Part 17 (1/2)

AIMING GAMES WITH b.a.l.l.s

The games just described may be played with b.a.l.l.s as well as with bean-bags, and thus require more co-ordination on the part of the child's muscles. We give a few other games in addition.

=Counting-Ball=

Let one child bounce the ball, striking it from above with the palm of his hand and counting one, two, etc., until he fails to hit it, when another child takes a turn.

=Guess-Ball=

A row of players number off from one end 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. The last number steps in front of the row a distance such as may be needed to secure certainty of aim and touch on the part of those who throw the ball. The player in front stands with his back to the others. Those in the row now begin to pa.s.s the ball sideways from one to the other. The player in front having counted a given number, the one who happens to hold the ball at the time must at once throw it at the player in front.

If struck, the latter turns quickly and tries to judge from the att.i.tudes of the various players which one threw the ball. If he is right, places are exchanged. If he guesses wrong, the game continues as before.

=Cup and Ball= (_Cardboard_, _worsted_, _funnel_)

Make the ball by cutting from cardboard two circles about two inches in diameter. Inside the large circles draw smaller ones about one-half inch in diameter. Cut the smaller circles entirely out, thus leaving a hole in the middle of each large circle. Keep these two large circles together. Now, with a needle, wind worsted round and round through the opening in the two circles until it is completely filled, so that the needle cannot be pushed through. Hold in the left hand, and with sharp pointed scissors cut the worsted at the edge of the circles, spread the circles a little apart, and tie a strong thread firmly around the worsted between the two cardboard circles. Then tear the cardboard circles away and a pretty ball remains. Tie this ball, with a string twelve inches long, to a kitchen funnel, and let the child try to catch the ball in the funnel.

AIMING GAMES--MISCELLANEOUS

=Ring-Toss= (_Small wooden box_, _broom-handle or dowel_, _nail or glue_, _embroidery rings or hoops of small keg_)

Saw a foot from a broom-handle or dowel (a child's broom will best serve the purpose). Glue or nail this to a box. Let the child practice tossing over this post rings taken from a small keg; or embroidery rings may be used. These may be wound around with bright colored strips of lining or with ribbon. The rings should be graduated in size.

=Grace-Hoops= (_Basket reeds_, _raffia_)

Make a wand of three or four basket reeds cut into two foot lengths.

Wind these more or less loosely with string, just so as to hold them together. Then wind around and around closely and smoothly with a strand of raffia so as to bind firmly together. If held smoothly, several strands of raffia may be used at one time. If reeds are not to be had lilac branches may be used instead. The result should be a wand firm and stiff.

Make the hoops by soaking the reeds first in water for an hour to make flexible. They should be cut into lengths of about 2-1/2 feet. Curve several into a hoop and tie. Then wind smoothly and firmly with the raffia. The ends of the latter may be disposed of by threading upon a large needle and running it a short distance in and out of the part already wound.

Two wands and one hoop are required for each player. One tosses a ring from her two wands to her opponent, who must catch it upon her own wands.

This once popular game cultivates both alertness and grace.

In the kindergarten the children use wand and ring in playing ”knights.”

One child holds the ring while the little knight gallops around the circle on an imaginary steed and tries to capture the ring on his lance (wand), as at an old-time tournament.

=Croquet with Peas= (_Peas_, _hairpins or double-headed tacks_, _nail or match_, _toothpick_, _cork_, _cover of starch-box_)

Bend hairpins into shape or use double-headed tacks as wickets. Insert into the cover of a wooden starch-box for ground. For a stake use a nail or a painted match-stick. Sharpen this to a point and insert it in a hole previously made by hammering in a nail. Make mallets by inserting matches or toothpicks into heads made of small pieces of cork. Use peas for b.a.l.l.s.

Put the whole outfit in a box and give to little sister for her doll's birthday.

=Egg-Sh.e.l.l Game= (_Egg-sh.e.l.l_, _long table_, _four tumblers_)