CARDBOARD OR BRISTOL BOARD
Go-Bang Board (Bristol board, ruler, ink, pen, button-molds, water-color paints or colored inks)
Get a piece of bristol board or clean cardboard at stationer's and cut it 18 inches square. Divide by straight lines into small squares ¾ inches each way.
To draw the straight lines in ink turn the ruler upside down and run the penholder against the edge, which is a little raised from the paper. This keeps the ink from blotting.
Four is the smallest number that can play with much success, and each should have about a dozen counters. These can be made of the smallest sized button-molds, each set of 12 painted a different color, or distinguished by a ring of a particular color drawn upon its upper surface with ink or paint. Small flat buttons may also be used.
To win the game each player must succeed in getting a certain number of counters (number previously agreed upon), say four, five or six, in a straight row, either horizontally, vertically or obliquely. If he gets three in a row, then the next player should stop this opponent's progress at one end of the line by putting one of his own men there, and must depend upon his neighbor to close the other end of the line. One player must not give warning to another of the prospective success of a third. Each must keep a lookout on his own account.
Checker-Board (Bristol board or any stiff, smooth cardboard, smooth, glazed paper of two colors, red and black, paste, scissors, ruler)
Cut from the cardboard a square of 15 inches. Draw a line parallel to each side one inch from the edge for a border. From each colored sheet of paper cut 32 squares of 1¾ inches each. Paste eight of these in a row, alternating colors, and arranging so that they just touch the top border line. Make eight such rows, one beneath the other, and finally giving 64 squares.
For checkers, button-molds of small size may be used. Twelve will be needed of one color and twelve of another. Paint these with water-colors. Flat porcelain buttons may also be used.
Toy Screen (Tinted cardboard, punch, worsted or ribbon, 4 small pictures)
Cut four pieces of pale blue Bristol board 3 × 4 inches. Punch two holes in the two long sides of two of these, and in one side of each of the remaining ones. Tie the four panels together with the ribbon or worsted so as to make a tiny screen, first pasting on each panel a miniature picture of a Madonna and Child or some other similar subject. Suitable for child to give as Christmas gift. Must be done neatly.
Fan (Bristol board, pencil, worsted, two slats, scrap picture)
Cut two pieces of tinted Bristol board into ovals, 6¾ × 8 inches. Make a series of pencil dots ¼ inch from edge of oval and one inch apart. Through these, holding the ovals together, punch holes. Sew together with worsted, using the overhand stitch. Having gone around once, if cross-stitch effect is desired, go around again the other way, going thus through each hole a second time. For handles take two long slats and glue on to each side of the fan from the centre down to the point of the oval, and beyond. Paste a pretty scrap picture over the centre to finish off. Tie the worsted around the ends of slats in a pretty knot to hold them together. Baby ribbon may be used instead of worsted.
Cardboard Animals (Glue, blocks or spools, picture-books, cardboard, tissue paper)
Find models in picture-books, or get from Butterick Fashion Co. their animal pictures, or same may be had from kindergarten supply stores. Trace outline upon tissue paper, using soft pencil. Turn paper over on cardboard and trace firmly again around the outline. This leaves impression of picture. Cut it out and glue it to block or spool, or attach a cardboard brace to one side to make stand.
Candlesticks (Squares of bright tissue paper, Bristol board, rubber bands)
Cut circle of stiff cardboard 5 inches in diameter. Draw upon it two diameters at right angles to each other. From the centre cut along each of these diameters for a little less than half an inch. Bend up the corners thus made and insert a candle.
Cut pieces of tissue paper 12 inches square; place the circle holding the candle upon the tissue paper, fold the latter around the circle and the candle, and put a rubber band around to hold in place. The appearance is improved if two colors of tissue paper be used. The effect up and down a table of these simple candlesticks is most festive. Colors may be changed to suit special occasions.
Chinese Toy (Three thin pieces of cardboard 2 × 2½ inches in measurement [visiting cards will do], 6 lengths of taffeta binding or baby ribbon, ¼ inch wide × 3 inches long)
The following toy can be made with little expense and very little trouble if directions are followed explicitly. It may be well to have an older child read each statement as the less experienced one tries to follow. A child who enjoys attempting things that are a little difficult will enjoy working this out.
Place the three cards one beneath the other, narrow sides facing each other.
Letter the cards respectively A, B, C.
Chinese Toy.
As they lie on the table, write on upper side of each card "right," and on the under side write "wrong."
Then place each card so that the "right" side is up.
Take card A and on right side at middle of top place figure 1 and at each lower corner place a figure 2.
Do the same with Card B.
Turn B card over and on wrong side of B put figure 3 at each upper corner and figure 4 at middle of lower edge.
Do same with card C on wrong side.
Now we are ready to unite the cards by the ribbons.
Take one strip of ribbon and paste one end on right side of card A at figure 1. Run it beneath the card and bring it out so as to paste the other end on the right side of card B at figure 1.
Take two strips. Paste one end of each at 2 on card A. Run beneath card B and turn up over so as to paste on figure 2 of card B.
A and B are thus loosely united and the toy may be considered finished, but it is more mysterious if made longer, as follows:
Turn over and at each figure 3 on card B paste the ends of two strips of ribbon. (As ribbons already placed are loose this can be readily done.)
Run beneath B and bring up so as to paste the ends on each figure 3 of card C.
Take another strip. Paste the end on 4 of card B. Run ribbon beneath card C and turn up so as to paste on figure 4 of card C.
This completes set of three. Others can be added ad infinitum by ingenious children.
To operate (if the word be not too pretentious a one in this connection) take hold of one of the cards at either end and keep turning it up and down so that first one narrow edge and then the other is uppermost. The remaining cards should fall in a continuous cascade.
The rough sides may be finished by pasting on each a pretty paper lining cut just to fit. (See [illustration].)