Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14
CH|LDREN'S PARTIES
How to Entertain a Roomful
Of Youngsters.
SERVING GOOD THINGS
NOVELTY IS NEEDED AT THIS I'M
PoRTANT POINT.
Youthful Appetites Are faded Same as
Those of Their Elders-Plays
and Games.
Written for The Evening Star.


How often one hears a mother say: II
have offered my children almost anything
If they would give up the idea of having a
party" In some cases the mothers objec-
ton may arise from her own lazness or in
difference as to the children's enjoyment.
but oftener from her inability to make a
party of this kind successful.
1t is not a difficult matter to make chill
dren have jolly good time at party II
you go about it in the right way. Many
persons ina CINE all that is necessary in
this direction is to invite a certain number
Of children who are likely to be congenial,
provide dainty supper, and when some
one to play for them is secured they think
the success of the whole affair is assured.
This hit or miss method Is a very danger
Gus one. as you never can tell how your
small guests are going to act. 1 have seen
children who have played together for years
in the happiest kind of fashion behave like
peIfect STICKS at party. hang around in
listless manner, look at each other aim
lessly, and, in fact, act if they had
never seen each other before in their lives
Children are not sufficient unto themselves
at these functions. They require some one
to suggest and lead and make the thing
go. When this is done they are only too
ready to follow, and are the merry little
creatures OF their own games in the street
or play room.
Large and smart children's parties are of
course outside the question of practical de-
tails. as the important item of expense does
not AFFECT tb2ir arrangements. 1t is simply
a matter OF ordering things and engaging
the services Of an "entertainer'' who sees
that everything is bright and gay A num-
Der OF attractive women have lately gone
into the entertaining of children as a bust
ness. and their services are very much
sought after.
The Conventional Way.
If Juvenile ball is given-and the up-to-
date young ladies and gentlemen who are
nothing save reflection of their elders
demand these elaborate functions now-the
pail room is decorated as for an ordinary
grown-up persons ball. There are music
and flowers and a ball supper il served.
The cotllon favors are costly and dainty.
and everything is most conventional and
unchlIdllke. The parties we are writing
about are of the old-fashioned variety,
where children are not dressed up puppets,
but healthy, pleasure loving normal de.
'Velopments But the average affair even
OF this description is not given without
effort for 1t is an effort to convert a pretty
drawing room into chidren's play room
and to crowd number of little ones into a
small dining room. 1t is hardly necessary
to say that as. much space as possible
should be gained in a room by moving all
movable things and putting out of danger
apt to become boisterous. If ca rpets are on
the floor, they should be covered with
crash
When dozen or so children are to be
asked, little notes written by some mem
Der OF the family are sufficiently formal
For larger affairs regular 'at home" cards
should be used, with Juvenile Party
printed in one corner
perplexing question to most hostesses
is that they have so many different sets
to entertain that it is not easy to give
party for those of one age only Most
children have brothers and sisters who can
not be left out of the invitation. Conse-
quently the guests often include big boys
from school, girls in their teens and tiny
mites from the nursery.
Leader Needed.
The best way to dispose Of this motley
crew is to detail one person to lead each
group. The tiny tots, when possible, should
have room to themselves, and if a kinder
gartner is procurable her services are in
valuable In playing the pretty Froebel
games with the little ones Dancing for the
older girls and boys is the favorite amuse-
ment. After general dancing. pretty ger
man figures, such as the scarf and mirror
dances. are always enjoyed To be sure.
they are not new; still the VERY fact of
their age 1nsures success as everybody is
certain to know them. CotilIon figures
founded on fairy tales and nursery rhymes
can be made attractive, and it is a good
idea to make them appropriate to the sea-
son. In the summer Maypole dance is an
excellent scheme.
An important point to remember is TO
start the ball rolling as soon as few
of the guests have arrived with some sim
pie game-for instance, hunt the slipper,
and as the others come in they will ioin.
and the holiday spirit is caught before they
know 1t. The success of the party de-
ponds upon just how these first few min
utes are handled
Keep Them Moving.
1t is well when planning the games to
have first sit-down one and then a more
active one, and always keep in mind that
children like to be doing things They
don't want to sit still at a party and be
told stories. Geological blind mans buff
Is an excellent stand-up game. Blind one
OF the company and set him III the center
of the room. with wand or feather in his
hand. All the other players must form a
ring around. Initiating the noise of any
animal he chooses. the blindfolded person
touches one of the members Of the ring.
He, in his turn, must initiate the sound to
the best of his ability, and il the blind
folded person can decide who he is he is
the game proceeds. This Is a new form
of blind mans buff and is most anus
ing.
A rainbow drill with caps and scarfs and
a sleigh ride jingle are all games played
to the accompaniment of music and are
entered into with zest by the players. Hunt
the whistle and stagecoach are good games
with which to vary the program.
When the party is In full swing, It is a
clever idea to introduce tissue paper
play. The accessories needed have to be
beforehand. A popular story is
the best to act, such as Sleeping Beauty"
When this is well told, the children soon
catch the idea and carry 1t out beautifully.
One or two young men who are good ma
fyyra6 enough n tho a of
great assistance at these parties and
should be pressed into service when possi-