
May C. Hofmann - Foreword
Part I. - Games for Children.
ANIMAL SHOW.
CHASE THE RABBIT.
SOAP-BUBBLE CONTEST.
ROSE GUESS.
NEW BLIND MAN'S BUFF.
FINDING FLOWERS.
BEAN-BAG CONTEST.
BLOWING THE FEATHERS.
A friendly guide to lively, low‑effort entertainment, this collection offers dozens of games that turn any house‑bound gathering into a memorable party. Whether you’re hosting a church social, a family weekend, or an impromptu friends‑night, the instructions rely on everyday items—fruit, toothpicks, a rope, or a simple bowl of soap—so you can start playing almost immediately. The games are written to be flexible, letting adults join children’s rounds and vice‑versa, and can be tweaked to suit the size of the group or the theme of the event.
Inside you’ll find classics like a “Blind Man’s Buff” remake, plus inventive twists such as building animal sculptures from vegetables or racing to out‑smart a “rabbit” in a fast‑paced chase. Each activity includes clear steps, timing tips, and ideas for scoring or prizes, ensuring everyone stays engaged from the first round onward. With this handy handbook, even the most modest host can create a cheerful atmosphere without hours of preparation.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (155K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Kevin Handy, Dave Maddock, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2005-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
b. 1884
Best known for an early-1900s collection of party and social games, this little-known American writer left behind a practical snapshot of how people entertained themselves at home. Her work has stayed in circulation largely through library and public-domain archives.
View all books
by Herodotus

by Maria Edgeworth

by Ernest Thompson Seton

by James Otis

by John Bennett

by I. T. (Ida Treadwell) Thurston

by Arthur W. (Arthur Wesley) Dow

by Louisa May Alcott