Database of Games » Chase and Catch

Poison

gamepac — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:30:01 +0000

A circle is marked on the floor or ground considerably smaller than an outer circle formed by the players clasping hands. Each player tries by pulling or pushing to induce the others to step within the smaller circle but endeavors to keep out of it himself. Any one who touches the ground within the inner circle if only with one foot is said to be poisoned. As soon as this happens the player or players so poisoned become catchers the other players shout “Poisoned ” and at once break the circle and run for safety which consists in standing on wood. The merest chip will answer and growing things are not counted wood. If played in a gymnasium iron may give immunity instead of wood. Any one caught before reaching safety or in changing places afterward joins the catchers and when all have been caught the ring is once more surrounded.

Old Woman From The Wood

gamepac — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:30:01 +0000

The players are divided into two even parties which face each other from a short distance. One party advances toward the other remarking “Here comes an old woman from the wood.” The second party answers “What canst thee do ” whereupon the old woman replies “Do anything ” The second party then says “Work away ” whereupon all the players in the first party proceed to imitate some occupation in which an old woman might engage and which they have previously agreed on among themselves such as sewing sweeping knitting digging a garden chopping wood kneading bread stirring cake washing ironing etc. The opposite party tries to guess from this pantomime the occupation indicated. Should they guess correctly they have a turn to perform in the same way. Should they be unable to guess correctly the first party retires decides on another action and returns. This form of the game is generally played by girls. Boys play the same game with different dialogue under the name of “Trades.”

When played in a playground or gymnasium where there is free space for running a successful guess should be followed by a chase of the actors by the guessing party any players caught before a designated goal line is reached having to join the party of their captors. The party wins which secures all of the players.

Centipede

gamepac — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:30:01 +0000

The players sit in a circle on the floor with their feet stretched out and mingled in a promiscuous pile. One player who is leader and stands outside the circle touches one of the feet (he may mark it slightly with a piece of chalk if desired) and calling on some player by name commands him to tell to whom the foot belongs. When this player has named some one the leader commands the owner of the foot to stand up. If the guess be wrong the leader chases the mistaken player and whips him with a knotted handkerchief. If the guess be right the guesser is released from the game sits down at one side and chooses the next one to be It while the one who was It takes a place in the circle.

This game lends itself especially to the gymnasium or seashore where the dressing of the feet is inclined to be uniform.

The game is played by the modern Greeks.

Cat And Mice

gamepac — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:30:01 +0000

One player is chosen to be cat and hides behind or under the teachers desk. After the cat is hidden the teacher beckons to five or six other players who creep softly up to the desk and when all are assembled scratch on it with their fingers to represent the nibbling of mice. As soon as the cat hears this she scrambles out from under the desk and gives chase to the mice who may save themselves only by getting back to their holes (seats). If a mouse be caught the cat changes places with him for the next round of the game. If no mouse be caught the same cat may continue or the teacher may choose another at her discretion.

A different set of mice should be chosen each time so as to give all of the players an opportunity to join in the game.

This is a favorite schoolroom game for little children. They should be taught to add sport to the play by giving the cat quite a chase before returning to their seats instead of seeking safety in the shortest and most direct way.