusement of the Greek children, 
 the leader stands amongst the players, holding a 
 pebble between the palms of his hands. Each player 
 extends his hands, palm to palm, and the leader puts his 
 hands between the palms of each player, ostensibly to 
 drop in the pebble he is holding. The player who receives 
 the pebble is chased by the others, and may only be saved 
 by returning to the leader and giving the pebble to him. 
 The chase may begin as soon as the players suspect who 
 has the pebble, so each player should carefully watch the 
 hands and faces of the others to see who gets it, and as 
 soon as he suspects one, start to chase him. Leaders and 
 players must exercise ingenuity to keep the secret of the 
 whereabouts of the pebble, but not after the last pair of 
 hands has been passed. 
 
 131 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 cxx 
 
 Buck the Indian 
 
 TWO captains are chosen, and each captain then 
 chooses alternately from the remaining company 
 until two long lines are formed. They face each 
 other, holding hands tightly. One captain calls the name 
 of one of his strongest boys, and this boy runs and hurls 
 himself between two boys of the opposing side. If he 
 succeeds in breaking through, he takes back with him 
 to his own side all the boys on the line below the place 
 where he broke through. If he is unsuccessful, he must 
 join the enemy's side. This is kept up, each side taking 
 a turn until all the boys are on one side, the captain 
 included. 
 
 The strongest boys should be stationed near the top 
 of the line, near the captain, and strategem is shown in 
 trying to catch the strong boys off their guard, by pre- 
 tending to tackle the weak boys at the bottom of the line. 
 
 CXXI 
 
 Three Chinese Games 
 
 LET OUT THE DOVES 
 
 AT the cry of "Let out the doves" one of the 
 larger girls takes hold of the hands of two of the 
 smaller girls, one of whom represents a dove and 
 the other a hawk. The hawk stands behind the big girl, 
 and the dove in front of her. She throws the dove 
 
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''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 away as she might toss a bird in the air, and as the child 
 runs she waves her arms as though they were wings. 
 The hawk is then thrown in the same way, and it 
 follows the dove. The big girl then claps her hands as 
 the Chinese do, to bring their pet birds back to them, 
 and the dove, if not caught, returns to the cage. 
 
 SEEK FOR GOLD 
 
 This is a variation of our popular "Jacks.'' Several 
 girls gather up some pebbles, squat down in a group, 
 and scatter all the pebbles. Then one draws her finger 
 between two of the stones and snaps one against the 
 other. If she hits it, the two stones are taken up and 
 put aside to her credit. She is entitled to draw her 
 finger again between two more and snaps them. When 
 she misses another girl takes up what pebbles are left, 
 scatters them, snaps them, takes them up, and so on 
 until one or another child gets the most of the pebbles 
 and the game is won. 
 
 KICK THE MARBLES 
 
 Two boys and two marbles are required. The first 
 boy says to the second : " Kick this marble north (south, 
 east, west),'' pointing to one of the marbles. Only one 
 kick is allowed. If he succeeds, he wins; if he fails, 
 the other wins. If he puts it north as ordered, he may 
 kick again to hit the other marble, in which case he 
 wins again. If he hits the marble and it goes north, as 
 ordered, at one kick, he wins double. 
 
 133 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 Each boy tries to leave the marbles in as difficult a 
 position as possible for his successor ; and here comes in 
 a peculiarity which makes this game unique among all 
 games. If the position in which the marbles are left is 
 too difficult to play, he may refuse to kick, and the first 
 boy is obliged to play his own difficult game. 
 
 CXXII 
 New Version of a Peanut Party 
 
 ARRANGE tables as for a progressive card game, 
 only place a generous handful of peanuts (in the 
 shell) in the center of each table and provide a 
 pair of tongs like those that come in boxes of candy, for 
 each player. After the fashion of jack straws, the game 
 is to see how many peanuts can be removed without 
 disturbing another. When one is moved the player gives 
 up and the next one tries. At the end of twenty minutes 
 a bell is rung and the player at each table having the 
 most peanuts progresses. The winners at the different 
 tables play another round until there is only one winner, 
 who receives the reward, which may be a large peanut 
 candy box filled with salted peanuts. 
 
 The main thing is to impress upon the children that 
 they must play fair. 
 
 134 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXXIII 
 A Lottery Bag 
 
 THIS is a game enjoyed by children and makes an 
 interesting feature for a party. A large vase or 
 jar that will admit the hand is required, or a bag 
 with a drawstring. Fill this receptacle with peanuts. 
 Give the guests slips of paper and ask them to put down 
 the number of nuts which they think they can draw out 
 in one handful. 
 
 A turn is granted to each one and he puts down the 
 number actually taken out. The one who comes nearest 
 his or her original number is given a prize and the one 
 farthest away from the number receives a consolation 
 prize. 
 
 Serve salted peanuts of the "Jumbo'' variety if ob- 
 tainable, sandwiches filled with peanut butter and chopped 
 pimentos, a salad preferably of sweetbreads, and peanut 
 ice cream. If desired, a soup prepared by adding 
 crushed peanuts to a cream soup may be served as a first 
 course in bouillon cups with whipped cream on top. 
 
 135 
 
''Dame Curtsey's" Book of Games 
 
 CXXIV 
 Japanese Tag 
 
 OBSERVING a bunch of children going through all 
 sorts of comical stunts, I asked what the game 
 might be and was told it was Japanese tag. The 
 child who is tagged must place his or her left hand on 
 the spot touched and keep it there until he is fortunate 
 enough to tag someone else. Then the one who is "' it '^ 
 tries to tag someone on the knee or foot, so that his 
 endeavors to tag the next one with the hand on that part 
 of the body will be most difficult as well as very amusing. 
 
 cxxv 
 
 The ''Sandpiper'' Game 
 
 DID you ever watch a dozen youngsters on the beach 
 in their bathing suits playing " sandpiper " ? Here 
 are the rules of the game : The children, except- 
 ing two, turn themselves into a flock of sandpipers, hop- 
 ping up and down the beach. Two are '' hunters,'' who 
 try to catch the birds, crying : 
 
 Sandpiper, sandpiper, hopping on the sand. 
 Come, let us catch you, and join our band ! 
 
 The hunters catch the " birds,'' who are at once turned 
 into hunters. The only way a sandpiper can escape is 
 to stand on one foot or hop on one leg. So long as he 
 
 136 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 or she remains thus the hunters cannot take him. The 
 children love this game, and they look very happy trotting 
 around in their little flannel bathing suits. 
 
 CXXVI 
 Giving a Pea Party 
 
 IT was out in the country when little Ted's birthday 
 came and the children begged for something new, 
 something different from any other party. Thus it is 
 that even the six-year-olds of this day and age are 
 becoming blase and actually demanding novel methods 
 of entertainment ! 
 
 The mother, always equal to any desires expressed by 
 her young hopefuls, cast her eyes over the garden and 
 exclaimed : " I have it.'' She immediately issued notes 
 ornamented with a bright green pea pod at the top of the 
 page, asking the neighboring children to come to a 
 '' pea party " on the day and date mentioned. 
 
 Here is what they found : A great tin pan filled with 
 peas which were shelled by the expectant guests. Then 
 each took a small bowlful of peas and a bunch of tooth- 
 picks. Directions were given to make whatever articles 
 they wished. Sewing tables were provided for the little 
 architects, and it was surprising the variety of things 
 they built in the allotted time. 
 
 There were ladders, chairs, hairpins, furniture of all 
 descriptions, dolls, animals enough to stock a farm, and 
 
 137 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 queer contraptions without any names. The refresh- 
 ments which were nut sandwiches, gelatine with whipped 
 cream, individual birthday cakes, each with a tiny lighted 
 candle delighted the small guests immensely. 
 
 CXXVII 
 A Jolly Easter Party 
 
 THE invitations to this pretty party were issued in 
 a unique way. Wee baskets, each containing an 
 egg tied in the middle, carried the following, 
 neatly written message: 
 
 Lillian Whiting, 
 
 33 Chestnut Street, 
 
 Easter Party, 
 
 Monday, April 12, 1914, 
 
 2:30 to 6. 
 
 Egg Rolling, 
 
 Rabbit Hunt, 
 
 Lots of Fun. 
 
 The names of the children invited were written on 
 Easter cards tied to the handles with white and yellow 
 ribbon. Partners for refreshments were found by match- 
 ing eggs of the same color. The ice cream was in the 
 form of yellow chicks on nests of green spun sugar 
 candy. The best of all was the rabbit hunt, which took 
 place just before the children went home. Real live 
 rabbits (one for each child) were in a screened corner 
 of the porch in straw and leaves; the children went one 
 
 138 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 at a time and took a bunny by his ears, put it in a little 
 covered basket, and took it home. 
 
 CXXVIII 
 Easter Tree 
 
 THIS novel device was thought of by a mother 
 whose children were continually demanding some- 
 thing new. There was a merry little Easter party. 
 Suddenly the doors were opened into the dining room, 
 disclosing a tree on the center of the table with a pert 
 bunny on top. Then all over the branches were chickens, 
 ducks, and bunnies, both brown and *' cotton tails." 
 There were nests of eggs at each plate, and in the egg 
 hunt which preceded the feast the prizes were " Peter 
 Rabbit" and "Mr. Benjamin Bunny." The name cards 
 were charming Easter postals with the child's name on 
 the address side. The children were perfectly delighted 
 with this party and the mother kept the tree a surprise 
 even from her own children. 
 
 CXXIX 
 For a "Track Meet" 
 
 THESE ideas are adaptable to an outdoor or indoor 
 affair and the stunts will add greatly to a school 
 party when one class entertains in honor of the 
 others. 
 
 This famous "One Yard Dash" will be for "Men 
 
 139 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 Only." Lay off just one yard, give each contestant a 
 bright copper cent, which must be laid on a line. At the 
 word " go,'' the boys get down on all fours and push the 
 cent the yard with their noses. This is very amusing, as 
 may well be imagined. The one getting in first wins the 
 prize. 
 
 The *' Tug of War " may also be for boys only unless 
 the girls wish to try. They must all make their entries 
 in the regular way. Tie a raisin firmly in the middle of 
 a long piece of twine; each victim takes hold of one end 
 with his teeth and begins to chew up the string for the 
 raisin. Hands must not assist in any way. 
 
 Next try the '* Standing High Jump.'' Suspend three 
 doughnuts in a doorway about four inches higher than 
 the mouths of the contestants. Tie hands behind the 
 back with handkerchiefs. Then see who gets the first 
 bite from the doughnut. 
 
 There will be loads of fun for both girls and boys in 
 the so-called *' Hurdle Race." The aspirants are seated 
 with six needles on a table in front of them; the one 
 who first threads them all has the reward. 
 
 The bunch will probably be thirsty by this time, so try 
 this ^* Drinking Race." Each player is given a tumbler 
 of water to be consumed by sipping from a spoon. There 
 must be no spilling, as that accident bars the contestant 
 from the race. The one who drinks it down first is the 
 winner. 
 
 The *' Bun " race may also be indulged in by both 
 sexes. Set up two poles a good distance apart, connect 
 
 140 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 with a new clothes Hne from which hang strings of dif- 
 ferent lengths, according to the heights of the players. 
 Tie a bun at the end of each string. The players line up 
 with hands securely fastened behind them; at a signal 
 each tries to eat the bun. The bobbing line makes this 
 difficult, but the lucky one who holds the bun in his teeth 
 may get it on the ground and in a prostrate position 
 consume it. 
 
 Next have the *' Cracker " contest, for girls only. Let 
 the players choose sides, then line up opposite each other. 
 The plate of crackers is passed, the girls to eat and swal- 
 low, then see who can whistle first. Not so easy at it 
 sounds. 
 
 Last of all comes the "Rainy Day" race for girls. 
 There must be at least five to make it really worth while. 
 Stand them in line with a closed satchel (grip) in front 
 of each one, in which has been placed a pair of rubbers, 
 pair of gloves, and an umbrella beside each bag. When 
 "three" has been counted by the starter, the girls open 
 the grips, take out the rubbers, put them on, put on the 
 gloves, button them, open the umbrellas, close the grips, 
 and walk deliberately about lOO feet to the line set as the 
 goal ; here they shut the umbrellas, take ofif rubbers and 
 gloves, replace them in the grip, close them, and return 
 to the starting place, carrying the umbrellas closed and 
 the grips. The one arriving first wins. 
 
 141 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXXX 
 A List of Forfeits 
 
 TELL the culprit to grasp the right ankle by the 
 right hand while standing on the left foot, bend it 
 until the right knee touches the floor, then slowly 
 rise to a standing position again. Keep the left hand 
 extended, touching nothing. The right foot must not 
 touch the floor nor the ankle be released from the right 
 hand. 
 
 Now for this test in balance. Seat the forfeit player 
 upon a large gallon bottle which is on its side on the 
 floor, the heel of the right foot resting on the floor and 
 the heel of the left against the toe of the right. Then 
 hand him a darning needle and a coarse thread with 
 which he must thread the needle without losing balance. 
 
 Put one hand where the other cannot grasp it. Do 
 this by grasping the right elbow with the left hand. 
 
 Place an object on the floor so no one can jump over 
 it — do this by placing the article in a corner. 
 
 Hold the foot in one hand and walk around the room 
 whistling "Yankee Doodle." 
 
 Pose as " Liberty Enlightening the World." 
 
 Stick a pin in the center of a ball of yarn, allowing it 
 to stand up so as the victim can catch it with his teeth. 
 Black the top of the ball with burnt cork. Play this only 
 on a person who will take the joke without getting angry. 
 
 Put ** Mary " through the keyhole. Write the name on 
 a bit of paper and poke it through. 
 
 142 
 
'^Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXXXI 
 A Paper Party 
 
 ^ I ^HIS party had an unusual degree of novelty. 
 
 I First on the program was a "paper" race con- 
 ducted as follows : Have as many ten-yard strips 
 of paper (such as come around bolts of ribbon) as there 
 are guests, also several pairs of blunt scissors. Choose 
 three or four as jockeys, placing paper jockey caps on 
 their heads. To all the others give twenty paper gun 
 wads. 
 
 Line up the jockeys with a number pinned to the sleeve 
 of each. The others begin to bet on them with their gun 
 wad money. Stretch the rolls of paper ribbon across the 
 room, each one held at the opposite end by a person 
 selected from the guests. The jockeys have their end and 
 a pair of scissors, and at the word "go" they start to 
 cut the ribbon straight down the middle, going as fast as 
 possible. If they run off they are disqualified and have 
 to drop out. The one who reaches the other side first, 
 with both bits of ribbon intact, is winner. This act may 
 be repeated until all have tried or as long as the hostess 
 deems best. First, second, and third prizes may be 
 awarded, and bets are to be settled at the end of every 
 race. 
 
 Next the hostess presented each guest with a clothes 
 pin and a roll of colored tissue paper, some twine, pins, 
 needle, and coarse thread, and said : " See who can make 
 
 143 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 the best doll in fifteen minutes." The results were laugh- 
 able and very creditable in some instances. All the 
 decorations throughout the house were of paper, and 
 paper napkins and dishes were used when refreshments 
 were served. Paper chains could be made 'for another 
 contest, also a prize for the best articles cut from paper, 
 like the hand dolls we used to make in our childhood 
 days. Caps are quickly made of paper and also very good 
 looking hats. 
 
 CXXXII 
 A Doll Fete 
 
 1 
 
 THIS IS a charming afifair which was given by chil- 
 dren and superintended by older people, but the4j 
 girls and boys, too, regarded it as their special en- 
 tertainment. There was a sale of dolls, doll house furni- 
 ture, and clothes, and a complete doll house was awarded ■! 
 to the child whose turnout received the most votes in the 
 parade, which was a feature of the evening. Only chil- 
 dren under ten years of age participated in this and each 
 doll was in a doll buggy trimmed with flowers, or in any 
 manner that suited the owner. 
 
 The judges were youthful, too; fourteen was the age. 
 The interest in the affair was widespread; fathers 
 arranged to be present, school teachers caught the fever ; 
 in fact, the " doll festival '' was in the air and some one 
 remarked that the way to success lay in interesting the 
 children. One especially interesting booth was entirely 
 
 144 
 
 II 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 in charge of boys. They displayed all sorts of home- 
 made toys, orders were taken for doll house furniture 
 from samples, pictures framed, etc. 
 
 There was a clown doll in a wheel-barrow in the 
 parade. Popcorn, salted peanuts, home-made candy and 
 *' light" refreshments were on sale, and canned fruits, 
 jelly, and other delicacies for sick children were re- 
 ceived; also contributions of pictures and cards suitable 
 for making into scrap-books. 
 
 CXXXIII 
 Easter Party for Little Folks 
 
 THE invitations for this pretty party are china nest 
 eggs on which the name and place are written with 
 India ink or gold enamel paint. They are placed in 
 small handled baskets, which may be purchased by the 
 dozen for a trifling sum. Delivering these novel invita- 
 tions affords much pleasure to the children. 
 
 An egg hunt will occupy a good share of the time from 
 three until six. Procure the dainty eggs made at the 
 candy-shops at this season of the year, hide them every 
 place, then let the children hunt for them. Make egg- 
 shaped bags of tarlatan to hold the spoils or have small 
 baskets. Award prizes of yellow chicks, rabbits, butter- 
 flies, and any of the many charming novelties provided 
 by the stores for the joyous season. 
 
 After this seat the little folks at tables with boxes of 
 
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''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 paint, brushes, and fancy pictures. Give each one an tgg 
 with the privilege of decorating it. Now for the refresh- 
 ments, which are to be served at six o'clock, so the chil- 
 dren will need no other meal when they return home. 
 First serve ** magic " eggs, made by selecting good smooth 
 potatoes ; bake until almost done, then carefully scoop 
 out a hole large enough to hold an egg, tie the top on, 
 and replace in the oven to finish baking. These are 
 wholesome and furnish a mystery as to how the egg got 
 there. Pass sandwiches and cocoa, and then comes the 
 best of the feast — vanilla ice cream in the form of eggs 
 in nests of candied orange peel strips. A green wicker 
 basket drawn by two rabbits makes an attractive center- 
 piece for the table. 
 
 CXXXIV 
 An Animal Party 
 
 AS each child enters, a slip of paper containing the 
 name of an animal is to be pinned upon his back 
 and he is told he must guess from the conversa- 
 tion of those around him what animal he is supposed to 
 represent. Then pass booklets ornamented with cute 
 little "Teddy" bears and pencils. On a door have a 
 poster of the animals going two by two into the ark and 
 the words, " This way to the greatest show on earth." 
 Admit the guests in groups to this room, where the cages 
 containing the animals will be found, allowing ten minutes 
 for each group to guess what the cages contain. Here 
 
 146 
 
 I 
 
*^Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 IS a list of animals, which may be added to by individual 
 hostesses: *'Kid" (a glove of kid), "lynx" (links of a 
 chain), *'rat'' (hair rat), *' monkey" (letters M O N 
 and a door key), "chamois" (a piece of chamois), 
 "lion" (a doll's pillow), "goat" (a small piece of 
 butter), "peacock" (a dried pea and a toy rooster), 
 "bear" (a tiny undressed doll), "eagle" (the letter E 
 and a picture of a sea gull). 
 
 The cages (boxes crossed with wire) are numbered 
 and the guests write down what they suppose the 
 animal is in the booklet opposite a corresponding num- 
 ber. Animal candy boxes are good for prizes. Then 
 have a contest to see who can come the nearest pinning a 
 goat's whiskers on In the proper place, the contestant to 
 be blindfolded. 
 
 Serve an ice, "animal" cookies, and barley sugar 
 animals. 
 
 cxxxv 
 
 Circus Suggestions for Parties 
 
 CLOWN cakes will be much appreciated by youth- 
 ful guests. Bake a simple cake mixture in small 
 round muffin pans. Frost some with white, some 
 with chocolate, making eyes, nose, and mouth of con- 
 trasting color. Around each put tiny frills of colored 
 crepe paper and the cakes will look like funny faces 
 beneath little bonnets. 
 
 With these serve circus lemonade. Take large smooth- 
 
 147 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 skinned lemons, cut off one end, hollow out and place 
 in ice water. Cut black court-plaster eyes, nose, and 
 mouth, dry the shells, and paste these on in as grotesque a 
 manner as possible. Then make little dunce caps of red 
 and white stiff paper, leaving a hole at the top to receive 
 a straw ; fill the cups with lemonade, put on the caps, stick 
 in the straws, and they are ready to serve. 
 
 For a centerpiece have a tiny tent, with miniature ani- 
 mals in a procession. At each child's plate have a wee 
 tent of paper, a flag on it, with a rail fence of opera 
 sticks around it. Under each tent have salted peanuts. 
 
 Have striped paper bags filled with popcorn and the 
 small guests will be perfectly delighted with the " circus '* 
 party. 
 
 CXXXVI 
 Moon and Morning Stars 
 
 HERE is a Spanish game that I am sure the children 
 will enjoy. One thing is necessary, and that is 
 bright sunshine, for this pastime. The girl who 
 represents the moon stands in the shadow of a large tree 
 or building and she cannot go out into the sunshine. All 
 the other players are the morning stars, and belong in the 
 daylight, so they stay out in the sun; occasionally they 
 venture into the shadow, calling alluringly : 
 
 Oh, the moon and the morning stars, 
 Oh, the moon and the morning stars. 
 Who dares to tread, oh ! 
 Within the shadow? 
 
 148 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 The watchful moon keeps her eyes open and pounces 
 upon some too venturesome star, catches her and takes 
 her place among the stars, and the victim becomes the 
 moon. 
 
 CXXXVII 
 
 Cobbler Game for Wee Tots 
 
 HERE is something the little kiddies will enjoy: 
 Tell one of the children to call himself the 
 "cobbler" and sit on the floor, while the others 
 join hands and dance around him. The cobbler says: 
 
 *^ Now is the time to try on your shoes," and at once, 
 but without leaving his seat, reaches for the feet of one 
 in the ring, while the players, who must not let go of 
 hands, endeavor to dance out of his reach. If one is 
 caught, he, or she, becomes the cobbler. 
 
 CXXXVIII 
 
 A Bonnet Party 
 
 DO not say that bonnet parties are old, until you 
 hear about this one, which was given for twenty 
 children. When all had arrived, the hostess 
 passed three sheets of colored tissue paper, some squares 
 of crepe paper of gay color, and two fancy paper napkins 
 to each child. On a center table she put pins, scissors, 
 tubes of paste, little towels, and a bowl of water for 
 
 149 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 wiping the paste from finger tips. She said a half hour 
 would be allowed for making any kind of a hat, cap, or 
 bonnet, the maker to don the headgear. When time was 
 called they formed in line and passed before the judges, 
 who awarded the prizes. 
 
 Such a busy time as those children had ! They were 
 really most clever, too, in building their hats. The oldest 
 guest was eleven and the youngest eight, and some of 
 the work was excellent. The prizes were doll band 
 boxes containing lovely hats for dolly. The ice cream 
 was served in the dearest straw hats (doll size) lined 
 with waxed paper. The children enjoyed the novelty 
 and each one went home with her creation on her head. 
 It is needless to say there were no boys at this party. 
 The young hostess declared that boys frorh nine to 
 twelve were "no fun." I do not know what our boy 
 friends will say to this ; perhaps some of them will mend 
 their ways a bit, so as not to be left out of parties. 
 
 CXXXIX 
 A Gypsy Party 
 
 IF any of you have any bits of birch bark or can get 
 paper in the imitation of wood, use it for invitations 
 to a gypsy party. Ask the guests to come in costume. 
 You may word the cards something like this: "There 
 will be a meeting of the ' Romany Rye ' two hours after 
 
 150 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 sundown at (Give place, day, date). Please come wear- 
 ing the costume of your tribe/' 
 
 Read up on gypsies and have the time of your life at 
 this very picturesque party. Beads, buckles, bracelets, 
 white waists, gay skirts, and velvet bodices may be worn 
 by the girls, with low shoes and hose to match the dress 
 skirt — a broad brimmed hat or a red and yellow kerchief 
 on the head with hair loose or in braids down the back. 
 Boys should wear high crowned hats with quills and 
 maybe a feather, gayly striped shirts, velvet jackets, long 
 waistcoats, full trousers with long stockings and buckled 
 shoes. Bright ties or handkerchiefs should be knotted 
 around coUarless necks. 
 
 A gypsy kettle may be the centerpiece with wee kettles 
 for individual place favors. A picnic lunch may be 
 served. 
 
 CXL 
 
 Widower, or Last Couple Out 
 
 FIFTEEN to twenty-five boys and girls may play this 
 jolly game. The first thing to do is to choose part- 
 ners and stand in couples behind each other. One 
 player called widower stands in front of the line facing 
 in the same direction. He calls ^' Last couple out,'' and 
 immediately the last couple, running one to each side of 
 the line, endeavors to join hands in front of the widower, 
 who endeavors to tag one of them before they clasp 
 
 151 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 hands. If successful they return to the Hne as first 
 couple, and the widower again takes his place in front of 
 the line and another couple runs from the end of the line 
 when he calls. If the widower tags some one, that player 
 becomes the widower, and the former widower returns to 
 the head of the line with the other player. The widower 
 must not look around as he calls nor run back along the 
 line of couples to catch a player. 
 
 CXLI 
 A Hunting Game 
 
 THIS is a lively pastime for any number of children, 
 as ten or forty can play either outdoors or indoors. 
 A large yard with two small spaces (called dens 
 or traps) at opposite corners are necessary. One child is 
 called the hunter and stands in the middle of the yard. 
 The other children are given the names of different ani- 
 mals (or birds), several having the same name, and stand 
 in one of the dens. The hunter calls for a certain animal 
 (or for two kinds), when all of that name must try to 
 reach the other den before the hunter tags them. If one 
 is tagged he takes the place of the hunter, and the hunter 
 takes the place of an animal. There may be two hunters 
 when a large number is playing, but only one must call 
 the animaVs name. 
 
 152 
 
Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 CXLII 
 Duck on a Rock 
 
 ALL you need for this delightful game is a bean 
 bag for each player, and one large Indian club. 
 Fifteen to thirty children may play at one time. 
 Make a large circle with the Indian club in the center 
 and have each child fifteen or twenty feet away from the 
 club. Each child in turn throws his bag (overhand shot) 
 at the club, and the one whose bag falls nearest it becomes 
 "it'' or guard. The guard places his duck (bag) on 
 the head of the club, and the children take turns around 
 the circle in trying to knock it off. The child who suc- 
 ceeds in knocking the duck off the rock (club) runs to the 
 center and endeavors to place his duck upon the rock 
 before the guard can take his own duck and gain a place 
 in the circle. If successful in this, the guard must return 
 with his duck and become guard again, but if not success- 
 ful this child then becomes guard. The children in the 
 circle should recover their ducks as soon as possible, 
 but a guard may tag them at any time and the tagged 
 child who fails to place his duck on the rock before the 
 guard can get his own duck- and return to the circle must 
 become guard. 
 
 153 
 
'"Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXLIII 
 ''Sneeze" for the Children 
 
 HERE IS a funny performance that children enjoy, 
 which will add much to an evening's program. 
 Divide the company into three parts. Tell the 
 first group to shout *' Ish," the second '* Ash/' and the 
 third " Shoo/' at a given signal. This conglomerate 
 sound most resembles a gigantic sneezing. For the want 
 of a better term the youngsters call it "sneeze/' and 
 always clamor to " do it again." 
 
 CXLIV 
 A Clever After-Dinner Trick 
 
 TAKE a dinner plate and fill with water to the depth 
 of an eighth of an inch, perhaps a little more. 
 Then put a small bit of candle in the center, light, 
 and over it place a tall glass tumbler, such as lemonade 
 or iced tea is served in. Just as the inverted tumbler 
 touches the plate, the water will rise within the glass. 
 The taller this covering the more effective the trick. 
 
 154 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXLV 
 An Indian Party 
 
 NOW that so many children have Indian suits, try 
 this for a party: Put up one or two wigwams 
 and send the invitations on paper arrows through 
 which a feather is thrust. Have them delivered by the 
 little Indian who is to be the host. Girls may be dressed 
 as squaws. 
 
 There are Indian post cards, which would make very 
 good place cards or souvenirs. For refreshments serve : 
 
 Corn Meal Mush with Milk. 
 
 Fish or Some Kind of Game. 
 
 Corn Muffins. 
 
 Indian Meal Pudding. 
 
 made in individual ramekins. 
 
 Make a contest of stringing beads and have a game of 
 archery. 
 
 CXLVI 
 
 United States Mail 
 
 THERE is no limit to the number of players. A 
 circle is formed and one chosen leader gives each 
 player the name of a town or city. The leader, 
 who is now called the '' Postmaster,'' stands in the middle 
 and calls the name of the mail to be exchanged, and while 
 
 155 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 the letters are being transmitted from '' Boston to New 
 York/' the "postmaster*' tries to slip into one or the 
 other of the places vacated. If he is successful, the one 
 who is lost in transit takes the place of the postmaster 
 and calls two other cities ; it is also permissible to call 
 two more exchanges in rapid succession, so that two or 
 three couples may be changing at the same time. When 
 the postmaster calls ** General Delivery " everyone- 
 changes places. You see this is just about like our oldj 
 friend " Stage Coach," only disguised with another name! 
 
 CXLVII 
 
 Charades 
 
 IT is great fun in a club to divide into sides and each 
 side get up a charade for an evening entertainment. 
 I will give a list of words that are very easily adapted 
 to representation: Window, groomsman, music, break- 
 fast, bandage, courtship, cannibal, carmine, forty, clothes- 
 horse, crocodile, Manhattan Island, bedlam, turkey, wed- 
 lock, jackknife, illiterate, bullseye, dramatic, sinecure, 
 manicure, ingratiate, felicity, Constantinople. 
 
 We used to work ours out quite elaborately with cos- 
 tumes and really clever talking parts. Impromptu pro- 
 ductions are always good fun, using whatever Is at hand 
 for the costumes and scenery. 
 
 One that a girl did all by herself comes to me now. 
 She was a slight, tiny creature and appeared in the door- 
 
 156 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 way wrapped in an enormous greatcoat. **I represent 
 two cities in France; guess me/' she said, and it was 
 some time before the clever one exclaimed, *' Toulouse 
 and Toulon." Good, is it not ? 
 
 CXLVIII 
 "Hop Over" 
 
 THE players are asked to form a circle about two 
 feet apart from each other. The leader stands in 
 the middle, holding a long, stout string to the end 
 of which is tied a small book wrapped in paper. He 
 whirls the book around the circle on the floor, holding 
 it by the string, and each time coming nearer the feet 
 of the players who form the ring. As the book comes 
 nearer and nearer the feet the players must jump over it. 
 As the book is whirled very rapidly the jumping becomes 
 more lively and makes loads of fun. If the book touches 
 the foot of anyone, that person must take a turn in the 
 middle and try to touch the foot of some one who will 
 take his turn. Just try this and see how amusing it is. 
 
 157 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CXLIX 
 Fun with Buttons 
 
 **¥^ UT we don't know how to play cards," wailed the 
 p^ fourteen-year-old, '' and we do want a progressive 
 ^"^ party with prizes and score cards." So that is 
 how this amusement came about : 
 
 There were sixteen guests, so four card tables were 
 arranged with a pile of assorted buttons in the middle of 
 each. Cloth-covered buttons and shank ones were barred. 
 Partners were chosen by matching four buttons of a kind 
 which were passed on trays. This made a jolly prelim- 
 inary time. A fifth button was sewed to a corner of the 
 table ; thus the four white agate buttons found their table, 
 the four shoe buttons and four black buttons and the four 
 smoked pearls. On the table four needles were placed 
 (No. 7) threaded with a stout white thread about 
 eighteen inches long ; longer than this will tangle. It is a 
 good plan to wax the thread a bit, too. When the bell 
 rang, the play began, threading buttons, using one hand 
 only; at the expiration of the time, say four or five 
 minutes, the ring of the bell stops work and the two 
 having the most buttons to their credit progress to the 
 next table. Before going the number is placed on score 
 card and the buttons replaced in the center of the table. 
 Very cute score cards may be made by gluing bone 
 buttons such as are used on underwaists to the card ; they 
 have only eyes, and the nose, mouth, hair, and eyelashes 
 
 158 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 are painted on. Queer bodies are drawn or painted on 
 the famous " goop '' order, and the result is laughable in 
 the extreme. Here is another button stunt: Choose 
 partners by matching ribbons on which a button is sewed 
 on the ends just for decoration. Then furnish each 
 couple with a small square of cloth, six buttons, a needle 
 and thirty inches of thread. The girl must hold the 
 needle for the boy to thread, then she must hold the cloth 
 for him while he sews on the six buttons. The couple 
 who finish first win the prize. Suggestions for prizes 
 would be a button bag, gold collar buttons, collar-button 
 box, and at the favor counter candy boxes are obtainable 
 in shape of spools of thread or silk, also thimbles. They 
 would make appropriate souvenirs. 
 
 CL 
 
 A Witch and Goblin Party 
 
 CHILDREN dearly love to dress up and the party 
 described will delight them. Ask the girls to come 
 as witches in scarlet frocks or capes, with tall 
 black hats, and the boys as goblins. The beloved 
 " Brownies " will serve as models for the boys' costumes. 
 Just for this one occasion set the hours from "nine to 
 twelve," for it really would not be a true hallowe'en 
 party if they could not stay until the '* clock in the steeple 
 strikes twelve," that witching hour when ghosts walk, 
 when cold chills run down one's back, and that delicious 
 
 T59 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 creepy sensation comes when trying the charms that must 
 be done precisely at the mysterious midnight hour. It 
 may be a little hard on mothers and chaperons, but they 
 must all smile and look happy on hallowe'en night and 
 do their part to placate the evil spirits. A cotillion with 
 appropriate favors is the best wind-up for this party and 
 the guests are supposed to be from twelve to fifteen years 
 of age. 
 
 CLI 
 A Spool Party 
 
 THIS party was certainly a novelty for the twelve 
 little guests who were invited to spend the hours 
 from three to five with the six-year-old hostess. 
 The oldest child asked had passed her ninth birthday, 
 and she proved a decided help in assisting to amuse the 
 younger ones. The mother said she had been saving 
 spools for months, begging them of her friends, and had 
 even done an extra amount of sewing to get sufficient 
 spools for this party. 
 
 First, dolls were made by inserting a pasteboard nose 
 in a slit and doing the face with a tiny brush and black 
 paint (ink will do), toothpicks were stuck in slits for 
 arms, and the children were greatly interested in the 
 construction of these wooden men. 
 
 Then a bowling alley was made by elevating one end 
 of an ironing board and arranging spools at the other 
 
 i6o 
 
Dame Curtsey's*' Book of Games 
 
 like ten pins. A prize was given to the child making the 
 best score. 
 
 Coarse needles and colored twine were provided for a 
 spool stringing contest, with another prize, and when 
 refreshments were served there was a spool-shaped candy 
 box (bought at the favor counter) filled with sugar 
 peppermints for each child to take home. So, good 
 mothers, save your spools if you want to provide some- 
 thing new for your little one's party. 
 
 CLII 
 A Jolly Outdoor Party 
 
 THIS was a decided success, for the children were 
 so enthusiastic. The affair took place in the 
 country, but I do not think a city back yard or a 
 park would fall short of the requirements. Of course, 
 all depends upon the weather, for this party requires 
 snow and a frozen pond if possible. 
 
 The hours were from five to eight, and it was quite 
 dark when the gay youngsters assembled. The mothers 
 had been instructed to dress the little guests, who were 
 from ten to fourteen, very warmly with sweaters and 
 mittens. Japanese lanterns were strung all over the lawn 
 and twinkled brightly in the darkness; then there were 
 huge bonfires built along the edge of the pond with care- 
 takers to watch for sparks. There were skating races, 
 running races, tobogganing, and a merry game of hare 
 
 i6i 
 
*'Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 and hounds, with red confetti for " scent/' The last 
 stunt was storming a snow fort, the children being 
 divided into two sides, white men and '' Indians/' After 
 this excitement they were called in to a supper consisting 
 of piping hot oyster soup, hot buttered crackers, olives, 
 turkey sandwiches, then ice cream in shape of snowballs 
 with a little flag in the top of each ball; the cakes were 
 balls, too, rolled in cocoanut form. A big sleigh took all 
 the children home, each with a tin horn which was tied 
 with scarlet ribbons. 
 
 CLIII 
 An Indian Wigwam Party 
 
 HALF of the players hide and have ten minutes to 
 make their trail with cut papers (confetti) or 
 corn. Each Indian goes a different way. Then at 
 the expiration of the time limit the other players, who 
 are '' white men,'' go on the trail and the game is to see 
 who can return to the wigwam first with his Indian. 
 
 While these are supposed to be boys' games, girls enjoy 
 them, too. I speak from experience, for it was the 
 delight of my childhood days to **play Indian/' 
 
 162 
 
Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CLIV 
 Stunts for a Musical Party 
 
 THIS party was given for a class of young students 
 about the age of twelve. First they played musical 
 "stage coach" after the same fashion as we all 
 used to play it years ago, only each child was given a 
 musical term, and rose when his or her word was men- 
 tioned and turned around. The forfeits were redeemed 
 by playing a piece upon the piano. 
 
 Then they had a novel spelling match upon the piano. 
 The hostess said the tones would spell words. Anyone 
 who could tell the tones in letters was to do so, writing 
 down the words upon slips of paper. This was, of course, 
 invaluable as an ear test. The tone combinations were 
 played very slowly and repeated several times. The 
 following were the words spelled : Bag, abe, abed, bad, 
 abbe, ace, add, dad, bed, bead, age, be, aged, beef, beg, 
 ebb, added, fag, fed, fad, deaf, fade, tgg, cage, faded, dab. 
 The prizes were candy boxes in the shape of musical 
 instruments. There were ice cream and cookies for 
 refreshments, and to make fun the cookies were cut in 
 letters, only the first seven being used, and the children 
 had to tell the signature in sharps or flats of the key rep- 
 resented by the letter each took. 
 
 163 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CLV 
 
 The Story Tent 
 
 AT a lawn fete one of the most popular attractions 
 was a small tent that would hold a dozen children 
 seated at one time, in which a charming young 
 woman told stories lasting fifteen minutes. The admis- 
 sion was ten cents. When the story was finished the] 
 audience left the tent and another crowd was admitted. 
 A gypsy "barker" stood outside and another gypsy' 
 strolled through the grounds selling tickets. Any child 
 could go in a second time if another ticket was pur- 
 chased. This was an easy way to add clear profit to 
 the afl:air. There was absolutely no expense in prepara- 
 tion, as the tent was loaned and those in charge happened 
 to have their gypsy costumes. 
 
 CLVI 
 The Game of Deerfoot 
 
 ALL the players represent diflferent kinds of deer — 
 reindeer, elk, moose, antelope, red deer, fallow 
 deer (sometimes called mule deer)-— does, and 
 fawns. If real trees are not available, have pieces of 
 white paper held to the ground by sharpened sticks. 
 There must be one less tree than deer. The extra deer 
 stands in the middle of the forest. A leader is chosen 
 
 164 
 
**Dame Curtsey's*' Book of Games 
 
 by popular vote or by the hostess, and then all follow 
 him, skipping lightly around the forest. Suddenly the 
 deer in the center calls "Deerfoot,** and then each one 
 must run rapidly to a tree for shelter. Of course the 
 deer in the center also runs for a tree. The deer that 
 fails to find a tree is called ** snail,'' takes the place in the 
 middle, and the game proceeds. 
 
 CLVII 
 Human Ninepins 
 
 THE boys are set up, exactly like ninepins, at the 
 end of a room or, better still, on the lawn. They 
 stand on the left foot, with the right one placed 
 behind the left knee, arms folded. The girls roll the 
 ball, taking turns. When the ball is rolled they may 
 hop aside to avoid being touched; but if the ball does 
 touch them or they put down the other foot they are 
 supposed to be knocked down and out. This continues 
 just like a real game. A score is kept and prizes may 
 be awarded. 
 
 i6s 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CLVIII 
 
 Barrel Hoop Bean Bag 
 
 YOUNG children are very fond of this pastime. 
 Take barrel hoops and wind them with gay ribbon, 
 or crepe tissue paper; suspend a small bell in the 
 center. Hang the hoop up and give each child a small 
 bean bag the same color as the hoop. The aim is to 
 ring the bell when it is thrown through the hoop. Five 
 trials are permitted, and the one who rings the bell the^ 
 most out of five receives a prize. 
 
 CLIX 
 
 Royalty 
 
 THIS game requires an equal number of boys and 
 girls. Lots are drawn by the boys for "king," 
 and by the girls for "queen.'* Then they sit in 
 two rows facing each other. Each follower is num- 
 bered. At the same moment the king and the queen 
 call two numbers and the two bearing these numbers 
 arise and run around the circle, the king's follower run- 
 ning after the queen's. 
 
 If he catches her before she completes the circle he 
 takes her to the king's side, but she releases her number ; 
 if he does not catch her, he pays the penalty by going to 
 the queen's side. When all the numbers have been called 
 the side having the most wins. 
 
 i66 
 
Darrie Curtsey^s'' Book of Games 
 
 CLX 
 
 New Bird Game 
 
 SUPPLY the guests with pencils, and cards bearing as 
 many numbers as there are birds portrayed by vari- 
 ous methods on the walls. One clever hostess turned 
 this into what she called *' Bird Charades," and had them 
 illustrated from one end of the room, which was curtained 
 off, the audience guessing them. These examples will 
 show how the names of the birds may be demonstrated. 
 Number each illustration, guest to write his guess opposite 
 the corresponding number on the card. Allow a half hour 
 for the guessing. 
 
 Blackbird : A bird cut from black paper. Redwing : 
 A home with a wing painted red. Flicker: A candle 
 blowing in the wind. Highhole : A hole in the top of 
 the paper. Cuckoo : A cook and two o's. Woodpecker : 
 A match, a peck measure, and an R. Meadow lark: 
 Children romping in a meadow. Yellow-breasted chat: 
 Two men, with yellow shirt fronts, talking together. 
 Brown thrasher: A schoolmaster in brown with a rod 
 in his hand. Cardinal : A church dignitary. Crow : A 
 cock in the act of crowing. Hawk: A peddler. Swal- 
 low: A child eating. Swift: A boy running. Cross- 
 bill : A bill on which are written these words, " Pay at 
 once !" Spoonbill : A spoon and a bird's beak. Bluejay : 
 A blue J. Fox sparrow : A-lox and the letters S and P 
 above an arrow. Song sparrow: A bar of a song, a 
 
 167 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 spar, and a man rowing. Junco : A junk cart and an O. 
 Bluebird : A bird with drooping head and wings. Wag- 
 tail : A dog. Maryland yellow-throat : A map of Mary- 
 land and a stork with a yellow neck. Chippy: A man 
 chopping wood. Flycatcher: A piece of flypaper. Red- 
 start: The word "start" Avritten in red ink. Indigo 
 bunting: A scrap of blue bunting. Kinglet: A child 
 wearing a crown. Pewee : A small P. Humming-bird : 
 A spinning top. The names of other birds, such as cat- 
 bird, oven-bird, snowflake, yellow-hammer, brown 
 creeper, kingfisher, sandpiper, chickadee, etc., will suggest 
 their own illustrations. 
 
 Plave chicken in some form (sandwiches are always 
 acceptable), and ices or cream in shape of birds will be 
 appropriate. It will be easy to manage **bird" cookies, 
 and perhaps the confectioner will make nests of spun 
 sugar in which candy eggs may be placed. 
 
 These would be charming at each place on the table. 
 There are many delightful as well as inexpensive bird 
 books to give for prizes. 
 
 CLXI 
 
 Mystic Thoughts 
 
 FOR young people the game of "* mystic thoughts" 
 is a good one, and if cleverly done is really quite 
 exciting. Two persons work together and plan 
 their method beforehand. They tell the company that 
 much of their success depends upon their concentration. 
 
 i68 
 
**Dame Curtsey's*' Book of Games 
 
 One of the two then disappears out of sight and hearing. 
 The one remaining asks the circle definitely to settle on 
 a trade, and think of that one thing so steadily that the 
 right thought may be transmitted to the absent one, who 
 is then asked to come back. The co-worker asks a num- 
 ber of questions, such as " Is it a painter? " " No." " Is 
 it a minister ? " " No." " Is it a blacksmith ? '' '' Yes." 
 The trick is to mention a profession just before the trade 
 agreed upon is mentioned. 
 
 CLXII 
 A Tree Picnic 
 
 A PICNIC on trees is conducted in this way : When 
 all the guests have assembled, tell each one to 
 take a tray and go out in the yard and find all the 
 *' trees" on a card which is handed to them. 
 
 Children love mystery, and they will scamper off right 
 merrily. Here is the list of trees, and, to tell you the 
 truth, many of them are just bushes or shrubs : 
 
 The Paper Tree, the Bread Fruit Tree, the Egg Plant, 
 the Olive Tree, the Cucumber Vine, the Apple Tree, the 
 Sugar Maple Tree, the Japanese Tree, the Palm Tree, 
 the Date Tree, the Rubber Tree, the Walnut Tree, the 
 Lemon and Orange Trees. 
 
 On the paper tree the young folks found tissue paper 
 napkins, pasteboard plates, and dainty paper caps and 
 paper aprons for the girls ;^e "bread fruit tree" had 
 sandwiches done up in oiled paper, the ends twisted, and 
 
 169 
 
^*Dame Curtsey's'* Book of Games 
 
 the person in charge saw to it that each child had two 
 (later, trays of sandwiches were passed, so everyone had 
 plenty). 
 
 Of course the thorn tree was the one chosen for the 
 egg plant and had a nice hard-boiled egg for each child 
 stuck on a well-placed thorn; and how the children did 
 laugh when they found that under the so-called olive 
 tree was a table with a tray containing little paper 
 cases filled with olives, and the cucumber vine pre- 
 sented its offering the same way! Joyfully the little 
 hunters found the apple tree, with its red, glossy fruit 
 suspended by strings, a pair of scissors helping the guests 
 obtain the coveted fruit. The sugar maple was alluring 
 with maple bonbons done up in gayly colored tissue paper, 
 the ends fringed and twisted. On the " Jap " tree there 
 were fans for the girls and for the boys, while under 
 the **palm" tree (borrowed from the greenhouse) there 
 was a quaint gypsy who told fortunes. 
 
 The walnut tree had English walnuts suspended from 
 it, and each one contained a tiny favor like a doll, pen- 
 knife (doll size), or some very diminutive article. 
 
 Orangeade was dispensed from the tree which bore 
 golden oranges on its branches. Rubber balls hung from 
 the rubber tree, and were used to play with after the 
 feast. After all had the trays filled they sat down on 
 rugs which had been conveniently placed and plenty of 
 eatables were passed. The little guests pronounced this 
 the very best of picnics, and it is one not hard to carry 
 out. 
 
 170 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CLXIII 
 
 Snake and Humming Birds 
 
 IN this the boys make a chain by linking arms or, as it 
 is called on this occasion, a snake, and the girls are 
 humming birds, darting about alone, and the trick is 
 to prevent any of the birds being encircled by the snake. 
 When a bird is captured she has to stand to one side and 
 await the capture of her mates. This is a game for a 
 large number. 
 
 CLXIV 
 
 Fox and Geese 
 
 TWO children are chosen, one for the goose and 
 one for the fox; all the rest being little goslings 
 hiding behind Mother Goose, each one holding the 
 player in front so that a long line is made. Brer Fox 
 endeavors to capture the last child in the line, and if in 
 the efforts of the goose to protect her goslings any of 
 the latter become detached from the line, both that un- 
 lucky gosling and all those behind her are taken by the 
 wily fox and have to hang to him. When the two sides 
 are about equally divided, a handkerchief or coat or 
 piece of wood is laid on the ground and a tug of war 
 ensues until one line is drawn over the barrier. This is 
 a strenuous game and fatalrto fine or thin clothing, so 
 only to be played in rompers or middy suits. 
 
 171 
 
'*Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CLXV 
 A Vagabond Party 
 
 THIS IS another version of a "poverty" or '*hard 
 times '' party, only the children will come in tramp, 
 gypsy, or regular hobo costumes. Write the invita- 
 tions on brown wrapping paper tied up with a string and 
 fastened with a dab of red sealing wax; deliver them, 
 for of course the price of mailing must be saved. There 
 will be " umbrellas to mend " folk, *' ole rags and iron " 
 men, gypsy fortune tellers and horse traders, hand organ 
 grinders, flower girls, match girls, street fakers of all 
 kinds, newsboys and girls, and all sorts of house-to-house 
 peddlers, who will have all manner of ridiculous things 
 to sell. 
 
 Decorations should consist of milk bottles and tin cans 
 filled with wild flowers and even tissue paper posies. For 
 lights have lamps and candles, with boxes and rude 
 board benches for seats. Dancing may be the amuse- 
 ment, as it is so universally indulged in these days, or 
 the hostess may arrange games and contests. 
 
 When it comes to refreshments have newspaper pack- 
 ages tied up with string, there being a pasteboard plate, 
 a fork and spoon and a paper napkin within. Use pans, 
 tin cups or broken sets of cups and saucers for coffee; 
 then have ham sandwiches, baked beans in ramekins, 
 potato salad, cheese, peanuts, and picldes. It will be fun 
 to let each child tell his tale of woe, explain the merits 
 of his case and describe the wares he has to sell. 
 
 172 
 
**Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 CLXVI 
 
 Clock Golf 
 
 THE first requirements are a smooth, grassy place, 
 at least twenty-four feet in diameter (it may be 
 larger) ; then twelve feet of stout string must be 
 tied to a clothes pin which must be pushed into the center 
 of the selected space. With this string as a radius and 
 a bit of white chalk tied to the other, mark out as perfect 
 a circle as possible. 
 
 Next, this circle is divided into twelve equal parts just 
 like the face of a clock. At each division put a disc (you 
 can buy them at any store where sporting goods are 
 kept) ; lacking these a clothes pin painted white may be 
 pushed in at each of the twelve points. 
 
 This being done, select a spot just four feet from the 
 center of the clock face and sink a tin can, about four 
 inches in diameter, so that the edge of the can is below 
 the surface of the ground, so that the edge will not pre- 
 vent the ball from dropping right into this receptacle 
 when it reaches the edge. 
 
 One golf ball is required and one putter, and each 
 player starts from No. i and putts to the hole. After 
 making it, start from 2 and putt to the hole, and so on 
 around, and the game being to see who can do all the 
 twelve points in the least number of strokes, without 
 touching the ball except with the putter, going from the 
 hole to the numbers. ^ 
 
 There may be some who do not understand golf, so 
 
 173 
 
''Dame Curtsey's'' Book of Games 
 
 we will explain that the "putter" is a short handled, 
 weighted club. In using it try to gauge the length of 
 each point from the home, and control the force of the 
 blow so the ball will go in but not beyond it. 
 
 DIAGRAM OF GAME 
 
 Each player adds his score as he goes, so provide cards 
 and pencils. This is a good solitaire pastime, for you can 
 try to beat your own record. Those who play enjoy it 
 and it seems to be ranking with and in some cases sup- 
 planting the popular game of croquet. 
 
 174 
 
TOPICAL INDEX 
 
TOPICAL INDEX 
 Birthdays 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A June Birthday Party 24 
 
 Poinsettia Birthday Party . 39 
 
 Red Balloons for a Holiday Party . 35 
 
 Novel Birthday Party 49 
 
 Novel Birthday Party Decorations 'J'] 
 
 A Ship Party 82 
 
 A Birthday Custom 85 
 
 A Baby's Birthday Party 95 
 
 For a Birthday Child 103 
 
 June Birthday Party 125 
 
 Christmas 
 
 Pretty Christmas Table . 33 
 
 A Christmas Tree for the Baby 34 
 
 For the Birds' Christmas . 35 
 
 Christmas Snowballs 36 
 
 A Santa Claus Party zi 
 
 " Puss in Boots '' at Christmas 38 
 
 Invitation Jingle for a Christmas Party 39 
 
 A Christmas Post Office , 41 
 
 The Game of Christmas Candle 41 
 
 A Christmas Pastime for Children 42 
 
 Unique Holiday Party 43 
 
 Christmas Tree Party 54 
 
 For a Child's Christmai .105 
 
 A Snowball Christmas 105 
 
 At the Sign of the Holly . r~^ 106 
 
 Santa Claus Puzzle Game 108 
 
 Christmas Fun 108 
 
Topical Index 
 
 Doll Parties 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A Paper Doll Party 28 
 
 A Cobweb Doll Party 27 
 
 A Sewing Party for a Dolly 28 
 
 A Doll Birthday Party 29 
 
 A Sale for Dolly 30 
 
 A Doirs Wedding 31 
 
 Easter 
 
 A Bunny Party . 16 
 
 For the Eastertide 21 
 
 An Easter Party for Children 67 
 
 A Jolly Easter Party 138 
 
 Easter Tree 139 
 
 Easter Party for Little Folks 145 
 
 Halloween 
 
 Bobbing for Apples . • . 81 
 
 The Flour Stunt 81 
 
 Chestnut Brownies 90 
 
 A Halloween Party Invitation 91 
 
 Halloween Fun 96 
 
 A Witch and Goblin Party 159 
 
 Indoor Games 
 
 A Jolly " Animal " Game 23 
 
 Animal Blind Man's Buff 24 
 
 The Game of " Pass It " 47 
 
 A New "Garden" Party . 51 
 
 "Up Jenkins'' 52 
 
 178 
 
Topical Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A Bluebird Party 59 
 
 A Caramel Hunt 59 
 
 Fun with Soap Bubbles 60 
 
 Advertising Pictures 62 
 
 Letter Game 63 
 
 Passing Pennies 65 
 
 Fire Buckets 72 
 
 Deft Finger Test 73 
 
 Character and Object 74 
 
 "Buzz" 75 
 
 " Lady Jane " 76 
 
 The Minister's Cat 76 
 
 Matching Partners 85 
 
 A New Blind Man's Buff 88 
 
 "Number" Blind Man's Buff 89 
 
 Playing Menagerie 90 
 
 Guessing Noses lOl 
 
 Legomachy 124 
 
 For a "Track Meet" 139 
 
 Cobbler Game for Wee Tots 149 
 
 " Sneeze " for the Children 154 
 
 United States Mail 155 
 
 Charades 156 
 
 "Hop Over" 157 
 
 Royalty 166 
 
 New Bird Game 167 
 
 Mystic Thoughts . . • 168 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Bon Voyage Gifts 15 
 
 Snow Men for Children's Party^^. 50 
 
 Indian Geographical Names 53 
 
 Shut-in Day Amusements 58 
 
 179 
 
Topical Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 For the Closing of School ..... ^ ••,. . 44 
 
 Music for Children ......•♦.*»•. 48 
 
 A Fairy Gift Bag .. ^ ...•••..• • 64 
 
 An After-Dinner Trick «...«••••••• 73 
 
 The Daisy Chain • • . . 78 
 
 Bag and Wand 89 
 
 Sunday Pastimes for Children ...•••••• 94 
 
 A Baby Parade . 99 
 
 An Unique Musicale . 100 
 
 Portraying Nature with Bible Verses 102 
 
 " Catches " for Idle Moments . 104 
 
 A Wonder Box . 122 
 
 A Lottery Bag 135 
 
 A List of Forfeits .......•••••• 142 
 
 A Clever After-Dinner Trick . . . . . . , . . . 154 
 
 The Story Tent 164 
 
 Outdoor Games 
 
 Old-Fashioned Games $6 
 
 Chinese Game for Children 61 
 
 Drummer Boy 62 
 
 A Scotch Game ♦ 63 
 
 A Cranberry Hunt .........••••. 66 
 
 A Spring Paper Chase 68 
 
 Stagarino ...•...•• 72 
 
 Blowing the Cone 84 
 
 " Bell " Blind Man^s Buff 87 
 
 Games for the Sand Pile or Beach 97 
 
 "Bird Sellers'' 106 
 
 Russian Hole-Ball »••• II4 
 
 Stool-Ball (England) ............ 130 
 
 A Juggling Match I30 
 
 Pebble-Chase (Greek) . 131 
 
 180 
 
Topical Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Buck the Indian 13a 
 
 Three Chinese Games . ••••.••..«• 133 
 
 Japanese Tag * * . . 136 
 
 The "Sandpiper** Game .*.,..• ^ ••• 136 
 
 Moon and Morning Stars 148 
 
 Widower, or Last Couple Out • • • • . 151 
 
 A Hunting Game 152 
 
 Duck on a Rock 153 
 
 An Indian Wigwam Party ,..•.. 162 
 
 The Game of Deerfoot • . . • 164 
 
 Human Ninepins 165 
 
 Barrel Hoop Bean Bag 166 
 
 Snake and Humming Birds . • . 171 
 
 Fox and Geese 171 
 
 Clock Golf .173 
 
 Parties 
 
 A Children's Lawn Party 19 
 
 Red Balloons for a Holiday Party . 35 
 
 A Field Day Party 66 
 
 A Merry April Fool Party 70 
 
 A Bird Party 74 
 
 A Football Party 78 
 
 A Knickerbocker Party 80 
 
 Fairy Party 83 
 
 An April Party 86 
 
 May-Day Fun . . . , 109 
 
 May-Day Parties 113 
 
 A "Grandmother's*' Tea Party , 115 
 
 A Buttercup Party 1 16 
 
 Sweet Pea Tea Party for Children 118 
 
 A Kite Party 120 
 
 A Clothespin Party 127 
 
 181 
 
Topical Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A Baseball Luncheon 129 
 
 New Version of a Peanut Party 134 
 
 Giving a Pea Party 137 
 
 A Paper Party 143 
 
 A Doll Fete 144 
 
 An Animal Party 146 
 
 Circus Suggestions for Parties . 147 
 
 A Bonnet Party 149 
 
 A Gypsy Party 150 
 
 :^An Indian Party 155 
 
 Fun with Buttons 158 
 
 A Spool Party 160 
 
 A Jolly Outdoor Party 161 
 
 Stunts for a Musical Party 163 
 
 A Tree Picnic 169 
 
 A Vagabond Party 172 
 
 Patriotic 
 
 For July Fourth . 25 
 
 Patriotic Entertainment 91 
 
 Pastime for February Twenty- Second 103 
 
 Following the Flag Contest 122 
 
 St. Valentine's Day 
 
 A Valentine Post Office Party 17 
 
 Another Valentine Party ^^,^1^ 18 
 
 si<k^ Thanksgiving 
 
 An Old-Fashioncd Thanksgiving Ill 
 
 The Glad Thanksgiving Time • • • 119 
 
 182 
 
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