HOLIDAY GAMES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 102, 24 January 1933, Page 5

HOLIDAY GAMES

Entertaining the Young

FUN ON THE BEACH

"What shall we do now?” is a question often heard on tbe lips of young holiday-makers. Static enjoyment does not appeal to the early ’teens; they want holidays packed as full of play as their school hours' a.re of work. If the elders of the family are wise they will not go a-holidaying without a list which.will enable them to say casually, ‘’Well, why not try a game of mock tennis—or what about a swimming relav race?” , An inviting stretch of sand has endless game possibilities. Walkingstick hockey is a game that always goes down well with energetic youngsters. It is played with not too much regard to the rules of hockey, and. the weapon employed by each player is a common or garden crooked walkingstick. Tn the Mater.

Another good seaside game is the swimming relay race. The bathers pick equal sides and at tbe word Go, one of each side leads up from the crowd lounging in front of the tear, races down to the sea, dives in and swims out to the raft; the raft must actually be touched, and then comes tiie swim back and the sprint up the ■beach to the tent. Immediately one of the racers arrives back, the next of his side can start the second lap, and so on till the whole of each side has had a turn and one of the teams is declared victor. . Some games which people think on.y suited to indoor parties can prove good fun on the sands. For instance there is “Winnipeg,” in which the players—not too many of them —kneel upright in as small a circle as possible; one person stands in the middle aud, making himself absolutely rigid, falls backwards —or forwards —to be caught by one of the kneelers and pushed across to the other side of the circle. If the “Winnipeg” keeps himself perfectly stiff, his feet stay firmly planted in one spot, but his body bounces backwards and forwards across the circle, for all the world like a “come-back” doll on a leaden base. Sooner or later, however, laughter will be the undoing of one of the kneeling circle, too weak to throw the “Winnipeg” back across the circle, the kneeler will let him slip to the ground, and so, in turn, must become “Winnipeg.”

“Cusliion-daiice.”

Another “indoor” game that goes well on the sands is the “Cushion-dance.” Set a beach-cushion up on end and take hands in a circle round it. The circle. which, is divided into opposing sides, moves round and round, tbe cushion while each side tries to make cue of tbe other side swing forward and knock against the cushion; every plaver who bumps into the cushion has to go out. The final struggle, when only two of the players are left in, is a big laughter-maker. After these breath-taking pursuits a quiet game of Giaut Noughts and Crosses might be appreciated; the squares are drawn on the sand with a spade or walking-stick, and the noughts and crosses made with the same tool. Or a small darts board, hung on the outside wall of your hut, will give the family much quiet amusementGarden Thrills. For a country holiday, where a garden with a tennis-court is available. Mock or Team Tennis is amusing. As many people as have rackets can play at once; simply divide into two sides, decide what number of points shall make a game—nine or thirteen will do —arrange your teams on opposite sides of the net, and go to it. Which ever side fails to return the ball loses a point—and mole shame to them for letting it slip between their team of rackets.

For evening play in the garden don't forget “Murders” —it is much more thrilling out-of-doors than in the house —and also the old favourite “Sardines.” But both of these should be played iu your oldest clothes.