Alma record., 1913-12-18
CHRISTMAS GAMES
FOR The CHILDREN
Many Forms of Merrymaking for
the Little Folks Holiday
Party.
BY ADELE MENDLE.

q T Christmas time the children
a are bubbling over with the spirit
Of the season and the grown
folks thoughts turn to the little ones
fun and amusement at no time more
than at the happy Yule Tide.
With a little thought and prepara-
tion a childrens Christmas party
may be made such joyous affair that
its happy memories will linger with
the young folks for many years.
Here are some entertaining games
that will solve problem for the per
picked mother who perhaps is wonder
ing What shall l have the children
play at the party?" For when she
sends her Come to my Christmas
party" invitations, she knows that a
successful children's party means
something more than just ice cream
and cake"
These games will appeal to all the
children-the timid little girl, who is
inclined to shrink in the corner, as
we'll as the big boy, who usually oc-
cupies "the center of the stage"
odnta CIduS' heinS.
This game is very exciting. Three
pieces of white tape, each about an
inch wide, and the length Of the room,
are held at one end by three children.
Three others are given pairs Of scis-
sors and at a signal the players cut
the tape in half lengthwise. The one
who first reaches the opposite end Of
the tape is the winner of that heat.
The different winners contest until
the champion is declared. Boys and
girls, you know, love racing compet-
tions of all kinds and this race is one
that probably they never played be-
fore.
Magic Music.
Although this is a game that per
haps the mothers and fathers played
when they went to kindergarten, It
still causes much laughter and is al
ways successful.
One child leaves the room and the
others decide upon something for him
to do on his return. The musician
regulates his playing, and the child
must guide his actions according to
the loudness or softness of the music
It is astonishing what different tasks
are accomplished after a little prac-
tice, and the children's cries of '1et
me go out next" prove their enjoy
ment Of Magic Music"
Guessing Holly Berries.
For this game the child must put
on his thinking cap" Hold a large
spray of holly in your hand and al
low the children to look at it for a
few minutes. Then tell them to write
their estimate of the number Of
holly berries on the branch You
might take a chrysanthemum also
and ask them to guess how many
petals in the flower. Great interest is
shown when the petals are counted.
A Christmas Doll.
The idea Of this game is to see who
can make the prettiest doll out Of
long smooth potato, two pieces of
pretty colored tissue paper, some
small sticks for legs and arms, and
some pins. Or if you would rather
pass clothes pins and let the children
fashion dolls out of them, that will
also answer the purpose.
Place all the dolls in a row when
completed, and have the children vote
for their favorite one. You will be
surprised to see what ingenious re-
suits the clever little fingers produce.
A Noisy Game.
Yes, 1t is noisy, but the children
have an idea that ''the more noise,
the more fun" and what mother cares
II "the roor comes down" at Christ
mas partyf ,,rEs
p After child leaves the room, a
proverb Is chosen. One word of 1t
is given to each child. II there are
more children than words contained
in the proverb, then two or more chill
dren are given the same word. When
the child outside the room returns, a
leader counts 'One, two. three" At |;
the Three" all the children shout
their given word. The child must
guess the proyerb,
'F Santa Claus Grab Bag.
On the invitation state that each
child is to bring something to the
party that he or she no longer cares
for. This article Is to be In a neatly
wrapped and tied parcel, so as to hide
its identity. It is placed In a large
bag, on the child's arrival Each child
then draws a present from the bag
Uproars Of laughter follow the open
ing Of the packages, which probably
will consist of peculiar articles Of all
sizes and descriptions.
A Christmas MIx-Up.
Provide the children with paper
and pencil. Give them the following
list of words pertaining to Christmas.
You see the letters are all twisted.
1t is their interesting task to straight
en- them out
Key and list:
1. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
2. Reindeer-Drierene.
3. Sleigh-Ileghs.
4. Mistletoe-Etlosmtie.
8. Holly-Oylhl.
6. Plum Pudding-Uplmdpud