THE BOOK pF
CHILDREN'S PARTIES
BY MARY AND SARA WHITE
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THE BOOK OF
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THE BOOK OF
CHILDREN'S PARTIES
BY
MARY AND SARA WHITE
WITH DECORATIONS BY FANNY Y. CORY
WORKING DRAWINGS BY MARY WHITE
AND PHOTOGRAPHS
NEW YORK: THE CENTURY CO.
1903
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!\^^on^
Copyright, 1903, by
The Century Co.
The DeVinne Press
Ld
TO THE ONE WHO
GAVE US OUR FIRST PARTY-
OUR MOTHER
CON^TENTS
PAGE
Introduction, On the Giving of Parties xi
I Midwinter Parties 3
II Springtime Parties 27
III Out-of-door Parties for Summer . . 53
IV Autumn Parties 77
V Supplementary Parties and Games . 103
VI Properties 131
VII Gifts and Favors 145
VIII Suggestions for Simple Menus . . . 165
Vll
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Archery on St. Valentine's Day . . . Frontispiece
The Twelfth-niglit Court . 17
The Gardeners and the Rose-bush 33
Hide-and-go-seek with Rose Horns 61
Hide-and-go-seek. "Ready!" 73
Tossing Chestnuts 91
Fun on the Ice 115
Some Properties for Character Parties .... 139
Gifts and Favors 155
Table with Gift Basket 169
IX
mTRODUCTION
ON THE GIYIIS^G OF PARTIES
ojsr THE GiymG of parties
THOUGH not necessarily involving miich expense,
a children's party calls for rather more careful
planning and diplomacy than is demanded in the
case of a similar function for the grown-ups.
What shall we do with the brave little men and
dear little maids who have arrived at the appointed
hour? The problem is not a difiicult one to solve,
and this little book is intended to help the mothers,
aunts, and teachers whose pleasure it is to make the
children happy on birthday, holiday, and school-day.
One thinks nothing of systematic and elaborate
preparations for our grown-up parties, and one should
bestow no less thought and time where the children
are concerned. In making out the list, keep the
number under thirty if possible, and there should
not be too great a difference in the ages. A care-
xiii
xiv THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
fully thought out program of games which will
be interesting and appropriate to the ages and the
number of children invited is of the first importance.
For the most part the games are new or have new
features, but old favorites have been included— the
games that will never go out of fashion.
Properties, favors, and prizes should be system-
atically arranged beforehand, and stowed away out
of sight, but easily accessible at the proper moment.
The little host or hostess should be inspired to
show an unselfish interest in the happiness of his or
her little friends, and should receive them with the
grown-up hostess.
When the party day has arrived, and with it the
children, there are bows and curtsies, and the tiny
guests settle themselves comfortably or uncomfor-
tably, according to the nature of each. Then is the
moment for the pianist to take her place and with
lively airs charm away all constraint until enough
children have arrived to begin playing a game. Six
to eight is a good number, and if the hostess has an
assistant this will be her opportunity to start the
children playing. Ring games. Air Ball, or char-
acter games are suitable ones with which to begin,
as the newcomers can enter into the frolic without
INTRODtJCTIOK xv
disturbing the others. Music, wherever it can come
in naturally, lends spirit and dash to the games.
From drawing-room to library or nursery often
makes an excellent change, especially where some
paraphernalia is required and has to be prepared
beforehand.
There is usually a shy little girl or boy who hesi-
tates to enter the game. By degrees the strangeness
wears off ; self has been forgotten in the spirit of the
play, and it is quite an easy step to draw the child
into the game by tossing the ball or bean-bag tempt-
ingly near, or with an apparently careless word or
question. Character parties are especially helpful
in taking away self-consciousness. Playing ^'pre-
tend " has in itself a fascination that few children
can resist, and when a little girl finds herself actually
a Queen of the Fairies by right of crown, wand,
and wings, she assumes the manners and privileges
of her station without an effort. A boy whose name
has suddenly changed to Jack the Giant-killer
will soon forget his troublesome hands and feet in
his exalted position ; and he has scant notice for
those who address him by the uninteresting name of
Bobby. That name belongs back in the other world
of kilts and curls for which he has no use at the
xvi THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
j)resent moment. The i)roperties for these character
parties are easily fashioned, and are sure to be a
delight to the children who receive them.
Story-telling should come after a romp. It is the
prettiest moment of the party, when the children,
with flushed faces, settle themselves in a group on
the floor, and relax to the ever magic words of
" Once upon a time—"
Interest is added if at an unexpected moment a
child is called upon to tell what he supposes " hap-
pened then." Should his idea be a good one, as is
almost certain to be the case, his suggestion can be
taken for the cue, and the story continued, when
another child may be called upon for a suggestion.
Prizes and favors play an important part in the
games, but should be made appropriate rather than
elaborate. The child who wears around his neck a
ribbon to which is attached a tiny bell is justly proud
of his tinkling favor. It is to be won by rolling a
ball so straight that the large dinner-bell, suspended
from the chandelier and just above the floor, rings
loud and true. And the boy or girl who pierces
the center of the red-heart target, on St. Valen-
tine's day, will appreciate the gift of the bow and
arrow which helped to win the victory.
INTRODUCTION xvii
That each may carry home some souvenir, a bon-
bon favor should be found at each place on the
supper-table ; and it will gladden the hearts of those
who were not successful in winning prizes in the
games.
Let the menu be simple, that the joy of the occa-
sion may not be marred later with misery and
mustard plasters.
The gift surprise is the last joy of all. A rose tree,
gift ball, or one of the many new and charming de-
vices for hiding a toy or game, which originated in the
old-fashioned but ever popular Jack Horner pie, is
the most suitable ending to a successful party.
The watchful hostess need not plan for after-
supper games. The pleasure in the gifts, and the
comparing of trinkets and toys with one another,
will fill up the time until the " good-bys " and " I 've
had a lovely time " are said.
THE BOOK OF
CHILDREN'S PARTIES
CHAPTER I
MIDWTXTER PAETTES
DECEMBER : JANUARY :
: FEBRUARY :
DECEMBER
A CHEISTMAS PARTY
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Game op Holly Wreath : A large wreath of holly ; a
small red sled ; three yards of red satin ribbon two inches
wide ; a dozen and a half bells ; as many paper snowballs
as children ; a prize.
A Ring on a String : A ball of red twine ; a ring.
Christmas Candles : A tiny Christmas tree ; as many
candles as there are children ; a prize.
Christmas Stockings: A large sheet on which is
painted a fireplace, full-size ; as many small stockings as
children ; half as many tiny toys as children.
Favors : As many bonbon-boxes with reindeer on the
cover as there are children ; a large snowball full of gifts.
Number of Children, 20 to 30
Ages, 5 to 10
DECEMBEE
A CHRISTMAS PARTY
CHKISTM AS-TIDE, when the holiday spirit reigns,
is the season of all others for a children's party.
Rooms hung with holly and mistletoe need no other
decoration, and the Christmas colors, red and green,
are repeated in gifts and favors.
When all the children have arrived, two, a boy
and a girl, are quietly led into another room, to re-
turn presently with a small red sled drawn by red
ribbon reins with jingling sleigh-bells. On the sled
are piled snowballs made of crepe paper, soft and
white, one for each child (see Chapter VII). A
huge holly wreath is hung in a doorway, and, stand-
ing eight feet from the wreath, each child tries in
turn to throw his snowball through it. A prize may
be given to the one who succeeds. Should there be
7
8 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PAETIES
more than one, the successful players, each with
three balls, contest for the prize.
EiNG ON A String : The children form a circle, with
one child in the center. On a string long enough to
reach around the circle a gold ring is threaded, and
the children, holding the string loosely in their
hands, slip the ring along from hand to hand. The
player in the center watches closely, trying to catch
the ring under the hand of some child, who must
then take his place.
When the children tire of this play they troop into
another room for the game of Christmas Candles.
A tiny Christmas tree with lighted candles is set on a
table at a convenient height. One child at a time
is blindfolded, turned around three times, and told
to take three steps and then blow as hard as he can.
The one who blows out the most candles receives a
prize.
Magic Music : When the children return to the
room where they were received, one remains outside
and the others decide upon something he is to find ;
for example, a holly berry which is hidden in a low
vase. He is then called in and told that there is
something hidden in the room which he is to find,
and magic music will direct him to its hiding-place.
MIDWINTEE PARTIES 9
When the music is loud he may know he is near it ;
when it grows faint he is far away. Christmas music
or a medley of airs from comic opera may be played
by the hostess. When the berry is finally found
another player may be sent out of the room and
some other object hidden.
A game that is played like stage-coach follows.
It is called The Night Before Christmas. The
children sit in a circle around the room, and the leader,
who may be the hostess, stands in the middle and tells
a story about Christmas eve and the coming of St.
Mcholas,or she may read or repeat the " Visit of St.
Nicholas " ;
" 'T was the night before Christmas," etc.
Each child should be given beforehand some name
mentioned in the story ; for example : reindeer,
sleigh, snow, stockings, chimney, doll, trumpet, drum,
rocking-horse. If the " Visit of St. Nicholas " is
chosen, one is named Mama, another Dasher, an-
other Dancer, and still another Blitzen. As each
name is mentioned the child representing it rises
and turns around ; and with the words " St. Nich-
olas " all change seats, the leader also trying to
secure one. If she is successful the player who is
10 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES
left standing must take her place and continue the
story.
When this game flags^ the children may hang up
Christmas Stockings. A sheet on which is painted a
full-size fireplace is hung on one side of the room.
Every child having been pro-
vided with a tiny stocking with
a pin at the top, each in turn
is blindfolded and told to go
to the fireplace and pin his
stocking to the mantel. If he
succeeds, a tiny toy is slipped
into the stocking before the
handkerchief is removed from
his eyes. But if the stocking is out of place it is
left empty. When all have hung their stockings
it will be supper-time ; and for the menu see Chap-
ter VIII. A small bonbon-box with a reindeer on
the cover will be found at each place.
After supper the children gather about a great
snowball which is hung from an arch or doorway,
and from which each pulls some gift (see Chapter
VII).
JANUARY
A TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Game of Choosing Characters: Two card-trays; as
many cards as children, each card bearing the picture or
name of a character ; a bit of costume for each child.
Air Ball : Two paper balls ; two palm-leaf fans tied with
ribbons, one blue and white, the other red and white ; a
prize.
Stray Quotations : Twenty or more quotations, each
written on a long strip of paper ; a paper of pins ; a prize.
The King's Armory : A wooden plate or tray.
The Game of Beasts : A large sheet of cardboard ; six
sheets of silhouette paper, black on one side and white on
the other ; six pairs of scissors ; a bottle of mucilage ; as
many pencils and cards as players.
Number of Childeen, 15 to 25
Ages^ 10 TO 15
JAI^UAEY
A TWELFTH-OTGHT PAETY
Twelfth-night, or the Feast of the Star, was a
time of merrymaking in olden days. Such oppor-
tunities as it offers for quaint costumes and games it
would be a pity not to improve. Suppose, then, one
plans for the 6th of January a Twelfth-night
Party.
The chief feature of the Twelfth-night revels was
the choosing of the king and queen and their court
by means of cards on which pictures were drawn
and colored to represent the different characters.
Such cards the hostess provides beforehand (see
Chapter YII), and as the children arrive each girl
draws one from a tray on which are placed, face
downward, cards for the queen and her ladies.
Each boy takes a card from another tray, which con-
13
14 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PAETIES
tains those for the king and his lords in waiting. In
an adjoining room the hostess (or some other grown
person), to whom each
child in turn is sent,
dresses him in
the property or
bit of costume
belonging to the
character which his card bears (see Chapter
VI). It is a gay little court: king and
queen in gold crowns, the jester in his party-
colored cap and tinkling bells, the herald
with trumpet to his lips, and the lords and
ladies in waiting with their wands, each
tipped with a golden star.
Fortunately their dignity is easily laid aside,
for they will not need it in the merry game of
Air Ball. Two bright- colored paper balls are
provided for this game, one red and white,
the other blue and white (see Chapter VII) ;
also two palm-leaf fans tied with ribbons of
the same colors. Two captains are elected,
who choose sides and colors. A goal is
arranged at each end of the room by placing two
chairs or footstools a yard apart. A chair is also
MIDWINTER PARTIES 15
placed half-way between the goals in the middle of
the room. Each team takes possession of a goal and
the ball and fan in its
colors. Two players at a
time contest, one from each
side. Each stands in front
of his goal, fan in hand, his
paper ball at his feet. At
a signal from the hostess,
who acts as umpire, each
child fans his ball toward his opponent's goal. The
object is to send the ball between the legs of the
chair in the center of the room and through the
goal of the opposing team. The side which first
succeeds of course wins. The players are not al-
lowed to touch the ball, which may be moved only
by the breeze from the fan. The team that scores
the most is rewarded with a bouquet of flowers,
which is divided by the captain among the players.
Stray Quotations : A number of quotations,
twenty or thirty perhaps, taken from such familiar
sources as ^^Alice in Wonderland," ^^The Visit of St.
Nicholas," and Stevenson's ^'Child's Garden of Verses,"
are written on long strips of white paper, and each is
cut into two or more pieces. Before the children ar-
16 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
rive these slips have been pinned on curtains, cushions,
picture-frames, and furniture. Each child is told to try
to find the beginning of a quotation among the slips
of pajjer about the room, and, having secured one, to
look for the remainder of the quotation. When he
has completed one quotation he tries to find another.
The game goes on in this way until there are no
more slips to be found, when the player having the
greatest number of quotations receives a prize.
Then comes the King's Armory, which is our old
friend Spin the Platter in a more elaborate form.
Each child takes the name of some weapon or piece
of armor in the king's armory, such as : broadsword,
shield, dagger, helmet, lance, bow, arrow, breastplate,
and gauntlet. The children are seated in a large
circle— all but one who stands in the middle, and
taking a wooden plate or round tray, twirls it around
upon its edge, on the floor, calling at the same time
the name of one of the pieces of armor. Upon this
the player who bears the name called starts up and
tries to catch the platter before it falls. Should he
fail he must pay a forfeit and take the spinner's
place. Otherwise he has no forfeit to pay, simply
spinning the platter the next time. The child who
spins the platter may, instead of simply calling the
MIDWINTER PARTIES 19
name, introduce it in a sentence. For example :
^'The king is going to the chase and needs his bow."
When the word ^'armory" is spoken by the spinner
all the players change seats, and the one left out
must pay a forfeit and spin the platter the next
time. After the game the forfeits are redeemed.
Next comes the Game of Beasts. A large sheet of
cardboard is hung at one end of the room. Each
child then receives a piece of silhouette paper, size
five by six inches, and a pencil. Several pairs of
scissors are also provided. On the white side of the
paper is written a number and the name of a beast.
For example : "^o. 1, Lion." Each child draws an
outline picture of the animal whose name was on
his paper, and cuts it out. All must have finished
in fifteen or twenty minutes. The hostess then col-
lects the animals and pastes them, black side out, on
the white cardboard, numbering eacli with the num-
ber of the child who made it. Each child then re-
ceives a card numbered down the left side, and is
asked to guess what beast is represtened by each
silhouette, and write the name down opposite its
number. A papier-mache animal filled with bon-
bons may be given to the child who presents the
greatest number of correct guesses, and the one who
20 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
is the least successful receives the sheet of animals
as a consolation prize. It will then be time for sup-
per, for which an appropriate menu will be found in
Chapter VIII.
FEBEUARY
A ST. YALENTIIN^E'S PARTY
MATERIALS EEQUIEED
St. Valentine's Post: As many tiny valentines as
players.
Game of Broken Hearts: As many red pasteboard
hearts, two and a half by three inches long, as players ;
several pairs of scissors ; a prize.
TiDDLEDY-wiNK GoLF : As many white score-cards in
heart-shape as girls; as many red score-cards in heart-
shape as boys ; two or three sets of tiddledy- winks ; a prize
for a girl and one for a boy.
Heart Hunt : Two or three pounds of white sugar hearts
having mottos in red upon them.
Archery : A large heart-shaped target ; a bow and
arrows.
Number of Children, 15 to 30
Ages, 8 to 15
FEBKUAEY
A ST. YALEISTTINE'S PAETY
There is no festive occasion more appropriate for
a children's party than St. Valentine's day. So
many attractive games are available, and favors and
decorations, whether simple or elaborate, are dainty
and charming and easily obtained.
As many tiny valentines as there are children in-
vited are written beforehand, slipped into little en-
velops, and sealed with red seals in heart-shape ; or
a simpler kind may be provided (see Chapter VII).
These will be ready on a tray or in a bowl when the
children arrive, to serve as favors in the game of
St. Valentine's Post. When ten or more children
have come, the hostess counts out to see which child
will be postman. This player is blindfolded and
the others sit around the room in a circle. There
should be no empty chairs in the ring. The hostess
23
24 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
or some other growu person acts as postmistress, aud
gives to each child the name of a city or town. It
is a good plan to prepare beforehand a list of places.
The blind postman is led to the middle of the circle,
and the postmistress takes a station where she can
see all the players. She then calls : ^'I have sent a
valentine from Boston to Denver," for example, and
the children representing those cities change places
as quickly aud quietly as possible. The postman
tries to catch one of them as they run, and if he suc-
ceeds in doing this or in sitting in one of the empty
chairs, the child who is caught or whose chair he
has taken becomes postman. The retiring postman
is rewarded by one of the valentine favors. If a
child remains seated when his name is called he
must take the postman's place. It makes more fun
if the mails are called in quick succession, and, in-
deed, it will be necessary, for usually the children
cannot bear to stop the game until every one has
won a valentine. Then comes the game of Broken
Hearts. This is played in the same way as Easter
Eggs (see Chapter II), except that, instead of egg-
shaped cards, red cards in the form of hearts are
provided. The prize may be a photograph-frame
in heart-shape or a plaster Cupid.
MIDWINTER PARTIES 25
Next comes Tiddledy-wink Golf. Each child re-
ceives a score-card iu heart-shape, with a pencil at-
tached, —red for the boys and white for the girls, — and
all follow the hostess into an adjoining room, where
they will find a golf course laid out on the floor. Small
glasses form the holes, books the bunkers, and dishes
of water the hazards. Regular tiddledy-wink chips,
a large one for a club and a small one for a ball, are
used by each player ; and mixed foursomes may be
played. The score-cards are numbered at the top,
so that the boy with No. 1 on a red heart will play
with the girl having the same number on her white
one. The pair handing in the best score is, of
course, the winning one. Small silver charms in
heart-form, or golf stick-pins or pencils, make appro-
priate prizes for this game.
A Heart Hunt follows. Before the guests arrive,
small sugar hearts with mottos printed in red upon
them are hidden in nooks and crannies, behind pic-
tures, and in ornaments about the room where the
children are to be received 5 and here, when the golf
match is over, they gather to hunt for the hearts.
There is another way of playing the same game which
the hostess may prefer. The hearts, hidden before-
hand, are of pasteboard in different colors^ and about
26 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES
an inch and a lialf in diameter. A white heart will
count one point for the child who finds it. A blue
heart counts two, a yellow one three, a pink one
four, and a red five. The child with the greatest
number of points to his credit may be rewarded by
some pretty trifle, as a box of bonbons in heart-
shape.
Archery comes next. Cupids' darts are shot from
a small bow by each child in turn at a heart-shaped
target of white with a smaller red heart for a bull's-
eye. The one whose dart comes nearest the middle
of the bull's-eye may receive the gaily beribboned
bow and arrows for a prize. The children will then
be ready to do justice to supper, the menu for which
will be found in Chapter VIII. Suggestions for
favors are given in Chapter VII.
CHAPTER II
SPEIN^GTIME PAKTIES
MAKCH : APEIL :
: MAY :
MARCH
ALICE i:n^ wonderland party
MATEKIALS KEQUIEED
Game of Characters : As many cards as children.
The Caucus Race : Costumes ; a silver thimble ; a box
of comfits. ,
The Mouse's Tail : A large sheet on which is painted a
picture of a tailless mouse ; as many cotton mouse-tails as
children ; a prize.
The Gardeners and the Rose-bush : A gift rose-bush
(see Chapter VII),
Number of Children, about 25
MAKCH
ALICE m WONDEKLAJS^D PAKTY
CHARACTER parties are sure to be successful ; for
all children love to ^^dress up." Let us have an
Alice in Wonderland Party in March. If it is
given on the birthday of a small boy he would natu-
rally take the character of the March Hare ; and the
invitations may be worded somewhat as follows :
Mrs. Gray requests the pleasure of your company at an
Alice in Wonderland Party in honor of the March Hare, on
Friday, March the fourth, from three until six o'clock.
If each child is to come in costume the invita-
tions should read :
Mrs. Gray requests the pleasure of the Duchess's com-
pany, etc.
Each child may be asked to come in the costume
of a character from Alice in Wonderland. Other-
31
32 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PAETIES
wise, simple properties, or bits of costume which
will sufficiently suggest the characters, may be pro-
vided by the hostess. This will be comparatively
easy and inexpensive if she is a woman with plenty
of ingenuity and time, or if she can secure some one
so favored to assist her. For a list of characters
and properties see Chapter VI.
If the above plan is to be carried out, the game
of Characters from Alice in Wonderland will be
the first on the program. As the guests arrive a card
is pinned on the back of each child. Each card
bears the name of some character from '^ Alice in
Wonderland." These the other children read, and
from the comments made by their companions each
must guess the name of his or her character. AVhen
a child guesses whom he represents, he receives the
property or bit of costume belonging to that char-
acter, and when all have guessed, the next game is
in order. This is Caucus Race— run just as Alice
and the animals ran it. "First it [the Dodo] marked
out a race-course in a sort of circle ('The exact
shape does n't matter,' it said), and then all the
party were placed along the. course here and there.
There was no ' One, two, three, and away ! ' but
they began running when they liked and left off
SPEINGTIME PARTIES 35
when they liked, so that it was not easy to know
when the race was over. However, . . . the Dodo
suddenly called out : ^ The race is over ! ' " The
prizes are such as Alice and her friends received.
A dainty thimble for Alice, and a small box of com-
fits to be passed to each of the others. To make it
more realistic, Alice may be taken into the secret,
and the prizes hidden in the pocket of her apron, to
be drawn out at the proper time.
Then follows the Mouse's Tail— ^^ a long and a sad
one " : A large sheet of cotton on which has been
painted the portrait of a tailless mouse is hung in a
prominent place, and each child in turn is blind-
folded and receives a mouse's tail with a pin at the
large end. This he tries to put where it belongs on
the mouse's portrait. When all have had their turn,
a prize may be given to the most successful.
A gift game follows. It is called ^^The Gardeners
AND THE Rose-bush. A large flower-pot, in which is
growing a huge rose-bush thickly covered with red
and white roses, each containing a gift, is brought in.
The gardeners (Two, Five, and Seven of Spades)
pick the roses and present them to the children,
white to the girls and red to the boys.
Next comes Parlor Croquet, and, when its delights
36 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
have been exhausted, "The Mock Turtle's Story"
may be read or recited. Supper, which follows, may
be called the "Mad Tea-party." The guests are
seated at small tables, and at the end of each course
a bell is rung and each child moves one seat to the
right.
Tableaux after the illustrations of "Alice in Won-
derland " may follow supper.
It will readily be seen how a Mother Goose or
Fairy Character Party could be planned on the
same lines as this one.
APRIL
A:^r EASTEE PARTY
MATERIALS EEQUIEED
As many programs as children.
Egg Race : One dozen life-size colored eggs ; two large
wooden spoons ; two large baskets or nests ; half as many
favors as children.
Easter Eggs : Thirty cards in egg-shape ; several pairs
of scissors ; a puzzle.
Royal Lady : Seventy-five gaily colored paper lamp-
lighters ; a prize.
Spider Web : Ten balls of colored twine ; as many papier-
mache eggs (each containing a tiny gift) as children.
Number of Children, not over 30
Ages, 13 to 16
APKIL
AN EASTER PAETY
In the Easter holidays, when boys and girls are
brimming over with the spirit of awakening sj)ring
and longing for something to do, an Easter Party
will be most welcome.
Dainty programs may be provided for the children
if the mother or older sister of the child for whom
the party is given can draw and paint. Such a
program is shown on the following page. The
names of the games being in conundrum form
give something to guess and talk about. When all
the guests have arrived, an egg race is started. On
either side of the room six large colored eggs are
placed in a line, at intervals of about a foot. At the
far end of each line is a large open basket or coarsely
woven nest. Two leaders are chosen, who in turn
39
40 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
choose sides. A player from each side is given a large
wooden spoon and stands at the near end of his line.
At a signal each starts to spoon up the eggs, one at
a time, carrying them to the
nest. A list of the win-
ners on each side is
kept, and at the end
of the game the ^ide
which has the
greater number is
the victorious one.
Small individual
prizes may be given
to all the players on
this side. For exam-
ple, tiny nests filled
with egg bonbons.
Egg-shaped white cards
about three by two and a
quarter inches are provided for the next game.
The children take ^seats in a line or circle ; every
fourth child receives a pair of scissors and each one
an egg-shaped card on a book or magazine. It is
announced that each child is to cut his egg twice
across, so as to make four pieces. The cuts should
SPEINGTIME PARTIES 41
be perfectly straight and should intersect each other,
but they may go in any direction. After the egg is
cut once, the pieces should be held together till the
second cut has been made. Each child then mixes
his four pieces and passes them to his neighbor on
the right. At a signal each one tries to put his
puzzle together, and the first child who succeeds calls
out to that effect. Each child then mixes his puzzle
and passes it to the player on his right. The suc-
cessful player is credited with one mark on a tally
kept by the hostess. The game then goes on as be-
fore until half an hour has passed, when time is
called, and the child with the biggest score receives
a prize.
The next game is a lively one— Spider Web.
From the hall lamp or from the claws of a huge
paper spider suspended in the hall hang as many
ends of colored twine as there are children. Each
child is given one and told to follow the string until
he comes to the end, winding it as he goes. Around
table -legs, over doors, in and out through the ban-
isters, upstairs and down they go, until each child
has found, at the end of his string, an egg in which
is a small gift.
After this lively race a restful game will be ap-
42 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PARTIES
predated. This is Royal Lady. When the chil-
dren are all seated in a ring one child begins by
saying to the player on his right, '^Good
evening, Royal Lady (or Gentleman),
I, a Royal Gentleman, come from a
Royal Lady to say that I have a
monkey with pink eyes." Each in
turn repeats this form of ad-
dress, varying "''^'^:^:^^^ it only as they speak to
a girl or boy, and ^^'^^»N^^;^ each adds some-
thing to further describe ^'^::^,^ the monkey.
The first child who omits any part ^^^5;^ of the
description or makes a mistake must wear a
paper horn and be addressed as One-horned Gentle-
man or Lady, as the case may be. When the game
flags, if there is a child who has not received a horn
he is the winner and may be crowned with a gilt
paper emblem of royalty. Supper is then an-
nounced. Suggestions for the menu will be found in
Chapter VIII.
MAY
raDOOE AI^D OUTDOOE GAMES
MATEKIALS EEQUIKED
II^DOOR PROGRAM
Flower Hunt : As many baskets as children ; five
pounds of candy, preferably buttercups ; ten dozen motto-
papers.
Spring Flowers : As many wreaths of paper flowers as
children.
May-pole Dance : A May-pole with streamers of cheese-
cloth in pale rainbow colors ; several gift baskets (see
Chapter VII).
OUT-OF-DOOR PROGRAM
As many white cards as girls ; as many green cards as
boys ; a piece of No. 1 white ribbon ; a piece of No. 1 green
ribbon ; as many wreaths of green leaves as girls ; two
wreaths of flowers ; a May-pole with streamers of cheese-
cloth in pale rainbow colors ; a small rubber ball.
Number of Children, not over 30
Ages, 4 to 12
MAY
mDOOK AND OUTDOOE GAMES
It not infrequently happens that the weather does
not keep pace with the calendar, and instead of balmy
spring days in May we sometimes have cold rains
or blustery winds that suggest March or November.
Suppose, then, we prepare a program of indoor
games as well as one for an out-of-door May
Party.
Each child, as he arrives, is given a dainty little
May basket with a bow on the handle. When all
have come they are invited into a larger room in
which they are to hunt for flowers. These are gaily
colored motto-papers in each of which is wrapped
a buttercup or other simple sweet. They are hidden
in most unexpected places, in the folds of portieres,
on picture -frames— wherever there is room for one
45
46 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAKTIES
to rest. As soon as the baskets are filled the chil-
dren return to the room where they were received.
Here the Wood Fairy (a mother, governess, or
friend, who may be in appropriate costume) is
waiting to crown them with wreaths of spring
flowers. Each child is
then called by the
name of the flower
which is woven into his
wreath. These names
are retained through
the afternoon.
Bouquet, a story on
the same principle as
stage-coach, but deal-
ing with woods and
fairy rings and flowers,
is told by the Wood
_ Fairy, who brings in
the flower name of each child. At the word ''bou-
quet " all change places. The older children, with
the younger ones as audience, dance around the
May-pole, holding gay streamers of cheese-cloth in
rainbow colors. They sing some little song with
which all are familiar— for example, "In and Out
SPKII^GTIME PAKTIES 47
the Window," which, if slightly altered as follows,
will be appropriate.
Round and round the May-pole, round and round the
May-pole,
Round and round the May-pole, as you have done before;
In and out the window, in and out the window.
In and out the window, as you have done before.
The next game is one that large and small will be
able to play and all will enjoy. It is called Going
A- Fishing. Chairs are arranged as for Going to Je-
rusalem, in two rows back to back. The number of
chairs is one short of the number of children. Each
child is named after some article that one would
take or have to do with on a fishing-trip. The
child who is chosen or counted out tells the story of
his adventures when going a-fishing, bringing in the
name of each player. As his name is spoken each
child must rise and, taking hold of the dress or coat
of the player ahead, follow the leader around the
chairs. The line goes faster and faster until, as the
last player rises, they are running around the chairs.
When the leader, in the course of the story, calls out
that he has a "bite," the line breaks, all run for
seats, and the player left out must act as story-teller
the next time.
48 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
If there are many children supper is served at
smaU tables, which have, as centerpieces, gift baskets
of flowers (see Chapter VII). An appropriate menu
is given in Chapter VIII.
If the party is given on May-day of course there
must be a Queen of the May and a King, The fol-
lowing plan is adopted for choosing them : As many
green cards as there are boys are provided, and as
many white cards as girls. The name of a tree is
written on each green card, except one on which
appears simply a golden crown. The white cards
bear the names of flowers, with one upon which is
drawn a small gold crown. Through every white
card is tied a loop of narrow ribbon in a shade of the
color of the flower, while all the green cards have
green ribbon. The royal cards have green and white
ribbons respectively. The cards are turned face
downward on a tray, and each girl as she arrives takes
a white one, while the boys each draw a green. The
boy and the girl who draw the royal cards become
King and Queen of the May, and are duly crowned
with wreaths of flowers by the hostess or by some one
impersonating the Wood Fairy, who may afterward
direct the games. As natural flowers are not readily
obtained, the little girls may wear each a wreath of
SPRINGTIME PARTIES 49
green leaves, smilax, or fern, while the boys tie their
cards in their buttonholes.
The May-pole should be set up out of doors, and
the dance will be spirited and gay in the spring
sunshine.
Some quaint old English games are then played.
One of these, Stag-a-laggle, is as follows : All the
children scatter as for blind-man's-buff, one being
the stag, who has to run until he catches one of the
others. The two then join hands and run until they
catch a third child and a fourth. So the game goes
on until all are caught and form a long line winding
about the green.
The next game is better suited to girls than boys.
It is called Lady Queen Anne. Two children
choose sides. One row, the Queen and her
court, remain standing or are seated. The others
advance, holding their skirts gathered up. One has
a ball hidden in hers, the others only pretend to
have it. All repeat :
" Lady Queen Anne she sits in the sun,
As fair as a lily, as white as a swan ;
King John has sent you letters three,
And begs you '11 read one unto me."
The Queen and her court reply :
50 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
" We cannot read one unless we read all,
So pray Miss Alice [naming one of the other row] de-
liver the ball."
If the Queen's guess is right, the two rows change
sides and the Queen becomes one of those who hold
the ball. Otherwise the children who have the ball
say:
" The ball is mine, it is not thine,
So you, proud Queen, sit still on your throne,
While we poor gipsies go and come."
And they retire a short distance before coming again
to repeat the first rhyme.
The next game, Nuts in May, is played as follows :
The children form in two rows facing each other,
and a line is drawn on the ground between them.
The first row advance hand in hand and singing :
" Here we come gathering nuts in May, nuts in May, nuts
in May,
Here we come gathering nuts in May,
On a cold and frosty morning.
The second row advance, replying :
" Pray who will you gather for nuts in May, nuts in May,
nuts in May ?
Pray who will you gather for nuts in May,
On a cold and frosty morning?"
SPEINGTIME PARTIES 51
The first row answer :
" We '11 gather Edith for nuts in May, nuts in May, nuts
in May ;
We '11 gather Edith for nuts in May,
On a cold and frosty morning."
The second row sing :
"Pray who will you send to fetch her away, fetch her
away, fetch her away?
Pray who will you send to fetch her away,
On a cold and frosty morning? "
The first row reply :
" We will send Sally to fetch her away, fetch her away,
fetch her away ;
We will send Sally to fetch her away,
On a cold and frosty morning."
Edith and Sally, with right hands clasped, strive to
draw each other across the line. The one who is
pulled over must join her opponent's row, and the
game goes on.
By the time the children tire of this game, supper
may be served— indoors, unless the weather is unusu-
ally warm.
CHAPTER III
OITT-OF-DOOK PARTIES FOR SUMMER
JUNE: JULY
: AUGUST :
JUNE
A EOSE PARTY
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Butterfly Chase : As many paper butterflies as girls ;
as many butterfly-nets as boys.
Rose-petals : As many paper roses as players ; as many
sets of printed slips as children ; as many cards and pencils
as children ; a prize.
Hlde-and-go-seek : As many rose horns as children.
Soap-bubbles : Several bowls of soap and water ; as
many clay pipes as children, and a few over in case of
accident ; two or three prizes ; a roseball full of gifts.
Number of Children, 15 to 30
Ages, 10 to 15
ju]s:e
a kose pakty
HAPPY is the child whose birthday comes in
June. The day is almost sure to be fair and
not too warm and the air sweet with
the fragrance of June roses. Daisies
and clover make a natural decora-
tion, and flower-laden shrubs a back-
ground for merry groups of children.
Each little girl as she arrives re-
ceives a butterfly fashioned of crepe
paper, poised on a wire stem about
two feet long (see Chapter VII). Each
boy receives a butterfly-net. Two lines
are marked off about thirty feet apart,
wide space between trees may be chosen,
girls stand just beyond the limits on one side ;
57
58 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PARTIES
the boys take a like position on the other. Neither
may cross into the other's
territory, but in the space
between both may run
and dodge. The girls
hold the butterflies, which
sway and swing at the end
of their wire stems, and
the boys try to catch
them in their nets. As
each girl's butterfly is
caught, she is out of the
game, and when all are
captured the sport is over.
A restful game comes next. This is Rose-petals.
Every child receives a large paper rose (see Chapter
VII), and a card and pencil. The hostess explains
that on the petals of each rose the players will find
the name of a flower with the letters mixed. Each
name is distinguished by a number. The cards also
are numbered down the left side, and as a player
succeeds in rearranging the letters of a slip so as
to spell the name of a flower, he writes that name
on his card opposite the corresponding number.
Twenty minutes are allowed. The bell rings at
OUT-OF-DOOR PARTIES FOR SUMMER 59
the end of that time, the correct list is read, and the
player who has found the
most names receives a prize.
After all this brainwork a
romp will be welcome. Hide-
and-go-seek is always popu-
lar, and the following varia-
tion will make it picturesque as well.
After counting out to decide who is
to be ^'it," each of the players receives
a small tin horn which has been dec-
orated to represent a rose on a stem
(see Chapter VII). When they
are all hidden the children blow
their horns to notify the one who
is " it " that they are ready and the
game goes on. When the children tire of Hide-and-
go-seek, they will find a table under the trees with
preparations for Soap-bubbles. One large bowl, or
a number of smaller ones, holds the soap and water,
and the pipes tied with rose-colored ribbons lend a
festive air to the game. Prizes may be given to the
child who blows the largest bubble, to the one whose
bubble lasts longest, and to the one who makes the
most bubbles with one dip of the pipe.
4
60 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
An umpire, who may be the hostess or some other
older person, will be needed in these contests. Sides
may be chosen and lined up facing each other, and
at a given signal they contest for the prizes. Then
one team on either side of a tennis-net plays against
the other. Both teams try to blow their own bubbles
into the opposite court and to prevent their oppo-
nents' bubbles from coming into their court. Every
bubble that floats over in this way counts fifteen
points for the team which blew it. The girls may
make the bubbles, while the boys stand at the net to
blow them across and prevent their opponents' bub-
bles from coming over. Attractive prizes for this
game are bonbon-boxes, each of which is hidden
under the petals of a large pink rose made of tissue
paper, with a little bisque face where the heart of
the rose should be (see Chapter VII). If there is
time for another game before supper, croquet or
tether-ball will furnish amusement.
An appropriate menu will be found in Chapter
VIII. The gifts are drawn by pink and white rib-
bons from a huge ball covered with rose-pink petals
(see Chapter VII).
JULY
A FOURTH OF JULY PAETY
MATEKIALS EEQUIRED
Flag Tag : Two small American flags ; half as many
small silk flags as players.
Liberty Bell : A large dinner-bell ; a hard rubber ball ;
as many small bells on loops of red, white, and blue ribbon
as players.
Torpedo Hunt : Twelve packages of torpedoes ; as
many belts with cartridge-bags attached as children.
Our Flag: As many cards 8x12 inches (on each of
which is painted an American flag without stars) as chil-
dren ; a box of silver stars, gummed on the back ; a prize ;
a Jack Horner pie with red, white, and blue decorations.
Number of Children, not over 25
Ages, 6 to 10
JULY
A FOUETH OF JULY PARTY
Under the trees or on a broad, shaded piazza will
be a delightful place to entertain a party of children
on the afternoon of July 4. There are innumer-
able possibilities in the way of decorations and favors
in red, white, and blue, and the hostess who objects
to gunpowder may provide harmless imitations of
firecrackers, holding nothing more deadly than
chocolate or bonbons.
When all the children have arrived, two leaders
are chosen, who in turn choose sides. A line is
marked off on the playground, and on each side of it
at equal distances (twelve feet or more from the line)
a small American flag is stuck into the ground.
These flags the leaders guard. The object of the
players on each side is to seize their opponents' flag.
65
66 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES
The leaders may prevent this by " tagging " any one
who comes dangerously near, and the child thus
" tagged " is out of the game. When by dodging
and running a player finally seizes a flag and carries
it over the line into his own territory, the game is
won and the players on his side each receive a small
silk flag as a prize.
After this romp comes a piazza game called Liberty
Bell. A large bell is suspended from the ceiling by
a red, white, and blue cord or ribbon at about two
inches from the floor. If the bell should somewhat
resemble the old Liberty Bell, so much the better.
A chalk mark is made on the floor at about ten feet
from the bell, and each player in turn rolls a ball,
aiming to ring the bell. Every child who succeeds
is decorated with a tiny bell hung on a loop of red,
white, and blue ribbon.
Going to Jerusalem comes next, the children
marching to a medley of patriotic airs ; and when
this old favorite ceases to call forth enthusiasm all
will be ready for a Torpedo Hunt. The hos-
tess having previously opened and hidden, in unex-
pected places, twelve packages of torpedoes, each
child receives a belt from which hangs a little
cartridge-bag made of khaki or duck (see Chapter
OUT-OF-DOOR PAETIES FOR SUMMER 67
VII), and is told of the hidden torpedoes. When
from low limbs of trees, among the roots of shrubs
and ledges of the piazza, the treasures have been
gathered and subsequently fired off, a quiet game is
in order. This is Our Flag. Cards are provided
beforehand upon which are drawn and colored large
American flags, lacking only the stars. These, the
hostess announces, are to be stuck on by the children.
Every player receives forty-five stars, and in a given
time, say five minutes, tries to insert as many as he
can on the blue field of his flag. A bell is rung, the
children count their stars, and the one who has the
most on his flag is the winner and receives a prize.
By this time the children will be hungry enough to
do justice to the supper (see Chapter VIII). The
gifts may be hidden in a Jack Horner pie with
decorations of red, white, and blue (see Chapter VII).
AUGUST
A BEACH PARTY
MATEEIALS EEQUIRED
Bean-bag : A Bean-bag.
Sand Forts: As many pails and shovels as children
a prize.
Number of Children, 25
Ages, 8 to 14
Hours, from 3 until 6
AUGUST
A BEACH PARTY
In August a picnic party on the beach may be
planned ; not an elaborate affair, but a simple frolic
such as all children enjoy.
Invitations written on cards cut and decorated to
look like clam-shells will be appropriate.
If it is possible to arrange to have the children
take a dip in the ocean,
they may be asked to bring
their bathing-suits. Those
who do not care to go in
may wade in shallow pools
or dig in the sand until
the bathers are dressed and
ready to sit around the hostess, who reads from
^^ Water Babies " or tells a short story. By the time
71
72 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PAETIES
tlie sun and wind have dried the children's hair
they will be ready to play.
Bean -Bag : All stand in line, and one who is the
leader throws the bean -bag to the child at the head
of the line, who throws it back. Should the player
at the head fail to catch it, he must go to the foot of
the line, and if the leader misses, he goes to the foot,
and the player at the head takes his place.
A game called Fisherman follows, which is much
more lively than its name would imply. Two lines
are marked off across the beach about twenty-five
feet apart, and the children count out to see who is
to be fisherman. The child thus chosen stands be-
tween the boundaries, while all the others are
grouped just beyond a boundary on one side. He
repeats the following rhyme :
" Swim, little fishes, from the river to the sea !
Swim, little fishes,— one— two— three !"
At the word ^^ three" all the children, or fishes,
must run across his territory to the land beyond the
opposite boundary line, and he catches as many as
he can. Those who are caught become fishermen
and help him catch more fish. The game goes on as
before, the leader repeating the rhyme each time,
OUT-OF-DOOR PARTIES FOR SUMMER 75
until all the fishes are caught, when the players will
be glad to settle down for a few minutes to the more
restful game of Chinese Fans. The children sit in a
row on the sand. The first one says to the next
player, "A ship has come from China." The second
child asks: ^^What did it bring?" First child:
"One fan ! " As he says this, he waves his right
hand to and fro as if fanning himself. The second
answers the questions asked by the third player in
the same way, and so on until all are fanning them-
selves with their right hands. The first child then
says: "A ship has come from China "5 and when
asked what it brought, replies, "Two fans!" and
waves both hands. The next time around the
answer is "Three fans ! " as both hands and right
foot are waved. "Four fans" calls into play both
hands and both feet. "Five fans " is both hands, feet,
and head. "Six fans" is hands, feet, head, and
whole body lifted.
If there is time for another game before supper, a
prize may be offered for the best sand fort or castle.
Pails and shovels come into use, and soon there will
be a goodly array of sand architecture. A small
silk flag will reward the successful builder, and it
may be mounted on his fort or castle, there to re-
76 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
main till tlie party is over. Suggestions for a pic-
nic supper will be found in Chapter VIII.
A centerpiece of clams and seaweed, whicli is left
untouclied until after supper, proves to be the hiding-
place of treasures. Each child receives a clam-shell
and finds therein a tiny gift.
CHAPTEE lY
AUTUMN PARTIES
SEPTEMBER : OCTOBER :
: NOVEMBER :
SEPTEMBER
m THE MOUIS^TAIIS^S
MATERIALS EEQUIRED
Traveler's Whist : A pad and pencil for each wagon.
Battledore and Shuttlecock : Two battledores and
a shuttlecock.
Number of Children, 12 to 15
Ages, 10 to 15
SEPTEMBEE
m THE MOUNTAINS
ON a September day a delightful drive in moun-
tain-wagons may be arranged, the objective
point being either a lake or woods, where the chil-
dren can play games and have a picnic supper, or an
attractive inn, where supper may be ordered before-
hand.
As it is inconvenient, on a party of this kind, to
carry the little favors that children delight in, the
invitations should be in especially festive form. For
example : they may be written on birch bark, rolled,
and tied with ribbons.
If there is to be a picnic supper the hostess will
pack a hamper with the simple but delicious menu
suggested in Chapter VIII. When the gay little
party is fairly started on the drive, a game called
' 81
82 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
Traveler's Whist is begun. One person in each
wagon is chosen umpire^ the rest are divided into
two parties. All those on the right belong to one
party and those on the left to the other. The game
is played as follows : The players on each side watch
out for every man, woman, child, or animal on their
side of the road. Each white person seen counts 1,
each colored person 2, a white horse 10, a black cat
25, a cat in the window 100, and every other animal
5. As a player on the right sees a hen, for example,
he calls out, ^' Right, 5 ! " and the umpire credits the
right side with five points. If the drive is a long
one the game should be 500 ; but if it is compara-
tively short 300 will be the limit. When the party
reaches its destination the children will be glad to
run about awhile, and there are so many fine places
to hide in the woods that a game of Beware the
Bear will be thoroughly enjoyed. One child, who
is chosen Bear by counting out, hides while the
rest stay near the goal. When they have counted
^^50 by ones" or ^'500 by fives," they all go to look
for the Bear. The child who finds hini cries, '' Be-
ware the Bear ! " to let the others know, and they
all run for the goal. If he catches one or more be-
fore they reach the goal, they become Bears and
AUTUMN PARTIES 83
must hide next time witli him. The game goes on
until all are Bears.
This is followed by a quiet game— Birds Fly. One
child is chosen leader, the others sit around in a
semicircle on fiillen trees or on the ground. The
leader stands in front of the others, holds up his
hands, and says, "Swallows fly." The other children
all raise their hands. If, however, the leader says,
"Dogs fly" or "Cats fly," something obviously im-
possible, and raises his hands, the players must not
raise theirs. If any one does so he or she must pay
a forfeit. After the forfeits have been redeemed,
sides are chosen for Battledore and Shuttlecock.
A line is marked off in a clearing, and on either side
of it stands a player from each team who has been
chosen champion. These two play battledore and
shuttlecock back and forth across the line until one
player fails to hit the shuttlecock. The one who has
missed yields his battledore to another player of the
same side and becomes his opponents' prisoner. The
game goes on until all of one team have been taken
prisoners, or, if this makes it last too long, it may end
at any time, and the team having the greatest num-
ber of prisoners has won.
The children then form a circle to play Animals.
84 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES
One "who is blindfolded stands in the middle, a
long switch in his hand. The players circle aronnd
him hand in hand until he cries ''Stop ! " and
touches with his wand a player, who must hold the
wand and imitate the cry of some animal. The
Blindman may ask him to repeat this cry three
times, and if he cannot guess the name of the child
the game goes on. Should he guess who the child
is, however, they change places, the i3layer guessed
becoming Blindman. By this time the children
will have keen appetites for the picnic supper
which is spread under the trees. Asters and golden-
rod make appropriate and charming table deco-
rations.
OCTOBER
HALLOWE'EN FROLIC
MATEKIALS EEQUIEED
Black Cat : A large sheet on which is painted a tailless
black cat ; as many black tails as children ; two prizes.
Squirrel Hunt : Five quarts of peanuts ; as many small
bags or baskets as children.
Tossing Chestnuts : Ten chestnuts for each child ; a
bowl-shaped basket.
Peanut Tournament : Two and a half quarts of pea-
nuts ; seven or eight bonbon-tongs ; a large papier-mache
peanut filled with bonbons.
Hallowe'en Charms : As many apples as children ; a
large tub of water ; as many prophecies as children,
wrapped in tin-foil ; three candles ; a mold of flour in
fancy form ; a ring ; a Jack-o'-lantern full of gifts.
Number of Children, 20 to 30
Ages, 8 to 12
OCTOBEE
HALLOWE'EN FROLIC
Children from eight to twelve years will enjoy
a Hallowe'en frolic on the evening of October 31.
Field corn, strung cranberries, and autumn leaves
may be used effectively in decorating the rooms,
and lights in Jack-o'-lanterns give the finishing
touch of weirdness.
As the guests arrive each receives a black cat's
tail (painted on cotton) at the large end of which is
a pin. These are to be pinned as nearly as possible
where they belong on a huge black cat which is
painted on a sheet hung at one end of the room.
Each child in turn is blindfolded and tries to pin his
tail on the black cat's portrait. The girl who comes
nearest to pinning a tail where it should go may re-
ceive as a prize a little doll dressed as a witch, while
87
88 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
the boy who comes nearest wins a ghost (see Chapter
VII).
Squirrel Hunt : Before the guests arrive nuts
should be hidden by the hostess in every conceiv-
able place, high and low, in
folds of curtains, on window-
ledges, in flower-pots—
wherever one can be
tucked away. Each child
receives a
small bag or
basket in
w^hich to gather the
nuts, and after the
hunt all sit around the
open fire and crack and
eat them while the hostess starts
a Patchwork Story. This may be a
ghost story, which is carried along to an
exciting point, when the hostess stops and the player
on her right tells some more. He also stops at an
interesting place and his neighbor on the right con-
tinues the story.
The next game is Tossing Chestnuts. A bowl-
shaped basket about nine inches in diameter is
AUTUMN PARTIES
89
placed at oue eud of the room. Each child receives
ten chestnuts, and standing eight feet from the basket
tries to throw them, one at a time, into it. The
score is kept by the hostess,
and the child who has suc-
ceeded in tossing the greatest
number of chestnuts into the
basket wins.
Peanut Tournament : The
children now take seats around
small tables — four at each.
A large bowl of peanuts is
brought in and a cupful is
piled in the middle of each
table. A small pair of bonbon-
tongs, such as may be bought at
a confectioner's, is provided
for every table. The children
try in turn to take off a peanut at a time without
stirring the other nuts. If a player succeeds he
may have another chance and another until he fails,
when the turn i^asses to the child on the left. At
the end of twenty minutes a bell is rung, and the
player at each table having the most peanuts wins.
The winners at the different tables play another
90 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
round, and, if necessary, still another round is
played until there is but one winner, who well
deserves the prize — a huge papier-mache peanut
filled with bonbons.
Hallowe'en Charms that are merry rather than
mystic are chosen as being more adapted to youthful
players.
First comes the time-honored Bobbing foe Apples,
which is too well known to require description. Then
Snapdragon, varied by substituting for the raisins
amid burning alcohol, bits of tin-foil in which are
wrapped folded slips of paper, each with a prophecy
written upon it. These should be placed in a tin or
earthen dish and covered with water. The alcohol
is then poured down the side of the dish, gently so
that it will float on the water instead of mixing with
it.
A ring is hung from the chandelier at a con-
venient distance from the floor, and each child in
turn walks directly up to the ring and, without
hesitating a moment, tries lo run a pencil through
it. This is more difiicult than it sounds.
N^ext three candles are lighted and set near a win-
dow. Three children at a time stand in front of the
candles and each makes a wish. The window is
AUTUMN PARTIES 93
then opened, and if one or more of the candles
remains lighted for one minute the child who
stood opposite that candle may feel sure that her
wish will come true. This is repeated until all the
children have w ished. The flour charm comes next.
A mold of flour in fancy form has hidden within it
a gold ring, and each child in turn cuts off a slice.
The one in whose slice the ring comes must remove
it with his teeth. Supper, which follows, is served to
the children as they sit on cushions around the
dining-room. A menu which is especially appropri-
ate for Hallowe'en will be found in Chapter VIII.
The gifts are drawn from the depths of a huge Jack-
o'-lantern (see Chapter VII).
NOVEMBER
A FAMILY PARTY
MATERIALS EEQUIRED
Vegetable Race : One dozen vegetables— beets, carrots,
turnips, and potatoes ; two dessert-spoons ; two basket-
trays ; a prize.
Chrysanthemum : A prize paper chrysanthemum, on
the petals of which are pasted slips of paper ; as many
cards and yellow pencils as players ; a bunch of chrysan-
themums.
Parcels Post : As many toys as players, all very dif-
ferent in shape and size, and wrapped in pumpkin-colored
paper ; as many tiny burlap sacks as players ; fifty kernels
of field corn for each player.
NOVEMBER
A FAMILY PARTY
After Thanksgiving dinner, when old and yonng
are in the mood to be entertained, the hostess may
find the games described here useful.
When the children of the party show signs of
restlessness it is quite time to start in with the
Vegetable Kace. Two rows of vegetables are
laid about six feet apart. In each row half a dozen
assorted vegetables— carrots, beets, turnips, and pota-
toes—are placed a foot and a half apart. At the
far end of each line is a large basket-tray. Two
players at a time start, each at the near end of a
row, and try with a dessert-spoon to lift one vege-
table at a time and carry it to the basket. The one
who finishes first wins, and is qualified to play in the
second round. The winners in the first round play
97
98 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
against each other in the second, and when there is
but one player undefeated, he is entitled to the
prize — a natural-looking beet or carrot made of
papier-mache and full of bonbons.
Next comes Hunt the Squirrel. The players
form a huge ring, and one who is the Hunter walks
around outside it, chanting :
" Hunt the squirrel through the wood,
I lost him, I found him !
Hunt the squirrel through the wood,
I lost him, I found him !
Hunt the squirrel through the wood,
I lost him, I found him !
I won't catch you and I won't catch you,
But I vnll catch you ! "
As he says this he touches one player and starts to
run around the circle. The player touched must
run in the other direction, and the first one who
reaches the gap in the circle joins hands with the
players to right and left, while the one left out be-
comes Hunter and goes around the circle chanting,
^'Hunt the Squirrel," etc. After such a romp a
quiet game will be appreciated.
Chrysanthemum is played in the same way as
Rose-petals (see Chapter II), except that there is
AUTUMN PARTIES
99
but one large flower, a golden-yellow chrysanthemum.
The crysanthemum is passed
around, and each player pulls
a petal, on which he finds a
printed slip bearing the name
of a flower with the letters
much mixed. As soon as he
has rearranged the letters so as
to spell a name, he writes
on his card. He may then draw
another petal. The game ends when
there are no more petals to pull, and the
player who has guessed the most names
receives a bunch of chrysanthemums.
Two leaders are then chosen, who in turn
choose sides for Parcels Post. The parties form
lines facing each other, a leader at one end of each
line. Beside him in a clothes-basket are parcels large
and parcels small, parcels heavy and parcels light, and
many that are irregular in shape, all wrapped in
pumpkin-colored paper. There should be an equal
number of parcels for each side. At a signal each
leader takes a parcel from the basket, passes it to the
player next him, and one after another as quickly as
possible they are taken from the basket and passed
s; ^ o I n c|
100 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES
along the line. If anything is dropped it must travel
all the way back to the leader and start again. The
player next to the chair must pile the parcels on it as
they come to him, without letting one fall, and when
they have all reached him he starts them back to the
leader, one at a time, as fast as he can. The side
which gets the parcels back in its basket first has
won.
The sequel to Parcels Post is Auction. Each
person receives a small burlap sack containing fifty
kernels of field corn, by way of money. N'eedless to
say, the auctioneer is chosen for his ready wit, and
may be an uncle or cousin or the host himself. The
bidding begins when everybody is seated, and when
all the parcels have been auctioned off the game is
over.
Next comes Family Gossip. One person goes out
of the room, and the hostess asks each of the remain-
ing players to say something about him. This she
writes down on a piece of paper with the name of
the person who said it. When the player returns
the hostess says : '^Some one says you have the family
nose ! " If he can guess who the person was who
said it, that player must go out of the room the next
time and be the target for family criticism.
AUTUMN PAETIES 101
When this game flags, the hostess appoints two
leaders who choose sides for Dumb Crambo. A de-
scription of this old favorite is hardly necessary. One
side chooses a word to act in pantomime, and the other
players who form the audience are told what it rhymes
with. For example : The word chosen is "sloop " and
the actors tell the other side that it rhymes with
"troop." The attic is ransacked for queer old cos-
tumes, shawls, ancient bonnets and parasols, and the
nursery for toys that may help. If the audience
guesses the word acted the actors must give another
pantomime ; but if they fail to guess they are told
what the word was and they become actors, while
the other side forms the audience. A light supper
follows, the menu for which will be found in Chap-
ter VIII.
CHAPTER V
StrPPLEMENTAKY PARTIES AND GAMES
CHAPTEK Y
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES
THESE parties are, with one exception, suited to
any season of the year and may be substituted
for any of the foregoing programs.
INDIAN PARTY
Although this party is arranged for a private
house, it may, with slight alterations, be successfully
given at a mountain camp or inn. Invitations printed
on birch bark with a pyrographic pen are sent to
the children, asking them to come to the tepee on
the young host's lawn, in Indian costume, on a cer-
tain day. On that occasion they will be received by
a small Hiawatha gay in war-paint, fringed chamois
leggings, moccasins, and a feather head-dress. The
costumes need not be at all elaborate or costly. Two
105
106 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PARTIES
medium-sized pieces of chamois-skiu make capital
leggings, buttoned with black buttons, the edges cut
into a fringe. The shirts and breeches of the boys,
and the girls' skirts, may be of khaki, and chicken-
feathers on a band of red flannel make a realistic
head-dress. Moccasins of chamois may be easily
made if one cannot buy or borrow a pair of genuine
beaded ones.
MateriaJs Bequired
A CANVAS tent ; several Indian blankets ; as many birch-
bark Invitations as children ; a bow and arrows ; a prize.
Basket- WEAVING Contest : As many lengths of No. 4 rat-
tan as children ; six weavers of No. 2 rattan for each child ;
as many weavers of colored No. 2 rattan as children ; a bowl
of water ; several pairs of scissors ; a tape-measure ; two
prizes. Necklace-making : Several small boxes of beads,
needles, and linen thread. Ball Game : A ball. Picture-
writing : As many printed cards as children ; as many
blank cards and pencils as children ; a prize. Gift Bas-
ket : An Indian basket full of tiny favors, each tied to the
stem of a scarlet or yellow poppy.
Number of Children, not over 25. Ages, 8 to 12.
The games will be especially appropriate : races,
shooting at a mark with bow and arrows, and a
basket-weaving contest ; the prizes, an Indian basket
for the boy who makes the strongest basket, and an
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES
107
Indian doll in a papoose-cairier for the girl who
weaves the prettiest one. While the boys are
enjoying a game of ball the girls may make bead
necklaces. They will then unite in a game called
Picture-writing. On as many cards as there are
children a story or extract from ^'Hiawatha" is
printed^ using in place of the nouns simple drawings
of the persons or things spoken of. For example the
following from "Hiawatha and Mudjekeewis " :
Dressed for travel, armed for hunting ;
Dressed in deerskin j
m
Richly wrought with
On his head his
108 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES
Round his waist his
In his hand his
Strung with
• of ash-wood,
of the
In his \/W oaken
Tipped with jasper, winged with m^
With his
'§ , Minjekahwun,
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 100
Each child receives, besides one of these cards, a
blank card with a pencil attached. On this he writes
the poem, substituting words for the pictures. All
must have finished in twenty minutes. A bell is rung,
the cards are collected, and the child who has written
the correct version receives a prize. For example :
A box of birch bark, worked with porcupine quills,
and full of sweets. If more than one succeeds in
correcting the story i^erfectly, the cards should be
judged for neatness and legibility. At supper the
children sit around on Navajo blankets spread on the
grass. Any one of the menus in Chapter VIII may
be provided.
The gifts, which are simple bits of pottery, birch-
bark canoes, and other toys, purchasable at an Indian
shop, each tied to a red or yellow tissue-paper poppy,
are drawn from a bowl-shaped Indian basket, with
ribbons of yellow for the girls and red for the boys.
COUNTRY CIRCUS
A Country Circus will not be difficult to arrange,
and will be great fun. With the invitations to the
party at which it is to be given, a ticket may be sent
to each child, admitting him to a country circus at
three o'clock, at the house of Mrs. Blank. Hand-
110 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
made posters of flaming colors and extravagant word-
ing should decorate the room where the children are
received.
Materials Required
As many tickets as children ; two pieces of canvas long
enough and wide enough to fill a doorway ; a strip of
pasteboard long enough to reach around a circular dining-
table and eight inches wide, painted the color of the table ;
several paper-fasteners ; twelve or more performing-animal
toys ; as many small bags of peanuts as children ; pink
lemonade ; a round red toy balloon with a knotted covering
of sewing-silk, to the ends of which a light paper car is
attached ; a pretty paper doll.
Number of Children, 20 to 30. Ages, 5 to 10,
When all the children have arrived, they flock to
the circus through a doorway which is hung with a
pair of canvas curtains made to look as much as pos-
sible like a tent-flap. Inside is a large round table
at one end of the room, and in a semicircle about it
are rows of chairs. The table should have a guard-
rail around it, made of a long strip of pasteboard,
extending about four inches above the surface of the
table and four inches below it, held together with
paper-fasteners and painted to represent a fence.
This is to prevent the animals from precipitating
themselves into the crowd, for they are such wild
suppleme:ntary parties hi
beasts as go by clockwork and arc sold by venders
on the sidewalks of city streets. The hostess or an
aunt or governess may act as ring-master, winding
nj) the animals, and ijlaying the part as amusingly
as possible. Refreshing pink lemonade and bags of
peanuts may be passed at not too frequent intervals.
The grand finale will be a balloon ascension. A light
car of rice-pai)er is made and attached to a round
toy balloon by the ends of a knotted covering of
sewing-silk which incloses the balloon. In this car
Mademoiselle Caramel (a beautiful jiai^er doll) is
seated. The window is oi^ened, the string that holds
the balloon cut, and off it floats !
MECHANICS' FAIR
A novel and interesting plan for a children's party
is to have a Mechanics' Fair. It may be given at
home or on the broad piazza of a summer hotel.
Materials Eeqidred
As many cards as children. Tailor : A piece of cloth ;
scissors ; needle, thread, and thimble. Dressmaker : A
piece of bright-colored cloth or silk ; scissors ; needle,
thread, and thimble. Basket-maker : One length of No.
4 rattan ; six weavers of No. 2 rattan ; scissors ; a bowl
112 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
of water. Upholsterer : A doll's chair or sofa with a
wooden seat ; some cotton batting ; a piece of flowered
cretonne or satin ; a paper of tiny tacks ; a hammer ; scis-
sors. Boat-builder : A piece of wood ; a knife ; a piece
of cotton ; scissors ; a needle and white thread. Potter :
A lump of clay. Shoemaker : A small piece of leather ;
scissors ; needle and thread. Printer : A small printing
outfit ; several cards. Jeweler : A box of beads ; a
needle and thread. Weaver : A small loom ; two balls
of worsted. Flower-maker : Several sheets of colored
tissue paper ; a small tube of paste ; scissors ; a yard of fine
wire. Builder : A box of blocks. Hammock-maker: A
ball of cord ; scissors. Sign-painter : Several large cards ;
a pencil ; a paint-box. Cabinet-maker : A piece of hard
wood ; a knife ; tiny tacks ; a small bottle of glue ; a ham-
mer. Glover : A piece of undressed kid ; needle and
thread the color of the kid ; scissors ; a thimble. As
many small cards as children ; as many pencils and sheets
of paper as children ; two prizes.
Number of Children, not over 20. Ages, 8 to 14.
As the children arrive, each draws a card from a
tray on which are placed, face downward, as many
cards as there are children, each bearing the name
of some trade. These they hand to the hostess or
some other grown person, who sits at a table on
which are small packages, each having the name of
a trade ni)on it. These packages are found to con-
tain materials from which, the hostess explains, each
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 113
child is to fashion an article such as one of his trade
would make : the shoemaker, a small shoe ; the
jeweler, a ring or necklace, etc. An hour is the
time allowed, and the children work like little
beavers, cutting, sewing, weaving, or j)ainting. When
the time is up, a bell rings and all the articles are
collected. The children then play some game. Spin
THE Platter or Going to Jerusalem, something
lively, until the hostess calls them into another room,
where they will find their handiwork arranged and
numbered like the exhibits at a fair. Each child is
asked to write on a slip of paper the number of the
piece of work he thinks is the best. These slips are
collected in a bowl or basket, and the maker of the
piece of work which has the most votes receives a
prize. A second prize may be given to the one
whose work is voted next best. Supper follows,
and afterward a game of Trades may be played.
Two leaders, one of whom is called Master and the
other Workman, choose sides, and when the party is
evenly divided the Workmen select some trade and
tell the first and last letter of the name to the Masters.
For example, H— r, horseshoer. The Workmen then
stand in line, and each does something in i^antomime
appropriate to the trade of horseshoer. One blows
114 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES
the bellows, another hammers at the anvil, another
shoes the horse. The Masters are each allowed one
guess as to the name of the trade the Workmen are
engaged in, and if they are correct, the Workmen
are out and the Masters take their place. If, how-
ever, no one guesses it, the Workmen tell what it
was and choose another trade to represent.
AN OUTDOOR WINTER PARTY FOR BOYS
When ponds are frozen and the snow is on the
ground, an ideal i)arty for boys may be given. If
there is a pond on one's grounds, so much the better,
for then it can be festively decorated with Japanese
lanterns, strung from tree to tree. The boys should
be asked to bring their skates and come in a costume
representing some city or possession of the United
States. The young host may be dressed as Uncle
Sam. Indians, Filipinos, darkies, a Quaker, and a
Boston Baby swarm over the pond, playing Snap the
Whip, Hockey, or Tag. In playing Red Royee,
Uncle Sam stands in the middle of the pond and all the
others gather at one end. At a signal from him they
skate across to the other end, while he tries to catch
one or more. Should he succeed, the players caught
become Red Rovers and help him catch the others.
.^
SUPPLEMENTAEY PARTIES 117
"When all are captured, the game is over and the first
one caught must be Red Rover next time. Later in
the afternoon a game of Hare and Hounds in the
snow, with red paper "scent," may be played, or
Uncle Sam and some others may defend a snow fort
against a storming party of Filipinos and Indians.
From this exciting game they come rosy and dishev-
eled, ready to do justice to supper. In the evening
the pond is lighted with lanterns, so that the boys
can skate until it is time to say good night.
DUTCH PARTY
A Dutch Party will be appreciated in this country,
where there are so many descendants and admirers
of " brave little Holland." The 6th of December,
St. Nicholas day, will be an appropriate time for
such a party, for it is one of the most important
Dutch festival days. The invitations may be written
on note-paper or cards which have Delft-blue scenes
in one corner, or pictures of sturdy little Dutch boys
and girls in their quaint costumes.
Materials Required
Planting Tulip Bulbs : Half as many tiny gifts as chil-
dren, each wrapped in cotton batting and then in brown
118 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
tissue paper to imitate a tulip bulb ; two basket-trays ; two
circles of heavy brown paper sixteen inches in diameter ;
half as many paper tulips as children. The Months :
Twelve tiny candles of different colors. Tenpins : A set of
tenpins ; half as many favors as children. Letterbanket :
Cake, cracker, or pasteboard letters, three or four inches
high, to spell St. Nicholas ; ten small favors, if desired.
Gift Baskets : Two large gilded baskets filled with pink
and white paper tulips ; as many real tulip bulbs as children.
St. Nicholas's Sack : A huge sack of tan-colored crepe
paper filled with bonbons ; as many small baskets with
handles as children.
Number op Children, 20 to 30. Ages, 6 to 10.
When all the children have arrived, two basket-
trays, one heaped with paper tulips, the other with
what appear to be tulip bulbs, are brought in. Two
leaders choose sides until the party is equally divided.
The tulip bulbs are also divided ; half are put into
one tray and half into the other, while the paper
tulips are laid away for future use. Two brown
pai)er circles, sixteen inches in diameter, are laid on
the floor, four or five feet apart, and a tray of bulbs
is put beside each. All is now ready for the plant-
ing. Two players, one from each side, try which can
place his bulbs at equal distances apart, around his
circle just inside the edge, in the shortest time.
The one who finishes first is the winner for his side.
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 119
The bulbs are then collected and replaced in the
trays. Another pair of players competes, and an-
other, until all have planted the bulbs, when the side
having the most winners is the victorious one, and
the players are rewarded by the bulbs, each of which
will be found to contain a tiny gift. The paper
tulips will serve to console the defeated players.
Magic Candles is the next game. Twelve tiny can-
dles should be provided beforehand, all of different
colors. They are placed in low candlesticks in a row
on the floor, at distances of about a foot and a half
apart. Each candle is named for a month of the
year. January has a white candle, February a brown
one, March pale green, April bright green, May
violet, June pale pink, July bright pink, August pale
yellow, September blue, October crimson, Novem-
ber orange, and December scarlet. Each child in
turn jumps over the candles, one at a time, and if he
does so without extinguishing a single candle, the
coming year will be full of happiness and good times ;
but, should one flicker out, there will be ill luck in
that month for the child who put the candle out.
The game of Tenpins which follows will be played
in the nursery, where there will be no danger to fur-
niture or bric-a-brac should the small wooden balls
7
120 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
go wide of the mark. Sides are chosen, and the pins
having been set uj) at one end of the room, a player
from each side in turn rolls the ball and knocks over
as many pins as possible. The score is kept on a
blackboard or large card hung conveniently near,
and individual favors should reward the players of
the winning side. Small bonbon-boxes with Dutch
scenes on the covers, tiny lamps with tulip -shaped
globes, or miniature windmills will be dainty and
appropriate.
The children now return to the room where they
are received for a game of Letterbanket.
In Holland, cakes called by this name are made in
the form of the letters of the alphabet. These may
be ordered at a bakery, or crackers baked in alpha-
bet form will do. Failing either of these, letters
about four inches high cut from colored cardboard
may be substituted. The name St. Mcholas, spelled
out with these letters, is attached to a screen with
pins so that it can be easily seen by the children,
who stand in a semicircle (one or more rows deep)
m front of it. The hostess points with a wand to
each letter in turn, asking the children to name
some toy St. Nicholas brings which begins with that
letter. The first child who calls the name of a toy
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 121
beginuiiig with that letter wins the letter. If the
letters are cakes or sweet crackers they will be a
sufficient reward in themselves. Otherwise, at the
end of the game each child who holds a pasteboard
letter may receive some tiny favor.
Next comes the game of Jolly Miller. All
choose partners but one child, who represents the
Miller. Should there be an even number of chil-
dren, the hostess or some other grown jjerson will
join the game to make the odd number. The Miller
stands in the middle of the circle, and the others, two
and two, walk slowly round him to imitate a mill-
wheel. As they walk they chant :
" There was a Jolly Miller who lived by himself;
When the mill went round he made his wealth.
One hand in his pocket and the other in his bag ;
As the mill went round he made his wealth."
When this has been sung twice all change partners,
and the Miller also makes a rush to get a partner.
The player left out then becomes the Miller, and the
game goes on. It will then be time for supper, for
which some menu from Chapter VIII may be chosen.
Tiny Dutch flags for the boys and caps for the girls
are attractive supper favors, and a gift basket full
122 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN\S PARTIES
of pink and white tulips makes a charming table
decoration. As each child pulls the ribbon, which
reaches from the basket to his place, he will draw,
besides the pai^er tulip, a real tulip bulb, to which
is attached a little card with the words, '' Plant
me," written upon it.
If there is time for one more game after supper,
it will be St. "N^icholas's Sack. Each child receives
a small basket with a handle to hang on his arm,
and each in turn is blindfolded and led near a huge
sack of brown crepe paper which is hung between
folding-doors. Beneath it a white sheet is spread.
The child is given a cane and told to hit the sack
three times as hard as he can. Needless to say, few
strokes hit the mark, but at last the sack bursts, and
as bonbons rain down on the sheet below, the children
scramble to fill their baskets.
SUPPLEMENTARY GAMES
The following suggestions for games will be found
useful should the hostess wish to vary the programs
as we have arranged them.
GAME OF BOX BASEBALL
An exceedingly good game for boys and girls is
Box Baseball. It may be played out of doors or in
the house. If it is to be out of doors, a square, or
box, two by two feet is marked off on a gravel walk
or driveway, and a line drawn across it divides it
exactly in halves. A second line at right angles with
the first marks it into quarters (see diagram). 1 is
marked in the back left-hand square, 2 in the left
front square, 3 in the right front square, and H,
which stands for home, in the back right square. Sides
are then chosen by two players who have been ap-
123
124 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
pointed captains of the teams. A player from the
side which plays first stands on a line marked across
the driveway at eight feet from the box. He throws
a metal disk, aiming to put it into one of the squares.
Should he throw it outside the box three times he
is out, and the next player of the same team takes
his turn. As in baseball, when three players of a
team are out the next team has its inning. There
may be nine innings or less,
but there must be an uneven
number. When the disk is
thrown into the square marked
1, the player counts that he has
a man on first base, if on 2 on
second base, if on 3 on third
base, and if on H a home run
is counted. Should he in his first and second throw
have put the disk into the squares marked 2 and 3,
and with the third throw send it into H, three runs
will, of course, be counted.
The side having the most runs at the end of the
last inning wins. If this game is played in the house,
the box may be marked off on a wooden board, or, if
it is on a hardwood floor, in chalk, and instead of a
metal disk a large bone disk is used.
1
H
2
3
SUPPLEMENTAEY GAMES 125
GUESSING FINGEKS
One child, who is chosen leader, counts *^ One-
two— three !" or gives some other sign, at the same
time holding up as many fingers as he chooses. The
other children, all at the same moment hold up as
many fingers as they wish, and as they do so each
makes a guess as to how many fingers altogether are
being held up. The fingers are then counted, and
the player whose guess comes nearest wins.
OLD SAILOR
The children count out to see which one will be
the Old Sailor. All stand in line but the Old Sailor,
who comes limping up and says to the first child :
"Here comes an old sailor from Baffin's Bay !
Pray what have you got to give him?"
He may then ask whatever questions he chooses, and
if, in answering him, a player uses the words ^' yes"
or " no," " black " or ^^ white," he must pay a forfeit,
and the Old Sailor i^asses on to the next player.
CATCHING THE SNAKE'S TAIL
Catching the Snake's Tail is a Japanese game
which is ijlayed as follows : The children form a line,
126 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PARTIES
each resting his hands on the shoulders of the player in
front. One who is the Catcher is out. The first player
on the line is called the Head, and the last the Tail.
When the game begins the Catcher stands about fifteen
feet from the Head, and, at a given signal, tries to
catch the Tail, or end player, without pushing any
one else. The others defend the Tail by moving
about in any way they choose, except that the line
must not be broken ; for, should it break, the Tail is
considered caught and must become Catcher, while
the Catcher goes to the head of the line.
WOLF AND LAMB
All the players but two (who have been chosen
Wolf and Lamb) form a circle, holding hands. The
Lamb stands in the middle of the circle or fold.
The Wolf tries to break through to catch the Lamb,
and, if he succeeds in getting into the fold, the circle
immediately breaks to let the Lamb out, closing again
in time to hold the Wolf. If the latter succeeds in
catching the Lamb, the two children between whom
he broke through last become Wolf and Lamb.
FEATHER PLAY
Feather Play is very amusing. The children count
out to see which one will be "it." All the others
SUPPLEMENTAEY GAMES 127
sit on the floor in a hollow square just large enough
for the players on each side to hold the edge of a
large sheet up under their chins. A tiny feather is
put on the sheet, and the children blow it back and
forth, hither and thither, while the child who is ^4t "
tries to catch it on or in front of one of the others.
Should he succeed, that player must take his place.
PUZZLES
Materials Bequired
As many puzzles as children ; one fourth as many small
tables as children ; as many tally-cards and pencils as
children ; a box of stars ; two prizes.
A progressive game of j^uzzles will prove popular
if the puzzles are chosen with reference to the ages
of the children invited. One can often borrow them,
or they may be bought at a toy-shop. Sliced animals
and all the other varieties of pictures to be put to-
gether will be appropriate for a party of very small
children, and simple puzzles may be found for those
who are a little older. There should be as many
puzzles as there are children, and one fourth the
number of tables, such as are used for progressive
euchre. Two prizes are also provided, or two of the
128 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES
puzzles may be given as prizes. The tally-cards,
which should be in the form of a large interrogation
mark, are each numbered at the top, and corre-
sponding numbers will be found on the puzzles. For
example, the players whose cards are numbered 1, 2,
3, and 4 will try to solve the puzzles 1, 2, 3, and 4
at the head table, while at the second table those
whose cards bear the numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 have
puzzles numbered to match. When one finishes at
the head table a bell is rung and each child moves a
number ahead; every player who has solved his
puzzle has a star af&xed to his card. As to the
time allowed for playing, the hostess will use her own
discretion, as in other games. If small brows are
knotted too tightly, or if, on the other hand, the
interest flags at all, it will be time to announce the
last round. The progressive principle may also be
used in playing board games. Children of from eight
to twelve will e^joy this. There should be a different
game for every table, and four children- will play at
each. Such games as Authors, Fish-pond, Tiddledy-
WINKS, and Halma are chosen, and the childreu play
partners. "When the game at the head table is fin-
ished, a bell rings, and those who have won remain
where they are, while the other two descend to the
SUPPLEMENTAEY GAMES 129
last table. The winners at the other tables go to the
next higher one, while the losers remain where they
are, just as in other i)rogressive games.
MEMORY GAMES
Materials Required
A BLACKBOARD ; as many slips of paper as children ; two
prizes.
The children are seated in a semicircle in front of
a blackboard, such as almost every child has in his
play-room. Each receives a slip of paper on which
the name of some object or animal is written ; this
slip must not be shown to any one. The first child
goes to the blackboard and draws the animal or ob-
ject—for example, a cat— which was named on his
slip. The hostess, in a low voice, asks each child in
turn what he supposes the picture represents. She
then writes on a piece of paper how many correct
guesses there were. When each child in turn has
drawn a picture (and one should follow the other in
even rows across the blackboard), the one who made
the drawing that was most recognizable— that is, the
one that was guessed by the greatest number of chil-
dren — may be rewarded by a prize. Game number two
follows. The first child is asked what the first pic-
130 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
ture, a cat; makes him remember— what he thinks of
when he sees a picture of a cat. The next child is
asked about the second picture, and so on. When
each one has reminisced in this w^ay— and some of
the little stories will be very amusing— the third
game is started. Each child in turn shuts his eyes
and tries to remember and tell bow the successive
pictures come on the blackboard : cat, basket, fish,
bird, etc. The one who can remember the greatest
number in succession will deserve a prize.
HUNTSMAN
Huntsman is a good game, especially for rather
small children. One is chosen huntsman who has
never played the game. He is told that a whistle
will be hidden which he is to find, and that he will
be blindfolded until a hiding-place has been decided
upon. The whistle, a small and very light one, is
hung on a string and pinned to the back of his coat,
very carefully. The bandage is then taken from his
eyes. As he turns his back to the different players
in searching for the whistle, each blows it. The
result is very puzzling to him and funny to the
others, until at last some child does not drop the
whistle quickly enough, and the trick is discovered.
CHAPTEE YI
PKOPERTIEB
CHAPTEE YI
PEOPERTIES
TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY
Characters : King, Queen, Ladies in Waiting, Lords in
Waiting, Jester, Page, Herald.
THE King's crown is of gilded water-color paper,
cut in the design shown in Chapter I.
The Queen's crown is also of water- color paper,
painted with gold, but is much simpler, having a
single star on a strip of paper an inch wide.
The Lords and Ladies in Waiting have wooden
wands gilded, with a gold papier-mache star at the
end (see Chapter I).
The Court Jester's cap is made of party-colored
133
134 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
cambric or satin with a gold or silver bell sewed to
eacb point of the collar
and one on the peak. He
may also have a folly-
stick.
The Page, with plumed
cap, must be ready to wait
upon their Majesties the
King and Queen.
The Herald carries a
long trumpet, from which
hangs a square banner
having a fleur-de-lis or
lion rampant of a con-
trasting color painted or
appliqued upon it.
t
ALICE IN WONDERLAND PARTY
Characters : Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mouse, the
March Hare, the Dodo, the Frog Footman, the Cater-
pillar, the Cook, the Baby, the Duchess, the Queen, the
Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Gardeners, Playing-cards.
The illustrations of ''Alice in Wonderland" will
be the best guide in making these properties, but
PROPERTIES 135
the following suggestions may be helpful in the
selection of materials and quantity needed :
Alice's apron, with its little pocket, will, of course,
be simple to provide.
The White Rabbit has a rabbit-skin of white
Canton flannel. The ears are lined with pink cam-
bric, and the whiskers fringed from a piece of hair-
cloth. The eyes are large beads outlined with pink
embroidery silk, and the tail is stuffed with cotton
batting. This makes an attractive costume for a
bright-eyed little boy.
The Mouse wears a costume that is made in much
the same way, except gray Canton flannel is used
instead of white. The nose is more pointed and the
tail long and slender.
The March Hare has a gray rabbit-skin made like
the White Rabbit's. One ear is tied with a wisp of
straw. Masks of jjapier-mache for the Dodo and the
Frog Footman may be purchased at a theatrical
furnisher's or toy-shop.
The Caterpillar's dress is made of green cambric—
just a straight bag with tucks quarter of an inch wide
run around it at intervals of twelve inches. A piece of
reed or featherbone is put through each of these tucks.
The bag is rounded at the top to form the head-cov-
136 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
ering, and an opening is cut for the face. Holes are
also made for the arms. Feelers of green-covered
wire are fastened at the top.
The Cook has a large mob-cap and a
I)epper-pot, and the Baby a close white
lawn cai).
The Duchess's head-dress is much more
elaborate, and is made as follows : Cut
two sides from water- color paper, and
decorate with red, gold, and black. Join
the two sides at front and back with
paper-fasteners and drape white cheese-
cloth across the top.
The Queen's head-dress is also cut from
"^^" — ^ water-color paper, decorated and joined
with a paper-fastener. The coloring may be copied
from a playing-card queen.
The Hatter's hat is made
of buckram covered with
gray Canton flannel. A
label fastened to the left
side of the hat is copied from
the picture in ''Alice in
Wonderland." It reads, ''In this style 10/G."
The mask for the Cheshire Cat is also made of gray
PROPERTIES
137
Canton flannel, and is fastened to a cap of tlie same.
is stiffened with
give the final
crinoline, and horsehair
The face
whiskers
touch.
The Gardeners — Two,
Five, and Seven of Spades
—have huge playing-cards
in their numbers, which
they wear like sandwich-
men, and round painters'
caps made of white paper. The cards are made of
sheets of cardboard eighteen by twenty-eight inches,
and have spades cut from black glazed paper pasted
on them. Holes are made at the top of the cards
and tapes or ribbons half an inch wide tie them
together. One of the gardeners may carry a pail, and
all three are provided with paint-brushes. The rest
of the Playing-cards wear cards made in the same
way as those just described, using red glazed paper
for the hearts and diamonds.
MOTHER GOOSE CHARACTER PARTY
Characters : Little Bo-peep, Little Miss Mufifet, Dafifydown-
dilly, the Queen of Hearts, Mistress Mary, Pretty Maids,
Simple Simon, Spider, Little Boy Blue, Tom the Piper's
Son, the Knave of Hearts, Old King Cole, Fiddlers.
138 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PAETIES
Little Bo-peep, with shepherdess's hat and crook,
looks as if she might have stepped out from between
the covers of '^ Mother Goose." Her hat is trimmed
with a wreath of pink paper flowers, and a pink
crepe-paper bow at the back. The crook is made
of stiff wire covered first with cotton wadding and
then neatly wound with white crepe paper. The
top is bent in crook shape and is finished with a
pink crepe-paper bow with long ends.
Little Miss Muffet has a large mob-cap made of
white crepe paper with a bow of light blue in front.
She may also have a huge wooden spoon and a bowl.
Daffydowndilly's hat is made, in the shape of a large
daffodil, of yellow crepe paper. A strip of the crepe
paper eight inches wide and thirty -two
inches long is stretched at the top and
gathered together loosely at the bottom
to form the center of the flower. Six
petals, ten inches long, and the shape
shown in the picture, are wired through
the center with flat hat- wire. These
petals are arranged around the center,
extending about an inch and a half below it to form a
little crown that will fit on to the head. The in-
side is stiffened with a strij) of water-color paj^er.
PEOPERTIES 141
The Queen of Hearts wears a crown of water-
color paper an inch and a half wide and long enough
to fit a little girl's head. Three hearts of glazed red
paper are fastened in front, and the band is gilded.
Mistress Mary is provided with a watering-pot and
wears a garden -hat.
Her Pretty Maids may wear either wreaths of
artificial garden flowers or large flower hats made of
crepe paper.
Simple Simon, with a fishing-rod and a wooden pail,
may amuse himself and the rest of the characters
angling for a whale.
The Spider, a large and frightensome one, found
in a Japanese shop, is fastened to an elastic band and
slipped on to the head of a roguish boy who will
^' frighten Miss Muffet away " at every opportunity.
Little Boy Blue has a pointed cap of blue tissue
paper and a long horn.
Tom the Piper's Son receives a papier-mache pig
for his property.
The Knave of Heart's head-dress may be copied
from a playing-card on water-color paper.
Old King Cole has his pipe and bowl, and each
of the Fiddlers Three, who stay close by him during
the games, carries a toy fiddle.
142 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
FAIRY CHARACTER PARTY
Characters : Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Proud Sisters,
Little Red Riding-hood, Fairies, Fairy Queen, Fairy
Prince, Jack the Giant-killer, Dick Wellington, Brownies.
A peep into a prettily illustrated book of old-
fashioned fairy-tales will be the best guide to char-
acters and costumes for this party. Cinderella may
have a small mob-cap with a bow in front, a dust-
pan and brusli hanging at her side. The Fairy God-
mother, in peaked cap of red crepe pai^er and cloak
of the same, is also j)rovided with a gilded wand.
Cinderella's Proud Sisters may have white feathers
in their hair, one with a blue rosette of crepe paper
and one with a pink.
Little Red Riding-hood will look very charming in
a red cloak which is easily made fi'om i^ed flannel or
crepe paper. She should also have a small covered
basket.
The Fairies' wings are made of white tarlatan cut
the shape of butterflies' wings, wired around the edge,
and spangled with gold paint. The Fairy Queen
may, besides her wings, receive a gold crown and
wand. The Fairy Prince also has a crown, wand, and
PROPERTIES 143
Jack the Giant-killer should have a white canvas
belt to which is attached a toy sword. ''This is
Jack the Giant-killer" is painted in gold letters
around the belt.
Dick Welliugtouj in red cap and feather, must not
be parted from his cat, a large stuffed cotton one.
The Brownies' caps are of tissue paper made
pointed. They are, of course, brown in color, and a
green band at the bottom gives a look of the woods.
These little boys must live uj) to their characters,
playing tricks whenever they see an opportunity.
CHAPTER Til
ill?"
-.^^
GIFTS AND FAVORS
CHAPTEK yil
GIFTS a:nd favors
DECEMBER— CHRISTMAS PARTY
SNOWBALLS for the Holly Wreath game are
very simple to make. A piece of cotton batting
the size and shape of a real snowball is covered with
a strip of white crepe
paper nine inches long
and five inches wide.
The narrow edges are
pasted together and it is
then gathered at the top
and bottom. The crepe
paper is stretched in the middle to fit around the
ball of cotton. Gum-arabic water is spread over
it with a soft brush and the ball is rolled in snow-
powder.
147
148 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PAETIES
Reindeer Boxes for bonbons are small oval paste-
board boxes covered on the top with white crepe
paper which has a layer of cotton wadding under-
neath to make it look like a soft snow-bank. Rope
made of crepe -paper strijos, an inch and a half wide,
is pasted around the sides and a small papier-mache
reindeer is sewed on top of the box. The crepe
paper is then treated with gum-arabic water and
snow-powder, like the snowballs.
The Large Gift Snowball has for a foundation a
wire frame eighteen inches in diameter, with a round
opening at the lop large enough to allow the gifts to
slip in. It should also have a wire handle by which
to hang it. This frame will have to be made, and
may be ordered through a florist. It is first cov-
ered with a thin sheet of cotton wadding and then
with white crepe pajjcr like the small snowballs.
The gifts are wrapped in white tissue paper, with
ribbons half an inch wide and a yard long attached
to each package, red ribbons for the boys and white
for the girls. The gifts are put into the round open-
ing at the top and the ribbons drawn through slits
in the sides of the snowball, care being taken not to
have them interfere with the wire ribs. A round
cover made of cardboard slightly wadded and cov-
GIFTS AND FAVORS 149
ered with white ciepe paper is put over the opening
at the top. The wire hanger is wound with a nar-
row strip of the crepe paper, and tlien the snowball
is ready for gum-arabic water and snow-powder.
Glass icicles hung here and there add the last touch
of realism, and wreaths of artificial holly and mistle-
toe wound around it give a festive look.
JANUARY — TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY
Twelfth-night cards are made of white water-color
paper and on each is painted one of the characters
of a royal court : a king, queen, jester, page, knave,
and herald. Cards for the remaining children have
lords and ladies upon them.
Air Balls of rice paper may be bought at a Japa-
nese shop, or it is possible to make light paper balls
as follows : Three circles of colored paper measuring
three inches in diameter are cut. Across each of
these is drawn a line dividing it exactly in two.
Then another line, crossing the first at right angles
and dividing the circle into quarters. In one of
these circles, which we will call No. 1, four slits are
cut, starting at the edge, for half an inch in toward
the center along the ruled lines. In the next circle,
No. 2, two slits are cut for half an inch in toward
150 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
the center, starting at the edge, at the two ends of a
ruled line, and a long cut is made on the line at right
angles with it, beginning half an inch in from the
edge and ending half an inch from the opposite edge.
!N"o. 3 has two long cuts, bisecting each other, through
the center of the circle and ending at half an inch
from the edge of the circle at the end of each line.
Taking No. 1 in the left hand, slip the long middle
slit in No. 2 over it and the small slits on each side
of No. 1 will hold it securely. The cross-cuts in No.
3 allow it to slip over the other two and catch in the
short slits on the edge of each. This makes a light
ball which is easily blown about.
Net Stockings for bonbons are cut the size of babies'
socks. The two sides are buttonholed together with
bright-colored worsted, and a cord to match draws it
up like a bag at the top.
Star-shaped Jack Horner Pie : A star-shaped frame
will have to be ordered from a carpenter. The size
will be determined by the size of the table on which
it is to be used. The foundation of the pie is a large
ten-quart milk-pan, covered first with white tissue
and then with silver paper. The gifts are wrapped
in white tissue paper and tied with silver cord a
yard long with a small silver star at the end. They
GIFTS AND FAVORS 151
are packed into the pan, care being taken not to
liave them come above the top. Cover with white
tissne paper, draw the cords through small slits, and
paste the i^aper around the edge. Make small cor-
responding slits in the large silver star and draw the
cords through. Paste the rim of the pie to the under
side of the star.
FEBRUARY — ST. VALENTINE'S PARTY
Favors for St. Valentine's Post : Tiny enveloi^s one by
two and a half inches have a shiny red heart in each.
In the stamx) corner is a tally-heart, and the envelop
is addressed in gold ink ^' To my Valentine."
Gift Tarts : Small shallow white saucers are used
by the Queen of Hearts in making her world-re-
nowned tarts. She wraps tiny gifts appropriate to
the season in tissue paper and places one in each
saucer. Then, with a red tissue-paper covering
(cranberry-color) pasted neatly to the edge of the
saucer, and strips of brown paper touched with
darker brown water-color to look like pastry, and
a strip of the pastry paper around the edge, the
tarts are complete.
Endless Chain of Hearts : A brass chain long enough
to extend around the table can be purchased at a
152 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
liardware-store ; also tiny brass padlocks and keys.
Hearts cut out of red crepe paper six inches across
the widest part, aud of white tissue paper a trifle
smaller, are used in covering the favors. A favor
wrapped in tissue paper is first covered with two of
the tissue-paper sides pasted together at the edges.
They are then laid between the crepe-paper tops,
which are laced together with gold cord. A bow is
made at the top with full loops of the cord. By one
of these loops the heart is padlocked to the chain,
and one is arranged to come in front of each girl and
boy. The tiny keys are wrapped in silver-foil, and
one is baked in each of the heart-shaped cakes.
Great is the excitement when they are discovered
and the favor hearts are unlocked from the chain.
If a Heart-shaped Jack Horner Pie is used for the
favors, the chain hearts may be bonbon-l)oxes tied
up with the cord and the same idea of the padlocks
carried out. The pie is made in the same way as
the Twelfth-night star, a heart-shaped frame being
used instead of the star top.
MARCH — ALICE IN WONDERLAND
The Rose bush for Alice in Wonderland is very
realistic, and the gift-filled roses a delightful sur-
GIFTS AND FAVORS 153
prise. A small roiiucl box lias a stiff wire stem bent
and sewed securely to the bottom. Rose-petals,
red or white, cut and curled, are then slipped
on to the stem and pasted so as to cover the box.
Next the calyx of green tissue paper is made and
the stem twisted with a strij) of the same, rose-leaves
being twisted in with it. The top of the box has
two of the same petals pasted on it and five or six
smaller crushed ones for the center. The box is
lined with fringed white paper, a tiny trinket hid-
den within it, and the cover put on, making a
perfect rose. The stand for
the roses has for its founda-
tion a small dish-pan the shape
of a flower-pot. The two han-
dles are removed and a tin fun-
nel turned upside down is
wired to the bottom of the
tin through punched holes.
The bottom of the tin is cov-
ered with white tissue and Ijl green crepe paper, and
a gathered frill of the I green is pasted around
the outside. A flag-stick II three feet high is placed
in the funnel and wired I to make it quite secure.
The pan is then filled // with artificial moss. The
154 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PAETIES
stick is twisted with green tissue paper, and loops of
soft green-covered wire are arranged as in the picture.
These loops hold the roses, and
the gift surprise is ready for the
Gardeners, who distribute the
flowers, white to the girls and
red to the boys.
FAIRY CHARACTER PARTY
Fairy Eose-tree : These roses
are made a little differently from
those described for the Alice in
Wonderland Party. Instead
of using a box the stem is fas-
tened to a piece of oval card-
board about two and a half inches
long. Five of the small crushed petals are pasted on
the outside and six of the large curled ones on the
under side. The stem is finished as already de-
scribed. A pretty bisque doll's face with two holes
at the top, under the hair, is fastened into the center,
and the roses are placed in the wire loops, as in the
other rose-bush.
Wrap as many gifts as there are children in green
tissue paper, with green ribbons a yard long for the
CHK18TMAS Snow-ball
Little Bo-Peep Surprise Fairy Rose-bush
GIFTS AND FAVORS 157
boys. Whatever color is chosen for the roses,— red,
pink, yellow, or white,— the girls' ribbons are the
same. The gifts are packed in the pan. After the
children have drawn their favors, each receives one
of the fairy roses.
MOTHER GOOSE CHARACTER PARTY
Little Bo-peep Snrprise : A pan is covered and
lined like a Jack Horner Pie, and filled with ribbon-
tied gifts as already described, white for the girls
and green for the boys. The covering is of pretty
ivy-green crejDc paper^ and it is finished with a large
double frill. White woolly sheep glued on to card-
board stands, one and a half by two and a half
inches, covered with green crepe paper, are glued
where the ribbons come through the top of the pie.
A doll dressed as Little Bo-pee j) stands in the center,
crook in hand. One little girl, instead of drawing a
gift, finds on the end of her ribbon a card which
reads : ^'This little girl is entitled to Bo-peep."
MAY-MAY PARTY
Individual May Baskets : These little baskets are
woven of raffia or rattan in the conventional May
basket shape (see Chapter II). If rattan is used,
158 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
it is pretty to gild each basket and tie a fluffy bow
of gauze ribbon at the top of the handle.
Gift Basket : A large round rattan basket is placed
in the center of the table. The basket is much
prettier if gilded. A bow of broad pink satin rib-
bon is tied to the handle and the basket filled with
sprays of apple-blossoms, real or artificial. A gift is
tied to the end of each stem, and satin ribbons half
an inch wide extend to each place, pink for the girls
and green for the boys.
JUNE — ROSE PARTY
Butterfly Favors : The wings of paper butterflies
are made over a frame of white cardboard.
From top to point each wing measures eleven
and a half inches. The frame is covered with
white tissue paper and then with crei)e paper
gathered at the inner side,
stretched, and pasted to the
edges. White, yellow, and green
are the prettiest colors to use.
A wire stiff enough to support
the butterfly is attached to the center,
where the two wings are joined by sew-
ing with strong white linen thread.
GIFTS AND FAVORS
159
The body is then pasted to cover the joining. Two
black-headed pins are stuck in for eyes, a piece of
flexible green-
covered wire
attached for
antennae, and
the butterfly is
ready for its
markings of
black, gold,
and delicate
shades.
A Rose Horn
for a Hide-and-
go-seek favor
is made in the
following way :
A short tin horn is used for the foundation. Three
small crushed rose-petals are pasted inside the flared
end. A pencil is pushed through the paper to let
the sound out, and six of the larger curled petals are
pasted on the outside of the flared end. The horn is
then wound like a stem with green tissue paper and
leaves.
Rose Bonbon -box : This box is made in the same
160 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES
way as those that grow on the Alice in Wonderland
rose-bush, except that a bisque doll's face is fastened
in the center
(see descrip-
tion of Fairy
Rose - bush on
p. 152.)
Rose Gift
Ball : This ball
has a wire
foundation
like the large
^•^JL "^^H^^^^^^P^ snowball (see p.
^C<^^K^^^Kji^'^ 148), and is
made in the
same way, ex-
cept that pink tissue paper is used for the first cov-
ering and it is then covered with rose petals. The
handle is covered with green tissue paper and leaves,
and the ribbons attached to the gifts are pink for the
girls and green for the boys.
JULY — FOURTH OF JULY PARTY
Cartridge Belt and Bag : A strip of khaki twenty -
four inches long and four inches wide is folded
GIFTS AND FAVORS 161
and stitched for the belt. It may be fastened with
two ball-and-socket fasteners. A sqnare bag of the
khaki, five by seven inches, is then attached to the
right side of the belt. It may or may not have an
envelop-shaped flap at the top.
Bonbon-boxes like large fii-e-crackers may be
bought at the confectioner's. Stand as many as there
are children upright on a tray, and tie around with
red, white, and blue satin ribbon two and a half
inches wide.
A Jack Horner Pie made of white crepe paper,
with decorations of poppies, daisies, and cornflowers,
and red, white, and blue ribbons for pulling the
favors, is pretty and appropriate. The gifts should
be wrapped in paper napkins that have American
flags in the corners. Patriotic gifts such as toy
cannons, red, white, and blue horns, and cap -pistols
may be selected.
OCTOBER — HALLOWE'EN FROLIC
A Witch is made by dressing a small doll in peaked
cap, black skirt, and red cloak. She is wired astride
a small bunch of fagots.
A Ghost : A Japanese skeleton swathed in white
chiffon makes an ideal ghost.
162 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES
Jack-o'-lantern Surprise : Select a large round
pumpkin, and carefully remove the top, keeping it
whole for " Jack's " liat. Next hollow out all of the
inside possible, and cut triangular eyes, nose, and
mouth. The favors will suggest the future lot of the
boy or girl who receives them : a ring for the one
who will be the first married, a horseshoe for good
luck, a thimble for an old maid, etc. These favors
are wrapped in yellow tissue paper, tied with long
strands of raf&a, and packed in the pumpkin. The
rafSa is used instead of ribbons for pulling the gifts,
and gives the effect of hair.
NOVEMBER - FAMILY PARTY
Gift Pumpkin : A wire frame— fifteen inches in
diameter, with a round opening at the toj) seven and
a half inches in diameter, and like the frame for
the large snowball except that it is not quite so high—
is ordered from the florist. This is covered with
white tissue paper and an outer covering of yellow
crepe paper. A top of cardboard, slightly wadded
and covered with the yellow paper, has a wire stem
first wound with cotton wadding and then with
green tissue paper. The pumpkin -vine is made of
soft green-covered wire twisted with the green tissue
GIFTS AND FAVOES 163
paper, and has large irregular pumpkin-leaves cut
from the same and wired through the center. Real-
istic little tendrils are made from the green wire,
covered and twisted into the proper shape. The
vine is attached to the stem of the pumj^kin and
twisted gracefully around it. The pumpkin is now
ready for the gifts, which are wrapped in yellow
paper and tied with ribbons a yard long, yellow for
the girls and green for the boys. On the end of
each ribbon is fastened a papier-mache turkey with
spreading tail.
Bonbon-boxes in fruit shapes may be bought at a
confectioner's.
CHAPTER YIII
Ch^is1^^^^s |f| W /
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Cream of chicken soup
Finger-roll sandwiches, buttered
||J Individual ices in Santa Claus form
Lady-fingers Macaroons
Rock candy in reindeer boxes
^^
^^
SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE MENUS
CHAPTER yill
SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE MENUS
JANUARY — TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY
Consomm§
Chicken croquettes and green peas
Lettuce sandwiches
Ices served in star-shaped ice-cups
Individual cakes, star-shaped (a ring baked in one)
Bonbons in net stockings
FEBRUARY-ST. VALENTINE'S PARTY
Valentine place-cards
Cream of celery soup Heart beets
Chicken patties, heart-shaped
Sandwiches in heart-shape
Heart-shaped ices, individual
Fancy cakes, heart-shaped
Favor tarts or chain of hearts i
1 See Chapter VII.
167
168 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
MARCH- ALICE IN WONDERLAND PARTY
The Mad Tea-party
Cambric tea Bread and butter
{Each child moves one seat to the right)
Creamed chicken Lettuce sandwiches
( The children again move)
Ices served in playing-card boxes
Fancy cakes Bonbons
Fairy Character Party
Chocolate Bread-and-butter sandwiches
Creamed chicken
Individual Brownie ices
Fancy cakes Bonbons
Rose-bush surprisei
Mother Goose Character Party
Bouillon Sandwiches
Creamed chicken
"Strawberries, sugar, and cream"
Sponge cake Bonbons
Little Bo-peep surprise 2
1 See Chapter VH. 2 ibid
SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE MENUS 171
APRIL -EASTER PARTY
Consommg
Chicken salad Finger-rolls
Sandwiches
Egg-shaped ices in nest of spun sugar
Cakes Bonbons
¥
MAY-MAY PARTY
Chicken Consomm6
Lettuce sandwiches Buttered finger-rolls
Flower ices Lady-fingers
Gift basket i
1 See Chapter VII.
172 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
JUNE -ROSE PARTY
Bouillon Wafers
Chicken salad Lettuce sandwiches
Strawberry ice-cream in rose cups
Fancy cakes
JULY-FOURTH OF JULY PARTY
Chocolate Bread-and-butter sandwiches
Vanilla ice-cream in red, white, and blue ice-cups
Sponge cake
Bonbons in fire-crackers
Jack Horner piei
1 See Chapter VII.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE MENUS 173
AUGUST — BEACH PARTY
Milk Sandwiches
Cold chicken Stuffed eggs
Individual squares of ice-cream
Cake Bonbons
SEPTEMBER — IN THE MOUNTAINS
I. Supper at Inn
Bouillon Wafers
Chicken patties Hot biscuits and honey
Ices Cakes
II. Picnic Supper
Tongue sandwiches Nut sandwiches
Cold chicken Hard-boiled eggs
Chocolate layer cake
Pop-corn Fruit
174 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES
OCTOBER-HALLOWE'EN FROLIC
Consomme
Chicken sandwiches
Baked apples, jellied Whipped cream
Doughnuts Gingerbread animals
Nuts Fruit
Jack-o'-lantern surprise i
NOVEMBER — FAMILY PARTY
Bouillon Bread-and-butter sandwiches
Creamed chicken
Ices Cakes
Bonbons in fruit-boxes
Thanksgiving pumpkin 2
1 See Chapter VII. 2 See Chapter VII.
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