Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium

by Jessie H. Bancroft

10 to 60 players.

Playground; seashore; gymnasium; schoolroom.

Bean bags; stones; shells.

Three concentric circles should be drawn on the ground or floor, after the idea of a target. Their size will depend somewhat on the skill of the players, but for the youngest players the inner circle should be not more than two feet in diameter and the outer circle six feet in diameter. For those more skilled, smaller circles may be used. From ten to thirty feet from the outer rim of the largest circle a straight line is drawn on the ground, to serve as a throwing line. Where there is a small number of players, all may use one target. Where there is a large number, several targets should be drawn and the players divided into as many groups. Each group has three bean bags, or if out of doors, small blocks of wood, stones, or shells may be used. Each player throws in turn, throwing each of the three bags or other objects at each turn. The thrower stands with his toe on the throwing line and tosses a bag toward the target. If the bag stops within the center circle, it scores fifteen points; if between the center circle and the next larger one, it scores ten points; and if between the middle circle and the largest or outer one, it scores five points. For very little children a bag that lands on a line may score for the larger circle which it touches. For more expert players, a bag landing on a line does not score at all. The player wins who has the highest score in five rounds of the game.

TEACHER AND CLASS

5 to 60 players.

Playground; gymnasium; class room.

Bean bags; balls.

This game may be played with either bean bags or balls, and is one of the simplest and earliest tossing games, being generally used when pupils are first acquiring skill in handling a ball. With very rapid play and greater distance between the "teacher" and the "class," it may become very interesting, however, for older players.

One player is chosen for the "teacher." The others stand in a line side by side, facing her, at an interval of from five to twenty feet. Where there are many players, there should be several groups of this kind, with a distinct interval between groups to avoid mistakes or confusion. It is desirable to have from six to ten players for each "teacher."