f 
 
 f -HOME- 
 
 BOYSANoGIRLS 
 
 BERTHA JOHNSTON
 
 HOME OCCUPATIONS 
 
 FOR 
 
 BOYS AND GIRLS 
 
 BERTHA JOHNSTON 
 
 KDITOR OF THE " KINDERGARTEN MAGAZINE ' 
 
 ASSISTED BY 
 
 FANNY CHAPIN 
 
 PEN DIRECTOR OF THB CHICAGO LATIN SCHOOL 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO. 
 PUBLISHERS
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1908 
 
 By GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO. 
 PUBLISHED OCTOBER, 1908 
 
 All rights reserved 
 Printed in U.S.A.
 
 Teach him. He is naturally clever. From 
 his earliest years, when he was a little fellow 
 only so big, he would build mud houses, carve 
 out boats, and make little wagons of leather, 
 and frogs out of pomegranate rinds, you can 't 
 think how cleverly. 
 
 Aristophanes, 421 B. C. 
 
 2O66023
 
 PREFACE 
 
 The plan of this book has special reference to the 
 .Mother when comes the woful plaint, "I don't know 
 what to do ! Mama, what can I do now ?" 
 
 Is she busy in the kitchen? She has right there 
 material for the little one's happy employment. Is she 
 mending the stockings ? She can give him needle and 
 thread and, with the aid of this book, a word of sug- 
 gestion. In spare moments both mother and children 
 can together prepare papers, cards, etc., for future 
 occasions. 
 
 It will be found upon examination that although 
 some of the articles described herein require material 
 peculiar to certain localities, very many more may be 
 made of things to be found in every home, whether 
 the city flat or the remote country homestead. Usu- 
 ally a choice is possible. One may use the cardboard, 
 paper, etc., saved from the scrap-basket or may send 
 to supply houses for material partially prepared. It 
 is an undoubted advantage for the child to be trained 
 to see the possibilities in the raw material lying at 
 hand. It stimulates his inventive imagination and 
 makes for efficiency and the power to cope with 
 emergencies. 
 
 The child accustomed to looking upon odds and 
 ends of wire, paper, weeds, seeds, and grasses as 
 hiding delightful secrets which he may learn to un- 
 ravel and utilize, may be readily trained to regard 
 all Nature as a vast storehouse open to his investiga- 
 tion, and a continual source of inspiration. 
 
 The child, habituated to mastering the raw ma- 
 terial of his immediate environment, will not be dis- 
 comfited if thrown upon an unknown shore, whether 
 arctic or tropical. He will recognize everywhere 
 5
 
 6 Preface 
 
 about him possibilities for shelter, food, clothing, and 
 transportation and will know how-to use them. 
 
 But the child must be trained to perceive the 
 beautiful and the ideal as well as the useful. Into 
 each article here described, even the simplest, enter 
 the elements of beauty, proportion, harmony of line 
 and color, and good, true workmanship, leading surely, 
 even if unconsciously, to an appreciation of the best 
 wherever found. 
 
 In making an article as a gift for child or adult, 
 thought for others is cultivated and the frequently 
 needed help of older brother or sister encourages the 
 spirit of goodwill and kindliness. 
 
 The festival occasions are especially valuable in 
 developing the sense of interdependence and large- 
 mindedness. 
 
 Among a people proverbially wasteful it is cer- 
 tainly the part of wisdom to train the child to economy 
 for the sake of future service. The contents of the 
 city garbage barrel are found by business men to be 
 worth sorting and classifying and everything proves 
 to be of some use. Why should not the child be 
 taught, before throwing away the discarded picture 
 book, to ask if there is not a use for it still ? A nation 
 so trained will preserve its forests and save its 
 Niagaras. It will see things material and things 
 spiritual in their true relations. 
 
 We would suggest that a little cupboard be placed 
 within easy reach of the child. Here he may keep 
 his own scissors, paste, pencil and papers, ready 
 for use when the propitious moment of inspiration 
 seizes him. 
 
 Too much exactness must not be required of the 
 very young child, but as fast as he is able to do good 
 work insist upon the best of which he is capable.
 
 Preface 7 
 
 Train him always to try to surpass himself. Above 
 all, let him be happy in the doing. 
 
 The ideas offered in this volume have been gar- 
 nered from various sources. Practical experience in 
 the home has suggested many, and actual daily work 
 in the kindergarten has given rise to others. A few, 
 such as the thimble biscuit party and croquet with 
 peas, are among the recollections of happy childhood. 
 
 It is a pleasure to acknowledge the obligation to 
 Miss Fanny Chapin, of Chicago, a kindergartner of 
 long experience, for the comradeship of thought which 
 made the book possible. Miss Chapin also con- 
 tributed the directions for making feather flowers, 
 many of the holiday suggestions, and other items scat- 
 tered through the book. 
 
 The conversion of corks into a set of furniture 
 was learned from a German playmate twenty-five 
 years ago. Imagine the interest with which we dis- 
 covered a set, almost identical, at the German exhibit 
 of the recent International Kindergarten Union. 
 
 The candlesticks of tin or cardboard, brightened 
 with colored tissue-paper, varied to suit particular 
 occasions, is a regular feature of the festival dinners 
 at the Gertrude House, Chicago. 
 
 To one and all to whom, consciously or uncon- 
 sciously, we may be indebted for any suggestions, we 
 express our thanks. 
 
 A perusal of this little volume will show that it is 
 far from exhaustive of the topics treated. It is largely 
 a book of suggestion. If it stimulates the child to 
 new investigations and experiments along similar 
 lines ; if it reinforces the spirit of brotherly kindness 
 in the home; or if it helps to solve any of the 
 problems of the mother, the hopes of the authors will 
 be accomplished. BERTHA JOHNSTON.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. The Secrets of the Market Basket n 
 
 II. Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 39 
 
 III. Saved from the Scrap Basket 53 
 
 IV. The Sewing-Basket 69 
 
 V. The Paint Box 73 
 
 VI. Dolls and Doll-Houses 80 
 
 VII. Plays and Games 92 
 
 'VIII. Festival Occasions 107 
 
 IX. The Key Basket 141 
 
 X. The Child's Library 149 
 
 XL Kindergarten Materials The Gifts.... 155 
 
 XII. " " The Occupations . 164
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE SECRETS OF THE MARKET BASKET 
 
 The busy but thoughtful mother will find in the 
 contents of the market basket many possibilities for 
 happily employing the creative instinct of her child. 
 We give a few suggestions which demand activity of 
 both mind and body. 
 
 STRAWBERRY-BOXES 
 
 Seed-Markers (No tools needed but the fingers) 
 
 Remove the rim of wood which binds the box 
 into shape, that the little tacks may not injure the 
 child. Then let him tear the sides and bottom into 
 little slats which can be used as seed-markers. Older 
 children can write upon them the names of seeds, and 
 when planted put one of these slats into the ground 
 to indicate where the seeds may be expected to 
 come up. 
 
 The little child enjoys the sense of power that he 
 feels simply in being able to tear these boxes apart, 
 but let the're be a thought back of the action if it 
 seem to degenerate into pure destructiveness. 
 
 Toy-Fences (Employing fingers only) 
 
 Split the boxes with the fingers into pieces wide 
 
 or narrow, as desired, and the slats thus made can be 
 
 turned into fences for the play farm in the sand-box, 
 
 or for borders for small flower beds. ( i ) Stick them 
 
 11
 
 12 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 into the sand or earth side by side, to suggest a plain 
 board fence; or (2) Put very narrow ones at short 
 intervals apart to suggest a picket fence. 
 
 Toy-Fences (Scissors, tacks) 
 
 If old enough to use scissors, let the child cut the 
 boxes apart with long scissors and use for fences as 
 before, (i) Side by side for board fence. (2) Cut 
 into very narrow strips for picket fence. Use the rim 
 of the basket for the rail to unite the pickets, fastening 
 them with the tiny tacks which are already in it. 
 Pickets might be one inch apart. Cutting the tops of 
 the pickets into points will complete the resemblance to 
 a real fence. Put the rails about one-half inch from 
 top. 
 
 Boxes for tacks, seeds, etc. (Scissors, paste, paste- 
 sticks, ribbon, &}/ 2 inches long, i l / 2 inches wide, 
 ivall-paper, pan with zvater) 
 Take two pieces of a box, each measuring 2x5 
 inches. Soak in water till soft. Place one directly 
 across the middle of the other, and bend the four 
 projecting ends up perpendicularly into box form. 
 (i) Hold the sides in place by winding the ribbon 
 around the four sides, till they meet, and paste the one 
 overlapping end over the other. (2) Cut a piece of 
 wall-paper (obtainable often from a wall-hanger's 
 shop) into a strip i l / 2 x % l / 2 inches and wind around, 
 pasting one end over the other. If the child is inex- 
 perienced the paper may be cut of exactly the height 
 of box. If skillful in so doing, let him cut the strip 
 y 2 inch wider and turn down over the top to give a 
 little finish. This gives practice in neatness and skill. 
 Let the child observe how a Swedish matchbox- 
 is made the wood held together by strips of thin but
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 13 
 
 tough paper and then carry his thought to the far- 
 distant land which sends us the magic wands that 
 give us light with safety. And all carried in a tiny 
 box made of wood and paper. Decalcomanias might 
 be used for decoration of the plain wooden box. 
 
 Let the child experiment in making boxes of 
 different shapes and sizes for his collections of seeds, 
 stones, etc. This cultivates his ingenuity and practical 
 imagination. 
 
 Picture Frames (Scissors, thumb-tacks, gold paint, 
 
 water-colors, glue) 
 
 Cut three slats, each I x 8 inches, to make triangu- 
 lar frame. Unite with thumb-tacks, one at each of the 
 three corners. To place them exactly the right way 
 may take a little experimenting, which helps develop 
 the child's sense of proportion and arrangement. 
 When joined, cut off the projecting parts at the top 
 to give pointed effect. Good for pictures of Indians, 
 as wigwam is suggested. Decorate by gilding or 
 painting. Can be painted with Ivory paints or water- 
 colors. 
 
 Chicken-Coops (Scissors, glue) 
 
 Remove the rim, bottom (in one piece) and two 
 adjoining sides of a berry box. This leaves two sides 
 remaining which are already bent into correct form 
 for coop. Cut the bottom of the box in half from 
 corner to corner. This gives the triangular back of 
 the coop which must be glued on. The slats must 
 now be made and put into place. Cut three slats each 
 Yz inches wide, (i) In each of the two front edges 
 of the coop cut three horizontal slits ^ inches deep ; 
 slip the slats into these and cut off the projecting ends. 
 The slats at the top will necessarily be shorter than
 
 14 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 those at the bottom. (2) Or an older child can cut in 
 each of the two edges 3 notches JH$ inches deep and 
 Ys inches high and glue the slats into these, thus : 
 
 Chicken- Coop. 
 
 Paste-Sticks (Boxes, scissors} 
 
 Cut sides of boxes into slender pieces which can be 
 put aside and used for paste-sticks when pasting is 
 the order of the day. They will prove to be better 
 than brushes. 
 
 Wagon (Thumb-tacks, button-molds, skewers, glue, 
 
 small, slender nails) 
 
 Take two boxes. Remove rims. Bend down one 
 side of each of the boxes so that it is horizontal. Lap 
 one of these exactly over the other and join with 
 thumb-tacks. This makes the body of coal wagon. 
 For wheels use (i) large wooden button-molds or (2) 
 the cardboard circles round which ribbons come. 
 Make axles of skewers. Glue axle to bottom of wag- 
 on, slip on the wheels and insert small, slender nail 
 to keep wheel from coming off. If skewers are not 
 at hand whittle a slender piece from a stick of kindling 
 wood, whittling the ends until slender enough for the 
 wheels to slip on. Paint spokes on the wheels and 
 paint the wagon, using any paint at hand.
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 15 
 
 Candy-Boxes [ (Fancy paper, crinkled-paper or 
 Button-Boxes j silk, glue, paint} 
 
 Take a berry-box and dye with Diamond dyes. 
 Line it with crinkled paper or dainty flowered wall- 
 paper or silk. To do this, fold the paper or silk one 
 inch over on itself from the top, for hem. Gather or 
 pleat the silk near the top with silk of same color and 
 glue to the inner side of the basket near the top, leav- 
 ing a little projecting edge for ruffle. Leave the 
 lower ends free. The silk should be two inches 
 wider than the depth of the basket and one and one- 
 third times as long as the four sides of the basket. 
 Now take a square of cardboard the size 'of the bot- 
 tom of the basket and cover it smoothly with a square 
 of silk, folding the silk neatly over the sides and catch- 
 ing it across so as to be smooth on the right side. Put 
 this silk square down in the bottom of the basket and 
 it will hold the sides of the lining firm. A basket 
 may be lined with paper in the same way, using glue 
 to hold it in place. As paper can not very well be 
 gathered, the top may be glued down smoothly or the 
 paper may be pleated. 
 
 Hanging-Basket (Lead from tea-box, ribbon or wire, 
 
 earth, seeds') 
 
 Line a berry box with the lead, fill with good earth 
 and plant vines or flower-seeds. Suspend by ribbon 
 or wire. 
 
 Dolls' Furniture (Spools, scissors, glue) 
 
 1. Table. Make a table by cutting a slat from a 
 basket into an oblong 2x3 inches and glue to spool 
 for dining-table. 
 
 2. Bed. Soak a few moments and when flexible 
 cut an oblong 2x6 inches and bend one end up i^
 
 1 6 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 inches to form head of bed. Bend the other end up 
 y* inch to form the foot. Glue two spools to the bot- 
 tom of this for legs, one at each end. 
 
 3. Chair. Make chairs for the same set by cut- 
 ting a piece of the box to measure 1x2 inches. Bend 
 across the middle so that a right angle is formed and 
 glue one side to a spool. The other half forms the 
 back of the chair. Such furniture may be colored 
 with dyes or Ivory paints, 
 
 PEAS 
 
 Shelling Peas ( Tin pans) 
 
 Let the child help Mother to shell the peas for 
 dinner. Children enjoy work of this kind when co- 
 operating with the mother or father. They like to do 
 what Mother is doing when she is doing it too. This 
 will be an excellent time to tell Hans Andersen's story 
 of the "Five Peas that Dwelt in a Pod". As a reward 
 let the child plant a few peas in a box or out-of-doors. 
 
 Pea-Pod Boat (Pan of water, pcapods) 
 
 Give a small child a dish-pan filled with water 
 and a peapod for a boat, with peas for passengers 
 and he will entertain himself for a long time. Let the 
 frequency with which he is allowed this privilege de- 
 pend upon his care in keeping himself and his sur- 
 roundings dry, thus leading to neatness and self-con- 
 trol. 
 
 Pea Furniture (See chapter on kindergarten occupa- 
 tions)
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 17 
 
 Numeral Frame or Abacus {Hair-wire, cardboard 
 
 stationery box) 
 
 Get ten slender pieces of wire about six inches long. 
 Put one pea on the first, two on the second, three on 
 the third, etc., until you reach the last, on which place 
 ten. Take an empty stationery box, and cut away the 
 bottom leaving the four sides intact as a frame. Into 
 this frame insert the ten wires, the one with one pea 
 at the top, then No. 2, 3, etc. The child can then prac- 
 tice counting the different combinations up to ten. 
 
 Instead of peas such a series of units could be 
 made by stringing cranberries or rose-haws on a 
 waxed thread. 
 
 POTATOES AND SQUASH 
 
 Potato Horse (Three potatoes, slender sticks or 
 tooth-picks, raveled string or coarse black thread) 
 Take large potato for body of horse, a smaller one 
 for the neck, and another for the head. Join them 
 with sticks broken to convenient length. Four other 
 sticks make the legs, two little ones the ears and the 
 string or thread the flowing tail. The tail can be at- 
 tached to a tack or pin and inserted. 
 
 Squash or Sweet Potato Animals (Crooked-neck 
 squash or sweet potato for each animal, slender 
 sticks) 
 
 Insert sticks for legs into crooked-neck squashes 
 and convert into animals of various kinds, the kind 
 depending upon the size of the neck and general shape. 
 Sweet potatoes by their queer shapes will often suggest 
 animals: pigs, dogs, etc., or ducks, swans, ostriches, 
 and birds. Use tacks or shoe buttons for eyes. Dolls 
 can be made also.
 
 1 8 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 CORN HUSKS GREEN 
 
 Mat (Husks, needle, thread) 
 
 Take four smooth husks and press between blot- 
 ting paper for 24 hours. Then tear into l /4 inch 
 strips. Lay eight of these on the table. Take eight 
 more and weave these under and over the first eight, 
 making mat for doll-house. Put again between blot- 
 ters. The next day, slide the strips together till they 
 lie smooth and even, and close together. Fasten by 
 sewing the outside strips lightly to the interlacing 
 ones. Cut the extending parts off about one inch from 
 outside strips. 
 
 Feathers (Husks, scissors) 
 
 Take a dozen leaves of the husks; cut slits slant- 
 wise down the edges about l /^ inch apart. Let dry 24 
 hours. Then use as feathers for Indian head dress, 
 using design on copper cent as model. 
 
 CORN-COBSDRY 
 
 Corn-Crib (Cobs, hammer, nails, cover of starch-box) 
 To a small piece of thin wood like the cover of a 
 starch-box nail four short cobs of equal length for 
 legs (half an inch or an inch long). Around the four 
 sides, on top, nail a row of slender cobs for the walls 
 of the corn crib. Make roof of cobs or lay a piece of 
 cardboard across. Nail from below, through the 
 board. It will require a little thought to determine 
 just where the nail must go in order to run through 
 the board and into the cob above, but tell the child 
 that he is a little carpenter and must make careful
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 19 
 
 measurements. Ask if he can think why the crib is 
 raised thus from the ground. (To preserve the corn 
 from the rats and mice.) 
 
 Toy-Raft (Cobs, rim of berry-box, tacks) 
 
 Lay six or more cobs of equal length side by 
 side upon the table. Take a piece of binding-rim of 
 a berry-box as long as the row of cobs is wide. Lay 
 it across the row near one end and nail it fast to each 
 cob. Nail a similar piece across the other end. This 
 will make a serviceable toy-raft. Stick in a skewer 
 for a mast and make a sail-boat. Paste on the mast a 
 triangular piece of paper or muslin for a sail. 
 
 Zig-Zag Fence (Cobs only) 
 
 Lay down half a dozen cobs in zigzag fashion, 
 with their ends not quite as far apart as the length of 
 the cobs. Then across every two ends lay another cob, 
 and so build up the fence. 
 
 Post-Fence (Cobs, tacks, skewers, slats) 
 
 Lay several cobs in a row a few inches apart as 
 posts. Unite them by laying across them two rows 
 of skewers or kindergarten slats. Join with tiny tacks. 
 Use in the sand-table or dolls' farm. 
 
 House (Cobs, nails) 
 
 (i) Take two cobs and place them opposite to 
 each other. Place two others across the ends of the 
 first two, at right angles to them. Then two more 
 directly over the first two and so on, building up 
 alternately for log cabin. This is the first simple 
 building experiment of the little child. Two such 
 cabins put together will make a two-roomed house. 
 Thus made it will be crude with wide interstices be-
 
 20 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 tween the logs, but this forms no objection to the 
 child. 
 
 (2) When he does manifest the desire for some- 
 thing better made a house which will not admit the 
 rain and snow a more solid house can be made thus : 
 Place three cobs end to end to form three sides of a 
 square. Directly upon these lay three more, and nail 
 firmly to those beneath at the ends, with slender nails. 
 Build up in this way as high as desirable. One side 
 has, however, been left open. Now put in the fourth 
 wall but leave place for the doorway. Do this by 
 making the lower part of the wall of cobs so short that 
 they do not even go half way across the opening. 
 Take two such short cobs and nail each to the side of 
 the house. A little space will be left between them, 
 say of two inches. Take two more of same length and 
 place on top of the first two and nail in place. The 
 third cob may be long enough to extend straight 
 across the little house making the top of the doorway. 
 Put another and another on top until the last row is 
 reached. Roof with similar logs or with cardboard. 
 The child can be trained a little in forethought when 
 led to save anything like corncobs for possible use in 
 the future. 
 
 Furniture (4 short cobs, 4 long slender ones, tacks 1 , 
 cheesecloth, fine cord, cotton batting} 
 Take four short cobs for sturdy legs. Nail to 
 these four slender cobs for bed-frame. In the inner 
 part of the long sides of the bed hammer small tacks 
 about y^ inches apart. Then string cord from one 
 tack across to the opposite one and so on, to make 
 springs. Make mattress of cheesecloth stuffed with 
 cotton. Other furniture can easily be made in similar 
 manner.
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 2 1 
 
 In this work, as with other suggestions here given, 
 older children will need to help younger ones and thus 
 the spirit of helpfulness and sympathy is exercised. 
 
 CORN KERNELS DRY 
 
 Portieres (Kernels of corn, straws, needle, coarse 
 
 thread, pan) 
 
 Soak corn in pan of water over night or till soft. 
 Get inch-long pieces of straw at kindergarten supply 
 store, or, if obtainable in the country, get the straws 
 entire and let the children cut them into inch pieces. 
 In all this work it is desirable to let the child do as 
 much as possible himself. Later, when familiar with 
 materials and simple processes, let him use the pre- 
 pared bought material. 
 
 Now, let him string the corn and straws alter- 
 nately. He can then vary by stringing first one kernel 
 and one straw ; then two kernels and one straw ; then 
 three, etc. This gives practice in counting, and ex- 
 ercises also his sense of taste and proportion and his 
 invention. A pretty effect can be secured by using 
 kernels of the two colors, red and yellow. 
 
 Suspend a number of such strings in the door- 
 way; they may be all of the same length or may be 
 very short in the middle of the doorway and gradually 
 get longer as the jamb is approached. 
 
 Designing (Red and yellow kernels) 
 
 On a rainy day let the child employ his inventive 
 skill in making designs of the red and yellow kernels 
 on a flat table. He can lay them in squares, oblongs, 
 crosses, etc.
 
 22 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 POP-CORN 
 
 There are few American children who need to 
 be told how to pop corn; they see it done before they 
 are able to do it themselves. But this fascinating oc- 
 cupation is not known to many children outside of the 
 United States. Perhaps it is well that our children 
 should appreciate their privilege in this respect. 
 
 If a popper is unobtainable, corn can be quickly 
 and deliciously popped by putting a tablespoonful of 
 butter in a deep kettle and when it is hot dropping in a 
 cupful of popcorn. Shake or rather stir to keep from 
 burning and in a short time the kettle will be full of 
 the white popping fairy-like kernels. Salt or sugar 
 can be sprinkled in as desired. 
 
 Balls (Com, popper, sugar, molasses or water) 
 
 Make a thin syrup by boiling together equal 
 quantities of sugar and water or two cupfuls sugar, 
 one of molasses or syrup, one teaspoonful vinegar, and 
 butter size of an egg. Cook until it hardens when 
 dropped in water, then pour it over 8 quarts of popped 
 corn as quickly as possible and mold into balls, making 
 about twenty. If made with strawberry syrup the 
 color will be a beautiful red. 
 
 Festoons (Popped corn, needle, coarse thread) 
 
 Thread the kernels to adorn walls or picture 
 frames or Christmas tree. 
 
 NUTS 
 
 Boat (Walnut shell, pan of water, toothpicks, candle- 
 zvax) 
 When busy with her baking the mother can give
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 23 
 
 the three-year-old in his high chair a half walnut 
 shell for a boat. An older child can elaborate into a 
 sail-boat by cutting a triangular piece of paper for 
 a sail, glueing it to a toothpick for mast, and then 
 melting a drop of wax from a candle. and inserting 
 the mast while the wax is still warm. A burnt match 
 can be shaped into a mast also. 
 
 Such a fleet of tiny vessels would prettily set a 
 table for a farewell dinner to one going abroad. 
 
 Surprise Walnuts (English walnuts, baby-ribbon, 
 
 tiny dolls or animals, glue) 
 
 Open a number of walnuts carefully so as not to 
 break the shell. Remove the meats and fasten the two 
 sides together with a tiny strip of ribbon, which serves 
 as a hinge, glueing the ends of the ribbon to the in- 
 side of the half shells. Ribbon need be only an inch 
 long or less. Put a tiny doll or a wee china rabbit or 
 kitten inside the shell and tie around with ribbon. 
 Little china animals come in sets of five or six. 
 
 A little verse of greeting or a conundrum can be 
 written and put inside if the toys are not available. 
 
 A group of little children could be kept busy and 
 happy for an afternoon making some of these little 
 souvenirs for a home dinner or for a fair. 
 
 Nut-Animals (Peanuts, toothpicks) 
 
 The imagination of most children will quickly 
 perceive resemblances to all kinds of creatures in 
 the queer shapes of peanuts. Take such a peanut 
 and stick into it four bits of toothpicks for legs and 
 two tiny ones for ears. If the toothpicks are not 
 sharp or strong enough to penetrate of themselves, 
 make incisions with a sharp pin. 
 
 One common shape suggests a cat, seated. Two
 
 24 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 vertical pieces would make the front legs and two 
 horizontal pieces the back legs resting on the ground. 
 Eyes and mouth can be inked in. Another shape 
 hints at an owl with sharp, curved beak. Another 
 will make a hen. Once started on this line of experi- 
 ment, the child will discover likenesses for himself. 
 These creatures can be used in the toy farm, 
 
 Peanut party (See page 
 
 APPLES 
 
 Candlestick (Apple, candle} 
 
 Cut in the top of a rosy apple a hole of right 
 size to hold a candle. Appropriate for Thanksgiving. 
 
 A carrot can also be used thus, but a part must 
 be cut away at the bottom so as to secure a firm 
 base. 
 
 ORANGES 
 
 Baskets (Orange, smaller fruits) 
 
 Cut an orange horizontally partly through the 
 middle from each side so as to leave a part in the 
 centre which can be cut into a handle. Hollow out 
 the interior and put raisins, small nuts, etc., in it. 
 
 RED PEPPERS 
 
 Lantern (Large red pepper, knife} 
 
 Hollow out a large red pepper and cut into it 
 eyes, nose and mouth, making a miniature Jack-o'- 
 lantern. This makes a pretty table decoration.
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 25 
 
 Let the child help as much as possible by making 
 these little table decorations. If you want boy and 
 girl to love home, give them a share in making it in- 
 teresting and attractive. Do not discourage them if 
 their efforts are a little crude at times. It is the 
 spirit of good- will which makes the blessed home. 
 
 EGG-SHELLS 
 
 Garden (Shell, earth, birdseed) 
 
 Cut an egg-shell in half horizontally, with a sharp 
 pair of scissors, and three days before Easter put into 
 it a little earth, place in this a little canary seed, or 
 a single pea or bean, and a little plant will delight the 
 child. 
 
 Doll's Cradle (Shell, ribbon half an inch wide, paste, 
 
 cardboard) 
 
 Take a smooth white egg and blow it. To do 
 this make a tiny pin-hole in each end, and by blowing 
 into one end steadily the contents can be emptied out 
 of the other. Draw lines lengthwise and crosswise 
 around the shell, dividing it into four equal parts. 
 Then, following the line, cut away the upper quarter 
 toward the small end. This leaves a cradle with a 
 small canopy. Paste the ribbon neatly around for a 
 binding round the edge. Rockers can be made by 
 cutting curved pieces ]/+ inch wide out of thick card- 
 board, although such a cradle will rock without rock- 
 ers. 
 
 Mattress for above. (Thin white ribbon, milk- 
 weed doivn, needle, sewing silk) 
 
 Cut and sew the ribbon into a tiny mattress for 
 this fairy cradle, and stuff with milkweed down. If
 
 26 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 the ribbon is just the width of the cradle the edges 
 of the mattress can be neatly overcast. A tiny doll 
 may then be placed within the cradle. 
 
 Boat (Goose-egg, leatherette paper, kindergarten 
 
 slats) 
 
 Blow the egg as described above. Cut in half 
 lengthwise. Cut the paper into strips 1/2 inch wide. 
 In each side of the shell cut an indentation y% inches 
 deep and ^ inches wide for oarlocks. Then bind 
 neatly with the paper strips. Cut the slats (or a 
 piece of berry box will do) into tiny oars and paste 
 a seat across, which is also cut out of a slat. 
 
 Careful handling is required for these dainty 
 toys, and if the child seems to get nervous let her do 
 only a little at a time; but much neatness and skill 
 is exercised in the making, and it is good practice for 
 older children. The wise mother soon learns to de- 
 tect the difference between the poor work which is 
 the result of pure nervousness and that which is the 
 consequence of carelessness. The latter should never 
 be permitted to stand. See to it that what the child 
 does is up to his best capacity. 
 
 Humpty-Dumpty Eggs (Shell, shot, water-color 
 paints, a bit of cotton-batting, and a bit of tough 
 paper) 
 
 Take a shell and empty of contents as described 
 above. Enlarge the hole at one end sufficiently to 
 drop in a dozen tiny shot obtainable at hardware 
 store. Paste over the opening the bit of paper, and 
 on that a little cotton to simulate hair. Paint upon 
 the surface eyes, nose, and mouth. A comical litle 
 toy which always regains its balance, however placed, 
 is the result. In playing with this the child uncon-
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 27 
 
 sciously imbibes a few ideas about equilibrium, equi- 
 poise, etc. Tell him you want him to be a man that, 
 however placed, will always be able to get upon his 
 feet again. 
 
 Foot-ball, or rather it might be called Breath-ball 
 
 (Egg-shell, -water-color paints) 
 
 Take an empty shell and paint to resemble a foot- 
 ball or in some college or High School colors. See 
 page 99 for directions for game. 
 
 Toy Lamp (See under Doll-Houses) 
 
 PRUNES AND RAISINS 
 
 Turtle (Raisin and five cloves') 
 
 Take a plump raisin and stick into it five cloves 
 for head and legs. 
 
 Man (Raisins or prunes, toothpicks} 
 
 Make a man by running a toothpick through 
 three raisins for a body. Into the top one stick two 
 other toothpicks, with two raisins each for arms and 
 two other toothpicks with raisins make the legs. Each 
 leg has a projecting raisin for a foot and another 
 large raisin makes the head. These are fun-makers 
 for a children's party, one at each plate. 
 
 SEEDS 
 
 Stringing (Squash seeds dried, strong thread, nee- 
 dle) 
 Little children can be happily occupied making
 
 28 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 chains of squash, pumpkin, and water-melon seeds 
 that have been saved and made soft by soaking 
 awhile in water. The black seeds of the water-melon 
 alternate prettily with the white seeds of the other 
 gourds. Variety can be introduced by stringing sev- 
 eral of one color and then several of another, counting 
 by twos, threes, etc. This gives exercise in counting, 
 in pleasing grouping of colors, and so exercises both 
 the invention and the taste of the very little child. 
 
 Designing (Black seeds, white seeds} 
 
 Let the child make designs of the seeds upon 
 the table. Place a black one for a centre and a white 
 one on each side. Repeat this figure for a foot or more, 
 placing the groups an inch apart and observe the 
 effect. Tell him thus to make a design for the frieze 
 of the room. Another effect is produced by placing 
 a white seed as a centre and placing four or five 
 around it. Vary still further by placing a circle of 
 black seeds around the whole. These few examples 
 will serve to indicate the endless variety that can be 
 secured, and is a training in invention and taste. Let 
 the child always have in mind a design for some par- 
 ticular purpose, as of wall-paper, oil-cloth, etc. Lead 
 him to observe similar effects in carpets, wall-paper, 
 etc. The best of these attempts can be made com- 
 paratively permanent by pasting upon small sheets 
 of tinted bristol-board. The chief value in preserv- 
 ing any such work is for purposes of comparison as 
 the child improves. 
 
 Counters 
 
 Save out 24 white and 24 black seeds for coun- 
 ters in checkers, go-bang, etc.
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 29 
 
 Squash-Seed Chicken (<?5 seeds, white thread, two 
 
 quill toothpicks, bit of red flannel, feather from 
 
 duster) 
 
 Take 25 squash seeds and soak till soft. Take 
 five of these and place side by side wiih pointed ends 
 up. Above these place four, their 
 wide ends coming between the points 
 of the others. Above these place 
 three in the same relative position. 
 Above these put two, and above these 
 and between them place the squash- 
 seed which is to be the head of the 
 chicken. 
 
 Now, beneath the original five, 
 place four, pointed ends up ; beneath 
 these put three, then two, then one. 
 If these are rightly placed, the pointed 
 ends of one row come just at the 
 sides of the wide end of the seeds 
 above. 
 
 Run a thread through the lower 
 end of the two and the upper end of 
 the three; then through the lower end 
 of three and the upper end of the 
 four; continue thus till all have been 
 united. The result thus far will be a 
 double pyramid of the seeds. Draw 
 an eye in the middle of the head, 
 paste or sew on a bit of quill for a 
 bill and a bit of flannel for a comb. 
 Attach a few feathers from the 
 duster for a tail. Take two more seeds and sew to 
 the middle of the row of five for the thigh of the legs, 
 and to each sew a quill for the rest of the legs, cutting 
 into points at one end for toes. 
 
 How to String 
 the Seeds.
 
 30 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Squash-Seed Chicken. 
 
 Make another chicken like the above and sus- 
 pend the two face to face upon a slender stick by run- 
 ning a thread through the head and one through the 
 tail. When the stick is moved the chickens assume 
 very realistic attitudes. A comical toy, made with 
 no expense save that of time and patience. (See 
 illustrations.) 
 
 Pincushion or Penwiper (Five plump apple-seeds, 
 sharp pen-knife, black thread, stiff card, square 
 of muslin, emery or cotton batting) 
 Save out five seeds, and cut the cuticle of the 
 
 large end into two tiny points to simulate the ears
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 31 
 
 of a mouse. Knot the thread and run a tiny bit 
 through for a tail. Paste these upon a visiting card, 
 and near them paste a tiny bag made of white muslin 
 to simulate a flour-bag. It can be stuffed with cot- 
 ton or with emery for needles or pins. Or the card 
 can be sewn upon several layers of cloth as decoration 
 for a penwiper. 
 
 Imitation Water 
 
 Muskmelon seeds placed in an undulating line 
 in the sand-box suggest water. 
 
 SOAP 
 
 Hammering (Old-fashioned bar soap, hammer, nails) 
 A wee child will entertain himself for a long time 
 by hammering nails into a bar of soap if the proper 
 tools be given him. In this simple activity he exer- 
 cises both mind and body. It requires good coordi- 
 nation on the part of the little one to strike -the nail 
 just right, and he enjoys not only the exercise itself, 
 but also the pleasure of imitating the carpenter who 
 uses the hammer so skilfully. 
 
 Drawing (White soap, window-pane) 
 
 On a day when he must stay indoors, give your 
 child a piece of white soap and let him show you what 
 he can draw upon the window-pane. Ships and trees, 
 houses and flowers have a fairy-like appearance when 
 drawn with this commonplace material upon the im- 
 promptu background of glass. This allows the free- 
 dom of movement found in blackboard work. It 
 gives scope to the child's imaginative powers and 
 should add nothing to the housekeeper's cares, being
 
 32 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 readily removed with a damp cloth. It may reveal 
 creative possibilities in some otherwise "mute, in- 
 glorious" artist. 
 
 CEREAL BOXES 
 
 Moving- Van (Cereal-box, glue, two skewers, 4 but- 
 ton-molds, 4 nails or strong pins) 
 Take a box (Quaker Oats or Force, etc.). Cut 
 out doors and side openings for a moving-van. It 
 may be well to draw these first. For a model, look 
 at any van or grocer's wagon. It will be seen that 
 models are numerous and various. If more explicit 
 directions are required we give the following, al- 
 though it is always well to have the child use his own 
 mind as far as possible before going to others for 
 ideas. 
 
 Remove the top of the box, which becomes the 
 front of the wagon. The bottom of the box will be 
 the back of the wagon. This bottom will be found 
 to consist of two layers of cardboard. Remove the 
 outer one and cut the inner one once through the 
 middle to make two doors. On each side of the 
 wagon cut an oblong window l / 2 inch from the top, 
 V-2. inch from the bottom, and y 2 inch from the front. 
 Let it be two inches wide. Place a seat across from 
 one window to the other; fasten with glue. It may 
 be just a straight piece one inch wide, or may be two 
 inches wide, folded once through the middle length- 
 wise to give a back. 
 
 For wheels use wooden button-molds, two inches 
 wide, or circles sawed from a broom handle. For 
 axles use wooden skewers or cut a piece from a stick 
 of kindling wood about 54 mcn wide. Whittle the 
 ends till they are slender enough to hold the button-
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 33 
 
 molds. Then put on the wheels, inserting a slender 
 nail or pin outside to keep them from coming off the 
 axle. Glue the axle to the box. If wheels are cut 
 from broom-handle, a nail can be driven through the 
 centre for an axle and then pushed into the side of 
 the box, or a nail pushed through a button-mold 
 directly into the box will hold. 
 
 Punch two holes into the front of the wagon, 
 tie cord through and the wagon can be drawn along. 
 It may be painted if desired. For horses, trace a 
 picture of a horse from some book or advertisement 
 on cardboard, cut out and harness to wagon. 
 
 Lantern (Box, scissors, candle, pencil} 
 
 Draw on the box holes to represent eyes, nose 
 and mouth. Then cut these out. Cut holes near the 
 top of box to put wires through for carrying the 
 box. Use a wire about two feet long, put the ends 
 through the holes and bend up. Let a little of the 
 wax drip from the end of the candle to the bottom 
 of the inside of the box, and when a soft centre has 
 been made push the candle down and it will stand 
 firm. Only older children should use these, lest harm 
 result. But children do make them at election times 
 for transparencies. The openings may be lined with 
 colored tissue paper. 
 
 House (Cereal box, paste, scissors, wall-paper, etc.) 
 
 Remove one broad side. Stand box on one long 
 narrow side as room of doll's house. Cut an opening 
 in the remaining broad side for a window. Furnish 
 with paper furniture. (See page 85.)
 
 34 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 EDAM CHEESE 
 
 Lantern (Cheese, knife, candle) 
 
 After the interior of one of these round, red 
 cheeses has been scooped out and eaten by the family, 
 the discarded red shell will make a fine Jack-o'-lan- 
 tern, if the proper holes for eyes, nose and mouth be 
 cut into it and a candle inserted inside. The candle 
 may be inserted in a socket cut into the bottom of 
 the rind, or it may be made to stand firmly in a bed 
 of wax or tallow melted from its own lower end. 
 
 SALT 
 
 Play for Baby (Fine table salt, spoon, bottle, small 
 
 box or pan) 
 
 If clean fine sand is not at the moment available, 
 give the baby a box containing a heap of salt and a 
 teaspoon and bottle, and he will be happy for a long 
 time, passing the salt from one bottle or box to an- 
 other. To the young mother this may seem akin to 
 foolishness, but in thus playing simply with sand or 
 with salt the baby is exercising faculties and working 
 out baby problems which he should be given oppor- 
 tunity to try. He is becoming acquainted with his 
 environment, his little world. 
 
 TIN CANS 
 
 Burnt-Match Safe (Mustard box, oil paints, brush, 
 
 ribbon, nail, hammer) 
 
 Punch two holes near the upper edge of a dis- 
 carded mustard box, the holes to be opposite each 
 other. These may be made by hammering a nail
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 35 
 
 through the tin, holding the box firmly against a 
 block of wood or stone for pressure. 
 
 With oil paints, one color, begin at the top to 
 paint the box, graduating from light to darker tones 
 as the bottom is approached. Lighter tones may be 
 secured by mixing the blue or red with Chinese white. 
 A flower design may be painted by one skilled in 
 the use of the brush. 
 
 Tie ribbon through the holes by which to sus- 
 pend the box, and the result is an article both useful 
 and pretty. 
 
 Flower-Pot (Can, ivory paints, brush) 
 
 Paint an empty can with green or brown ivory 
 paint and use as flower-pot for growing plant. Chil- 
 dren love to handle a paint-brush, and this offers a 
 legitimate occasion for such occupation. A small hole 
 should be punched in bottom of can for drainage. 
 
 Hanging-Basket (Can, nail, hammer, cord, raffia) 
 Punch holes for suspending as described above. 
 Then make a covering of raffia as explained on page 
 46 and hang up by the cord. 
 
 Wheels (Covers of baking-powder tins, nail, hammer) 
 With the nail, hammer a hole through the centre of 
 the cover, placing upon a stone step or other brace. 
 The little wheels may be used to complete toy wagons 
 that the child is making. 
 
 TIN FOIL 
 
 Toy Dishes (Tin foil from cream-cheese wrappers, 
 
 etc.) 
 
 Take the tin foil, and by simple squeezing and 
 pressing and shaping, a little practice will enable one
 
 36 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 to make it into tiny pitchers, goblets, pans, etc., for 
 dolly's table. 
 
 Toy Mirror (Tin foil, scissors) 
 
 Smooth carefully with the fingers and cut a piece 
 of the tin foil into the shape and size to fit a little 
 cardboard bureau. 
 
 A larger piece will simulate water in the sand- 
 box park. 
 
 Toy Money (Tin foil, coin, scissors) 
 
 Smooth the tin foil with the thumb nail, place a 
 cent or a nickel beneath, and press and smooth again, 
 making an impression of the coin that may be cut 
 out and used in playing store. 
 
 Toy Cutlery (Tin foil, scissors) 
 
 Cut tiny knives, forks and spoons out of the tin 
 foil for the paper-dolls' table. 
 
 CORK 
 
 Save all corks and they may be used in a variety 
 of ways. 
 
 Toy Raft (Cork, unre or hairpins) 
 
 Run several corks on a piece of wire to resemble 
 a log; make several such and then tie together to 
 make a raft, tying between the corks. 
 
 Toy Boat (Circular flat cork, tacks, wire, toothpick, 
 
 paper) 
 
 Insert a toothpick in one of the large flat corks 
 that sometimes cover pickle glasses. Paste a paper 
 triangle upon this for a sail and set afloat in a dish- 
 pan sea.
 
 The Secrets of the Market Basket 37 
 
 Flower-Rack (Flat cork, pencil} 
 
 Take a flat piece of cork such as is used by ento- 
 mologists upon which to impale insects, or any flat, 
 thin piece of cork will do if several inches in diameter. 
 Such cork may be easily perforated by a slender pen- 
 cil. Make a number of perforations several inches 
 apart, and then the cork may rest upon a water-filled 
 saucer or other deep dish, and the stalks of single 
 flowers may be inserted into the holes so that they are 
 supported by the cork. 
 
 Furniture (Circular corks, pins, worsted of pleasing 
 
 color, cashmere or silk goods} 
 
 Into the upper side of a round cork about one 
 inch in diameter insert five to seven pins. Twist and 
 weave the worsted in and out, under and over those 
 pins, so as to make a firm, solid back to a little chair. 
 The ends of the worsted may be neatly disposed of 
 by threading on a needle and running in and out for 
 a few stitches till concealed. 
 
 For legs, insert four strong pins, and wind these 
 round and round with the worsted, finishing neatly 
 by running with a needle in and out. 
 
 If the seat seems too plain it may first, before 
 the chair is made, be covered with silk or cashmere. 
 To do this cut the cloth into a circle somewhat larger 
 than the diameter of the cork. Run a gathering 
 thread around the circumference, and putting the 
 cork in the centre draw the thread and so gather be- 
 neath the seat. To make a really neat finish the edge 
 should be turned in before gathering. 
 
 Swimming-Float (Dozens of corks, strong canvas 
 cloth, measuring 20 x jd inches, needle, thread) 
 Make two strong canvas bags, measuring about
 
 38 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 1 8 x 20 inches. Fill these with corks to act as floats. 
 Unite the two bags by a strong band of canvas about 
 7 x 20 inches in size, and let the children use when 
 in bathing. 
 
 Cork in Art 
 
 In making models of world-renowned buildings, 
 such as churches, cathedrals, temples, etc., cork is 
 used in large and small pieces. 
 
 In Germany it is used in making pictures. A 
 sky background is painted in in water-color, and the 
 flat pieces of cork are cut into shape and glued on 
 to represent walls and towers of buildings. The 
 foliage of trees is represented by the more spongy 
 pieces of cork, and the effects secured are interesting 
 and beautiful. The children may like to experiment 
 and see what they can do in this direction. 
 
 Cork Doll (See page 81}
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 MOTHER NATURE'S HORN OF PLENTY 
 
 Many of the articles named under the Market 
 Basket Division of this book could be classified also 
 under the above head. In addition we present the 
 following : 
 
 STONES AND PEBBLES 
 
 Collections (Stones, small boxes) 
 
 Collect various pretty little stones and pebbles on 
 river shore, coast or roadway, and classify in different 
 ways according to color, shape, size. This exercises 
 the child's observing powers and trains him in detect- 
 ing differences and resemblances. Keep in small boxes. 
 
 Bottled Pebbles (Pebbles, plain glass bottle) 
 
 Put some pretty pebbles in a glass bottle filled 
 with water which intensifies the color. Send to some 
 sick friend, especially some one from the prairies who 
 may seldom see stones. It is always well for the 
 child to have some definite object in view when he 
 does anything. 
 
 Toy Path-Markers 
 
 Use pebbles in the sand-box for outlining the lit- 
 tle paths in the wee park or farm. 
 
 Jackstones 
 
 Pebbles of right size and shape make good jack- 
 stones. 
 
 39
 
 40 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Toy Vegetables (Small square of cheesecloth, needle, 
 
 thread, pebbles) 
 
 Make tiny cheesecloth bags and use pebbles as 
 potatoes, apples, etc., in play with the little wagons 
 made by the child. In playing store with them comes 
 opportunity for counting and measuring. Tiny boxes 
 can be used for quart and pint measures, and the child 
 may be shown that two pints make one quart, etc. 
 
 Paper-Weight (Large, smooth stone, oil-paints) 
 
 If you find a large, smooth stone of pretty tone, 
 let the older child decorate it with a little picture done 
 in oil paints. 
 
 SHELLS 
 
 Collections (Shells, small boxes) 
 
 Collect and classify according to color, shape, 
 etc., and keep in separate boxes. 
 
 Bottled Shells (Shells, bottle) 
 
 Put little shells in bottle of water to bring out 
 lovely colors. (See Bottled Pebbles above.) 
 
 Border for Sand-Table 
 
 Place small shells along little paths in sand-table, 
 sometimes with concave side up and vice versa. 
 
 Larger shells, as clamshells, make fine borders 
 for roads and paths in the country. They outline the 
 road on a dark night. 
 
 Water-Color-Cups 
 
 Collect and save shells to give to some artist 
 friend as extra cups for his water-color paints.
 
 Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 41 
 
 Ramekin Dishes 
 
 Large shells make serviceable individual dishes 
 for baked fish, etc. Appropriate for fish dinner. 
 
 Individual Salt and Butter Dishes 
 
 These can be made of the smaller pink and yellow 
 shells found on many coasts. Let the children collect 
 shells for this purpose, and use for fish dinner. 
 
 Toy-Boat 
 
 A small shell is often found which, with the little 
 natural seat found at one end, at once suggests a little 
 boat. Have the children collect and save for those 
 far from the shore. 
 
 Pin-Tray (Scallop shell, oil-paints) 
 
 Paint a marine view in oils inside a shell for pin- 
 tray. 
 
 Pin-Cushion (Small piece of satin or velvet, saiv- 
 dust, glue, two perfect scallop-shells') 
 Make a small pin-cushion of satin or velvet, filled 
 with saw-dust, and glue between a pair of scallop 
 shells, so that it fits in between as they open out. 
 
 Piano Scarf (Several dozen small, thin, yellow shells 
 
 found on Atlantic coast, one yard Nile green 
 
 India silk, strong sewing silk) 
 
 Hem the silk an inch deep at each end. Sew to 
 one end a fringe of shells made as follows : 
 
 The shells usually have a tiny hole in them when 
 found. If not, one is easily pierced by a strong 
 needle. Take twelve lengths of strong sewing silk, 
 white, each 20 inches long. To each of these tie 
 twelve shells at intervals of an inch each. You will
 
 42 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 then have twelve strings of shells, which are to be 
 sewed to the scarf as a fringe, putting them about 
 three inches apart. Sew two rows of shells directly 
 on the scarf itself, putting them about four inches 
 apart each way. If desired, in making the fringe 
 some of the strings may be shorter than others, ar- 
 ranged so that the long and short ones alternate. 
 
 BIRCH BARK 
 
 Needle-Case or Penwiper (Squares of chamois skin 
 
 or flannel, sewing-silk, paint) 
 
 Cut bark into circles, squares, oblongs, etc. Dec- 
 orate with gold lettering or borders of gold. Make 
 several leaves of flannel or chamois skin and sew the 
 bark on to these as a cover. The flannel may be scal- 
 loped. An appropriate sentiment to write upon pen- 
 wiper cover is "Extracts from the pen of " putting 
 in the name of the recipient. The leaves and cover 
 may be sewed together with a cross-stitch. 
 
 Handkerchief-Box (Punch, several strands of raffia") 
 Cut two pieces of bark 6x6 inches. Cut four 
 others 3x6 inches. Along the edge of these punch 
 (with a conductor's punch or one that can be bought 
 at a kindergarten supply place) holes an inch apart 
 and l /4 inch from edge. Sew the four narrow pieces 
 to the square for bottom and sides of box. Sew 
 remaining square more loosely to one side as cover. 
 Sew with strands of raffia, sewing through the holes 
 already made. If desired to give a more finished ap- 
 pearance punch more holes along edge of box and lid, 
 making them }4 inch apart. Then hold a fine basket 
 reed or piece of raffia along the edges and overcast.
 
 Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 43 
 
 If lavender or sweet grass is obtainable, that will 
 be even better than reed or raffia for the edge, lend- 
 ing its fragrance to the gift. The box can be still 
 further finished by lining with dainty silk. Make 
 glove box in same way, but longer in proportion to 
 width. 
 
 Pencil and Paint-Brush Box (Bark, raffia, needle or 
 
 crochet hook) 
 
 This is cylindrical. Cut a piece of bark 5x8 
 inches. Punch in it a series of holes 24 of an inch 
 apart, and l /2. inch from edge of each short side. 
 Place these so that one edge overlaps the other and 
 the holes coincide with one another. Then sew to- 
 gether with raffia. Use a short needle or none at all. 
 Raffia can be drawn through holes with a crochet- 
 hook. Punch holes in the lower end of this cylinder 
 and cut a circle of same size as diameter of cylinder 
 out of cardboard. Punch corresponding holes in 
 this and sew the bottom in. Strengthen top by over- 
 casting over a twist of raffia, sweet grass or sweet 
 clover. 
 
 Canoe (Bark, pencil, thread, paper, paraffine) 
 
 Fold strong piece of bark and cut an outline of 
 a canoe, rounding the ends. Sew the ends closely 
 together with stout thread, overcasting the edges with 
 same. Make watertight by lining with paper dipped 
 in melted paraffine. Paraffine may be bought at gro- 
 cer's. 
 
 Fan, modeled after East Indian pattern (Bark, kin- 
 dling wood, dye, gold paint} 
 Cut two stiff pieces of bark into hatchet-shaped 
 
 trapezoid. Punch row of holes in the narrowest side,
 
 44 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 whittle a handle of pinewood, and sew it to the nar- 
 row edge of bark over and over through the holes. 
 
 The handle may be stained with some natural 
 dye and fan decorated with gold paint. 
 
 Picture-Frame (Bark, punch, sweet grass) 
 
 Cut two pieces of bark 4x5 inches, one of smooth 
 bark, one of the outer bark with pleasing markings. 
 Punch holes around the edges of each 24 inches apart. 
 In the rough outside piece cut an oval 2 T / 2 x 3 inches. 
 Around this inner oval punch holes near together and 
 bind this around with sweet grass overcast with fine 
 raffia. Now sew the two pieces of bark together, 
 first cutting into the back piece a slit near the bottom 
 into which to slide the photograph. 
 
 In using sweet grass as binding it is well to wind 
 the bunch first with thread to hold the pieces together, 
 and after the grass is firmly sewed the temporary 
 thread can be cut away. The bunch of grass thus 
 used may be about as thick as half the little finger. 
 
 Punch may be bought at kindergarten store, or 
 conductor's punch will do. 
 
 GOURDS 
 Darhing-Egg 
 
 A smooth well-shaped gourd (mock-orange) 
 makes a serviceable darning egg. 
 
 Hanging-Basket (Large gourd, soil, plant) 
 
 Clear the gourd of fibre and seeds, after cutting 
 off the top rim evenly. Pierce the top with two holes 
 through which to attach cord for hanging, fill with a 
 light, loose soil, and plant in it a drooping, trailing 
 plant. Cut a hole in the lower end to allow for drain-
 
 Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 45 
 
 age. Let the country child save gourds of good 
 shape to present, thus filled, to city friends. 
 
 VEGETABLES 
 
 Sweet-Potato Vine 
 
 Put a sweet potato in sandy loam in a hanging 
 basket and water occasionally. It will produce a beau- 
 tiful, graceful vine. 
 
 Carrot-Top 
 
 Cut off the top of a young carrot evenly and place 
 it on top of a pot filled with sand. Moisten well, and 
 keep in the dark till it has begun to sprout ; when the 
 leaves appear take it out, and the word "Carrot-top" 
 will acquire a new meaning, the result is so pretty. 
 
 Turnip 
 
 Take a turnip and clean the outside, taking care 
 not to injure the parts from which the leaves spring. 
 Cut a piece off the bottom and scoop out the inside, 
 leaving the top intact. Fasten string or wire to it 
 so as to hang it upside down. Fill and keep filled 
 with water, and soon the leaves will sprout and curl 
 up, forming a beautiful natural hanging basket. 
 
 RAFFIA 
 
 This flexible fiber, long used by florists, is now 
 also used a great deal in the schools for the educa- 
 tional hand-training it affords. It can be obtained 
 at kindergarten supply places.
 
 46 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Reins 
 
 Take three to six strands and braid into reins 
 for playing horse. As the ends of the strands are 
 approached (each is about a yard long) begin to 
 weave in a new strand, as inconspicuously as possi- 
 ble. Do not have the strands all exactly the same 
 length to begin with, because if you reach the end 
 of all at the same time it makes it difficult to weave 
 in new ones neatly. 
 Mat 
 
 Take such a long braid as described above, and 
 holding one end flat, turn it round and round spirally 
 but flat, and sew with thread to make a mat for the 
 tea-pot. By bending up a little as you sew you can 
 make a basket. 
 
 Picture-Frame (Cardboard, raffia, thread and needle) 
 Cut a circle of cardboard 5x5 inches in diam- 
 eter. From the centre cut out a smaller circle three 
 inches in diameter. This leaves a circular cardboard 
 frame. Wind this round and round smoothly with 
 the raffia. Paste another circle on the back to give 
 a good finish, but in this second circle cut a slit up 
 which to slide the photograph. 
 
 Woven Mat (Loom, raffia) 
 
 Thread a little loom with raffia warp as de- 
 scribed on page 90. Then weave the woof (also of 
 raffia) back and forth to make a mat or a case for 
 hanging basket. To make the latter the right size 
 have the warp threads as long as the can is around 
 the circumference, and have the ividth about the same 
 as the height of the can. 
 
 The raffia can be colored with Diamond dyes and 
 wee rugs made for the doll-house on tiny looms.
 
 Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 47 
 Grace Hoops (See under Plays and Games) 
 
 LEAVES 
 
 Festoons and Wreaths (Leaves, fresh or dried, 
 
 thorns or needle and thread) 
 
 City children may need to be told what seems to 
 be handed down to the country child from generation 
 to generation, that leaves may be made into wreaths 
 for the head or decoration for the room either by 
 overlapping one upon another and fastening together 
 with a thorn or sharp twig, or by stringing together 
 on a stout thread. 
 
 To Dry or Press (Blotting paper, two small smooth 
 
 boards, strap, wax or linseed oil) 
 
 Gather and press pretty autumn leaves thus : 
 Have ready two boards measuring about one by two 
 feet. Put the leaves between sheets of blotting paper 
 and place these between the boards and then strap 
 them tightly together, or if no straps are convenient, 
 put the boards beneath a heavy weight (a book will 
 do). Change the paper every day or so till sure that 
 they are quite dry. 
 
 To preserve and brighten the colors after drying 
 dip in melted wax and press a moment with a hot 
 iron, or clear, boiled linseed oil will do in place of 
 the wax, using, however, as little as possible. 
 
 Decoration for Curtains 
 
 Pin to lace curtains in attractive arrangement. 
 
 Transparency (Leaves, 'bolting-cloth, i yard white 
 
 India silk, sezuing silk, needle) 
 
 i. Take a piece of bolting-cloth twice the length 
 of the largest leaf and fold over evenly. Open again
 
 48 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 and place the leaves upon the bolting-cloth artistically 
 in a row; fold the cloth over again and baste. Bind 
 the edges with white ribbon, and at the two upper 
 corners sew the ends of a narrow ribbon with which 
 to suspend the transparency in the window. 
 
 2. Or, if preferred, sew the bolting-cloth trans- 
 parency as a border to the end of a yard of India 
 silk as a scarf for shelf or piano. 
 
 Frieze of Leaves (Leaves, cartridge or other strong 
 
 paper of good tone, glue) 
 
 A pretty frieze for a room can be made by past- 
 ing leaves on a long, foot-high strip of paper which 
 forms a background. The effect will depend largely 
 upon the harmony between the color of the leaves 
 and the background, as well as upon the arrangement 
 of the leaves. They may be arranged in an irregular 
 line, or may be placed so as to form artistic groups 
 of twos and threes or fours. 
 
 Collections of Leaves 
 
 When the collecting instinct is upon him, let the 
 child collect and classify leaves according to shape. 
 See if he can tell by the leaf what tree it came from, 
 and if he recognizes the different varieties of leaves. 
 
 Four-Leaved Clovers 
 
 Look for four-leaved clovers when on your coun- 
 try walks, and save to press and afterwards use in 
 writing letters of good-will as decoration for paper, 
 pasting on at upper left hand corner; or use to deco- 
 rate place cards for dinners. It will hardly be neces- 
 sary to state that the four-leaved clover has for long 
 years been the symbol of good-luck.
 
 Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 49 
 Shadow Game (See under Sun and Shadow) 
 
 FEATHERS 
 
 Feather Flowers (A large goose with many white 
 
 feathers, beeswax, spools of wire of different sizes, 
 
 aniline dyes, though vegetable dyes are preferable 
 
 if obtainable, strong scissors suitable for cutting 
 
 wire, spools of strong white cotton thread, spool 
 
 of milliner's green-covered wire) 
 
 Pluck the breast of the goose. (Feathers come out 
 
 very easily.) The feathers, being very light, fly about 
 
 and therefore it is best to do the plucking in an uncar- 
 
 peted room or one in which the floor has been covered 
 
 with a large sheet. 
 
 Classify the feathers according to size, and ar- 
 range in bundles of about thirty by winding a stout 
 thread around the quills. Thus they are ready for the 
 dyeing process. 
 
 Dye according to directions on packages. For 
 deep green of leaves and for calyx immerse for several 
 minutes ; for more delicate tints immersion for a 
 second is sufficient. 
 
 Suppose we select for our first effort a carnation. 
 Choose a real one for a model. Having selected about 
 twenty feathers of the required sizes and colors, cut 
 the ends to resemble the form of the petal and then 
 pink the edge as in the real flower. The actual number 
 of petals required will depend upon the size of the 
 flower copied and must be left to the judgment of the 
 maker. 
 
 Take the measure of the length of stem required 
 on the wire and double it (wire must be twice as long 
 as stem). Wind tightly and evenly around it the 
 green milliner's wire to make the stem.
 
 50 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Soften the beeswax by heating slightly in a pan 
 till soft enough to mold betwen the fingers. Shape it 
 into the form of the calyx, inserting the stem at the 
 lower end, and pushing it far enough to insure firm- 
 ness. Wrap this soft calyx form round with green 
 feathers to represent the flower copied. Upon accu- 
 racy at the beginning depends the success of the flower, 
 therefore it is necessary to observe the natural one 
 closely. The green feathers must entirely cover the 
 calyx mold, the upper ones curving back a little as in 
 the genuine calyx. 
 
 Take some colored petals and insert between the 
 calyx and the wax mold, pushing the quill end of the 
 feather firmly into the wax. Arrange the petals spi- 
 rally, beginning at the bottom and building gradually 
 up to the top. The larger feathers are used first, grow- 
 ing smaller toward the top. Complete the flower by 
 inserting the stamens and pistil, which are made by 
 tearing one small feather into narrow strips and curl- 
 ing these by drawing once over a scissors blade. 
 
 The simplest flowers to make are : Carnation 
 pinks, violets, sweet peas, fuchsias, roses and Easter 
 lilies. With the proper amount of time, patience and 
 perseverance, any flower can be successfully made. 
 
 If leaves are desired, cut green feathers into the 
 required shape and attach. 
 
 Indian Headdress (Large turkey feathers, glue, card- 
 board, paint) 
 
 Save large feathers from turkey or rooster and 
 make Indian headdress by glueing upon cardboard cut 
 to proper shape. For model look at copper cent.
 
 Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 51 
 
 FLOWERS 
 
 Pressed Morning-Glories (The flowers, white tissue- 
 paper, scissors, book or pressing boards) 
 Press the flowers between a fold of thin tissue- 
 paper. The delicate flowers will adhere to the paper, 
 which is sufficiently transparent however for the morn- 
 ing-glory to be visible through it. When dry, cut the 
 paper from around the flower and pin to curtains, lam- 
 brequin, etc., as desired, or attach to letter paper. 
 
 Soldier-Flowers (Milkweed blossoms) 
 
 The small blossoms of the milkweed may be made 
 to stand in rows and columns like soldiers, two by two, 
 four by four, etc., giving practice in counting. 
 
 ROSE-HAWS 
 Rosaries (Haivs, stout thread, needle) 
 
 When the beautiful red rose-haws ripen let the 
 children string them, making rosaries to send to city 
 friends. 
 
 STRAWS 
 
 Stringing (Scissors, needle, thread, cranberries, nuts, 
 
 etc.) 
 
 Save the straw from rye and let the children cut 
 it into one-inch lengths for stringing alternately with 
 cranberries, nuts, beads, etc. Use to decorate the room, 
 to make portieres, and to decorate the child himself 
 when dressing up. 
 
 Blowing Bubbles (Straw, soapy zvater) 
 
 Hollow straws several inches long may be used to 
 blow tiny bubbles of soapy water in the absence of a 
 clay pipe.
 
 52 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 SUN AND SHADOW 
 
 Blue-Prints (Leaf, blue-print paper, running water, 
 
 small oblong of glass) 
 
 A package of blue-print paper can be bought at 
 any photographic supply place for from 15 cents up, 
 or can be had in the sheet from an architect's supply 
 store. It must be carefully protected from the light 
 till ready for use. 
 
 Take a square of the paper and place upon it a 
 leaf or flower or inconspicuous weed that makes a good 
 shadow on the sidewalk or window sill. Place this in 
 pleasing position upon the paper and put quickly in the 
 bright sunshine, holding it in place with the small 
 pane of glass (common picture glass will do). Leave 
 exposed to the sun for about ten minutes, then pour 
 cold water over it for a moment or so, and the 
 "shadow" will be seen to be permanently "fixed" in 
 light blue against a darker blue background. 
 
 An artist acquaintance has a hundred or more 
 such prints of leaves, plants and flowers beautifully 
 mounted in a Japanese blank-book, the paper of which 
 makes an exquisite background. She finds these 
 shadows of the flowers and commonest weeds sug- 
 gestive in her designing. 
 
 Shadow Game (Smooth fence in sunshine; branch 
 with leaves.) 
 
 1. Several children sit in row, facing smooth 
 board fence. Another group of children form their 
 opponents. Of these one walks behind seated row 
 in such a way that his profile is visible on fence. 
 Seated children guess opponent from shadow cast. 
 
 2. One child casts on wall shadow of leafy 
 branch. Opponents guess name of parent tree.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 SAVED FROM THE SCRAP BASKET 
 
 or 
 WORK WITH SCISSORS AND PASTE 
 
 What is known as free-hand cutting has been for 
 some time recognized as of genuine educational value 
 and is a source of great pleasure to the child when 
 once he learns his capacity in this direction. When 
 he tries, by means of paper and scissors, to ex- 
 press an idea, to illustrate some story, or to indicate 
 something that he has seen, his notions of form and 
 proportion become more definite and precise, and he 
 learns to express action with remarkable skill and 
 power. He learns to appreciate beauty of outline as 
 seen in mountains and trees against a clear sky, and 
 to recognize such beauty as there may be in what 
 artists know as the "sky line," when darkness deep- 
 ens and the mammoth buildings of a city loom up 
 black against the sunset heavens. The definiteness of 
 observation and skill with the hand acquired in this 
 free cutting serves the child in many ways when in 
 the school grades. 
 
 Many an otherwise useless piece of paper may, 
 with the help of scissors, give the child hours of 
 pleasure. 
 
 But before he is able to use the scissors the 
 child may receive pleasure and benefit from the use 
 of paper alone. 
 
 53
 
 54 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 PAPER 
 
 Tearing Paper (Any bit of paper) 
 
 Give the children small pieces of paper and let 
 them try to tear these into simple definite shapes. 
 Make a shoe, stocking, snowman, tree, ladder, cat, etc. 
 Watch that they do not grow nervous in doing it. 
 After a little practice they will become surprisingly 
 expert. Paste what they make on a good background 
 to save and compare with later efforts. 
 
 This is a really educational occupation which in- 
 volves absolutely no expense, as any clean piece of 
 paper may be so used. Will employ the child happily 
 when traveling. 
 
 The very youngest children, if they want to tear 
 the newspaper, may be asked to tear it into tiny 
 pieces which brother and sister can use in playing 
 "hare and hounds." 
 
 Cutting Paper 
 
 Let the child begin the cutting by making a snow- 
 ball out of white paper, and then a snowman. These 
 need only crude outlines, such as are within his ca- 
 pacity. Then lead him on, little by little, to cut a pic- 
 ture of the cat and of the dog, and illustrations to his 
 favorite stories, as the "Three Bears." This is be- 
 loved in the kindergarten, requiring, as it does, pic- 
 tures of the chairs, the bowls, etc. Those who have 
 not seen children do this kind of work will be sur- 
 prised at the capacity developed. 
 
 If he is afraid to attempt the freehand work, give 
 the child pictures to cut around, as simple outlines 
 of a cat seated, or a piece of fruit. Then encourage 
 him to cut without the outline. Both efforts may run
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 55 
 
 along together. If a line be drawn, be sure that it is 
 heavy and distinct enough to be readily seen and fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 Birthday Candles) (Red paper, blank card, colored 
 Firecrackers } crayon) 
 
 Out of red paper let the child cut six (or any 
 number desired) narrow strips for red candles, to 
 represent birthday candles. Place in a row upon a 
 white card, to serve as place cards at a child's party. 
 Draw a bit of yellow at end of each candle to hint 
 at a flame. 
 
 The same may be turned into firecrackers for a 
 "Fourth of July" festival, a line being drawn to sug- 
 gest a fuse. 
 
 Soldier-Caps (Newspaper, pins or paste) 
 
 Take brown wrapping paper or newspaper and 
 cut a square. Place before you and fold from back 
 to front, making an oblong. While still folded make 
 another fold by turning the left edge so that it exactly 
 meets the right edge. Open this much out and there 
 is a crease running from top to bottom. Now take 
 the upper left hand corner and make it touch the bct- 
 tom of this crease; take the upper right hand corner 
 and make it touch the lower end of this crease. This 
 gives a pointed cap, still unfinished. To finish cut a 
 slit, an inch deep, up from each lower end of the cap 
 and then fold a kind of hem up from the bottom and 
 paste the ends over neatly. Turn the hat over and 
 fold a similar hem on the other side. Turn in the 
 corner and finish by pasting neatly. 
 
 Plume for Hat (Paper as above, scissors, paste or 
 pin) 
 Take a strip of paper 6 x 12 inches. Make a
 
 56 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 fringe or series of cuts in this about four inches long 
 and }/2 inch wide, and then roll it up and attach to 
 hat with paste or a pin. 
 
 Epaulets for shoulder may be cut in similar way. 
 
 The cutting of these fringes gives practice in the 
 use of scissors. 
 
 The articles whose making we will now describe 
 do not come under the head of free-hand cutting, as 
 they usually require cutting according to measure- 
 ment, and really definite directions. They are given 
 in general in the order of difficulty in the making. 
 
 Chains (Scissors, paper, paste, toothpick) 
 
 Let the little child begin by cutting strips of 
 some bright paper or smooth wrapping paper into 
 lengths of ^ by 3 inches. Make a ring of one of these, 
 putting a wee bit of paste on the under part of one 
 end and sticking it fast to the other end by over- 
 lapping. Through this ring run another strip and 
 paste into a similar ring, and so make a long chain 
 of them wherewith to decorate the child's small per- 
 son or the room. To make paste see page 169. 
 
 It is well to have a small pomade box, obtain- 
 able at a druggist's, in which to keep the paste. It 
 can then be covered and kept moist until the next 
 time for using. But a little fresh mucilage or paste 
 can at any time be put into a butter dish. A tooth- 
 pick will make a good paste-stick, which the child 
 can handle more easily than a brush. Show him that 
 a tiny bit of paste will suffice and that more makes 
 the pretty ring mussy. 
 
 If mother is sewing and the child restless and 
 no bright colored paper convenient, let the child cut
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 57 
 
 strips of newspaper right at hand and make the rings. 
 His imagination will readily convert them into links 
 of gold. 
 
 Mask (Paper of any color, scissors, chalk, cord} 
 
 Cut an oval out of paper (or dress-lining) and 
 in it cut holes for eyes, nose, and mouth, fitting first 
 to the child's face to" insure getting them in the right 
 places. Put a hole in the middle of each side through 
 which to tie the string which fastens it around over 
 the head. To add to the fun the mask may be colored 
 with chalks. 
 
 Newspaper Wrappers (Smooth brown wrapping 
 
 paper, pencil, ruler) 
 
 Take smooth pieces of brown wrapping paper. 
 Cut oblongs 8 x 12 inches. From one narrow edge 
 then measure an inch down on each side and make a 
 dot. Make another dot at the middle of this same 
 narrow side. Then draw a curve from dot to dot 
 and cut along the line. This makes the curved edge 
 of the wrapper. The curve may be cut free hand by 
 a skilful hand, or drawn with a compass. Put some 
 mucilage all along the edge of the curved side about 
 */2 inch wide and let dry. Make a dozen of these and 
 give to father for a present, all ready for use when 
 he wants to mail a paper. They can be made more 
 complete by affixing a one-cent stamp on the right 
 hand side where the curved edge begins. 
 
 Papers for Baking Pans (Brown paper, scissors, 
 
 pencil) 
 
 Give child paper and baking-pans, and let him 
 cut papers ready for your use when making cake. 
 Let him do measuring.
 
 58 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Book-Mark (Fine ivhite or tinted paper) 
 
 Take a piece of dainty paper and cut into an 
 oblong 1x6 inches. Fold lengthwise and cut a small 
 triangle from each end so as to leave a point when 
 opened out. Now cut a circle in the middle of the 
 paper (which is still folded) and cut other shaped 
 openings, diamonds, triangles, etc., along the fold, 
 l /2 or 24 inches apart. Open and you have a simple 
 openwork bookmark the little child can give father 
 for birthday. A little experiment will show how to 
 secure variety and intricacy of design. 
 
 Fringed Bon-Bon Papers (White tissue paper, col- 
 ored ink or water-color paints, candy, verse of 
 poetry) 
 
 Cut a sheet of tissue paper into little oblongs 
 4x5 inches. Dip each narrow end Y^ of an inch 
 into ink, red, green, etc., or into water-color paints, 
 and let dry. Then cut this colored margin into nar- 
 row slits, making fringe. Copy some appropriate 
 couplet on a narrow slip of paper and place it with 
 a piece of candy inside the paper, giving the fringed 
 ends a final twist. The making of these at home for 
 some future occasion, such as a birthday party, will 
 afford a happy hour's amusement. 
 
 Paper Money (White paper, pencil, scissors, cent) 
 
 Place the cent beneath the paper and then press 
 on it with the bottom of the pencil, rubbing at the 
 same time with a circular motion. Soon the impres- 
 sion of the coin will appear on the paper. Cut out 
 and use in playing store.
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 59 
 
 Snowflakes (White paper, mucilage, a ten-cent box 
 of mica crystals or five cents' worth of alum 
 powder) 
 
 A six-pointed star must first be made of white 
 paper. To make this take piece of the paper from 3 
 to 6 inches square, according to the size of the star. 
 Fold the paper once and cut an approximate half cir- 
 cle. Then fold this in thirds, pressing the folds to 
 make creases. If opened out the circle would be 
 marked by six equi-distant creases radiating from the 
 centre. Do not, however, open, for you are now ready 
 to cut. Before doing this, observe if possible some 
 real snowflakes, with miscroscope or magnifying glass, 
 or even with the naked eye. Notice the form and 
 hexagonal structure. This is seen best if the flake 
 is caught on some woolen fabric. Then look into an 
 unabridged dictionary and study the picture of the 
 magnified snowflake crystal. Then cut tiny trian- 
 gles, circles, etc., into your folded circle so that 
 when opened out it will suggest an enlarged snow- 
 flake with its six varied points. A delicate appear- 
 ance is secured by cutting delicate tapering points, 
 or, if the points be broad, cut holes in them to give 
 a lacey effect. We do not give more definite direc- 
 tions for cutting, as the great fascination of the occu- 
 pation consists in the experiments with their many 
 surprises. 
 
 (1) Now take the paper snowflake and brush it 
 lightly over with a thin, transparent mucilage, and 
 then sift over it some mica crystals obtainable at a 
 toy-store, one box being sufficient for many flakes. 
 After drying, cover the other side in the same way. 
 Suspended from the Christmas tree, these are very 
 effective. 
 
 (2) The flakes can be made in another way,
 
 60 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 thus: Make a solution of alum water, dissolving 
 five cents' worth of alum in a pint of water. Be sure 
 it is all dissolved. Then put the flakes in a shallow 
 dish (granite ware or some material that the acid will 
 not injure). Cover with the solution and put in a 
 place slightly warm, so that the gradual evaporation 
 of the water will help in the slow formation of the 
 crystals. When finally evaporated the lacey "cut-out" 
 will be found covered with alum crystals. Cover 
 during evaporation with some light protection from 
 the dust. 
 
 Tailless Kite (Two sticks, $y 2 feet long and l /2 inch 
 
 wide, a ball of strong but thin twine, two pieces 
 
 tissue paper, knife, flour paste) 
 
 Get the sticks from the saw-mill. Cut a notch 
 in the two ends of each stick as a catch for the frame- 
 work of twine which will be put on later. On one 
 stick make a pencil mark about seven inches from the 
 top. Put the middle of the second stick across the 
 first at this mark and bind the two together firmly 
 at right angles to each other. You now have a 
 skeleton in the form of a cross. Number the ends of 
 the sticks I, 2, 3, 4, making the top I, the right hand 
 end 2, the bottom 3, and the left hand 4, and the 
 place where they join 5. 
 
 Now bend the second stick (the cross piece) into 
 a bow and tie a piece of twine from end to end like a 
 bow-string. You must get the curve of the bow just 
 right, so that the distance from the middle of the 
 bow-string to the joinings of the sticks is the same 
 as from the joinings of the sticks to the top of the 
 main stick, i. e., seven inches. 
 
 Now carry twine all around, from end to end 
 of the skeleton, to make a framework for the paper;
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 61 
 
 put this twine through each notch and around the end 
 of the stick several times to strengthen. Now paste 
 together, end to end, lengthwise, the two pieces of 
 paper, to make one long piece (a single piece is not 
 large enough). Place the paper on the floor or broad 
 table, and lay the frame upon it. The paper will not 
 be as long or wide in all places as the framework, 
 hence, fold it over the twine framework experi- 
 mentally, and cut off in places where it is too wide. 
 Allow enough for secure pasting. Use the cut-off 
 corners to lengthen in other places where necessary, 
 by pasting on. If two colors of paper are taken, 
 the effect is very pretty, the corners being arranged 
 to match each other. The best paste is made by a 
 judicious mixture of ordinary flour and water. 
 
 Now the belly-band must be tied on, as the flying 
 string is attached to the belly-band. The belly-band 
 is attached on the outside or convex side of the 
 kite, being attached at 5 where the two sticks join ; 
 and at 3. It must be just as long as the distance 
 from 5 to 2 added to the distance from 2 to 3. When 
 tied at both ends put your pencil through the loop and 
 move it so that the pencil rests upon the figure 2. 
 The cord will then make an angle coinciding with 
 5-2 and 2-3. At the angle 2, attach the belly-band. 
 
 In flying the kite it is important to have a very 
 long flying-string. 
 
 CARDBOARD OR BRISTOL BOARD 
 
 Go-Bang Board (Bristol board, ruler, ink, pen, but- 
 ton-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 ^ inches each way.
 
 62 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 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 pre- 
 viously agreed upon), say four, five or six, in a 
 straight row, either horizontally, vertically or ob- 
 liquely. 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, glased 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 frcm the 
 
 edge for a border. From each colored sheet of paper 
 
 cut 32 squares of 1^4 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
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 63 
 
 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 3x4 
 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, 
 6^4 x 8 inches. Make a series of pencil dots 54 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 But-
 
 64 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 terick Fashion Co. their animal pictures, or same may 
 be had from kindergarten supply stores. Trace out- 
 line 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 card- 
 board 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 diam- 
 eters 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 ap- 
 pearance 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 x 2}/ 2 
 inches in measurement [visiting cards will do], 
 6 lengths of taffeta binding or baby ribbon, l /\ 
 inch wide x 3 inches long) 
 
 The following toy can be made with little ex- 
 pense 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.
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 
 
 Place the three cards one beneath the other, nar- 
 row sides facing each other. 
 
 Letter the cards respectively A, 
 B,C. 
 
 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 I 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 i. 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 I. 
 
 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 
 
 Chinese Toy. 
 
 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
 
 66 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 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 illus- 
 tration.) 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 Chinese Kite (Kindergarten slats, paper, glue} 
 
 Take a firm, light paper (druggist's paper will 
 do). Cut two oblongs, 7 x 10 inches. Cut off all the 
 corners by an oblique line of three inches. Fold each 
 oblong lengthwise. Place the folded edges back to 
 back, still folded. Take two slats and place one 
 under one oblong and over the other, horizontally. 
 Do the same with the other slat, but reversing the 
 under and over positions. Take four strips of paper, 
 which should be about one inch wide. Paste two strips 
 over the splints, one on each side, to hold them in 
 place. Place a third strip from top to bottom of the 
 folded oblongs to hold them together. (They mean- 
 while lying back to back.) Turn the oblongs over
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 67 
 
 and place the remaining strip in corresponding posi- 
 tion. The result is a four-winged kite. Tie a cord 
 around the slats and it is finished. 
 
 Ash-Tray (Cigar bands, glass saucer, photographer's 
 
 paste, square of felt) 
 
 For some time past children who are under the 
 sway of the collecting instinct have acquired from 
 friends or by purchase the bright colored bands that 
 come around cigars and then have utilized them thus: 
 Make an ash receiver by getting at a stationer's a 
 glass dish and its accompanying piece of felt. Paste 
 bands in pleasing positions upon the under side of 
 the glass. (Photographer's paste shows no discolor- 
 ation.) Meanwhile, the felt should have been thor- 
 oughly wet, stretched to fit the under side of the 
 dish, and hung up to dry. When dry, paste upon the 
 under side of the dish and trim off neatly the pro- 
 jecting corners. 
 
 Pen-Tray (Materials same as above, except that 
 
 stamps or embossed letter-heads arc substituted 
 
 for cigar bands) 
 
 There are many who do not wish to encourage 
 smoking, and to such we suggest a pleasing modifi- 
 cation of the above. 
 
 Buy the glass dish and felt above mentioned, and 
 instead of the bands paste upon the dish canceled 
 postage stamps or letter-head monograms, etc., for a 
 pen-tray. A smooth glass saucer and any piece of 
 bright-colored felt that may be in the house may of 
 course be used.
 
 68 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Scrap-Book (Colored paper-muslin, heavy sezving silk 
 
 or worsted, paste, paste-stick) 
 
 Cut paper-muslin of pretty colors, pink, blue or 
 tan, into pieces 8 x 13 inches (six pieces in all). 
 Fold each one over once and fit together to make a 
 book, the cover being of a color different from the 
 body of the book. Sew all together by overcasting 
 the back with stitches */2 inch apart in one direction, 
 and then going back in the opposite direction through 
 the same holes, thus securing a cross-stitch effect. 
 Show the child how to paste scrap-pictures neatly in 
 this book. He may keep it for himself or give it to 
 the children's ward in a hospital or to some younger 
 friend. A very little paste or glue will suffice ; a bit 
 in the centre and towards the corners of a picture. 
 
 If the child has collected a large assortment of 
 cards before beginning to make the book, let him 
 classify them, putting together on one page animals, 
 on another plants, on another pictures typical of the 
 different seasons, etc. He may in this way suggest 
 a house, putting on one page kitchen furniture ar- 
 ranged in some logical order; on another page the 
 furnishings of bedroom, etc. Pictures for this pur- 
 pose may be cut from magazine advertisements, trade 
 journals, etc. In the same fashion a store may be 
 furnished with articles for sale, the counter, scales, 
 and desk. This gives practice in selecting and 
 arranging. Good taste may be inculcated even from 
 such small beginnings.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE SEWING-BASKET 
 
 While busy with thread and needle, the mother 
 may find it necessary to suggest some happy employ- 
 ment for the little one who asks for something to do. 
 What do the contents of the sewing-basket hint? 
 
 BUTTONS 
 
 Spinning Button (Button, thread) 
 
 Show the child a button strung upon a strong 
 thread about 12 inches long. Then hold the thread 
 firmly between thumb and finger of each hand and 
 twirl it rapidly, drawing it suddenly taut. The but- 
 ton whirls round, making a pretty spinning figure. 
 
 Stringing Buttons (Buttons, waxed thread) 
 
 If baby is so old that he is not tempted to swal- 
 low a pretty button, give him a strong thread waxed 
 at the end to make it stiff, and let him make a chain 
 of buttons. They may be strung according to size or 
 color or shape, giving practice in counting, in arrange- 
 ment, and in choice. 
 
 Buttons as Counters (Buttons) 
 
 Save disused buttons of the same kind and let 
 the child classify into two or more sets to be used as 
 counters in games like checkers or go-bang. See 
 page 62. 
 
 69
 
 70 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Button-Mold Wheels (Molds, brush, water-color 
 
 paints) 
 
 Give the child four wooden button-molds of the 
 same size and let him paint spokes upon them so that 
 they will be ready any time to use as wheels for a 
 toy wagon. Call him a little wheelwright. 
 
 Button-Mold Tops (Molds, match or toothpick, gild- 
 ing or paint) 
 Paint or gild a button-mold and then stick through 
 
 the hole a toothpick or burnt match whittled to right 
 
 size and show the child how to spin it. 
 
 Button-Mold Counters (See page 62) 
 
 SPOOLS 
 Toy Furniture (See page 15) 
 
 Toy Tree Boxes (Spools, green paint, matches, green 
 
 paper, scissors, paste) 
 
 Let the child paint an empty spool green, to be 
 used as a tree box. Insert a burnt match to which 
 has been pasted some green paper, previously fringed, 
 to represent foliage. The child can make a row of 
 such trees as a little boulevard up which he can draw 
 an empty match box for a carriage. 
 
 Spool Tower Target (A number of spools, ball) 
 
 Pile a number of spools one on top of another 
 and let the child try to knock them down with his 
 ball.
 
 The Sewing- Basket 71 
 
 Toy Road Roller (Spool, cord, toy horse) 
 
 Tie a cord through a spool and hitch it as a road 
 roller to the Noah's Ark horse. 
 
 Pulley Elevator (Narrow cardboard box, such as a 
 
 corset box or shorter one, spool, cord, another 
 
 small box, either saved or made, narrow enough 
 
 to fit inside the larger one, skezver) 
 
 Stand the large box on its narrow end and near 
 
 the top punch a hole on each side so that the holes are 
 
 opposite to each other. Take a spool and run through 
 
 it an axle made of a slender piece of wood like a 
 
 skewer. Then put the ends of the axle in the holes 
 
 in the box. This makes the pulley. Use the smaller 
 
 box as an elevator. Tie a string to this little box in 
 
 such a way that you can hold it up evenly. To do this 
 
 you must punch a hole in each of the opposite sides. 
 
 Then tie one end of a longer string to the middle of 
 
 the first named, and put the other end over the pulley. 
 
 Revolve the spool by pulling one end of the string 
 
 and the box will be raised. 
 
 Matching Colors (Spools of silk or cotton of various 
 colors, silk and cotton fabrics of different colors) 
 Have a color game, asking the child to try to 
 match the colors on the spools with those in the fab- 
 rics. 
 
 NEEDLES 
 
 Breastpins (Broken needles, sealing wax, candle) 
 
 Take a large broken needle, such that it is intact 
 except for the eye. Show the child how to make a 
 pretty pin for dolly by melting the wax a little in 
 the candle flame, inserting the head of the needle, and 
 molding into shape the bit of wax that adheres.
 
 72 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Threading Needles (Needles, thread) 
 
 If eager to do something, give the child a num- 
 ber of needles with thread of white and black, and 
 let him thread them and put them into a cushion so 
 that they will be all ready for your use some morning 
 when you are in a hurry to sew on a button or take 
 a stitch in Tommy's little shirt. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS 
 Thimble Biscuits (See page 104) 
 
 Drawing Scissors (Scissors, paper, pencil) 
 
 Give the child scissors and paper and let him 
 place the scissors on the paper and draw the outline 
 around them. Then tell him to cut out this outline. 
 Make several such and play at keeping cutlery store. 
 Draw scissors open at different angles and tell names 
 of angles ; right, acute, obtuse. 
 
 Guessing Distances (Ruler or tape measure) 
 
 Let the children guess the height and length of 
 various objects in the room. Verify by measuring 
 with the tape-measure. Tell them of Oliver Wendell 
 Holmes, the great poet, who, whenever he drove into 
 the country, carried a tape-measure with which to 
 determine the girth of any large tree he saw. 
 
 Let children measure the size of the panes of 
 glass, window-frames, etc. ; have them tell how many 
 feet it would take to carpet the floor. 
 
 Tell them to put father's hat on the floor, near 
 the wall, and guess its height. 
 
 Such little exercises develop the powers of accu- 
 rate observation in a way that may prove very helpful 
 in an emergency.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 THE PAINT BOX 
 
 or 
 EXPRESSION WITH PENCIL OR BRUSH 
 
 Let the child early be given charcoal or colored 
 chalks, and later the three pigments red, blue and 
 yellow wherewith to express his ideas. Allow him 
 some choice in the medium he uses as pencil, 
 charcoal or brush as one may be best suited to his 
 purpose one time, and another one at another time. 
 
 Encourage the child to tell a story by painting 
 or drawing. The earliest graphic method by which 
 man conveyed messages to one at a distance was 
 through picture-writing. 
 
 LEARNING TO OBSERVE 
 
 Painting From the Real Object (Paints, chalk or 
 
 charcoal) 
 
 Place before the child an apple, banana or flower 
 of simple form and let him copy directly from the 
 object without previous drawing. Encourage his ef- 
 forts, however crude the results at first. It is more 
 educative to draw from the real object than from a 
 copy. Give him at first three colors only, in paints, 
 till he learns how to get other colors by mixing these. 
 73
 
 74 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 For this purpose point out beautiful sunsets and cloud 
 effects in Nature. 
 
 Life Stages of Seedling (Paper, paints, seedling) 
 
 Place before the child a bean or pea. Give him 
 an oblong of paper 3x8 inches. Fold it into four 
 parts. In the first let him draw or paint the seed as 
 he sees it. Then let him plant the seed. In a day 
 or so let him paint a picture of the seedling, after 
 having grown so as to show the development of the 
 seed leaves. Draw two other pictures to show later 
 stages of growth. This gives a picture history of 
 the little plant and while so occupied the child is learn- 
 ing to observe and note that which he sees. 
 
 ACQUIRING SKILL 
 
 Calendars (Water-colors, brush, paper, calendar pad) 
 Draw circles, squares, etc., and let the child fill in 
 the outlines with color. A tiny calendar may be 
 pasted in the center and ribbons put through where- 
 with to hang it up. 
 
 In filling in these figures show the child how to 
 hold the brush lightly so as to secure freedom of 
 stroke. Let him make long strokes beginning at the 
 top of the paper and moving from side to side slowly 
 downward, or rather as rapidly as is consistent with 
 neatness. Have enough water on the brush so that 
 the color will not dry from one long stroke before 
 you are able to go back and carry it on to the next 
 stroke. Practice making a clean, smooth surface. 
 
 Nature Pictures 
 
 Let the child fill one sheet thus with blue, a pic- 
 ture of the sky. Another sheet may be covered with
 
 The Paint Box 75 
 
 green, a meadow. Still another sheet may have the 
 upper part blue and the lower green. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS WITH COLOR 
 
 Prism (Secure glass prism from kindergarten store 
 or from some candelabra you may have at home) 
 Place in sunlight and let child observe colors 
 and the order in which they appear ; always in the same 
 order the cold colors at one end, the warm ones at 
 the other. Let the little child try to catch and hold 
 the lovely "light-bird." 
 
 Pigments (Water-color paints, glasses of water) 
 
 Dissolve a little red, yellow and blue paint in 
 three separate glasses. Then, by mingling these the 
 primary colors show how the secondary colors or- 
 ange, green and violet may be obtained. 
 
 Transparent Papers 
 
 Get at a kindergarten store the transparent 
 papers and isinglass used in color work. By overlap- 
 ping one upon another different hues may be ob- 
 tained. This may be done also, though less effect- 
 ively, with colored tissue papers ; but these are not 
 so pure in tone. 
 
 Color-Top 
 
 Color tops may be procured at kindergarten stores. 
 With the top come paper circles, of standard colors, 
 with their tints and shades, giving a great variety. 
 These are so slit that by placing two or more on the 
 top according to directions and revolving the top, any 
 tint or hue may be mathematically produced.
 
 76 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 If the child has made his own button-mold top, 
 let him cut circles of white paper and slip them over 
 the axis of the top. Make a dab of color here or 
 there on the paper with paint or chalk. Whirl 
 around and observe the effect. This will lead up to 
 a better understanding of the above-mentioned color- 
 top which is manufactured by the Milton Bradley Co. 
 
 APPLIED ART 
 
 Toy Wagons and Houses 
 
 If the child has made wagons or houses of wood 
 or cardboard, let him paint them in broad, free strokes. 
 It is desirable that the little child be given work 
 which involves the free movement of the larger mus- 
 cles which such work demands. This may not appeal 
 to one as belonging under the head of art, but we 
 learn from Mr. Pennell that in Sicily the wagons of 
 the peasants are beautifully decorated with landscapes 
 and other pictures, and that the artists are particular 
 to make their names conspicuous. 
 
 In any case a certain artistic feeling is required 
 in choosing the colors and rightly applying them even 
 in house-painting and wagon decoration. And mean- 
 while the child is learning how to wield his instru- 
 ments. 
 
 Place Cards 
 
 Take a clover leaf and practice painting from it 
 until able to make a copy good enough to paint upon 
 a place card for the table. If the drawing be cor- 
 rect, just a flat wash of color will do for the painting 
 at first. 
 
 An autumn leaf will do for a Thanksgiving card. 
 
 See Festival Occasions for other ideas.
 
 The Paint Box 77 
 
 Tops 
 
 If a button-mold top has been made, it may be 
 painted in concentric rings or the entire surface may 
 be neatly colored. 
 
 Match-Safe 
 
 This has been described upon page 34. 
 
 Designs for Rugs (Paper, brown or white, paints or 
 
 chalk) 
 
 Let child draw or paint design for toy rug he 
 is making- for doll-house. He may make an oblong 
 of one color, and at each end draw lines across, which 
 are to be woven in another color. There may be 
 one line at each end, or two, or three, etc. The ar- 
 rangement of these lines and their distance apart allow 
 much scope for taste and judgment. 
 
 Designs for Wall-Papers, Oilcloths, Etc. (Parquetry 
 papers, paste, etc.) 
 
 1. Have child observe oilcloth designs and then 
 with kindergarten parquetry papers try to make sim- 
 ilar ones for doll-house. 
 
 2. Having made pasted designs, let him copy 
 same in water-colors. 
 
 Design for Stained Glass Window (Transparent 
 
 paper, scissors, white paper, paste} 
 
 Cut a circle out of the white paper. Fold it once, 
 which gives a half-circle; fold again, which gives a 
 quarter-circle. Holding it folded, cut several ellipses, 
 triangles, etc., into the folded edges. Open out and 
 you have framework of a rose-window. On the back 
 of this paste a piece of transparent paper (see page 
 75), red or green or yellow, and let the light shine
 
 78 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 through. Hang in window for transparency. Suitable 
 for Easter gift. Vary by cutting like cathedral win- 
 dows. (See illustrations in dictionary under "Trac- 
 ery.") 
 
 PICTURE-STORY 
 
 Chased by a Goose (Pencil, paper) 
 
 Once some boys lived in a house (make a dot) 
 surrounded by a strong fence (draw circle round the 
 dot). A short distance off was a large pond (an oval, 
 
 Chased by a Goose 
 
 a little below and to the right of the circle). One 
 day the boys ran down to the pond (draw curved 
 line from house to pond) and began to splash in the 
 water and to throw it at each other (a number of 
 oblique lines from right hand end of pond). Some 
 distance off lived some Indians in two wigwams (two 
 oblique lines meeting at the top and next to them a 
 similar pair, like two tents, just below the pond). 
 When the Indians saw the boys throwing the water
 
 The Paint Box 79 
 
 out they began to chase the boys, running up a zigzag 
 path (from each tent draw an oblique line to the right 
 for a short distance and then turn to the left till it 
 meets the pond). The boys ran as fast as they could 
 up a winding path parallel to the one they ran down 
 (draw curving line parallel to first one), and then ran 
 to the left partly around the fence surrounding the 
 house. They had to run around the barn, too (an 
 oblique line to the left and then another to the 
 right till it meets the circle again), and when they 
 looked behind them they found they had been chased 
 by a goose ! ! ! 
 
 A little practice will make this easy for the story 
 teller. The original dot and circle form the head and 
 eye of the goose. The curving path is the neck. The 
 water splashing out makes the tail feathers. The 
 wigwams and the zigzag path form the legs and feet, 
 and the path around the barn makes the bill.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 DOLLS AND DOLL-HOUSES 
 
 What little girl does not love a doll? The more 
 variety in their size and style the better pleased is 
 she. Below are a number of suggestions for simple 
 home-made dollies that may be prepared as a birthday 
 or other surprise by older brothers or sisters. 
 
 A FEW DOLLS 
 x. Clay-Pipe Doll 
 
 Ink in the eyes, nose and mouth on the back of 
 the bowl of a pipe; dress in calico gown and apron, 
 and put on a sunbonnet to conceal the top of the 
 pipe. 
 
 2. Clothespin Doll 
 
 Ink features upon the head of the clothespin and 
 clothe as either boy or girl. 
 
 3. Wishbone Doll (Wishbone, sealing-iva*. material 
 
 for trousers) 
 
 Clothe the two limbs in trousers and ink in the 
 features upon the flat joining bone. Feet may be made 
 of sealing wax melted, pressed into shape and at- 
 tached while still warm. 
 
 4. Peanut Doll (Peanuts, seii'ing-silk. glue, thread 
 
 and needle, silk for dress)
 
 Dolls and Doll-Houses 81 
 
 Make into Chinese doll. Take one peanut and ink 
 in the features, making the eyes slanting. Glue on 
 a queue of braided silk. String together several pea- 
 nuts to make the body. To the upper one add on 
 each side one or two as arms and string several to- 
 gether to make legs. Dress in wide-sleeved jacket 
 and wide-legged trousers of Oriental design. 
 
 5. Yarn Doll (Skein of white cotton yam) 
 
 Cut the skein into lengths of 12 inches. Double 
 the skein over in the middle and tie a string tight 
 around about two inches from the top, forming a neck 
 and so making the head. Tie another string further 
 down for a waist line, but leave out a few threads on 
 each side, of which to make two arms. Tie these 
 near the ends to indicate wrists. Before tying the 
 wrists cut the threads to right lengths for arms. The 
 features may be put in with ink. 
 
 6. Cork Doll (id or more corks saved from olive bot- 
 
 tles, etc., smooth wire or hairpins three in num- 
 ber) 
 
 String several corks upon the wire or hairpin for 
 head and body. Through the second cork from the top 
 run a hairpin sideways for arms, and fasten two corks 
 upon each projecting end, cutting off any of the wire 
 that may extend beyond the cork. Through the lower 
 cork of the body run another hairpin and fasten two 
 corks upon it for legs. Turn the end corks sideways 
 to suggest feet. Dress the doll as desired. 
 
 7. Paper Doll (Fashion papers and catalogues, scis- 
 
 sors, paint, paste) 
 
 Most little girls find great pleasure in making their 
 own paper dollies and the garments therefor. Fashion
 
 82 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 papers and catalogues afford many dolls for cutting 
 out, and tissue paper, crinkled paper, the lace paper 
 found in candy boxes, etc., form the raw material for 
 beautiful Parisian gowns. 
 
 Dolls may of course be cut out of white paper and 
 beautiful countenances painted upon them, or holes 
 may be cut in the head for eyes, nose and mouth. 
 
 8. Rag Doll (White cotton cloth, cotton batting, 
 paints, scissors, needle, thread, water-color paints 
 or blueing and red ink, raveled rope, etc.) 
 Cut a large newspaper pattern of a doll. Then 
 double the cloth, pin the pattern upon it and cut the 
 two sides for the doll. Run neatly around with close 
 stitches, beginning at the neck, and when nearly fin- 
 ished turn inside out, stuff with the cotton batting, and 
 sew up the head. Paint in the features or use blueing 
 for eyes and red ink for mouth and cheeks. Ravelings 
 of rope will make silky hair, and fingers may be indi- 
 cated by stitches. 
 
 SOME DOLL-HOUSES 
 
 1. Cigar-Box House (Small cigar-box, paste, scis- 
 
 sors, pictures, etc.) 
 
 A cigar-box, small as it is, will give great delight 
 to a child who is aided in furnishing a little room. 
 Stand the box up on the long side. Paper with wall 
 paper of a small design. Then furnish with things 
 made by the child himself; pictures cut from cata- 
 logues, and other accessories as described below. 
 
 2. Pasteboard-Box House (Four pasteboard boxes, 
 
 glue, paint)
 
 Dolls and Doll-Houses 83 
 
 Select four strong pasteboard boxes of uniform 
 size. Boxes such as the "Martha Washington Can- 
 dles" are packed in will do. They measure 7 x n 
 inches. Lay aside the covers and remove any paper 
 which may be attached to the inside of the box. 
 Spread a thick paste of Spaulding's glue or furniture 
 glue over the surface of one side of a box. Fit one 
 side of a second to this glued surface and put aside 
 to dry. The third and fourth boxes are treated in the 
 same manner. When securely glued in pairs place 
 the boxes with open sides facing you. Cover upper 
 outside surface of one pair of boxes with a thick coat- 
 ing of glue and set the second pair on top of these in 
 the same position. 
 
 Now, one has a pasteboard house of four rooms 
 two upstairs and two downstairs. When securely 
 fastened together cut in the partition separating the 
 two upper rooms a door four inches high and three 
 wide. Two windows measuring 3x4 inches, two 
 inches from floor, may be cut in the back of the house. 
 The same treatment may be given the rooms down- 
 stairs. One may arrange a kitchen and dining-room 
 downstairs and a parlor and bedroom upstairs. 
 
 Oil paints, such as are used in painting furniture, 
 which come already mixed in small cans, may be used 
 for painting the exterior of the house. 
 
 In using this paint it is well to remember always 
 to put sufficient paint on the brush to cover the 
 entire surface of the wall of the house, from edge to 
 edge, without lifting the brush. A strict observance 
 of this rule insures a neatly painted surface. If de- 
 sired, one may use yellow, green, or any light color 
 for the interior. 
 
 Remnants of cartridge paper or paper decorated 
 in small designs can often be obtained of paper-
 
 84 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 hangers for a small sum. It may be fastened to the 
 floor to serve as a large rug. 
 
 3. Soap-Box House (Three wooden soap-boxes, nails, 
 
 saw, paint) 
 
 Take three soap-boxes, wooden. Remove the 
 covers from two and place one upon the other to make 
 a two-story house. Put in partitions thus : Take a 
 thin piece of board (from a smaller box), saw to 
 needed height and depth and nail it in place by driv- 
 ing nails from above, below or the side, as the case 
 may require. A stiff piece of cardboard (taken from 
 a large box) may be made to serve as partition. If 
 cut to the right size the pressure from top and bot- 
 tom will hold in place. 
 
 By taking tzvo small boxes for the upper floor 
 instead of one large one the space which would be 
 naturally left between can be made into a hallway. 
 Stairs may then be made of stiff cardboard, folded 
 into steps, with a strip of obliquely-cut paper pasted 
 along the edges of the steps to keep them in place. 
 
 If windows and doorways are desired they must 
 be cut or sawed in after being drawn where desired 
 in pencil. 
 
 The third box is for the gable roof. It is to be 
 placed on top of the upper floor so that its sides slant 
 for the roof. Put in place and then mark off all that 
 needs to be sawed away. When ready to be fixed 
 permanently put in place and nail through. 
 
 The furnishing of the little house gives much 
 scope for ingenuity and invention as well as for the 
 exercise of good sense and good taste. 
 
 The exterior of the house can be painted with 
 house paint, and this gives occasion for the broad use
 
 Dolls and Doll-Houses 85 
 
 of the larger muscles, and physiologists tell us that the 
 little child should exercise the larger muscles and 
 nerves while the finer ones are still undeveloped. 
 
 Tiling (Corrugated packing cardboard, tacks, ham- 
 mer) 
 
 The roof may be given a tiled effect by covering 
 with corrugated packing cardboard saved from pack- 
 ages. Tack this on. 
 
 Papering 
 
 1. Paper with wall-paper. Scraps of it may be 
 saved when the home is being papered. 
 
 2. Oil-cloth effects may be obtained by pasting 
 on floors or walls designs made with the kindergarten 
 parquetry papers. (See page 168.) 
 
 3. Friezes may be made in the same way by using 
 circles and squares in rows, alternately or successively. 
 
 DOLL FURNITURE 
 
 1. Cork. (See page 37.) 
 
 2. Block (Blocks of wood or kindergarten blocks, 
 
 cubes and oblongs} 
 
 Glue these blocks together, three cubes making 
 a little chair, and cubes and oblongs making a bed or 
 sofa. Get the carpenter to saw a number of blocks 
 of different shapes and sizes and let the child use his 
 invention in putting them together. The furniture 
 may be painted or gilded. 
 
 3. Paper or Cardboard 
 
 Take a piece of paper 1x2 inches. Fold cross-
 
 86 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 wise. Make a dot ^4 inch from the folded edge and 
 */s inch from right hand edge. Make dot ]/4 inch from 
 fold and % inch from left hand edge. From open 
 edges opposite fold make two parallel cuts to these 
 dots. These cuts make the four legs. When opened 
 out a table is seen with two extensions for drop-leaf. 
 Cut one of these extensions off and a chair is made. 
 If the original paper is longer and wider it can be 
 made into a bed, what were the leaves of the table be- 
 ing bent up into the head and foot of the bed. An in- 
 genious child can vary and elaborate this furniture ad 
 infinitum. The backs can be cut into fancy form and 
 arms given to chairs and sofa. 
 
 Use one of these paper chairs for a model, place 
 on cardboard and draw around the outline and so 
 obtain a stiffer bit of furniture. Rockers can be drawn, 
 added to the feet, and cut out, thus making a rocking 
 chair. 
 
 SPECIAL ARTICLES OF FURNITURE 
 
 Pictures and Clocks (Trade journals, scissors) 
 Cut from trade journals and attach to walls. 
 
 Lamp (Twist spool, toothpick, half egg-shell, wax) 
 
 Paste a bit of paper on top and bottom of twist 
 spool. Through this stick a toothpick, which the 
 paper should hold firmly. Upon the top of the tooth- 
 pick fasten a half egg-shell for a globe with bit of 
 wax or glue. 
 
 Stove (Cardboard, black ink or paint) 
 
 Make oblong box of cardboard. Turn upside 
 down and cut openings for top of stove. Make a 
 small hole in the back of the stove and insert in it a
 
 Dolls and Doll-Houses 87 
 
 piece of paper rolled into a stove-pipe and pasted. 
 Cut openings in front for the grate and ovens, leaving 
 a door for the latter. Ink or paint black. 
 
 Windows (Thin white paper, oil, glue) 
 
 Brush a piece of white paper over with ordinary 
 machine oil, or olive oil, or dip it in the oil and when 
 dry glue in for windows, telling the children that not 
 very long ago that was the only way in which light 
 was admitted to many houses before glass became so 
 common. 
 
 Isinglass may also be put in for windows. 
 
 Doll's Bedstead (Cigar-box, glue, gilt-headed tacks) 
 Saw the cover of box into two pieces, one for the 
 head and one for the foot. Fasten in place to the box 
 with the decorative tacks. Legs may be attached if 
 desired. 
 
 Curtains (Cheesecloth or lace, needle, thread) 
 
 Cut small squares of cheesecloth and let the child 
 hem and put in windows for curtains. Do not insist 
 on very fine sewing for beginners. Curtains may be 
 edged with lace, or the entire curtain may be made 
 of lace, tacked or glued to inside of window. 
 
 Telephone (Two spools, nail, tin mucilage top, string, 
 
 small flat block) 
 
 Take a flat piece of wood about two inches square. 
 Glue to it the flat end of small spool. That is the 
 'phone. Another spool is the receiver hanging, when 
 not in use, upon a nail driven into the wood. The 
 mucilage top has the slot into which to drop the im- 
 aginary nickel.
 
 88 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 Grocery Store (Wooden soap-box, small cardboard 
 box, scales, toy barrels, tiny pill boxes, sand, 
 pebbles, etc.) 
 
 A small wooden box makes the store. A smaller 
 cardboard box turned upside down will make the 
 counter, or small pieces of wood can be nailed to- 
 gether by the little amateur carpenter. Buy toy scales 
 or make some as described below. Small barrels can 
 be obtained at toy store or little bottles and boxes can 
 be filled with small quantities of tea and sugar, with 
 tiny bags of pebbles for potatoes, apples, etc. Cran- 
 berries make acceptable play apples. Corn and nuts also 
 will find places. Tacks can be hammered in on which 
 to hang tiny brooms, and by hammering in two long 
 nails and laying a narrow board upon them a shelf 
 can be made for the canned vegetables. Let the 
 children make their own brown paper bags, looking at 
 a real one for a model. 
 
 Scales (Two small square cardboard boxes, made or 
 bought, tivine, skewer or other slender stick of 
 wood or metal) 
 
 In each of the four sides of a box make a small 
 hole near the top. Take two pieces of twine each four 
 times the width of the box. Tie one of these through 
 two. opposite holes of the box and the other piece 
 through the two other holes, being sure that the 
 strings when tied are of equal length. These two 
 strings cross each other. In the middle, exactly where 
 they cross, tie one end of a string three inches long. 
 Raise the box by this string and it should hang ex- 
 actly true. Arrange the other box in the same way.
 
 Dolls and Doll-Houses 89 
 
 Now take the skewer and exactly in the middle 
 tie a string of three inches. To the ends of the stick 
 tie the ends of the twine already tied to the boxes. 
 Raise the skewer by this string and the boxes should 
 hang evenly, like scales. If they do not, slide one or 
 the other back and forth until they do balance. 
 
 Use in the toy grocery store. Playing store is 
 always a fine opportunity for indicating lessons of 
 honesty in business. Train the child to give fair 
 weight and measure, even in play. 
 
 Merry-Go-Round for Dolls (Cardboard, large rib- 
 bon spool, stiff paper or kindergarten folding 
 paper, slender pencil, tiny flag) 
 Cut two circles of cardboard, one five inches in 
 diameter; the other, ten to twelve. Using the smaller 
 one as a base, stand on it a large ribbon spool (spool 
 around which baby ribbon comes). Glue the large cir- 
 cle to the other end of the spool, parallel to the other 
 lower circle. Make a hole in each circle. Run a slen- 
 der pencil through the upper cardboard, then through 
 the spool, and then through the lower circle, making 
 an axis round which the spool may revolve, carrying 
 with it the upper circle. 
 
 On the upper circle paste alternately animals cut 
 from paper or cardboard, and benches also cut from 
 cardboard. Elegance may be added by gilding the 
 spool and letting a tiny flag float from the point of the 
 pencil. Cut out paper dolls for a ride. 
 
 Dolls' Park (Starch-box, earth, moss, twigs, tiny 
 
 mirror, etc.) 
 
 Fill the box with earth and sand for a founda- 
 tion, and then with moss, twigs, elder-berry sprigs,
 
 90 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 etc., fill in the fairy-like details. A toy swan or boat 
 adds to the reality. 
 
 Rugs for Doll-House 
 
 1. Make the loom by taking a slate and knocking 
 out the slate so as to leave the frame intact. Ham- 
 mer a row of small nails half an inch apart along the 
 two narrow sides. Then make the warp by stringing 
 strong cord back and forth across the nails. Tie first 
 around one corner nail ; carry to and around the two 
 nails opposite, then back and around the next two, and 
 so back and forth till it is all strung. The rows of 
 cord should be parallel. 
 
 2. Instead of a slate, looms of various sizes may 
 be roughly made of four narrow pieces of wood meas- 
 ured, sawed, and nailed together at the corners. A 
 curtain slat could be so used, or wooden boxes will 
 furnish raw material for such. A loom 4x6 inches 
 is a good size for a beginner. 
 
 For woof, use coarse worsted or ribbon to begin 
 with, or colored cheesecloth torn into narrow strips. 
 
 Use the fingers at first, later a bodkin, weaving 
 under one cord of the warp and over one, back and 
 forth, till a tiny rug is made. Fasten ends by weav- 
 ing in and out a short distance into body of rug. At 
 first make rug all of one color, or a rag-carpet effect 
 can be obtained by tying into a long string worsteds 
 of various colors. If a plain color is used a border 
 can be made by running in a strand or so of a dif- 
 ferent color. 
 
 Let the child employ his artistic and creative 
 abilities in making designs for the rug with paints or 
 crayons. Draw an oblong of one color with stripes 
 across the ends, one, two or three in number, at dif- 
 ferent distances apart. Variety can be secured by
 
 Dolls and Doll-Houses 91 
 
 taking up two threads at a time or running under one 
 and over two, etc. Warn the child not to draw the 
 threads too closely or the rug will have the shape of 
 an hour-glass when finished. 
 
 A washcloth can be made thus by weaving it of 
 narrow pieces of cheesecloth. 
 
 Take the rug or cloth off the loom by raising 
 carefully over the nails. 
 
 3. Another simple kind of loom is made by tak- 
 ing a piece of cardboard measuring 6x8 inches. 
 Draw a row of eight dots half an inch apart. Oppo- 
 site these, and six inches away, draw another row. 
 With strong cord sew through these a set of straight 
 stitches, six inches long and half an inch apart. This 
 makes the warp. Run the worsted woof under and 
 over these cords as in any weaving, and tear the card- 
 board away when finished.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 PLAYS AND GAMES 
 
 In playing games children learn lessons of fair 
 play, of mutual forbearance and patience, and of 
 letting a playfellow "have a chance," which they learn 
 in no other way. Apart from the important bodily 
 exercise and development gained in the active physical 
 games, the demand upon mental and moral qualities 
 is of immeasurable value. 
 
 A child should never be permitted to cheat at a 
 game, even "in fun." A game loses significance as a 
 game when one person does not "play fair." The 
 child to whom even the thought of so doing is impos- 
 sible begins the race of life with an immense advan- 
 tage, for we believe that the foundation for all real 
 life is character. 
 
 We give a few games which have been tried with 
 success either in the home, the kindergarten, or the 
 playground. Some of these plays require materials; 
 others do not. In some cases instructions are given 
 for making the required materials. 
 
 TAG GAMES 
 
 Circle Tag 
 
 One person stands in the center of a ring of chil- 
 dren and each one in the ring holds out his right 
 hand. The one in the middle tags one of the hands 
 92
 
 Plays and Games 93 
 
 and the owner immediately gives chase till he catches 
 the pursued. 
 
 Vary by having both tagged and tagger skip, 
 hop, etc., instead of run. 
 
 Racing Tag 
 
 Players form circle. One goes outside the ring 
 and runs or walks around, suddenly quietly touching 
 another player, who immediately races with him, go- 
 ing around the ring in opposite direction. 
 
 Vary by having contestants bow three times as 
 they pass each other. 
 
 Wood, Iron or Paper Tag 
 
 One child chases another who touches for goal 
 anything made of wood, or iron, or paper, etc., as has 
 been decided upon beforehand. If the pursued is 
 caught before he succeeds in touching such object, 
 he becomes "it." The goal may be a wooden stick 
 or tree, or an iron rake, or a paper book, etc. 
 
 Japanese Tag 
 
 Form a long line of children, one following 
 closely behind another in a march or run. One 
 child outside the line is "it." He tries to tag some 
 one in the line. The leader endeavors to prevent this 
 by twisting his file rapidly in and out in a curving 
 line, and, by so throwing out his arms, as to protect the 
 threatened one, as the line twists and turns with him. 
 If one is tagged, the leader becomes "it." The leader 
 and his train of children must of course be alert in 
 mind and active in body. 
 
 Cross-Tag 
 
 js- 1 ag 
 
 Of a group of children the one who is "it" chases
 
 94 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 any one he chooses to begin with, but if another child 
 runs in between the chased and the chaser, the chaser 
 must follow the one who has thus run in between. If 
 he shows signs of fatigue a third child may run across 
 between the two, etc., he then being chased until the 
 tagger succeeds in catching some one, who in turn be- 
 comes "it." 
 
 RACES 
 
 Allied to the tag games are the racing games, of 
 which we give only two. 
 
 Potato Race (Twelve potatoes, two tablespoons') 
 
 Place six potatoes in a row about three feet apart. 
 Place six others in a parallel row some distance away. 
 Give two players each a spoon, and at a signal they 
 start to race. Each player runs up his row, picking 
 up the potatoes, one by one, carrying each in turn to 
 a given point, then coming back for another potato, 
 till all are thus carried. The left hand must not assist. 
 The one who first gets his potatoes safely to the spot 
 decided upon wins. 
 
 Clothespin Race (Hand fid of clothespins) 
 
 Arrange the children in two rows, equal in num- 
 ber. Give the first child a handful of clothespins, laid 
 straight. At a signal he passes them down the line. 
 If one is dropped it must be picked up by the one 
 dropping it and put as before with the others and then 
 passed on. Reaching the end of the line, they are at 
 once passed back again to the starting point. The side 
 wins which first get back all the pins.
 
 Plays and Games 95 
 
 AIMING GAMES WITH BEAN-BAGS 
 
 Kinds of Bags (i. Ticking or strong calico, strong 
 thread, needle, baking-beans. 2. Felt, sewing 
 silk) 
 
 1. Make a strong bag of bright colored material, 
 6x8 inches in size. Fill with the ordinary baking- 
 beans and overhand the top. 
 
 2. Take a piece of felt or any pretty strong ma- 
 terial which will bear the wear and tear of the game. 
 Cut into two circles 5 or 6 inches in diameter. Sew 
 together on the wrong side, with a seam of one fourth 
 inch. Then cut in the center a small circle half an 
 inch in diameter. Turn the odd-shaped bag inside 
 out, fill with beans and overhand the small circular 
 opening with close stitches of silk. These bags can 
 be more easily caught than balls by little hands. 
 
 Kinds of Games 
 
 Children usually hand down familiar games from 
 one generation to another. Here are a few : 
 
 1. Children stand in a circle with one in the cen- 
 ter who throws the bag to each in turn all around the 
 ring, or else tries to catch some one napping by throw- 
 ing it unexpectedly. 
 
 2. Vary by having children stand in a row and 
 the leader throws to each in turn. Or children stand 
 in opposite rows and every one in one line has a bag 
 which all throw in unison to the child opposite. These 
 in turn throw back in perfect rythm. 
 
 3. Vary again by tossing into the air in unison. 
 The accompaniment of music is always a thing to 
 be desired in such rythmic games.
 
 96 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 4. One child stands in center of ring and tries 
 to catch the bag as it is tossed across to some one on 
 the other side of the ring. 
 
 AIMING GAMES WITH BALLS 
 
 The games just described may be played with 
 balls as well as with bean-bags, and thus require more 
 co-ordination on the part of the child's muscles. We 
 give a few other games in addition. 
 
 Counting-Ball 
 
 Let one child bounce the ball, striking it from 
 above with the palm of his hand and counting one, 
 two, etc., until he fails to hit it, when another child 
 takes a turn. 
 
 A Guess-Ball 
 
 A row of players number off from one end I, 2, 
 3, 4, etc. The last number steps in front of the row 
 a distance such as may be needed to secure certainty 
 of aim and touch on the part of those who throw the 
 ball. The player in front stands with his back to the 
 others. Those in the row now begin to pass the ball 
 sideways from one to the other. The player in front 
 having counted a given number, the one who happens 
 to hold the ball at the time must at once throw it at 
 the player in front. If struck, the latter turns quickly 
 and tries to judge from the attitudes of the various 
 players which one threw the ball. If he is right, 
 places are exchanged. If he guesses wrong, the game 
 continues as before. 
 
 Cup and Ball (Cardboard, worsted, funnel) 
 
 Make the ball by cutting from cardboard two
 
 Plays and Games 97 
 
 circles about two inches in diameter. Inside the large 
 circles draw smaller ones about one-half inch in diam- 
 eter. Cut the smaller circles entirely out, thus leaving 
 a hole in the middle of each large circle. Keep these 
 two large circles together. Now, with a needle, wind 
 worsted round and round through the opening in the 
 two circles until it is completely rilled, so that the 
 needle cannot be pushed through. Hold in the left 
 hand, and with sharp pointed scissors cut the worsted 
 at the edge of the circles, spread the circles a little 
 apart, and tie a strong thread firmly around the worsted 
 between the two cardboard circles. Then tear the 
 cardboard circles away and a pretty ball remains. Tie 
 this ball, with a string twelve inches long, to a kitchen 
 funnel, and let the child try to catch the ball in the 
 funnel. 
 
 AIMING GAMES MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 Ring-Toss (Small wooden box, broom-handle or 
 dou'el, nail or glue, embroidery rings or hoops of 
 small keg) 
 
 Saw a foot from a broom-handle or dowel (a 
 child's broom will best serve the purpose). Glue or 
 nail this to a box. Let the child practice tossing over 
 this post rings taken from a small keg ; or embroidery 
 rings may be used. These may be wound around with 
 bright colored strips of lining or with ribbon. The 
 rings should be graduated in size. 
 
 Grace-Hoops (Basket reeds, rama) 
 
 Make a wand of three or four basket reeds cut 
 into two foot lengths. Wind these more or less 
 loosely with string, just so as to hold them together. 
 Then wind around and around closely and smoothly 
 with a strand of raffia so as to bind firmly together.
 
 98 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 If held smoothly, several strands of raffia may be used 
 at one time. If reeds are not to be had lilac branches 
 may be used instead. The result should be a wand 
 firm and stiff. 
 
 Make the hoops by soaking the reeds first in 
 water for an hour to make flexible. They should be 
 cut into lengths of about 2 l /2 feet. Curve several into 
 a hoop and tie. Then wind smoothly and firmly with 
 the raffia. The ends of the latter may be disposed of 
 by threading upon a large needle and running it a 
 short distance in and out of the part already wound. 
 
 Two wands and one hoop are required for each 
 player. One tosses a ring from her two wands to her 
 opponent, who must catch it upon her own wands. 
 
 This once popular game cultivates both alertness 
 and grace. 
 
 In the kindergarten the children use wand and 
 ring in playing "knights." One child holds the ring 
 while the little knight gallops around the circle on 
 an imaginary steed and tries to capture the ring on 
 his lance (wand), as at an old-time tournament. 
 
 Croquet with Peas (Peas, hairpins or double-headed 
 
 tacks, nail or match, toothpick, cork, cover of 
 
 starch-box) 
 
 Bend hairpins into shape or use double-headed 
 tacks as wickets. Insert into the cover of a wooden 
 starch-box for ground. For a stake use a nail or a 
 painted match-stick. Sharpen this to a point and 
 insert it in a hole previously made by hammering in 
 a nail. Make mallets by inserting matches or tooth- 
 picks into heads made of small pieces of cork. Use 
 peas for balls. 
 
 Put the whole outfit in a box and give to little 
 sister for her doll's birthday.
 
 Plays and Games 99 
 
 Egg-Shell Game (Egg-shell, long table, four tum- 
 blers) 
 
 Blow an egg-shell and paint with some college 
 colors as a foot-ball. Take four tumblers and place 
 two at one end of a long table for goals and two at 
 the opposite end for goals, the two which make a pair 
 being four inches apart. Divide the party into two 
 competing groups. Those on one side must try to 
 blow the shell between the tumblers of their opponents. 
 These must try to defend their end of the table and at 
 the same time try to blow the shell between the tum- 
 blers of their opponents. This makes a merry game 
 for young people. 
 
 Cherry-Stone Game (Save and dry a dozen or wore 
 
 cherry-stones) 
 
 Scatter the stones lightly on the table. They will 
 fall so that some lie closely together, others far apart. 
 The first player selects any two stones and draws his 
 finger between them so that he touches neither. If 
 he succeeds thus far he must then try to snap one 
 (with thumb and middle finger) so that it strikes the 
 other. If this succeeds also the two stones belong to 
 him and he has another turn, continuing until he either 
 touches a stone in trying to draw a finger between two 
 or fails to make one of the two hit the other. The 
 second player will not fare so well, because the re- 
 maining pairs will lie closer together than those first 
 chosen, so that great care will be needed in drawing 
 the finger between two. Sometimes it is necessary 
 to use the little finger. At the end the player having 
 most stones wins the game. The stones may be dyed 
 or painted if desired. The game suggests tiddledy- 
 winks and crokinole.
 
 ioo Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Donkey Game (Picture of a donkey, minus a tail, and 
 
 one dozen separate tails. These may be bought 
 
 in large sheets for ten cents, but may be cut out 
 
 of paper if drawn first by skilful hands) 
 
 Pin the picture to the wall in some spot where it 
 
 will not deface it. Give each player a tail with a pin 
 
 sticking through it. Blindfold him. Turn him around 
 
 three times and send him in the direction of the 
 
 picture to pin the tail on the donkey. The one who 
 
 succeeds in fastening a tail nearest to the proper place 
 
 wins the game. 
 
 Blowing Out the Candle (Candle in candlestick) 
 
 Place a candle on the table. Blindfold a player, 
 turn him around three times about six feet from the 
 candle. Then let him try to find his way towards it 
 and blow it out. He may have three trials. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PLAYS 
 
 The Countess of the Huggermuggers ( Two candles 
 
 in candlesticks) 
 
 Give two players each a candle. They take places 
 about eight feet apart. Then each takes a step for- 
 ward at the same time and makes a solemn bow without 
 smiling; then another step and bow; and then a third. 
 Then one says solemnly, "The Countess of the Hugger- 
 muggers is dead." The other one rejoins, "I am very 
 sorry to hear it." The first one replies, "So am I." 
 Then each takes three steps backward, with a bow 
 each time, and all without a smile. Whoever smiles 
 must give up his place to another player.
 
 Plays and Games 
 
 101 
 
 Rope and Sandbag (Rope ten feet long, with handle 
 at one end which may be made by knotting the 
 rope, and a sandbag or other weight at the other. 
 Sandbag may be made of strong goods sewed into 
 a bag and filled zvith sand. In a kindergarten a 
 weight has been improvised out of a child's 
 rubber shoe) 
 
 Some one stands in the center of a circle of chil- 
 dren and swings the rope so that the weight just 
 grazes the ground. The children must be sufficiently 
 attentive and agile to evade the rope by jumping over 
 it as it passes them. Do not begin until the rope has 
 acquired momentum enough to move with a degree of 
 regularity. 
 
 Omnibus Swing (Strong rope or chain, staples, soap- 
 box, wooden plank, nails) 
 
 If fortunate enough to have a barn or summer- 
 house, or a playroom with a strong beam in the roof 
 
 Omnibus Swing. 
 
 or ceiling, piace a pair of strong staples in the beam 
 (hammock hooks would serve the same purpose) a
 
 io2 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 few inches apart. Six feet from these place another 
 pair of staples in the beam. From each pair of staples 
 or hooks suspend a loop of rope so that it comes about 
 one foot from the floor. 
 
 Take a plank about eight feet long and one foot 
 wide and cut four notches in it, two on each side, 
 about six inches from the ends. Place the plank so 
 that it hangs held by the two ropes, which slip into 
 the notches in the plank, the notches keeping the ropes 
 in place. Upon this several children can swing back 
 and forth lengthwise, and so play at rowing, riding, 
 trolleying, etc., as imagination dictates. If a soap- 
 box be nailed at one end the baby may be put into this 
 for a safe ride. 
 
 Anagrams (Tinted Bristol board, black ink or paint, 
 
 heavy pen or brush} 
 
 Cut the Bristol board into i-inch squares and let 
 the child paint or draw upon these squares the letters 
 of the alphabet, one letter to each square. There 
 should be at least a dozen of each letter and many 
 more A's, E's and S's, as these letters occur frequently 
 in English words. Two games may be played with 
 these letters as follows : 
 
 1. Give the child the four or five letters that com- 
 pose a word and let him try to put them together in 
 the right way as: H-s-e-r-o (Horse}. 
 
 2. Several players are needed for this game. The 
 cards must be placed upside down in a box so that the 
 letters are not seen. Each player takes a letter in 
 turn, the first time round, and places it in the centre 
 of the table. At the second time round, each, as he 
 takes a square from the box, tries to form a word 
 with it, either by using a letter from the central pool 
 or by taking away an opponent's word. If he takes
 
 Plays and Games 103 
 
 from an opponent he must take an entire word. As 
 he forms a word he places it before himself, the aim 
 being to get five or ten words before any opponent 
 does. If he can form no word he puts his letter in the 
 pool. The number 'of words making the game must 
 be agreed upon beforehand. For example : In the pool 
 are placed in turn the letters g, b, f, t. Player I, con- 
 tinuing, draws from the box the letter a and with the 
 letters in the pool can form bat, which he places in 
 front of him, leaving g and / in the pool. Player II 
 draws an I, and as he can form no word, he puts it in 
 the pool. Player III draws an e and takes away the 
 bat of No. i, turning it into beat. Player II draws an 
 o, which with the -g from the pool, he turns into go. 
 Player I then draws again, and so the game continues 
 until one player has, we will say, five words, the num- 
 ber agreed upon, and so wins. 
 
 Weighing Honey 
 
 One child crouches, clasping his hands beneath 
 his knees tightly. Two older persons then take the 
 handles of the honey-jar (the child's arms) and swing 
 him back and forth, counting one, two, three, etc., 
 with each swing until the hands give way. The num- 
 ber of counts tells the number of pounds in the jar. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR CHILDREN'S PARTIES 
 
 Peanut Party (Several quarts of peanuts, and a pretty 
 little bag measuring 6x8 inches for each guest) 
 Before the little guests arrive, hide the peanuts 
 in corners, under cushions, and in all possible hiding- 
 places, singly, or two or three together. At a signal 
 all of the children begin to search for the peanuts.
 
 104 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 The one finding the most wins. Give a reward of a 
 peanut doll. (See page 80.) 
 
 In no such games of competition is it a good plan 
 to have expensive prizes. That plan ministers to a 
 weakness inherent perhaps in human nature, but one 
 to be discouraged the desire to win, not for the sake 
 of success, but for the sake of the prize. The giving 
 of a valuable prize engenders feelings of envy and 
 caters too much to the gambling instinct. It tends to 
 destroy the spirit of fun and play which is the real 
 object of a social gathering. 
 
 A part of such an entertainment would appro- 
 priately be the making of peanut taffy or of peanut 
 animals. (See page 23.) 
 
 Spider- Web Party (Balls of pretty twine, one color 
 
 for each guest) 
 
 Take a ball of twine and to the end attach a card 
 bearing the name of one guest. Then unwind it, twist- 
 ing it around different articles of furniture, chairs, 
 table-legs, door-knob, chandelier, etc., till the thread 
 is judged to be long enough. Then cut, and to this 
 end tie some trifling gift. Arrange in this way one 
 ball and gift for each child expected. When the time 
 for playing the game arrives, give to each child the 
 card bearing his name, to which twine is attached. At 
 the signal for beginning, each one follows up his line, 
 unwinding and disentangling it as he goes along, till 
 the end of the cord bearing the gift is reached. As 
 each little visitor receives something, there is no un- 
 wholesome spirit of rivalry. 
 
 Thimble-Biscuit Party (Dough, silver thimbles) 
 
 While making biscuits for supper give the little 
 child a silver thimble to use as a biscuit cutter, first
 
 Plays and Games 105 
 
 rolling the dough to a thickness one-third the height of 
 the thimble. When he has made a good array put 
 them into the oven. They will bake quickly and to 
 the child will seem to surpass the best cake made. 
 
 Invite a group of little children to a thimble- 
 biscuit party. A dough of flour, water or milk, a little 
 salt and baking powder will be sufficient and the 
 little workers will be very happy making the wee bis- 
 cuits. Only silver thimbles should be used. 
 
 While the biscuits are baking a few games, nota- 
 bly "Hide the Thimble," will pass the time. Served 
 with a little jam or milk they will make a delicious 
 repast, with dolls and Teddy Bears for company. 
 
 Butterfly Party (White paper, oil paints, in tubes) 
 
 Uncovering the tube, make a dab of paint with it 
 near middle of a sheet of paper. Immediately beneath 
 make a long stroke of another color. Now fold over 
 lengthwise along the middle of the long line of paint. 
 While folded press and smooth with finger over the 
 first spot. This when opened will be the head of the 
 butterfly. Keep paper still folded, however, and press 
 along the line of paint to make body and then make a 
 ^ide pressure to make the wings. Open out, and there 
 is the general suggestion of a beautiful butterfly, which, 
 held up so that the light shines through, may be really 
 very pretty. A little experiment will show how im- 
 provements can be made. Any color may be used. 
 Invite your friends to an evening butterfly party and 
 give a prize for the best one made ; the prize may very 
 suitably be something in butterfly form; a penwiper, 
 or lamp-shade, or something similar. 
 
 Autograph Picture (Ink, paper, coarse pen) 
 
 At the butterfly party, autograph portraits also
 
 io6 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 may be made. With a coarse pen, filled with ink, 
 each person writes his own name in turn. Take the 
 flowing autograph, fold it lengthwise through the mid- 
 dle and crease, making special pressure at the top and 
 drawing out slightly at the side. Open up and the 
 result is a queer portrait of the owner of the autograph 
 with suggestion of head and arms. 
 
 Enclose autograph on two sides by straight lines ; 
 when folded and then opened, the portrait will be 
 framed.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 FESTIVAL OCCASIONS 
 
 Festivals have always held an important place in 
 the life of home and community. The anniversary of 
 the day of birth, or of marriage, the day of gradua- 
 tion, or of coming of age what opportunities they 
 offer for strengthening the ties of kinship, for creating 
 hallowed associations that may often prove bulwarks 
 of safety in later days of temptation and sorrow ! 
 
 Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, are now Na- 
 tional holidays with us, and our celebration of these 
 beautiful festivals is one more link in the chain which 
 binds us to all races and creeds ; for the return of the sun 
 at the winter solstice, the renewal of life in the spring, 
 the ingathering of fruits in the autumn, have appealed 
 to all peoples as fitting occasions for the expression 
 of religious joy and for mutual congratulations upon 
 dangers past and the results of work accomplished. 
 
 In the joy of such occasions, we must not let them 
 degenerate into the mere mercenary exchange of ma- 
 terial gifts. 
 
 Christmas is preeminently the children's day, 
 when we annually remind ourselves of the divinity 
 inherent in all childhood, and desire to bring joy to 
 all children and goodwill to all peoples. 
 
 Easter means most to the adult who has ex- 
 perienced sorrow and disappointment and has known 
 something of the anguish and awe and deepening of 
 life that comes with the message of Death. The 
 pleasure of the child in the hare and the Easter egg 
 107
 
 io8 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 must not be allowed altogether to overbalance the 
 wondrous symbolism of the Easter lily. 
 
 The National holidays Washington's Birthday, 
 Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc. take us out- 
 side the limits of the home and remind us that, as 
 we thank the men and women of the past for the 
 privileges of the present which we owe to their sac- 
 rifices and aspirations, so we should realize our obliga- 
 tions towards the future. 
 
 In celebrating these different festivals, let the 
 child bear his small part. We give a few ideas of 
 things which he may do or make. It is these early 
 impressions which are the lasting ones. The actual 
 service demanded of the child counts much in the for- 
 mation of character, though even more important is 
 the spirit which radiates at such times from the par- 
 ents and friends who celebrate or prepare to celebrate 
 these recurrent holidays. It is the "spirit which giv- 
 eth life/' here, as everywhere. 
 
 The suggestions will be given in the order in 
 which the holidays come in the year. Where an arti- 
 cle is described in another part of the book, it will 
 not be repeated, but the page number will be given for 
 reference. 
 
 NEW YEAR'S DAY 
 
 Place Cards at Table (White card, pressed four-leaf 
 clover, or paints) 
 
 1. Having found and pressed four-leaved clovers 
 in the days of summer, paste one lightly to each place 
 card as symbol of good-luck. 
 
 2. Copy a clover-leaf with paints and write on 
 card some appropriate quotation signifying good-will.
 
 Festival Occasions 109 
 
 Decorated Note Paper (Writing paper, leaf, paste 
 
 or paints) 
 
 Paste a real clover leaf (or paint one) on the 
 writing paper upon which you may be writing a New 
 Year's letter to your friend. 
 
 Calendar (12 oblong blotters, white or colored, ribbon 
 to match, I inch ivide and about Y yards long, 
 tiny calendar pad, paste) 
 
 Take the calendar pad apart and paste the leaf for 
 each month upon one of the blotters. Then tie the 
 blotters together with the ribbon. This makes suit- 
 able New Year's gift. (See also page 74.) 
 
 New Year's Bells (Red cardboard, scissors, paste, 
 
 ribbon) 
 
 Cut out a bell and paste a calendar pad on it. 
 Or cut 12 small bells and paste one leaf of calendar 
 pad on each, stringing all together with ribbon. 
 
 Good-Luck Pigs 
 
 With our German population the pig signifies 
 "good-luck," and at New Year's pigs, big and little, 
 made of various materials, are quite in order. A fa- 
 vorite candy, made of sugar and bitter-almond, is 
 in the shape of a pig, and is used to present to friends 
 at this holiday time. Many suggestions already given 
 may be carried out with the pig idea in mind. 
 
 Midnight Watching 
 
 If friends stay up to watch the Old Year out, 
 any of the above-named articles may be made by the 
 children for souvenirs. A poem which may suitably 
 be read at this time is Tennyson's "Ring Out, Wild 
 Bells ;" also, Longfellow's "The Poet's Calendar." A
 
 no Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 timely topic for discussion is the never-answered ques- 
 tion : When does the new century begin with Janu- 
 ary I, 1900, or 1901 ? Timothy Dwight, President of 
 Yale College, 1795-1817, wrote some clever verses 
 apropos -of the subject when he helped usher in the 
 1 9th Century. 
 
 ST. VALENTINE'S DAY 
 
 Save lace papers from candy and soap boxes and 
 they will prove useful when St. Valentine's Day comes 
 in making Valentines. With these papers and scis- 
 sors, paste, scrap pictures of flowers, doves, etc., the 
 children will spend happy hours in making these 
 dainty souvenirs. We give a few directions for mak- 
 ing some such. 
 
 Single Hearts (Red cardboard, lace paper, scrap pict- 
 ures, scissors, paste) 
 
 Cut a heart out of the cardboard and around the 
 edge paste a border of lace paper, fulling slightly and 
 attaching it to the under side of the heart. In the 
 centre of the upper side of the heart paste a pretty 
 scrap picture. This make a simple but effective 
 Valentine. 
 
 Chain of Hearts (Red cardboard, scissors, scrap pic- 
 tures, paste, red ribbon) 
 Cut several hearts out of the cardboard, and, after 
 
 punching holes in the top and bottom of each one, 
 
 string them together, pasting a scrap picture on each 
 
 one if that added touch is desired. 
 
 Double Hearts (Red cardboard, scissors, paste, strip 
 of red paper) 
 Cut two hearts of different sizes. Then take a
 
 Festival Occasions in 
 
 narrow strip of red paper measuring /4 x I inch and 
 fold it into thirds. While still folded attach one end 
 of this paper to the centre of the upper side of the 
 large heart and the other end to the centre of the 
 lozver side of the smaller heart. This unites the two, 
 one resting on top of the other, the paper acting 
 as a kind of spring to raise one above the other. In- 
 stead of a small heart a scrap picture may be thus 
 attached on the larger heart. 
 
 In cutting out these hearts it may be necessary 
 first to cut a pattern out of newspaper, making sev- 
 eral trials before a satisfactory model is secured. 
 
 Lacy Valentine (Gold or silver paper, white tissue 
 
 paper, scrap pictures, paste) 
 
 Cut from a sheet of gold or silver paper a piece 
 measuring 5x7 inches. Fold this once through the 
 middle so as to make a book of 3^ x 5 inches. Cut a 
 piece from the tissue paper of 3^2 x 5 inches. Fold 
 this two or three times and cut into it tiny perforations 
 oblongs, diamonds, circles, hearts, etc. Then open 
 out and observe the lacey effect. Practice this until 
 something pretty and dainty is secured. Then upon 
 the centre of the book paste a scrap picture and at- 
 tach the tissue paper by its edges to the Valentine 
 in such a way that the picture shows a little between 
 the perforations. A narrow strip of stiff paper folded 
 in three, to give the effect of a spring as described 
 above, may be used at each corner. Inside of the 
 booklet paste other pictures as fancy dictates. Also 
 write therein some appropriate lines. 
 
 Spider-Web Design (Gold or silver paper, Bristol 
 board, scrap picture, paste, scissors) 
 Cut a circle of gold or silver paper, three or four
 
 ii2 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 inches in diameter. Fold once, making a semi-circle ; 
 fold once more making a quarter-circle. Beginning 
 at the point of the folded paper, make a tiny cut from 
 one edge towards the other, but do not cut the point 
 entirely off. Turn the paper and make a second cut 
 parallel to the first about ^ inch away, the cut being 
 from the other edge of the paper. Turn again and 
 make a third cut. Each time the cuts grow in length 
 owing to the increasing width of the triangle or quar- 
 ter-circle. Continue thus until the circumference of 
 the folded circle is reached. Then open out and you 
 have a silver spider-web effect. Take a square or 
 circle somewhat larger than the web, and in its centre 
 paste a pretty bird, flower, or maiden. Then paste 
 the web upon this background, putting the paste along 
 the edges of the web, but leaving the centre free, so 
 that the child can raise it and peer through the slits 
 at the picture beneath. 
 
 Let city children send to country cousins scrap 
 pictures, colored papers, etc., and sample Valentines, 
 so that their friends may have the pleasure of making 
 and giving. 
 
 Valentine Dinner 
 
 SOUP: Put into the clear soup the noodle hearts, 
 which may be purchased at a grocery store, or have 
 a vegetable soup, slicing the vegetables and cutting 
 them into little hearts with a knife. 
 
 MEAT: Make chicken or beef croquettes, mold- 
 ing them like hearts. 
 
 VEGETABLES : Slice the boiled carrots and pota- 
 toes and cut into heart shapes. 
 
 BREAD: Cut into hearts.
 
 Festival Occasions 113 
 
 SALAD: Upon green lettuce leaves place hearts 
 cut from beets. 
 
 DESSERT: Ice cream may be obtained in the 
 form of a Cupid or something similar, and cake may 
 be decorated with white icing having pink hearts out- 
 lined upon it. The peppermint candies in the shape 
 of hearts, which have sentiments printed upon them, 
 may be passed either at the beginning or the end of 
 the meal. Cut in half, placing the halves in separate 
 dishes ; then pass one dish to the girls and the other 
 to the boys, and by matching halves partners may be 
 found. Let the children, however, remain unconscious 
 of the distinction of sex as many years as possible. 
 
 In making preparations for the dinner let the 
 children help. 
 
 Place Cards for Dinner (Red paper, white cardboard, 
 
 scissors, pencil} 
 
 Cut a heart from the red paper. From the white, 
 cut an arrow, drawing it after a pattern found in 
 some book. Making two slits in the heart, run the 
 arrow through it. On the reverse side of the heart 
 write the name of the guest. 
 
 Decorations for Valentine Dinner (Red cardboard, 
 
 red ribbon) 
 
 Cut about two dozen hearts all of same size, or 
 graduated in size. String these upon the red ribbon 
 and suspend over the table. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY 
 
 Luncheon Card (/. Picture hatchet, cardboard, scis- 
 sors, paints; 2, Same also white or reddish 
 brozvn paper}
 
 H4 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 1. Find a picture of a hatchet and use it as a 
 model from which to cut one about two inches long. 
 Paint this in colors resembling the real hatchet, and 
 upon the reverse side write the name of the guest. 
 
 2. From a piece of white or reddish-brown paper 
 cut a one-inch square. Paint so as to resemble cherry 
 wood. Roll so that one edge overlaps the other a 
 trifle, simulating the trunk of a tree. As they overlap 
 cut a tiny slit through the two. Cut out a tiny card- 
 board hatchet, paint as above, and insert in this slit 
 so that it holds the two edges together. Before fast- 
 ening in this way, an appropriate quotation may be 
 written inside, and the name of the guest on the out- 
 side. It should stand up if rightly made. 
 
 Decorative Cherries (Paraffine, spool of wire, not too 
 
 fine, green cloth or paper, carmine oil paint, brush, 
 
 paste) 
 
 Purchase at the grocer's cakes of paraffine such 
 as is used for preserving purposes. Heat a cake in a 
 dish so that it is soft enough to model into balls the 
 size of a cherry. While still pliable make a slight 
 depression in its surface. Having previously rolled 
 the wire in the green tissue paper, and cut into inch 
 strips for stems, insert this into the cherry at the 
 depressed part of its surface. Cut out cherry leaves 
 of paper, or better dark green cloth, place a little paste 
 on these leaves at the back and arrange a stem on 
 each one. When the stem of the cherry is firmly fast- 
 ened in the fruit, paint the surface with carmine 
 oil paint. This gives a polished appearance to the 
 surface like the natural cherry. 
 
 The stems of the green leaves may be trimmed 
 about the stems of the cherries in twos or threes or 
 more, according to the number of cherries used.
 
 Festival Occasions 115 
 
 Paper Chains (Colored paper in sheets or cut into 
 strips, paste, small brushes or sticks) 
 The making of paper chains, in contrasting or 
 uniform colors, is a delightful pastime for children of 
 all ages. Very little children may easily learn to 
 make one loop at a time, and, with assistance, are soon 
 able to fasten several loops together. 
 
 Kindergarten Supply Stores furnish strips of 
 colored paper already cut, and put up in packages. 
 These strips measure 36 inches in length. It is very 
 easy, however, to cut strips from large sheets of paper, 
 and it is an excellent lesson in accurate cutting for 
 children over ten years of age. 
 
 These paper strips may measure one or two inches 
 in width and the entire length of the sheet. Cut the 
 long strips into short strips measuring four inches in 
 length. Holding the four inch strip in the left hand, 
 put a very little paste on the under surface of one 
 end of the strip. Overlap the pasted end of the strip 
 to its unpasted end, and hold firmly until fastened. 
 You now have one paper loop. Through this loop 
 is placed another four inch strip the paste is added 
 in the same manner. Now you have two loops. Con- 
 tinue doing this until you have the chain the required 
 length. These chains are very effective when used 
 in decorating. 
 
 For Washington's Birthday, red, white and blue 
 paper would be used for the chains. 
 
 Bonbonnieres (White tissue paper, red and blue ani- 
 line dyes) 
 
 Very attractive bonbonnieres may be made by 
 cutting oblong shaped sheets of white tissue paper, 
 measuring 6 inches in length and 5 inches in width.
 
 n6 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Fringe the shorter edges of the paper, making fringe 
 I inch deep. 
 
 Dissolve any good red and blue dyes in boiling 
 water, and place in separate dishes. Dip one fringed 
 end of tissue paper into the red dye for one second, 
 and dip the other fringed end into the blue dye. 
 Shake these ends gently in order to let the water 
 drip from them. When they are dry, place a large 
 sized candy in the centre of the paper, and gathering 
 up the fringed ends, twist them close to the candy, 
 thus forming a feathery effect in two colors. These 
 are very pretty when arranged on the table either in 
 quantity or singly. 
 
 Tents (White shelf paper, paste, match stick, red, 
 
 white and blue paper) 
 
 Groups of white tents, made of white shelf paper, 
 capped at the top with tiny American flags, may be 
 placed at short distances from the centre piece of a 
 luncheon or supper table with good effect. 
 
 The large sheets of shelf paper may be bought 
 at any grocer's. Cut them into four-inch squares. 
 Place the paper before you on a flat surface, an edge 
 nearest you. Fold the front edge to the back edge of 
 square ; crease the paper at the fold, open the paper and 
 fold the right edge to left edge of square ; crease the 
 fold again. Open the paper and turn the square so that 
 a corner points towards you. Fold this front corner 
 to the back corner, so that the two points exactly 
 meet. 
 
 Crease on the fold, open the paper, and fold the 
 left corner to the right corner of the square. Crease 
 on the fold. Open the paper; before you you have 
 a square of paper, with eight folds across its surface, 
 a fold running front edge to back edge, from right
 
 Festival Occasions 117 
 
 edge to left edge, from right corner to left cor- 
 ner, from left corner to right corner. Turn the square 
 of paper over so that all the folds on the surface of 
 the paper are on the upper side of the square. Place 
 the square with a corner toward you. 
 
 You will now see eight folds running from the 
 four edges and four corners to the centre of the 
 square. Crease with thumb and forefinger of right hand 
 the fold running from lower right edge to centre of 
 square. Place this right hand fold of square forward 
 so that it lies along the fold which extends from the 
 corner directly in front of you to the centre of the 
 square. Follow the same directions in folding the 
 crease that runs from the lower left edge to centre of 
 square. These two folds touch now on the fold that 
 runs from front corner to centre of square. You 
 will see a small triangle extending below the two folds 
 which thus meet in front of you. Fold this small 
 triangle back toward the centre, and underneath the 
 two folds that meet in front of you. One half of your 
 tent is folded. The same directions must be followed 
 in folding the other side of the square. 
 
 The two small triangles must be carefully folded 
 so that the tent will stand evenly when finished. You 
 will see when the front and back part of the tent is 
 finished that you have the right and left corners to 
 dispose of. Fold these corners underneath the tent, 
 so that when it is placed in an upright position it will 
 stand firmly. To make the tent stand well, crease the 
 edges that run from the four corners to top of tent, 
 thus making an exact pyramid. The use of a little 
 paste in securing the folds is of great assistance. 
 
 To represent the tent pole, a wooden match, 
 gilded, may be used. To this attach a tiny American 
 flag made of pliable red, white and blue paper.
 
 n8 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Paper Lanterns (Scissors, red, white and blue paper, 
 
 liquid gold paint, box of small candles, circular* 
 
 box covers, baby ribbon red, white and blue) 
 
 Lanterns made of red, white and blue paper, 
 
 each of one color only, ornamented with gold paint 
 
 and tied with the red, white and blue baby ribbon, 
 
 are extremely pretty for supper decorations. When 
 
 suspended from the chandelier above the centre of a 
 
 supper table, a lighted candle in each little lantern, 
 
 the effect is charming. 
 
 In view of entertainments where decorations are 
 called for, it would be well to lay aside all small cir- 
 cular box covers that find their way into the house- 
 hold. The small box covers that measure 2 l /z inches 
 in diameter may be taken as a standard size. These 
 box covers form the bottom of the lanterns. 
 
 Cut from the colored paper an oblong piece meas- 
 uring 8 inches in length and 5 inches in width. Lay 
 the oblong piece of paper before you with its long 
 edges running right and left. Draw a pencil line the 
 length of the paper ^4 of an inch from the upper edge ; 
 y*, of an inch from its lower edge draw another line ; 
 which will be parallel to the first. 
 
 From the upper pencil line to the lower pencil 
 line draw 15 lines l /2 inch apart. These upright lines 
 will form 14 narrow oblongs. Use very sharp pointed 
 scissors, and cut away each alternate oblong. Paste 
 the two short edges of the oblong paper together, 
 one end overlapping the other. The body of the lan- 
 tern is now finished. 
 
 Let a little wax drip from a candle on the inside 
 of the circular box cover at its centre. When a 
 little bed of soft wax is formed, place an unlighted 
 candle on it in an upright position. Place a thick 
 coating of Spaulding's glue on the inner surface of
 
 Festival Occasions 119 
 
 circular rim of the box cover, and carefully fit the 
 body of the lantern into it. 
 
 When the paper lantern is securely fastened, gild 
 heavily the outside rim of the box cover and the upper 
 and lower circular bands which form top and bottom 
 borders of the lanterns. In the top circular band 
 punch four holes equal distances apart, through which 
 the ribbons are run. 
 
 ST. PATRICK'S DAY MARCH 17TH 
 
 Place Cards (White cards, water-color or oil paints, 
 
 brush) 
 
 Paint a picture of shamrock upon the card. It 
 may be copied from some picture, if not from the 
 real plant. If not possible to find a picture, our wild- 
 wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is supposed to be 
 the same as the shamrock and may be used for model. 
 Some authorities believe the white clover to be the 
 original shamrock. 
 
 Flags (Irish Hag, green paint, gold paint, brush, scis- 
 sors, slender sticks) 
 If one Irish flag is bought the children may copy 
 
 it, painting a number, one for each guest, or for 
 
 decorating table. Glue flags to sticks. 
 
 Ribbon Flags (Green satin ribbon, one inch wide, 
 
 wooden toothpick) 
 
 Cut the ribbon into oblongs to make wee flags. 
 Glue to tiny flagsticks and put at places at dinner 
 table. 
 
 Shamrock Plants 
 The real shamrock is now brought over and may
 
 1 20 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 be purchased in March. A little plant makes an ap- 
 priate souvenir. Or several weeks before the day, 
 children may plant shamrock seed in tiny pots for 
 use on the I7th. 
 
 Potato Race 
 
 A potato race is an appropriate game for St. Pat- 
 rick's Day. (See page 94.) Give cork doll for prize 
 to winner of race (page 81), as souvenir from Cork. 
 
 St. Patrick's Dinner 
 
 Have as many green vegetables and side dishes 
 as possible. Spinach will color the soup. Green veg- 
 etables and salads are easy to obtain and ice cream 
 may be colored with pistache. Irish flags may be sus- 
 pended over the table. 
 
 Dinner Souvenir (Blotting paper, souvenir postcards, 
 
 green ribbon ^2 inch wide) 
 
 Give each guest a blotter made thus : Buy sou- 
 venir postcards with pictures of Killarney and other 
 Irish views. Cut the blotting paper into sheets of 
 same size as cards. Place together. Punch hole at 
 one end and tie together with ribbon. 
 
 EASTER 
 Egg Shell Garden (See page 25) 
 
 Sponge Garden (Small, clean sponge, birdseed) 
 
 A few days before Easter, sprinkle the sponge 
 with birdseed. Keep damp and the seeds will sprout 
 and cover the sponge with growing blades of green.
 
 Festival Occasions 121 
 
 Easter Eggs (/. Diamond dyes, a dozen eggs. 2. 
 Small figured calico, lye, boiling water) 
 
 1. Boil the eggs hard and dye with the colors 
 according to directions on package, which may be 
 had at drugstore, price five cents. 
 
 2. Wind strips of the bright calico around the 
 eggs and boil in water strongly saturated with lye. 
 The lye extracts the color, which will be found printed 
 upon the eggs. 
 
 Place Cards for Easter Breakfast (i. White paper, 
 scissors, paints. 2. Plain white cards, paints) 
 
 1. If possible secure a real Easter lily for a model. 
 If this cannot be obtained, a picture of one will an- 
 swer. From the paper cut, freehand, if possible, the 
 shape of the lily and paint it "'.htly; just a little shad- 
 ing and the golden center, j'lace the guest's name 
 upon the reverse side. It may be necessary to draw 
 the lily first before cutting, but the freehand cutting 
 is a good exercise. 
 
 2. Decorate a white card with the picture of a 
 lily, or a tulip, using water-color paints. Below the 
 flower write an appropriate flower motto. 
 
 Celluloid Place Cards (White celluloid, scissors, pen- 
 
 /) 
 
 Get from a dictionary or natural history a good 
 picture of a butterfly with open wings. Draw a pat- 
 tern from this and then outline a number of these on 
 the celluloid and cut out. These dainty, spirit-like but- 
 terflies will make suitable place-cards, having the name 
 of guest on the reverse side. 
 
 Cut Easter lily of celluloid in same way.
 
 122 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Easter Chicken (Yellow worsted, black beads, quill 
 toothpick, cardboard, wooden toothpicks, or pic- 
 ture-wire.) 
 
 Make a yellow ball as described on pages 96-7 for 
 the body of the chicken. A smaller ball makes the 
 head. Sew on the beads for the bright black eyes; 
 cut the quill into shape of a bill and sew into place. 
 Let wooden toothpicks form the legs; or, better still, 
 take picture-wire made of several strands. Wind some 
 of this around the body, letting the ends of the wire 
 extend about i l /2 inches below the body; sew to the 
 body to keep in place. Then pick out the ends of 
 the wire a little to suggest toes and wind the legs 
 with worsted. Sew chicken to a card. 
 
 Easter Card (Parquetry circles used in kindergarten, 
 paste, gray card, scissors} 
 
 The little child may make an Easter card by 
 pasting upon a neutral-tinted card pictures of tulips 
 made of the kindergarten parquetry papers. Cut in 
 half either red or yellow circles. Place so that the 
 lower ends touch and the upper ones are a little 
 apart, suggesting a tulip. A strip of green paper will 
 represent the stem and an older child can cut leaves 
 of the green paper and paste on. Have a real tulip 
 from which to copy. Child may give this to Father 
 on Easter morning. 
 
 Toy Screen (See page 63) 
 
 Make dainty screen as described, and paste on 
 each panel a tiny Easter picture (Perry pictures may 
 be had by addressing firm in N. Y. City). Give to 
 Mother on Easter morning. 
 
 Church Window Transparency (See page 77)
 
 Festival Occasions 123 
 
 MEMORIAL DAY 
 
 We give no special suggestions for the celebration 
 of Memorial or Decoration Day. The ideas given 
 under the headings of the other patriotic holidays, as 
 Washington's Birthday and Fourth of July, may be 
 used also for this holiday, but it is not a day for mere 
 play. 
 
 If the parents plan to go to the cemetery let the 
 child accompany them and carry flowers, preferably 
 those of his own raising or plucking. 
 
 Reading 
 
 It would be well also on this day to read some 
 great piece of patriotic literature, either prose or 
 poetry, which will help the older children to realize 
 the great debt which we owe to the preservers of our 
 country, to whom we dedicate this day. Lincoln's 
 Gettysburg address should be read. Also Lowell's 
 "The Present Crisis." "Bugle Echoes," compiled by 
 Francis F. Browne, contains 150 poems of the Civil 
 War, both Northern and Southern. 
 
 Badge (Sheets of red, white, and blue paper, scissors, 
 
 paste} 
 
 A simple badge may be made for the children to 
 wear in this fashion: 
 
 1. Cut a circle fy inches in diameter out of the 
 red paper. Cut also from the red, white and blue 
 sheets strips of 2 x 5 inches. Paste the three strips 
 together at the upper end like ribbons, letting them 
 spread a little apart at the lower end. Paste the circle 
 at the upper end to finish off. 
 
 2. Another style may be made by placing the
 
 124 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 three colors so that one lies directly above the other. 
 In this case the blue is 5 inches long, the white four 
 inches, and the red three inches. Fasten to dress or 
 coat with a safety pin. 
 
 INDEPENDENCE DAY 
 
 Firecrackers (Red paper, hemp string, 
 
 Get large sheets of red paper to be found at 
 department stores or wholesale paper houses, measur- 
 ing about 35 inches in length and 26 inches in width. 
 From each one cut thirteen 2-inch strips, cutting the 
 length of the sheet. Fold each strip once across the 
 width of the strip, and cut through the center at the 
 fo!d. This gives twenty-six 2-inch strips of paper, 
 the width of the small sized firecrackers. 
 
 Hold a strip of paper between the thumb and 
 forefinger of the left hand. Moisten the thumb of 
 the right hand a very little, and roll the end of the 
 strip towards the left, as one does in rolling a paper 
 taper. Keep the strip rolled tightly until the other 
 end of the strip is reached. If the cracker seems too 
 loosely rolled unroll it a short distance, and gently 
 pull the strip into form again. 
 
 Place a little paste on the under side of the loose 
 end of the strip, and press the pasted end firmly on 
 the rolled surface of the cracker. Hold this until it 
 adheres to the surface of the cracker. Cut the hemp 
 string into three-inch pieces. Dip one end of the 
 string into the paste, then insert this pasted end into 
 one end of the cracker at the little opening which is 
 found at the very center. Hold this firmly for a mo- 
 ment, or until the string is securely fastened. 
 
 Tie six or eight firecrackers into bunches with
 
 Festival Occasions 125 
 
 red, white and blue ribbons, and lay them over the 
 white surface of the luncheon or supper table. 
 
 Firecracker Card (See page 55) 
 
 Drums (Small wooden boxes, liquid gold paint, 
 Spaulding's glue, red, white and blue baby rib- 
 bon, small sticks for drum sticks) 
 The market basket will, from time to time, fur- 
 nish the housekeeper with small circular boxes labeled : 
 Electro-Silicon Silver Polish. These wooden boxes, 
 measuring 8 inches in circumference and 12 inches 
 in height, make, when prettily ornamented, very at- 
 tractive drums. 
 
 Remove the cover of box, and place on its inner 
 rim a coating of Spaulding's glue. Place the cover 
 on the box again, and put aside until it is fastened. 
 Place the box on a sheet of stiff white paper, and 
 holding it firmly, draw a pencil line around its edge. 
 Now remove the box, and you will see that you have 
 outlined a circle. Using this circle as a model, draw 
 a second circle. Cut out these circles, following the 
 pencil very accurately. These two circles form the 
 two heads of the drum, and are to be pasted on the 
 top and the bottom of the box. Gild the circular sur- 
 face of the box. Cut strips of red or blue paper, 
 measuring & 1 /. inches in length and i]/ 2 inches in 
 width. Brush the under surface of these strips with 
 paste, and place one strip at the top and one at the 
 bottom of the drum, ft of an inch above the rim of 
 the drum. These strips answer to the wooden bands 
 which hold the drum heads in place. Red, white and 
 blue baby ribbon may be carried from the upper to the 
 lower edges of the drum if desired to represent the 
 cords which hold the drum securely.
 
 126 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Little wooden sticks, gilded and tied at the side 
 of the drum form the drumsticks. 
 
 The smaller Electro-Silicon boxes, measuring 2^4 
 inches in circumference and iy$ inches in height, may 
 be used in the same way. 
 
 Rosettes (Red, white and blue tissue paper, a strong 
 
 needle, white sewing silk, white library paste or 
 
 well-made Hour paste) 
 
 Lay nine sheets of tissue paper one upon another, 
 alternating the colors, red, white and blue. Fold 
 these sheets together very smoothly once, thus mak- 
 ing 1 8 smaller sheets if they were cut apart, but do 
 not cut. Lay a silver dollar or fifty-cent piece (de- 
 pending upon the size required) at the upper left- 
 hand corner of paper. Draw a pencil line around the 
 rim of the silver piece. Move the piece of money to 
 the right and draw another circle. Continue this 
 drawing circles until you have covered the surface of 
 the paper. 
 
 Thread a needle with the sewing silk, knot the 
 end of the thread and take several firm stitches 
 through the center of each circle in order to hold the 
 sheets of paper together. With sharp scissors cut 
 out each paper circle, and fringe by cutting, but not 
 too finely, from the edge to within y& of an inch of 
 the center of the circle. Hold the knot on the under 
 side of the circle between the thumb and forefinger 
 of the left hand. Slightly moisten the forefinger of 
 the right hand and brush gently over the fringed 
 surface toward the center of the rosette. At the back 
 of each rosette put a bit of paste, then lay rosettes 
 on strips of paper one inch in width. Do not overlap 
 the rosettes, but arrange to allow the edges to touch. 
 
 These strips of rosettes may be used as festoons.
 
 Festival Occasions 127 
 
 As decorations for cakes or dishes of fruit they can 
 be used most effectively. 
 
 Shields for Luncheon Cards (Cardboard, red and 
 blue paper, baby ribbon red, white and blue, 
 gold paint, water-color paints red and blue) 
 Attractive luncheon or supper cards, suitable for 
 patriotic occasions, may be made in the form of 
 shields. Turn to the fourth page of Webster's Un- 
 abridged Dictionary, and find the shield used as the 
 American Coat-of-Arms. This shield, enlarged to a 
 size measuring 2 l /> inches in length and 2 l / 2 inches 
 in width across the upper part, forms an excellent 
 model. If one does not draw habitually, use tracing 
 paper when tracing the pattern. If one uses water- 
 color paints successfully, paint the deep blue band 
 across the upper part of the shield, and the twelve 
 red stripes running from the band to the lower edge 
 of the shield. For those who do not paint, dark red 
 and blue paper may be substituted very successfully. 
 A touch of gold paint on the edge of the shield adds 
 greatly to the effect. 
 
 Write each guest's name on a card measuring 2 l /z 
 inches in length and i l /2 inches in width. Attach a 
 card by means of red, white and blue ribbon to upper 
 corner of each shield. 
 
 Rockets (Red, zvhite and blue paper, paste, gold paint, 
 
 slender ivooden sticks) 
 
 Rockets are made in the same manner as fire- 
 crackers, excepting that the paper strips are cut wider, 
 viz. : 3 or 4 inches in width, and more strips are re- 
 quired to give the proper size. This may be left to 
 the maker's discretion. 
 
 When the rockets are rolled and pasted after the
 
 128 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 manner of the firecrackers, insert the sharp point of 
 a pencil into the center of one end of each roll, and 
 gently push out this center to the distance of two 
 inches. This will give the pointed end of the rocket. 
 These pointed ends may be gilded, as well as the slen- 
 der sticks which are inserted at the other ends. 
 
 LABOR DAY 
 
 The words "parade" and "procession" are as- 
 sociated in the minds of most American children with 
 long lines of soldiers, and the small boy will play for 
 hours putting his tin soldiers in rank and file, or 
 inarching with his comrades, with pans for drums. 
 
 In these later days, when the spirit of the Peace 
 Congress is in the air, it is well that the children 
 should become interested in struggles and battles of 
 a different and higher order and in the parades in 
 which long lines of honorable workers take part. 
 
 In this country all self-respecting people are 
 workers in one way or another, and though in the 
 course of progress of cooperative movements and com- 
 binations, among many kinds of workers, there may 
 have been much of injustice, such movements have 
 also been accompanied by self-sacrifice, courage and 
 generosity of a high order. In time the good will 
 far out-weigh the evil. As Labor Day approaches, the 
 children, especially if the father expects to take part, 
 will be readily interested in the day and what it 
 should mean the solving of the great problem of 
 the twentieth century. Meanwhile let the children 
 feel the beauty of Walt Whitman's lines:
 
 Festival Occasions 129 
 
 "Ah little recks the laborer 
 How near his work is holding him to God, 
 The loving Laborer through space and time." 
 
 The Labor Day parade is a revival, or survival 
 in modern guise, of the mediaeval processions of the 
 Guilds. Such a procession is charmingly represented 
 in Wagner's delightful opera, "Die Meistersinger," 
 wherein, on a festival day, we see the bakers enter, 
 bearing the insignia of their trade, enormous pretzels 
 and other cakes. The cobblers march in with gigantic 
 boots and slippers suspended from tall poles ; the 
 butchers carry hams and festoons of sausages, etc. 
 The child may imitate such a parade in his play. 
 
 In talking with the child, emphasize the obliga- 
 tion to do good, true work and to take pride in such. 
 Let fidelity and trustworthiness be his watchwords. 
 
 Parade (Poles or broom handles, wrapping paper or 
 
 newspaper, scissors, tacks, rakes, spades, etc., 
 
 flags and banners) 
 
 Let the children cut from the paper large out- 
 lines of shoes, boots, hams, saws, try-squares, clocks, 
 watches, enormous pens, knives, forks, etc., and fasten 
 with pins or tacks to the poles. Then march to the 
 tune of some stirring air. 
 
 Some may be able to secure small garden rakes, 
 spades and toy brooms to carry. The American flag 
 and banners should also be carried. 
 
 Toy- Processions (Trade catalogues, toothpicks, pa- 
 per dolls, etc.) 
 
 Cut out paper dolls and let each one carry a tiny 
 toothpick upon which has been pasted a picture cut 
 from some catalogue. These catalogues will furnish
 
 1 30 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 pictures of shoes, carriages, saws, hammers, watches, 
 furniture, etc. Be sure that little American flags are 
 also carried. Dolls may be glued to spools for stand- 
 ards. 
 
 Place Cards for Dinner 
 
 1. (Bristol board, scissors, paints, brush) 
 Make place cards of Bristol board, which may 
 
 be cut into shape of shoes, watches, etc., and painted 
 accordingly. The name of guest may be placed on 
 reverse side. Or, on plain white card, paint a picture 
 emblematic of a trade and write upon it also some 
 quotation from a writer of democratic spirit. 
 
 2. (Tiny cast-iron rakes, spades and hatchets 
 / cent each.) 
 
 As a souvenir, give each guest a tiny cast-iron 
 spade, rake and hatchet tied together with cord. Or, 
 for a joke, these may be placed by each plate instead of 
 knife, fork and spoon. 
 
 3. (Pen and ink or pencil, white card.) 
 
 Draw on a plain, white card a picture of an ant, 
 bee or beaver as emblematic of labor. Use for place 
 cards. 
 
 4. (Frances S. Osgood's poem, "Labor," white 
 cards, pen and ink.} 
 
 On each card write one stanza of this beautiful 
 poem, and after the close of the meal let each guest 
 in turn read the lines on his card. It would be well 
 for every child to commit this poem to memory. It 
 is long, but sings itself easily into the mind. The 
 word-pictures it calls up are exquisite and the learn- 
 ing of it, little by little, would not be an unhappy task.
 
 Festival Occasions 131 
 
 HALLOWE'EN 
 
 This is the festival which is given over to all 
 kinds of merry pranks and is dearly loved by the chil- 
 dren. It is an opportunity to teach them to discrimi- 
 nate between the fun which is kindly and that which 
 is malicious and productive of needless pain. 
 
 Ducking for Apples and Nuts (Large pans or tubs, 
 
 apples, nuts, pennies') 
 
 Let the children, young and old, for once get 
 themselves wet, if necessary, in ducking for the nuts 
 and apples floating in the water. With a little suc- 
 tion some of the children will be able to get pennies 
 from the bottom of the tub. 
 
 Fortune-Telling 
 
 1. With Needles. (Needles, pan of water) 
 Name a needle for yourself and one for a friend, 
 
 and put in the water, but not together. If they move 
 safely across, it betokens good luck. Two needles 
 meeting indicate life partnership. 
 
 2. With Toy Ships. (Pan of water, nut ships as 
 described on page 22) 
 
 Name one little vessel for yourself and one for a 
 friend and set them afloat. If they come to port on 
 the other side all is well. 
 
 3. With Apple Rinds. (Apple, knife) 
 
 Pare an apple so that the skin comes off in one 
 long piece. Toss over the head upon the floor, and 
 the form it takes will give the initial letters of the name 
 of one's future mate.
 
 132 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 4. With Cake. (Cake, thimble, ring, penny, etc.) 
 
 Bake a cake, hiding in the dough a thimble, a 
 ring and a penny. When cut, the recipient of the ring 
 is fore-doomed to marriage; the one getting the thim- 
 ble will be a spinster ; the one receiving the penny will 
 have the pleasures and responsibilities of wealth. 
 
 Apple-Biting Contest (Apple suspended front a 
 string') 
 
 1. The apple is set swinging and two people, 
 standing opposite each other, try as it passes to seize 
 and hold it in the mouth. They must not touch it with 
 the hands. 
 
 2. Tie an apple by its stem to the middle of a 
 string about a yard long. Then two people, each tak- 
 ing one end of the string in the mouth, begin, at a 
 signal, to gather it as fast as possible into the mouth, 
 and so to reach the apple. This belongs to the one 
 reaching it first. 
 
 Refreshments 
 
 Apples, nuts, popcorn, cider, gingerbread and 
 doughnuts are suitable for lighter refreshments. 
 Baked beans and plain ice-cold rice pudding were 
 once eaten with decided relish at a New York City 
 Hallowe'en party, the city people evidently enjoying 
 the contrast between this feast and the usual caterer's 
 service. Serve fruit from a kettle suspended from 
 three cross-sticks, a la witch. 
 
 Decorations 
 
 Jack-o'-lanterns of pumpkins ; strings of apples, 
 popcorn and cranberries, and toy brooms hung here 
 and there, as reminders of the witches who are said
 
 Festival Occasions 133 
 
 to be abroad, will add to the occasion. The pumpkins 
 should be cut to resemble skulls. 
 
 Reading 
 
 Have some one read "Tarn O'Shanter's Mare" 
 (Burns) ; also some good ghost story. Thomas Ken- 
 drick Bangs' "Ghosts Which I Have Met" contains 
 some good stories, all absurd. Choose a good reader 
 for this. 
 
 Place Cards 
 
 1. (White or tinted cards, Palmer Cox Brownies, 
 ink, pen} 
 
 The Brownies are delightfully funny little people 
 without a suggestion of anything coarse or evil. The 
 children love them. Let the older ones copy and cut 
 them out to use as invitation cards for the Hallowe'en 
 party or for place cards. 
 
 2. (See "Pricking," page 165.) 
 
 Since witches are always associated with the 
 pricking of pins, this is an appropriate occasion for 
 using the kindergarten pricking. Outline some of the 
 Brownies on tinted cards and prick as directed on 
 page 165. 
 
 3. (See Pumpkin Jack-o'-lantern cards, page 
 I35-) 
 
 THANKSGIVING 
 
 Place Cards (White paper or cardboard, brush and 
 
 paints or pen and ink) 
 
 i. Cut out a turkey, copying from some picture 
 if necessary. (Picture may be found in dictionary. )
 
 134 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 If skilful with brush or pen, indicate the feathers, 
 eye, etc. 
 
 2. Draw picture of a pumpkin. Cut it out. Paint 
 in deep orange tones with shadings of brown. Cut into 
 it eyes, nose and mouth, suggesting Jack-o'-lantern. 
 
 3. On white cards write stanzas from Whittier's 
 poem, "The Pumpkin Pie," and let each guest read 
 his stanza in turn. 
 
 4. Cut as many triangles as there are guests and 
 paint each to resemble a slice of pie. One side of 
 triangle should be curved. 
 
 5. Find a simple figure of a Puritan maiden and 
 draw in outline ; then cut out and paint or draw in 
 black ink the important lines. Use as place card. 
 
 6. Make little walnut boats (see page 22), and 
 on each sail write name of guest. 
 
 7. Find picture of Mayflower and copy on white 
 card. On reverse side write a stanza of "The Break- 
 ing Waves Dashed High." Let each guest read his 
 lines. (Or parts of "Hiawatha" about Mondamin 
 may be used.) 
 
 Table Souvenirs (Tiny cast-iron gardening tools, i 
 
 cent each) 
 
 As described under Labor Day, these tiny penny 
 tools may be put at each place, the hatchet represent- 
 ing the knife, the rake the fork, and the spade the 
 spoon. Attach name of guest to set. 
 
 Butter Modeling (Clay modeling tools, firm butter) 
 
 If any child has acquired a little skill in clay 
 
 modeling, let him try his hand at modeling out of 
 
 firm butter some form expressing a Thanksgiving
 
 Festival Occasions 135 
 
 thought. It may be a piece of fruit, or some animal. 
 Get clay modeling tools at art store. 
 
 Center Piece (Pumpkin, knife, fruits and vegetables) 
 Hollow out a pumpkin in such a way that a part 
 of the rind is left as a handle to the remaining part, 
 which serves as a basket. Into this basket put a 
 variety of fruits and vegetables, emblematic of the 
 bounties for which we are grateful. 
 
 Jack-o'-lantern (Pumpkin, knife, candle) 
 
 We doubt if any boy needs to be told how to cut 
 a face in a pumpkin. A sharp knife will soon make 
 the cuts for eyes, nose and mouth in the rind, the 
 seedy contents having been previously removed. A 
 hollow may be cut in the bottom of the interior to hold 
 the candle, which can be made still steadier by melting 
 a little from the bottom and letting it drip into this 
 hollow, forming a waxy bed into which the candle 
 may be inserted. 
 
 Candlesticks 
 
 See pages 24 and 64 for those made of apples 
 and of cardboard and colored papers. 
 
 Room Decorations 
 
 1. Corn Stalks. (Strong cord and needle, ham- 
 mer and tacks.) 
 
 Stack cornstalks in the corners of the rooms in 
 effective positions, two or three to a corner. Those 
 living in cities may find it well to secure these from 
 farmer friends some time before the holiday. 
 
 2. Unhusked Ears of Field Corn. (Strong cord.) 
 The corn husks must be turned back from the 
 
 ears and cut off from them without loosening the sepa-
 
 136 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 rate leaves. Then a number of these husks may be 
 strung upon a strong thread or string alternating 
 with the ears of corn. Hang along the upper part of 
 the wall as a frieze. The rich, warm tones of the 
 brown and yellow are very effective. 
 
 3. Cranberries and Brussels Sprouts. (String, 
 needle.) 
 
 Run upon a string half a dozen cranberries, then 
 a Brussels sprout; then more cranberries, etc., and 
 suspend this as a festoon along mantelshelf, in chan- 
 delier, or over window. 
 
 4. Autumn Leaves. (See page 47.) 
 
 5. Autumn Boughs. (Oak boughs.) 
 
 Oak boughs, with the rich red and russet leaves 
 still upon them, are very handsome in the autumn. 
 The beautiful branches may be gathered by the young 
 people and hung in parts of the room where most 
 effective. 
 
 CHRISTMAS 
 Place Cards 
 
 1. (Sheet black paper, Chinese white water-color 
 paint, brush.) Cut a stocking from the black paper 
 (obtainable at kindergarten supply store). With 
 the paint, paint in white toes and heels. On the re- 
 verse side write some appropriate quotation and name 
 of guest. Stockings may be about four inches long. 
 
 2. (White paper, black ink or crayon.) Cut a 
 rough figure of a snowman out of white paper, put in 
 features with black ink or crayon, and write name on 
 reverse side. 
 
 3. (Water paper, water-colors, scissors, spray of 
 holly.) From real holly or a picture of same, paint a
 
 Festival Occasions 137 
 
 spray of green leaves and red berries. Cut out around 
 the edges and use as name card. 
 
 4. (Red cardboard, scissors, pen, ink.) Draw an 
 outline of a bell on cardboard and cut out. An appro- 
 priate sentiment may be written upon one side and 
 name of guest upon the other. 
 
 Surprise Nuts (See page 23) 
 Snowflakes for Tree (See page 59) 
 
 Snowball (White cotton batting, snowftake crystals 
 from toy store, white cotton cloth, sewing thread, 
 mucilage) 
 
 Cut two circles of cotton cloth, stuff with the bat- 
 ting, after sewing into shape of ball. Cover lightly 
 with snowflake crystals, first dipping ball lightly into 
 thin mucilage. Suspend from tree. 
 
 Candles (Paraffine or old candles, kettle, soft cotton 
 
 string, small box of sand, pencil) 
 
 Candles have sometimes been made in the kinder- 
 garten in either of the following ways : 
 
 I. Heat a pound of paraffine (bought at grocer's), 
 or melt up some old candle ends in a kettle. Place in 
 front of the child a cigar box containing about a 
 quart of moist sand, smoothed level. Then with his 
 pencil let him press into the sand, making a deep, hol- 
 low mold just the width of the pencil. Now let him 
 hold a short piece of string so that it hangs down into 
 this mold. An older person will then pour some of 
 the melted wax into the mold. It will cling to the 
 string, and in a moment or two will cool enough to be 
 drawn out, making a little candle that can be used for
 
 138 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 the Christmas tree, or put into a clay candlestick, also 
 made by the child. (See below.) 
 
 2. Put the kettle containing the melted wax before 
 the child and let him dip into it a piece of string about 
 four inches long. Then let him take it out in a mo- 
 ment and lay it aside to cool. A very little wax will 
 cling to it. Meanwhile he dips in another string and 
 puts aside to cool. When cool he takes up the first 
 one and dips it in a second time, and a new coat of 
 wax adheres. He proceeds thus until the candles are 
 as large in diameter as desired (about YT. inch at base). 
 The candles may be put into clay candlesticks, also 
 made by the child. 
 
 Candlesticks (Clay, a tin or china candlestick to use 
 
 as model) 
 
 Let the child take a candlestick and copy in clay ; 
 it should be of simple form, a mere cylinder, with 
 just enough of a base to make a firm standard. 
 
 Candlesticks (Cardboard, scissors} 
 
 Cut small squares of cardboard. The candles may 
 be made to stand temporarily upon these by melting 
 the lower ends of the candles and letting some of the 
 wax drip upon center of the cards, and then pressing 
 the candle down upon the melted wax. These may 
 be placed upon the table on Christmas morning. 
 
 Christmas Carols 
 
 Let the children learn some simple old carol, as 
 a secret, and Christmas morning have them sing it 
 softly and sweetly to awaken father. A full pro- 
 gram of songs suitable for this most beautiful of days 
 will be found in the little book, "The Children's Mes- 
 siah," compiled by Mari Ruef Hofer, price 20 cents.
 
 Festival Occasions 139 
 
 It gives also the address of a firm publishing stereop- 
 ticon views for illustrating the program suggested. 
 
 Spider-Web Party (See page 104) 
 
 Arrange the twines of several colors as described 
 on page 104, and at the end place the gifts belonging 
 to each child. 
 
 Popcorn (Popcorn, popper, thread, needle) 
 
 Pop the corn and string into festoons with which 
 to decorate the tree. 
 
 Christmas Bells (Red cardboard, scissors, thread, 
 
 needle) 
 
 Make bells as described on page 109, only make 
 them of various sizes. String, and use to decorate 
 table or tree, or to festoon from the center of the 
 ceiling to the corners and sides of the room. 
 
 Kindergarten Lanterns (Red, gold, or silver paper, 
 
 scissors, thread, paste) 
 
 Take a kindergarten square of pretty paper or 
 make a square of some attractive wrapping paper. 
 Fold once into an oblong. Now cut a series of parallel 
 lines from the fold toward the edge, stopping each 
 about Y-2 inch from edge. Open and paste one end so 
 that it overlaps the other, the cuts running vertically. 
 This makes the lantern bulge out a little at the fold, 
 giving a Japanese lantern effect. Suspend by a thread 
 tied to the upper edge or paste a narrow strip of paper 
 on for a handle. Use as decoration for Christmas tree. 
 
 Paper Chains (See pages 56 and 115)
 
 140 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Reading 
 
 Read a part or the whole of Dickens' "Christmas 
 Carol," "The Chimes/' or "The Cricket on the 
 Hearth ;" or "Is There a Santa Claus," by Jacob Riis ; 
 or "The Birds' Christmas Carol," by Kate Douglas 
 Wiggin. Longfellow's "Arsenal at Springfield" and 
 "A Christmas Hymn," by A. Domett, are also appro- 
 priate.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE KEY BASKET 
 
 or 
 
 HOUSEHOLD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
 
 Train the children little by little to bear certain 
 light responsibilities in the home. Even in a home 
 in which all the household tasks are done by trained 
 servants let the girl and boy have some small duty 
 to perform, if it be nothing more than to keep the 
 match-safes filled. They will thus acquire an interest 
 in the home which can be aroused in no other way. 
 
 Indeed, every child, boy and girl, should be trained 
 to do easily and well the common household tasks 
 upon which depend so much of the happiness and well- 
 being of the home. Such knowledge and skill often 
 prove of use in unexpected emergencies and make for 
 general efficiency. The ancient symbol of the house- 
 wife's office is her bunch of keys, hung at her waist 
 or placed in the key-basket, so we have used this latter 
 phrase as our chapter heading. 
 
 HOME TASKS 
 
 Here are a few brief directions for the usual 
 home tasks in which both boys and girls may to some 
 extent be trained. 
 
 141
 
 142 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Table Setting (Usual dishes and cutlery} 
 
 Different homes vary in unimportant particulars 
 in the placing of the dishes. The following is a com- 
 mon arrangement for the dinner table: 
 
 At each place lay the fork vertically at the left- 
 hand side, the knife vertically at the right, and the 
 soup-spoon to the right of the knife. This places each 
 utensil so that it is ready for the hand which uses it 
 most. Put the teaspoons to the right of the soup- 
 spoon, and the napkin to the left of the fork. Place 
 the glass just above the knife, the butterdish above the 
 fork, and the individual salt-cellar, if used, between 
 the two. 
 
 Father and mother sit at the ends of the table. 
 Put carving-knife and fork at father's place ; also the 
 soup ladle, as father serves the soup and carves. 
 Mother pours the coffee and tea and serves the vege- 
 tables. Therefore the soup and dinner dishes must 
 be placed before the carver, and the needed vegetable 
 dishes and cups and saucers at the mother's place. 
 Here, too, must be placed the sugar bowl and cream 
 pitcher. 
 
 In the United States it is customary to serve 
 most vegetables upon individual saucers. In England 
 they are usually served upon the plate. 
 
 If salad is to be served, oil and vinegar cruets 
 may be put on. 
 
 The dessert is usually served by the mother, and 
 the necessary dishes must, therefore, be placed at her 
 end of the table. 
 
 If possible, always have flowers or a growing 
 plant in the center of the table, but do not have it so 
 high that it obscures the view of those persons sitting 
 on opposite sides of the table. 
 
 Upon special occasions, particularly if the guests
 
 The Key Basket 143 
 
 are many, it is convenient to indicate the place of 
 each person by a "place card" bearing his name and 
 decorated in some appropriate fashion. Suggestions 
 for such place cards will be found on other pages of 
 this volume. 
 
 Table-Serving (Tray) 
 
 Train both boys and girls to wait on the table 
 quietly and quickly. Then they can save mother many 
 weary steps. Remove soup-tureen first; then the indi- 
 vidual dishes. After the meat-course, remove first 
 the platter and vegetable dishes ; then the plates, sau- 
 cers, etc., from each individual place; then, if there 
 is no salad course, the bread and butter dishes, cruets, 
 etc., from center of table. Next the table must be 
 crumbed. Do this by quietly removing crumbs from 
 each place with crumb-knife and tray or by brushing 
 with folded napkin. If salad is served, crumbing 
 takes place after that course. 
 
 Hold all dishes to left of guest, so that he may 
 easily help himself with his right hand. 
 
 Dish- Washing (Hot water in quantity, dishpan, wire 
 tray, drainer, washing-soda, soap, dish-mop, wash- 
 cloth, towels in plenty, both coarse and fine) 
 If two people are to work together, let one collect 
 the dishes and dispose of the left-over food, while 
 the other washes the kettles and saucepans. Get these 
 heavy cooking utensils out of the way the first thing; 
 then the drudgery part is over before the workers are 
 tired out. 
 
 Dishes in which potatoes, cereals, or eggs have 
 been cooked should be put to soak, not in hot, but in 
 cold or tepid water; they are then readily cleaned. 
 Fill with water as soon as emptied.
 
 144 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Keep a little washing-soda on hand, dissolved 
 in water in a canning- jar, for cleansing greasy dishes. 
 Have hot water in abundance, and, putting a little 
 soda in with it, scrub the kettles briskly with the wire- 
 brush that comes for the purpose, or with mop, dish- 
 cloth or chain dish-cloth. Wipe dry with a heavy 
 towel. 
 
 Meanwhile the other worker is collecting, scrap- 
 ing and classifying the other dishes. Before beginning 
 to wash, have all the dishes assorted according to 
 kind and size and placed convenient to hand. When 
 putting away remnants of food it is well to have for 
 the purpose a series of pitchers ranging from three 
 inches to about nine in height. This gives sizes suited 
 to any quantity which may be left over of soups, milk, 
 liquid vegetables, etc. They take less room than 
 bowls, and the graduated series ornaments the shelf. 
 
 A wire strainer should be kept in the sink to pre- 
 vent the larger particles of waste, indissoluble parings, 
 coffee grains, etc., from going down the drain. This 
 saves plumber's bills. 
 
 When ready for the washing, begin with the 
 glasses and wash quickly in hot water, either clear or 
 soapy, as preferred. Have at hand a second dish-pan 
 in which is placed a wire rack. Put the glasses in the 
 rack, rinse with hot water, and dry rapidly while still 
 wet and hot. It may be necessary to keep them in the 
 water a moment or two to get them really heated 
 through. In washing glass pitchers put a silver spoon 
 in them before placing in the hot water. This prevents 
 breakage. Treat canning- jars in the same way. 
 
 Next wash the silver, having the water soapy and 
 piping hot, in order to get a good polish. Keep spoons, 
 knives and forks in separate groups and all pointing 
 in the same direction.
 
 The Key Basket 145 
 
 The smaller, less greasy dishes follow the silver, 
 and then the heavy china. Here, again, let dishes that 
 have held eggs or starchy foods soak awhile in cold 
 or tepid water. Rinse greasy dishes well. 
 
 Conclude by scrubbing tables and sink with cloth, 
 brush, soap and sapolio as needed. Put the scrapings 
 in the garbage pail and pour hot water and soda down 
 the pipe to remove the last vestige of grease. Hang 
 up the shining dish-pans, after washing out the towels 
 and dish-cloth in soap and water, if they require it. 
 
 A can of Babbitt's Potash of Lye may take the 
 place of the washing-soda. 
 
 Bed-Making (Two sheets, blanket, comforter, cover) 
 
 Put the lower sheet on with the right side up. 
 Tuck it in neatly at the corners much as one would 
 fold in the corners when wrapping up a box in paper. 
 Place the upper sheet upon this with the right side 
 down. This brings the two right sides together. Let 
 the broad hem in each case be at the head of the bed. 
 That of the upper sheet should just reach the head 
 of the mattress. 
 
 Place the blanket with its upper end about six 
 inches from the head of the bed. Then comes the 
 comforter, placed in the same way. Fold the sheet 
 down from the top just where the blanket ends. Tuck 
 all in neatly at the sides and the foot. Now put the 
 spread smoothly over all. It may be tucked in or 
 may hang down as desired. Place the pillows with the 
 closed ends of the cases together. 
 
 If an extra coverlet is to be placed at the foot 
 of the bed, fold it in thirds so that the sleeper may 
 reach down and draw it up over himself without rising 
 to the floor.
 
 146 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 To put on a bolster-case easily, turn it wrong side 
 out and then roll it up over the bolster. 
 
 Train children to air beds every morning by 
 shaking up bed-clothing and extending it over foot- 
 board and chair. 
 
 Washing (Toy tub or tin basin, toy washboard, basin 
 
 for boiler, soap, bit of blueing tied in bag, strong 
 
 cord for line) 
 
 Put dolls' clothes or a few dustcloths or handker- 
 chiefs in tub of warm water after soaping well. Let 
 soak awhile, then rub out on the little washboard or 
 between the hands, put into the boiler with cold water 
 and just bring to a boil. Rinse in warm water or 
 wash vigorously in warm water if necessary; then 
 rinse in warm and then in cold water ; put the blueing 
 in a basin of cold water till the water is slightly 
 tinged; remove the blueing bag and rinse the clothes 
 in the water. (The blueing is to counteract the ten- 
 dency of white goods to grow yellow with time.) 
 
 Hang up to dry in the air and sunshine. 
 
 Tell the children that the clothes must always be 
 sorted, white body clothes being in one class, bed- 
 linen in another, table linen in another ; woolens must 
 be washed by themselves with care to keep the water 
 of moderate temperature and the rinsing water of the 
 same degree of heat as the washing water. Flannels 
 must be dried as rapidly as possible. Colored gar- 
 ments must be washed by themselves. 
 
 Ironing (Two irons, holders, ironing blanket and 
 
 sheet, iron-stand, cake of beesiva.r or candle) 
 
 Before ironing the clothes must be sprinkled 
 
 lightly with cold water, smoothed out and rolled up 
 
 tightly for half an hour. Meanwhile pin the blanket
 
 The Key Basket 147 
 
 to the ironing board and cover smoothly with the 
 .sheet. The iron must not be so hot as to scorch 
 the clothes. Try it on a piece of paper. If it seems 
 dirty or rough, rub it on the beeswax to make it clean 
 and smooth. (In place of wax a candle will serve 
 the purpose if wrapped around with a piece of clean 
 cotton cloth.) If the garment seems too wet, put a 
 piece of white cloth over it and iron till somewhat 
 dry. Then the iron may be placed directly upon the 
 garment. 
 
 Starch is prepared by wetting and dissolving it 
 in cold water and then pouring upon this boiling water 
 and boiling until clear and smooth. The young child 
 will not need to starch anything, however. 
 
 Sweeping (Broom, whisk-broom, hair-broom, sheet, 
 
 sweeping-cap) 
 
 Let the little worker don sweeping-cap and apron, 
 and then proceed to dust carefully small articles and 
 books, place them on the bed and cover with an old' 
 sheet. Put furniture which is movable in the hall 
 after dusting. Open the window. Then sweep the 
 rugs on both sides and place outside. Pin up the cur- 
 tains. Then dampen a newspaper and tear into small 
 pieces ; throw these on the floor to absorb the dust. 
 Wet tea-leaves may be used for the same purpose. 
 
 Sweep, holding the broom rather closely to the 
 floor and taking short strokes, raising as little dust 
 as possible. Then leave the room for awhile, for the 
 dust to settle. 
 
 Dusting (Dusters of cheesecloth, clean pieces of old 
 
 silk, chamois-skin) 
 
 On returning to the room after sweeping, wipe 
 off the baseboard, then the furniture, always working
 
 148 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 from the top down. To reach high corners where 
 cobwebs may lurk, pin on the brush of the broom a 
 cap of cheesecloth and sweep along the edges of the 
 ceiling. For corners under heavy furniture, a small 
 whisk brush or soft hair brush may be needed. 
 
 Rub off mirrors with a damp cloth, drying and 
 polishing with chamois-skin or crumpled newspaper. 
 Highly polished furniture may be dusted with soft 
 silk or chamois-skin. 
 
 Even small members of the family may be given 
 a share in this work. Little boys and girls can be 
 shown how to dust chairs and furniture within reach 
 of the little arms and hands. It may take more time 
 at first on the mother's part than if she did the work 
 herself; but in the end she is more than repaid. The 
 little child need not be required to do much, but let 
 that little be done thoroughly, if only the legs and 
 rounds of one chair.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 THE CHILD'S LIBRARY 
 
 Every child should be encouraged to possess his 
 own books even in this age of public libraries. Birth- 
 days and Christmas afford occasions when the parent 
 can increase the little library, and later the child may 
 be trained how to choose wisely his own purchases. 
 When he is limited in the books he possesses public 
 libraries open up opportunities for a wide range of 
 reading. 
 
 We give a brief but varied list of books from 
 which the parent may select such as suit her child's 
 particular needs. The discriminating taste in reading 
 must be cultivated from the earliest years if the child 
 is to read with profit and pleasure in youth and ma- 
 turity. 
 
 All children should be allowed to read a few at 
 least of the traditional fairy tales. They teach many 
 important life lessons in an impersonal way ; they de- 
 velop the imagination and widen the sympathies. The 
 successful business man, the progressive physician or 
 lawyer, and the truly successful minister is he who 
 understands human nature, who can put himself in the 
 other person's place ; and to do this he requires a culti- 
 vated imagination. The fairy tale also lifts the child 
 from the restricted life of his environment into the 
 region of boundless possibilities. It increases his 
 sense of power over untoward circumstances. Ac- 
 quaintance with fairy lore also familiarizes one with 
 
 149
 
 150 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 many allusions to be met with in reading all great 
 writers. 
 
 A love of poetry should be the heritage of every 
 child, because of the inspiration it gives amidst the 
 sordid cares of life, and because of the innocent pleas- 
 ure and refreshment it affords in hours of loneliness 
 and weariness. The child's first book of verse should, 
 of course, be Mother Goose. After this there are many 
 valuable compilations of good poetry that may be used. 
 
 A varied library to be found in one large volume 
 is "The Children's Book" compiled by Scudder. It 
 includes selections from Mother Goose, from Grimm's 
 fairy tales, from old English fairy tales, the Arabian 
 Nights, and Hans Andersen. There are also several 
 of Maria Edgeworth's famous moral stories, a great 
 many of ^sop's fables, many of the old English 
 ballads, etc. An excellent compilation of verse is 
 Roger Ingpen's "One Thousand Poems for Children," 
 which contains all the old favorites of children as well 
 as a large number of the best-known poems by stand- 
 ard authors. 
 
 Standard books on science and nature should be 
 in the home, and the child's library should include a 
 few books with stories from real life leading up to 
 biography, history, and travel. 
 
 The little one's sense of humor must be accorded 
 recognition. Mother Goose supplies such a need in 
 part, and Lear's Book of Nonsense may be added. 
 The Sunday funny sheet should be censored before 
 being put into the hands of the child. Expurgate any- 
 thing that expresses disrespect to old age ; that makes 
 light of honor and integrity ; or that is coarse in draw- 
 ing, color, or subtle suggestion. If the child when 
 grown is to appreciate the delicate humor of a Charles 
 Lamb, his taste must not be dulled when he is young.
 
 The Child's Library 151 
 
 It is a pity for a child to grow up without know- 
 ing and loving the "Pilgrim's Progress." To give him 
 this pleasure the book should be read to him or put 
 into his hands when about ten years old. Otherwise 
 the psychologic moment has passed and he may never 
 learn to care for the great English classic. 
 
 The great mediaeval legends should also be known 
 to the child. They are interwoven with much of 
 history and literature and give a glimpse into a rapidly 
 receding past. 
 
 We include in our list a charming wee volume, 
 "The Young Folks' Book of Etiquette," by C. S. Grif- 
 fen, which the mother, wearied of repeating from day 
 to day the same admonitions as to manners and morals, 
 will find a great assistance in seconding her efforts. 
 The child will enjoy both the text and the pictures. 
 
 For the child's Bible reading we recommend 
 Moulton's edition of the Old and New Testaments. 
 The language is identical with that of the familiar 
 old volume, but the text is condensed so that each story 
 is given in the form of a continuous narrative, and ob- 
 jectionable passages are omitted. It may thus safely 
 be put into the hands of very young children, who en- 
 joy the simple, dignified style. 
 
 Music also must form a part of the child's library. 
 The list appended covers a variety of needs. 
 
 FAIRY TALES, MYTHS, AND LEGENDS 
 
 Adventures of Pinocchio, trans- Among the Night People, Clara 
 
 lated from Cullodi by Cramp (an D. Pierson. (Exceptionally good.) 
 
 Italian classic loved by children). Arabian Nights Entertainments. 
 
 /Esop's Fables. Bimbi, Ouida. (Collection of 
 
 Alice in Wonderland, Lewis '*S5* ofSi* and Friendly 
 
 Larro11 ' Beasts, Abbie Farwell Brown. 
 
 Among the Farmyard People, Bow-wow and Mew-mew, Georg- 
 
 Clara D. Pierson. iana M. Craik.
 
 52 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 FAIRY TALES, ETC. Continued 
 
 Boys' Odyssey, W. C. Perry. 
 
 Curious Book of Birds, Abbie 
 Farwell Brown. 
 
 Fairy Tales, Hans Christian 
 Andersen. 
 
 Fifty Famous Stories Retold, 
 Baldwin. 
 
 Folk Tales from the Russian, 
 Blumenthal. 
 
 Gods and Heroes, Francillon. 
 (Greek legends.) 
 
 Household Stories, Anna C. 
 Klingensmith. 
 
 Heroes Every Child Should 
 Know, Hamilton Wright Mabie. 
 
 In the Days of Giants, Abbie 
 Farwell Brown. (Norse legends.) 
 
 Japanese Fairy Tales, trans- 
 lated by Williston. 
 
 Jungle Book, Kipling. 
 
 King Arthur and His Court, 
 Frances Nimmo Greene. 
 
 Knights of the Silver Shield, 
 R. M. Alden. (Includes "Why 
 the Chimes Rang.") 
 
 Little Black Sambo. (Beloved 
 by young children.) 
 
 Mother Goose (Altemus edi- 
 tion), including a few fairy tales. 
 
 Nights with Uncle Remus, Joel 
 Chandler Harris. 
 
 Norse Gods and Heroes, A. 
 Klingensmith. 
 
 Norse Tales, Hamilton W. 
 Mabie. 
 
 Peterkin Papers, Hale. (Af- 
 ford pure, wholesome humor.) 
 
 Peter Rabbit, The Tale of, 
 Beatrix Potter. 
 
 Saints of Italy Legends, Ella 
 Noyes. 
 
 Story of Siegfried, Baldwin. 
 
 The Boys' King Arthur, edited 
 by Lanier. 
 
 The Red Book of Romance, 
 edited by Lang. 
 
 The Red Fairy Book and 
 others of same series, edited by 
 Lang. 
 
 Tanglewood Tales, Hawthorne 
 (Greek Legends). 
 
 The Oak Tree Fairy Book, ed- 
 ited by Clifton Johnson. 
 
 The Pilgrim's Progress, Bun- 
 yan. 
 
 The Stars in Song and Le- 
 gend, Jermain G. Porter. 
 
 The Wonder Book, Haw- 
 thorne. 
 
 Wagner Story Book, F_rost. 
 
 Wandering Heroes, Lillian T. 
 Price. 
 
 Water Babies, Charles Kings- 
 ley. 
 
 Wizard of Oz, Baum. 
 
 HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY 
 
 Childhood of Ji-Shib the Ojib- 
 wa, A. E. Jenks. 
 
 Children of the Cold, Fred- 
 erick Schwatka. (Life among 
 Esquimaux children.) 
 
 Cuore, de Amicis, translated 
 by Mrs. Lucas. (Experiences of 
 a school boy in Italy.) 
 
 Each and All, Jane Andrews. 
 
 Five Minute Stories, Laura E. 
 Richards. 
 
 History of the Ancient Greeks, 
 C. D. Staw. 
 
 Lolami, the Little Cliff-Dwel- 
 ler, Clara K. Bayliss. 
 
 Ten Boys of Long Ago, An- 
 drews. 
 
 The Chinese Boy and Girl, 
 Bishop Headland. 
 
 The Snow Baby, Mrs. Peary. 
 
 Seven Little Sisters, Jane An- 
 drews. 
 
 Story of Joan of Arc for Boys 
 and Girls. 
 
 Story of My Life, Helen Kel- 
 ler. 
 
 Story of Troy, M. Clarke.
 
 The Child's Library 
 
 '53 
 
 NATURE 
 
 A Year in the Fields, Bur- 
 roughs. 
 
 Everyday Birds, Bradford 
 Torrey. 
 
 First Book of Forestry, Fili- 
 bert Roth. 
 
 Friends in Feathers and Fur, 
 Johonnot. 
 
 Grasshopper Land, Margaret 
 Morley. 
 
 How to Attract Birds, Neltje 
 Blanchan. 
 
 Lady Hollyhock and Her 
 Friends, Margaret C. Walker. 
 (Tells how to make dolls out ot 
 flowers.) 
 
 Plant Relations, Coulter. 
 
 Pussy Meow, S. Louis* Patte- 
 
 The Bee People, Margaret 
 Morley. 
 
 The Hall of Shells. 
 
 The Stars in Song and Le- 
 gend, J. G. Porter. 
 
 The Training of Wild Ani- 
 mals, Frank C. Bostock. 
 
 Trees in Prose and Poetry, 
 Stone and Fickett. 
 
 Ways of the Woodtolk, Wil- 
 liam J. Long. 
 
 Wilderness Ways, William J. 
 
 Wild Animals I Have Known, 
 Seton Thompson. 
 
 POETRY 
 
 Book of Nursery Rhymes, New 
 Collection of Old Mother Goose, 
 Charles Welsh. 
 
 Children's Book, The, compila- 
 tion by Scudder. (Prose and 
 verse.) 
 
 Child's Garden of Verses, Rob- 
 ert L. Stevenson. 
 
 The Chinese Mother Goose, 
 Bishop Headland. (Charmingly 
 illustrated with photographic 
 pictures of Chinese children with 
 their parents.) 
 
 Golden Numbers, Kate Doug- 
 las Wiggin. (Choice collection of 
 miscellaneous poetry; beautifully 
 bound.) 
 
 Little Rhymes for Little Read- 
 ers, Wilhelmina Seegmiller. 
 
 Lyrica Heroica, edited by W. 
 E. Henley. 
 
 One Thousand Poems for Chil- 
 dren, Roger Ingpen. (A very 
 full collection.) 
 
 The Listening Child, L. W. 
 Thacher. (Compilation of short 
 poems suitable for children over 
 six.) 
 
 The Posy Ring, Kate Douglas 
 Wiggin. (Choice collection for 
 young children.) 
 
 (o 7 "" 
 
 The Robin's Christr 
 )ld English ballad.) 
 
 PICTURE BOOKS 
 
 An Apple Pie, Kate Green- 
 away. 
 
 At Great Aunt Martha's (Pic- 
 tures), Kathleen Ainslie. (Il- 
 lustrations of wooden dolls.) 
 
 Book of Nonsense, Edward 
 Lear. (Highly recommended by 
 Ruskin.) 
 
 Dean's Rag Books. (For very 
 young children; will wash and 
 iron.) 
 
 Jingleman Jack (Pictures and 
 verses about the trades), O'Dea 
 and Kennedy. 
 
 Four and Twenty Toilers, 
 Lucas. (Hard to procure.)
 
 154 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 MUSIC 
 
 Holiday Songs, Emilie Pouls- 
 
 Children's Messiah, Mari Ruef 
 Hofer. 
 
 Children's Singing Games, Old 
 and New, Mari Ruef Hofer. 
 
 Christmas-Time Songs and 
 Carols, Mrs. Crosby Adams. 
 
 Finger Plays, Emilie Poulsson. 
 
 li 
 son. 
 
 Merry Songs and Games for 
 the Use of the Kindergarten, 
 Clara B. Hubbard. 
 
 Music for the Child World, 
 Mari Ruef Hofer. Two vols. 
 (Music every child should 
 know.) 
 
 Nature Songs for Children, 
 Fanny Snow Knowlton. 
 
 Primary and Junior Soags for 
 the Sunday-school, Mari Ruef 
 Hofer. 
 
 Small Songs for Small Singers, 
 illustrated, W. H. Neidlinger. 
 
 Song Stories for the Kinder- 
 garten, Mildred and Patty Hill. 
 
 Songs and Games for Little 
 Ones, Walker and Jenks. 
 
 Songs and Games of the 
 Mother-Play Book, Froebel. 
 
 Songs Every Child Should 
 Know, Dolores Bacon. 
 
 Songs for Little Children, 
 Eleanor Smith. Two vols. 
 
 Songs of Childhood, Field dc 
 Koyen Song Book. 
 
 Songs of the Open, Seeboeck. 
 
 Songs of the Child World, 
 Jessie L. Gay nor. 
 
 St. Nicholas Songs, the Words 
 from St. Nicholas Magazine. 
 
 SUNDAY-SCHOOL HELPS 
 
 A Year of Sunday-school 
 Work, Florence U. Palmer. 
 
 Beginnings, A. W. Gould. 
 Pamphlet. Tells of the begin- 
 nings of world, man, sin, lan- 
 guage, death, law, etc., accord- 
 ing to the Bible, according to 
 Science, and according to old 
 myths. 
 
 Bible for Young People, 
 Century Co. 
 
 Kindergarten Sunday-school 
 
 Stories, Laura A. Cragin. 
 (New Testament.) 
 
 Old and New Testament for 
 Children, edited by Richard G. 
 Moulton. 
 
 Old Testament Bible Stories, 
 Walter L. Sheldon. 
 
 Stories from the Lips of the 
 Teacher, O. B. Frothingham. 
 
 Stories of the Patriarchs, 
 O. B. Frothingham. 
 
 Wonder Stories from the Gos- 
 pels, Katherinc Beebe.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 KINDERGARTEN MATERIALS 
 
 The Kindergarten Gifts 
 
 Friedrich Froebel, after observing and studying 
 thoughtfully the play and playthings of little children, 
 selected from among these, and arranged in logical 
 order, a certain series which should help develop the 
 little one in mind, body, and spirit through childlike 
 play. This series of related playthings is known as the 
 kindergarten ''gifts." 
 
 All children of all races play ball, and the first 
 kindergarten gift to be given, even to a very little 
 child, consists of six soft worsted balls in the colors 
 red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. 
 
 The second gift is an oblong box containing a 
 wooden ball or "sphere," a cube, and a cylinder, with 
 several slender axles and beams to assist in the little 
 plays. 
 
 The third gift is a box containing a two-inch 
 cube divided horizontally and vertically into eight 
 one-inch cubes. 
 
 The fourth gift is a similar cube divided hori- 
 zontally into eight oblong blocks. 
 
 The fifth gift is evolved from the preceding ones 
 and is a five-inch cube divided into inch cubes, half 
 cubes, and quarter cubes. 
 
 The sixth gift is a cube of the same size divided 
 so that it contains cubes, oblongs, and plinths. 
 
 The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gifts are derived 
 from the geometrical solids. 
 155
 
 156 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 The seventh gift is derived from the geomet- 
 rical surfaces, and consists of wooden tablets in 
 shapes of circles, squares, triangles, etc. 
 
 The eighth gift represents the geometrical line and 
 is made up of wooden sticks in lengths of one, two, 
 three, four, five, and six inches. They may be had in 
 two thicknesses and either colored or uncolored. 
 
 The ninth gift, derived from the edge of the circle, 
 consists of metal rings, half rings, and quarter rings, 
 in several sizes. 
 
 The tenth gift, derived from the geometric point, 
 is the lentil. 
 
 Kindergartners differ as to the amount of em- 
 phasis to be placed upon the geometric side of the 
 "gifts," and as to whether or not they should always 
 be presented in a certain logical order. To appreciate 
 their full value the mother must read her Froebel or 
 take a kindergarten course. We give below some 
 simple methods of using them, from which the child 
 will derive both pleasure and benefit. What follows 
 should be entirely clear, especially if the mother has 
 the "gifts" before her as she reads. 
 
 First Gift Balls (Rubber ball i l / 2 inches in diameter, 
 zvool in six primary colors, crochet-hook} 
 These balls can be made by taking a rubber ball 
 and crocheting around it a case of worsted ; or a case 
 can be crocheted and then stuffed with loose wool or 
 cotton. In the latter case to insure a good shape it is 
 well to crochet over a ball till nearly finished ; then 
 take the rubber ball out and fill with the cotton or 
 wool and then complete the ball. Then crochet a 
 string about eight inches long and attach to the ball, 
 for suspending it. The ball can then be swung, raised, 
 lowered, made to hop like a bird, swing like a pendu-
 
 Kindergarten Materials 157 
 
 lum, revolve rapidly like a wheel. The child may 
 play that it is a bucket being raised or lowered. See 
 how steadily he can raise it. 
 
 The balls lend themselves to many color games. 
 
 1. Place them in a row, let one child blind his 
 eyes, another one removes one of the balls and the 
 first one, opening his eyes, tries to think which one is 
 missing. 
 
 2. Let children observe the colors through a glass 
 prism and try to arrange balls in similar order. Ask 
 child if he can tell which colors are uppermost in the 
 rainbow, the cold or the warm ones. 
 
 3. If the mother is sewing on a colored dress, let 
 the child try to pick out the ball resembling it in color. 
 
 4. Play hiding the ball, as in hide the thimble. 
 
 5. Play store, letting him tell you which ball will 
 best represent a lemon, an orange, a red apple, etc. 
 
 Second Gift Plays 
 
 Throughout his life, Froebel felt with keen pain 
 all that was discordant or inharmonious in human so- 
 ciety. Beneath all differences and misunderstandings 
 lay, he believed, the possibility of adjustment, or recon- 
 ciliation. Relations most strained might be brought 
 into harmonious union. This great idea is typified by 
 the second gift. The hard wooden sphere is round, 
 curved from all points of view, with no angles or 
 edges, and is easily moved. The cube is a complete 
 contrast to the sphere, inasmuch as it stands firmly, 
 has Hat faces, angles, and edges. The cylinder com- 
 bines the characteristics and possibilities of the other 
 two. It has fiat faces as well as a curved one, and 
 can both stand and roll. It forms a bond of connec- 
 tion between the other two which at first sight seem 
 irreconcilable.
 
 158 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Three of these forms have small staples inserted 
 in side, edge, and angle so that they may be suspended, 
 swung, and revolved. There are also perforations 
 through each one admitting the insertion of the axles, 
 when needed for certain plays. 
 
 If an axle be put through cube or cylinder and it 
 be revolved rapidly, you can see, in the swift moving 
 figure, the spirit, as it were, of the other forms an 
 experiment fascinating to young and old. 
 
 A little imagination will turn the box in which 
 these blocks come, into a boat, car, engine, etc., pins, 
 matches, tacks, wire, etc., being called in as extras. 
 
 The little wooden beam may be placed across, held 
 up by the axles and upon this the blocks may be sus- 
 pended as objects for sale in a store. 
 
 The box with its cover may be used to illustrate 
 the three primary mechanical principles, the pulley, or 
 wheel, the inclined plane, and the lever. The pulley 
 is made by placing the cylinder on an axle, tying a 
 little weight to one end of a cord and drawing it up 
 over the cylinder. Let the child play the weight is a 
 bucket of water being drawn up from a well. 
 
 Play loading a boat and use the cover for a plank, 
 inclined from the deck to the ground, up which to roll 
 a barrel (the cylinder). 
 
 Play that the cube is a heavy piano box and show 
 how to raise it by using a stick as a lever. 
 
 The students of a kindergarten training school 
 made fine derrick cranes with this box of blocks, and 
 no two were exactly alike. 
 
 Games with Second Gift Ball 
 
 I. Let children sit crossed-legged on the floor 
 in a circle and let one child roll the ball across to an-
 
 Kindergarten Materials 159 
 
 other child. He in turn rolls it straight over to some 
 other child and so on. 
 
 2. Let one child sit in the center of a circle and 
 roll the ball to each child in turn, who rolls it back 
 to him. 
 
 3. Let several children stand in the center of a 
 ring and try to catch the ball as it rolls swiftly by. 
 
 4. Let children stand in center and try to avoid 
 being touched by the ball as it rolls along. 
 
 5. Draw a circle on the floor and let the children 
 try in turn to so roll the ball that it will stop inside of 
 the ring. 
 
 6. Place the cube in the center of the circle. Put 
 the cylinder on top of the cube and balance the sphere 
 carefully upon the cylinder. Then let the children try 
 to hit this target with another ball. 
 
 Many are the lessons in self-control, fair play, 
 patience and kindness which the children practice in 
 playing these simple games, in addition to the physical 
 exercise and training in alertness, in seeing correctly 
 and in acting quickly. 
 
 Second Gift Beads 
 
 Mrs. Hailmann, a kindergarten training teacher, 
 some years ago added to the "gifts" the so-called "sec- 
 ond gift beads," much loved by wee children. 
 
 These are perforated wooden beads in shape of 
 the sphere, cube and cylinder. They come in two size?; 
 and may be had in colors or uncolored. A shoe lace 
 comes with them for stringing. 
 
 In delightful plays with these beads the child 
 learns to distinguish form and color, and has practice 
 in simple designing. 
 
 At first let him have a number of different kinds
 
 160 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 and let him thread them as he pleases. Observe him 
 and see if, of his own initiative, he will distinguish 
 either form or color. After a while he will probably, 
 without suggestion, begin to string them in some sort 
 of order one sphere, one cube, one sphere, one cube, 
 etc. Two spheres, two cubes, two cylinders, etc. 
 
 When he begins to see differences, give him two 
 forms only and let him arrange. Later give him others. 
 Too many at first will be confusing. 
 
 Besides the stringing, these beads may be used 
 in other ways. Make a fence by putting two cubes 
 and a sphere, one on top of the other for a post, and 
 then join these to similar posts by running toothpicks 
 or burnt matches through the perforations. 
 
 Place cubes and cylinders, one on top of another, 
 and use as tree box with tiny twig or elderberry branch 
 for tree. If making a toy village of blocks or card- 
 board, these little beads will make good lampposts. 
 
 The Pegboard 
 
 The pegboard, an additional gift devised by Mrs. 
 Alice H. Putnam, can also be had in two sizes, the 
 large one to be preferred. The board is perforated 
 with holes at regular intervals and is accompanied 
 with colored pegs, which the child loves to insert in 
 the openings. 
 
 He may arrange them in ranks for soldiers, ac- 
 cording to color, two and two, or four and four, 
 learning thus to count. 
 
 A flower-bed with red flowers in one corner and 
 green bushes in another may be made. 
 
 He may play that the pegs are kindergarten chil- 
 dren playing follow the leader, some with red dresses, 
 some with blue waists, etc. 
 
 A birthday cake with candles may be represented,
 
 Kindergarten Materials 161 
 
 or a line of telegraph poles, if father has gone on a 
 journey, and over the imaginary wires a message may 
 be sent. 
 
 The pegboard is also loved by very young chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Plays with the Other Gifts 
 
 The third gift cubes may be built by the little 
 child into houses, furniture, wagons, etc. It is very 
 simple, and yet when handling it the child learns 
 something of form and number and gains skill with 
 his tiny hands. 
 
 The fourth gift expresses "proportion." Each 
 block is twice the - length of those in the preceding gift 
 and half as high. He can build with it objects impos- 
 sible with the first divided cube. The two may often 
 be used in conjunction. 
 
 The fifth gift requires a decided increase in the 
 child's powers of coordination. He can make with it 
 a very great variety of objects. Only a kindergartner 
 can appreciate its many possibilities. 
 
 The sixth gift lends itself peculiarly to buildings 
 of a certain type. It expresses less strength and more 
 grace than the preceding ones. 
 
 In playing with these "gifts" under direction of 
 a teacher, the child, if making the grocery store, pro- 
 ceeds to make the counter, the scales, the money desk, 
 etc., in succession, and is not allowed to take the first 
 structure apart in disorderly fashion and then make 
 the next one, but is supposed to build the counter, or 
 other article, by gradually transforming the thing al- 
 ready made, removing the blocks in ones, or twos, or 
 threes in an orderly way. Each block is supposed to 
 have some relation to the whole. For instance if a 
 shoe store has been made and one unused block re-
 
 1 62 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 mains, it may represent the footstool used in such a 
 store. 
 
 Froebel thought in this way through simple play 
 to help the child little by little to feel the relatedness 
 of all life. 
 
 Seventh Gift Plays 
 
 With the seventh gift tablets the child makes 
 designs or "beauty forms," becoming familiar with 
 certain geometrical forms and exercising his powers 
 of invention in pleasing design. 
 
 In using the tablets, which are in both light and 
 dark stains, do not give too many at first. Give him 
 for instance one circle, representing a picture of a 
 ball, and let him lay a row of such for a frieze design 
 for a gymnasium. 
 
 Give a circle and four squares, and let him place 
 one above, one below, one to the right and one to the 
 left, touching the circle. This will suggest a unit for 
 a tile for a playroom fireplace. 
 
 Tell him to change the top square so that its 
 angle touches the circle ; then change the lower one 
 in the same way ; then the right, then the left. This 
 transformation gives an entirely new design. 
 
 The other tablets may be employed in the same 
 way, the different kinds of triangles offering oppor- 
 tunity for much variety. 
 
 Eighth Gift Plays 
 
 The sticks may be used in representing designs 
 in which the straight line prevails. The lines may be 
 placed in vertical or horizontal position. Sticks may 
 be arranged as soldiers, standing two and two in 
 straight vertical lines ; or as fences in horizontal posi- 
 tion.
 
 Kindergarten Materials 163 
 
 They may be classified as to length. Let the 
 child sort them as wood for the woodpile, putting to- 
 gether those of same length. Or play he is in the 
 store to buy a cane and sees those of different lengths, 
 some for men, some for children. 
 
 For designing give the child four sticks of one 
 length and let him make a square. Give him four of 
 another length and let him make a larger square. 
 Then with these eight sticks let him make two ob- 
 longs of the same size. Give him these exercises as 
 puzzles, but do not let him play with the sticks until 
 he gets nervous in trying to keep them in position. 
 
 Play With Lentils 
 
 These are necessarily few and simple. Let the 
 child make circles, squares, etc., by putting the lentils 
 in rows. He can also represent the mass of a tree's 
 foliage by placing a number of the lentils in a mass.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 KINDERGARTEN MATERIALS 
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 
 
 The kindergarten gifts proceed, as will have been 
 observed, from the solid through other forms to the 
 point. The objects made with these are but temporary, 
 and the same material may be used again and again. 
 
 Parallel with these Froebel devised what he calls 
 the "occupations," which put into permanent shape 
 the ideas expressed by the gifts. 
 
 Among the occupations (we will not name all) 
 are : Peaswork, pricking, sewing, weaving, parquetry, 
 pasting, cardboard modeling, sand and clay modeling. 
 
 These are arranged in reverse order to the gifts ; 
 that is, they proceed from the point to the solid. 
 
 Peaswork (Good well-dried peas, wooden toothpicks 
 
 or hair-wire} 
 
 Soak the peas for 10 or 12 hours till soft. Then 
 make a cane of one pea and one stick. 
 
 Two peas and one stick will make a dumb-bell. 
 
 Three of each will make a triangle. 
 
 Make a square in the same way, and then by 
 adding to this other peas and sticks a skeleton chair 
 can be made. All kinds of furniture and geometrical 
 forms may be thus manufactured. The wire or tooth- 
 pick must be inserted in the cheek of the pea. Watch 
 the child carefully to see that he does not get nervous 
 over the work. Assuming that the peas are in good 
 164
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 165 
 
 condition, there should be little trouble if the forms 
 made are simple. 
 
 Pricking (Thin white cardboard, long pin, several 
 
 folds of cloth or a piece of felt) 
 
 Froebel recognized the appeal this pastime makes 
 to the mystery-loving child. As sometimes used it 
 may be injurious to nerves or eyesight ; but used judi- 
 ciously the child of five or six will find it a source of 
 harmless entertainment. 
 
 Let mother or older brother draw on cardboard 
 a simple strong outline. Provide a strong steel pin 
 (hat-pin or mourning-pin will do) and a piece of 
 folded cloth for a cushion. Follow the outline by 
 pricking in it a succession of holes. The rough side 
 is the right side of the decorated card. The card may 
 be hung up as a transparency, or may be made up into 
 blotter or calendar; or, if the outline be that of a 
 vegetable or a fruit, it will make up into a Thanks- 
 giving place card. 
 
 Very beautiful effects are produced by pricking 
 the surface as well as the outline, a form of embossing, 
 but this is a great strain on the nerves. Let the child 
 work for only a few moments at a time, and be sure 
 that the light is good and the drawing is distinct. 
 
 Sewing (Cardboard, worsted, silk or chenille, needle, 
 
 punch) 
 
 It is a disputed question now whether or not the 
 cardboard sewing of the kindergarten, once consid- 
 ered so essential, should be used at all. Some condemn 
 it entirely ; others use it sparingly. Many replace it 
 with sewing on cloth and other materials soft and 
 flexible, which lend themselves to the kind of stitch- 
 ing required later in everyday sewing. We cannot
 
 166 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 now enter into the discussion, but common-sense rules 
 here as elsewhere. 
 
 Cards with designs already drawn and perforated 
 may be bought, but the mother need not feel that she 
 must depend upon these. Old visiting and invitation 
 cards may be used for the purpose. We give a few 
 examples of objects pretty and useful which may be 
 made of this material. These will suggest others to 
 the active-minded child. Get punch at kindergarten 
 supply store; from 50 cents up. 
 
 1. Gift Card. Cut a square of cardboard 5x5 
 inches. With a needleful of red worsted let the 
 child sew upon this card three straight candles in 
 stitches one inch long. You may first punch in the 
 bottom of the card three holes as guides. Put them 
 in a row equidistant from each other. Make parallel 
 to these a row of three dots in- pencil. The child will 
 push the needle through one hole from bcloii.' and put 
 it through the dot above, making his own hole. So 
 proceed till finished., A flame may be drawn with 
 yellow chalk at the upper end of each candle, to make 
 it more realistic. This card may be used to stand a 
 candlestick upon, or to send as a birthday card. 
 
 A similar card with the red stitches lying hori- 
 zontally will picture firecrackers ready to be set off. 
 Use as a mat for a match safe. 
 
 2. Cover for Medicine Glass. Draw a circle 
 five inches in diameter. Cut this out. Parallel 
 to the edge draw a circle four inches in diameter. 
 Make dots about l /> inch apart along this second cir- 
 cle. Punch holes through these dots. With worsted, 
 ravelings or chenille let the child sew once around this 
 circle. Then go around the other way to fill up all 
 the gaps left the first time. Use as cover for glass 
 of medicine. Line the bottom with clean, white paper.
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 167 
 
 Vary by overcasting, or from a central hole take 
 long radiating stitches to the holes in the circumfer- 
 ence like the spokes of a wheel. 
 
 3. Toy Umbrella. The above circle with spokes 
 may be made into a toy umbrella if a slender 
 stick be run through for a handle. Stick a pin about 
 an inch from the top to keep the umbrella part from 
 slipping down. 
 
 4. Bookmark. Cut an oblong card 2x6 inches. 
 Draw upon this a row of parallel oblique lines 
 about one inch apart and one inch long. Punch holes 
 through the ends of the lines at the bottom, sew one 
 slanting line to show the child, and let him finish the 
 row. A similar oblong will make a napkin ring if the 
 ends be brought together and tied with the ends of the 
 worsted. 
 
 Squares, oblongs, crosses, etc., may thus be 
 punched and sewed. 
 
 If no punch is obtainable, make the holes with a 
 coarse needle or strong pin. 
 
 Paper Tearing (See page 54) 
 
 Paper Cutting 
 
 This is another Froebelian occupation. Some sug- 
 gestions have_been given elsewhere. (See page 54.) 
 We will spealc here of a more definite series of pro- 
 gressive steps. 
 
 Take a square of white paper. Fold once to 
 make an oblong. Keep folded and fold once more, 
 which gives a small square. From the corners of this 
 square cut pieces, large or small. Keep these. Open 
 the paper and lay it down. Then arrange around it 
 the cut-off corners to make a design. They may be
 
 1 68 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 arranged in a variety of ways. The pieces cut off the 
 corners may be of various shapes. 
 
 Vary another square by cutting into it, after it 
 has been folded, triangles or other figures. Open and 
 arrange around it these cut-off pieces. When a satis- 
 factory design has thus been made, it may be pasted 
 on a pleasing background of paper. 
 
 In kindergarten training, checked paper is pro- 
 vided and the cuttings are made from lines drawn 
 upon this according to a progressive system. 
 
 Parquetry (Colored papers, paste, kindergarten slat or 
 
 match for paste-stick) 
 
 This occupation has its parallel in the tablets. 
 The designs made temporarily with the circles, squares, 
 etc., of wood may be put into more permanent form 
 with the parquetry papers. These are circles, squares, 
 triangles, etc., of colored papers, the unit of size being 
 the inch. There are 1,000 in a package, embracing 
 the six colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue and 
 violet, with two shades and two tints of each, besides 
 neutral tones, and black and white. 
 
 1. Easter Card. Give the child an oblong 
 piece of gray cardboard, six inches long, and some 
 yellow circles. Let him paste a row of circles for dan- 
 delion heads and then chalk in the green stems. Give 
 to father for an Easter card. 
 
 Red and yellow circles may be cut in half and 
 so arranged as to suggest tulips. (See page 122.) 
 
 2. Frieze. Let the child make designs for a 
 frieze for the doll-house parlor, arranging circles and 
 squares successively or alternately on a strip of paper. 
 Or he can make a design for the doll-house kitchen 
 oilcloth by pasting squares or circles (one square or 
 circle surrounded by others) in a square unit.
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 169 
 
 An inexpensive paste for this work may be made 
 of gum tragacanth. Buy five cents' worth of the pow- 
 dered gum. Put a tablespoonful into an empty mucil- 
 age bottle and fill with water. In a few moments it 
 will dissolve and thicken. Use more or less, accord- 
 ing to thickness desired. 
 
 Weaving (Colored kindergarten weaving mats, weav- 
 ing needle} 
 
 This is one of the most popular of kindergarten 
 occupations. 
 
 Primitive man early learned to interlace the 
 branches of trees to make for himself a shelter, and 
 to weave together coarse fibres to make his crude gar- 
 ments. In course of ages great skill was acquired in 
 thus using all kinds of flexible materials; artistic bas- 
 kets were produced of raffia and reeds, and fine gar- 
 ments of linen, wool and cotton. Beautiful effects in 
 color and form were introduced, the designs usually 
 having a symbolic meaning. 
 
 Froebel devised, for the expression of this natural 
 tendency, a series of exercises with colored paper, 
 which gave practice in selection of color harmonies, 
 in designing, in counting, and which led to skill and 
 neatness in work. 
 
 Loom-weaving has been described on another 
 page. (90.) In many kindergartens it now en- 
 tirely supersedes the paper-weaving, which we will 
 here briefly describe. 
 
 i. If you do not care to buy the regular kinder- 
 garten weaving mats, you may use smooth gray or 
 brown wrapping paper cut into four-inch squares. In 
 such a square cut tivo slits l /2 inch apart and one inch 
 long. From some pretty paper cut a strip one inch 
 wide and two inches long and insert in the slit in the
 
 1 70 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 mat, pasting the ends of the strip to the under side 
 of the mat. 
 
 2. Cut three or four slits in similar mats and 
 weave into them one-inch or half-inch strips, using 
 narrower ones as the child gains skill. Weave such 
 a strip under one and over one; then weave another, 
 under two and over two, etc. ; thus a variety of effects 
 may be produced and the child meanwhile has prac- 
 tice incidentally in simple counting. Such a mat may 
 be used to cover a glass of drinking water or medicine 
 glass. 
 
 3. A larger mat may be made of pretty paper 
 cut into comparatively fine slits. Paste upon this mat 
 a square of smooth paper as a kind of lining; fold 
 cornerwise and paste two edges together, making a 
 kind of cornucopia. 
 
 4. Scent-Bag. A scent-bag may be made by 
 putting between the mat and the lining described 
 above a thin piece of cotton-batting, sprinkled with 
 scent. 
 
 5. Oilcloth or Felt. Instead of paper, mats 
 may be woven of plain oilcloth or of felt. Have 
 two colors of each material, one for the mat and one 
 for the strips. 
 
 On a 5-inch square of the material draw four 
 parallel lines one inch apart and one inch from the 
 top and bottom. Then using these as guide lines, cut 
 four slits and weave in and out as with the paper 
 weaving. Ribbon may be used for the woof if de- 
 sired. Such a mat may be used for a lamp-mat or 
 for a flower-pot mat. 
 
 Among the reasons for discarding the paper- 
 weaving are the following : The colors are somewhat 
 intense, and it is not always easy to secure good har-
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 171 
 
 monies; the care necessary to avoid tearing the deli- 
 cate paper and soiling- the delicate colors is often a 
 trial to highly-strung children. Therefore they should 
 not work at it too long at a time. A weaving needle 
 comes with the kindergarten weaving papers. 
 
 Paper-Folding 
 
 We give here only a very few of the innumerable 
 forms which may be made by folding paper accord- 
 ing to exact directions. Mother may conduct such 
 a little play while she is sewing and the child is on 
 the floor or at the table. But directions must be 
 exact and explicit. After once having told what to 
 do in quiet, distinct, clear language, do not repeat. 
 Train the child to hear accurately the first time. 
 
 Papers in many tones may be obtained from the 
 kindergarten supply stores, but any exact square of 
 white paper or of smooth brown wrapping paper 
 will do. 
 
 Place the simple open square before the child, 
 the edge directly in front of him. Call it a table- 
 cloth and ask where the different members of the 
 family sit. If able to wield the scissors, let him 
 fringe the edge all around. 
 
 1. Book. Give a second square and, showing 
 him which are the front corners, tell him to take hold 
 of these and fold the paper over so that the front edge 
 is just on a line with the back edge. Let him iron 
 the table cloth (crease the fold with his thumb nail) 
 so as to make a sharp line when opened. This makes 
 a little book or tent. Ask what he can read in the 
 book; who camps out in the tent; etc. 
 
 2. Window. Make another tent. Keep the tent 
 in front of the child and tell him to open it and 
 then to fold the left side over so that the left edge
 
 172 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 exactly meets the right edge. Crease and open, and 
 the result is a window with four panes. Have the 
 child tell what he plays he can see through it. 
 
 3. Tunnel. Fold a square once through the 
 middle as before. Open and notice the sharp line 
 made by the crease. Now fold the front edge to meet 
 exactly this line. Open and then fold the back edge 
 to meet this line. Open in such a way that the form 
 when standing makes a little tunnel. Roll a marble 
 under it. 
 
 4. Barn. Fold a square into sixteen little squares 
 by making a tunnel in one direction and then 
 folding a tunnel in the other direction, so that the 
 creases cross each other at right angles. Open out 
 and cut from the left edge and from the right edge 
 three slits along the horizontal creases to the first 
 intersecting vertical crease. (See illustration.) Now 
 
 Paper-Folding. 
 
 fold No. I over No. 2 so that one little square exactly 
 covers the other and paste or pin together. Do the 
 same at the other end. This draws the paper into 
 shape of gable roof. Place remaining flaps so that 
 one overlaps the other a trifle, as shown in the illus- 
 tration. Then cut a door in the side. (See illustra-
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 173 
 
 tion.) This can be made of a large sheet of strong 
 paper and will house very large paper animals. 
 
 5. Sailboat. Place a square of paper directly 
 in front of you. Fold the front edge backward to 
 meet exactly the back edge and crease. Open and 
 fold the left edge over to meet exactly the right edge 
 and crease. Open. 
 
 Turn the paper over so that the wider side is 
 uppermost, and place so that a corner is directly in 
 front of you. Fold the paper so that the front corner 
 exactly meets the back corner and crease. Open and 
 fold so that the left corner exactly meets the right 
 corner. 
 
 You now have a square crossed by two diameters 
 and by two diagonals. Number the corners thus: i, 2, 
 3, 4, and the center o. Take the corners and hold in 
 one hand so that i-o, 2-0, 3-0 and 4-0 are back to 
 back. Then crease in that position. The form is a 
 square. Lay down so that the folded corner faces 
 you. Fold the loose back corner down to meet the front 
 corner. Then turn over and again fold the remain- 
 ing back corner down to meet the front corner, and 
 two sails become visible. Fold back one-half of the 
 hull to make a base, and the little boat will stand and 
 move if breathed upon. It can be made water-tight 
 by dipping in melted paraffine. Melt the paraffine by 
 putting it in a double boiler with boiling water be- 
 neath. 
 
 Cardboard Modeling (Cardboard, knife, pencil, scis- 
 sors') 
 
 This is another of Froebel's materials which is 
 much used in the kindergarten. The regular kinder- 
 garten cardboard comes in large sheets measured off 
 into inches, half inches and quarter inches by red and
 
 174 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 blue lines. These are to assist in the accurate cut- 
 ting and folding of the stiff paper. The tinted Bristol 
 board obtainable at stationery stores is also much 
 used. 
 
 With this simple material older children acquire 
 skill of both hand and eye. The higher school grades 
 are now using it to a great extent in making geomet- 
 rical figures, thus gaining practice in making objects 
 after first making the working drawings for the same. 
 A tinsmith who has had kindergarten training will 
 find himself better equipped for his life work because 
 of this early experience in cutting and measuring. 
 
 The directions here given assume that the unruled 
 cardboard is used. 
 
 To score is to make a long shallow cut or scratch 
 in the cardboard with a knife, so that it will bend 
 easily. We give a few simple objects in the order of 
 their difficulty. 
 
 1. Book-Mark. Draw an oblong i x 8 inches. 
 Cut it out and punch a series of holes down the mid- 
 dle, one inch apart. Run a bit of baby ribbon in and 
 out and thus make a simple book-mark. 
 
 2. Toy Wash-Bench. Draw and cut an oblong 
 1x6 inches. Draw a line straight across this one 
 inch from each end, and then score these lines lightly. 
 Bend and you have a wash-bench for doll's house. 
 
 3. Sugar-Scoop. Draw and cut an oblong 
 2x4 inches. Draw a line lengthwise through the 
 middle. Score this line, and cut along the score one 
 inch from each end. Score again from each end at 
 right angles to the previous crease. Bend up the 
 scored ends and the side, and paste the flaps together. 
 This may be used for the toy grocery store. 
 
 4. Box. Read these directions through once.
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 175 
 
 Then begin and work along as you read again, and 
 all will be clear. 
 
 Cut out a square measuring 4x4 inches. Place 
 squarely before you, and then on the front edge, one 
 inch from each side, make a dot. On the back edge, 
 one inch from each side, make a dot. Unite the dots 
 at front and back by straight lines. This gives two 
 vertical lines. 
 
 Now, on the right hand edge, one inch from 
 each end make a dot, and do the same on the left 
 hand edge. Unite these dots by straight lines, which 
 gives two horizontal lines crossing the ones previously 
 made at right angles. With a sharp knife, and ruler 
 to keep it straight, score along these lines so that they 
 may be readily bent. 
 
 Now, from the right edge cut along each hori- 
 zontal line a slit one inch long. From the left edge 
 cut along each horizontal line a slit one inch long. 
 These cuts will give four flaps. Bend up the four 
 oblong sides and fold each flap over inside the box 
 and paste. 
 
 A little experimentation on the part of older chil- 
 dren will show how to elongate one side so as to make 
 a cover. 
 
 Differences in the proportions of the original 
 piece of cardboard will make boxes of different pro- 
 portions. 
 
 5. Work- Box. Draw a five-inch pentagon. Look 
 up in a geometry to find the rules for doing this. 
 
 Upon each side as a base erect another pentagon. 
 Score at the line of junction and bend the side penta- 
 gons till the edges meet. In these edges punch holes 
 opposite each other, and through these tie baby ribbon 
 to hold them together.
 
 176 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 Clay Modeling (Potter's clay, oilcloth or small smooth 
 
 board, curtain pole} 
 
 Clay is one of the important kindergarten ma- 
 terials, and if used with care need give but little trou- 
 ble. Buy at kindergarten supply store or art shop. 
 
 Take a yard of table oilcloth and sew tapes to 
 the corners so long that the oilcloth may be tied to a 
 table and thus held smooth and firm. When not in 
 use keep rolled up on a curtain-pole, broom-handle 
 or dowel. This preserves it from untimely cracking. 
 Upon this oilcloth the child can easily work with the 
 clay, and the small pieces which may stick to it are 
 readily wiped off with a damp cloth. If preferred, a 
 small board about a foot square may be used instead 
 of oilcloth. The child soon learns not to scatter the 
 pieces. It is well for him to wear a little apron when 
 making his small works of art. When finished with 
 the clay, let him remove as much as possible from the 
 hands as a rule, what remains may be rubbed away 
 with a brisk clapping of the hands or is washed off 
 very readily. 
 
 1. If his first impulse is to pound and thump the 
 clay, show the child how pretty things may be made 
 by gently pressing and molding the clay between 
 thumb and fingers. If he is still interested in pound- 
 ing, show him how to make a sphere by rolling the 
 clay between the palms, and then by striking it four 
 times hard against the table it is transformed into a 
 rough sort of cube which further effort will improve. 
 
 2. If he inclines to make a number of balls, show 
 him if possible one of the cheap clay marbles, and tell 
 him to make some like it. though his will have no 
 glazing. 
 
 3. If you see that he is rolling the clay into long
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 177 
 
 lengths, suggest that he make a snake or links of a 
 chain. 
 
 4. Older children may be shown how to roll it 
 with the palm into long slender cylinders. Then coil 
 these round and round spirally upon themselves and 
 so build up a jar, as certain primitive races do. Then 
 smooth it outside and inside until well shaped. 
 
 5. Bowls and crude vases are easily made, and 
 these when dried may be painted and used to hold 
 matches or pencils. 
 
 6. Sometimes, to stir the imagination, break off 
 a rough piece of clay and ask the child if it looks like 
 anything to him. If it suggest a bird or fish or fruit, 
 show him how the crude form may be made more 
 nearly perfect. 
 
 7. Take a bit of clay and upon it press another 
 bit, and so little by little smooth and press and build 
 up a plaque y 2 inch high and four inches square. 
 Upon this as a background, build up in the same way, 
 little by little, a raised leaf, or a geometrical figure, 
 such as a square or a Maltese cross. If a leaf is made, 
 copy from a real leaf. 
 
 When thus interested, let the older children read 
 Longfellow's beautiful poem, "Keramis," and the work 
 of the potter will have a meaning it never had before. 
 
 The children who thus make crude efforts to 
 express the beautiful gain in power little by little, 
 and will have added capacity to appreciate the won- 
 derful works of art to be seen in every gallery. They 
 will gain in discrimination as to what is really beau- 
 tiful, and will know how to choose those decorations 
 and ornaments which will make their homes truly 
 artistic. 
 
 Clay lends itself so readily to the slightest turn
 
 178 Home Occupations for Boys and Girls 
 
 of thought, and is so easily employed by the smallest 
 pair of hands, that it is one of the best materials to 
 give to the little child. He soon learns to tell with it 
 what he may be able to say in no other way. 
 
 When ready to put away, break into small pieces, 
 put the pieces together, knead a little till made into a 
 mass, punch a few holes in the mass, fill these with 
 water, put into a stone jar and cover with a damp 
 cloth. Or put the clay into a cloth, dampen, and then, 
 twisting the four corners of the cloth together, drop 
 the mass on the floor. Do this several times and it 
 will be found welded together. Then put into the 
 stone jar. Disinfect clay by exposing to sunshine. 
 
 Sand-Table (Kitchen table, sazv, boards, nails, sine) 
 From Germany we have finally learned the value 
 of the sand-table and the sand-pile as means of devel- 
 opment to the child, not to speak of their virtues as 
 pure givers of joy. 
 
 Sand-tables may be bought at kindergarten stores, 
 or one may be made of a kitchen table by sawing off 
 the legs to the size which brings the table top within 
 reach of the child. Then the top should be fenced 
 in with boards, from three to six inches high, to keep 
 the sand in. It is a good plan to line the table with 
 zinc, since it is sometimes desirable to have the sand 
 pretty wet, although it generally suffices to make it 
 just damp enough to mold readily. It can be damp- 
 ened with a sprinkling-can. 
 
 1. The child will play a long while without much 
 suggestion. A little pail or bottle to be .filled and 
 emptied and refilled will furnish material for his em- 
 bryonic experiments. 
 
 2. A tiny cast-iron spade (price one cent) will 
 add materially to his happiness.
 
 The Kindergarten Occupations 179 
 
 3. Shells and patty-pans of different shapes and 
 convolutions suggest bakery plays, and mother must 
 sample the baby's cookery. When houses and forts 
 and churches are the order of the day, paths must be 
 laid and bordered with stones and shells ; twigs and 
 elderberry branches make tiny trees for tiny orchards ; 
 and a little pan of water or a bit of mirror makes a 
 wee lake. The kindergarten building gifts make sub- 
 stantial structures, bridges, park-benches, etc. A 
 winding river can be painted with blue paint on the 
 zinc. When the child's imagination flags, a word 
 from the mother or a timely story will start a new 
 series of plays next time. 
 
 4. Older children will enjoy reproducing in the 
 sand the hills and valleys of their environment, the 
 roads, woods and streams which they know, etc. 
 
 5. Tell of the western plant which, when uprooted 
 from its loose hold in the desert sand, is sent flying 
 by the wind over the sand, and wherever it touches 
 makes a perfect spiral. Let the children make such 
 spirals with a coiled piece of wire. 
 
 6. Having noticed the impression made upon the 
 sand by the patty-pans, the child can be led to make 
 designs with them by making a row of impressions 
 equal distances, apart, arranging these in twos, in 
 threes, etc.
 
 INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Abacus 17 
 
 Acquiring Skill with Brush or Pencil 74 
 
 Aiming Games 95, 96, 97 
 
 Anagrams 102 
 
 Apple-biting C9ntest 132 
 
 Apple Candlestick 24 
 
 Apple-seed Penwiper 30 
 
 Applied Art 76 
 
 Ash Tray 67 
 
 Autograph Picture 105 
 
 Badge 123 
 
 Baking Pan Papers 57 
 
 Balls 96, 156 
 
 Barn, Paper Folding 172 
 
 Beads, Second Gift 159 
 
 Bean Bag Games .' 95 
 
 Bean Bags, To Make 95 
 
 Bed- Making 145 
 
 Bedstead, Dolls 87 
 
 Bells 109, 139 
 
 Berry Baskets or Boxes II 
 
 Birchbark 42 
 
 Biscuit, Thimble " 104 
 
 Block Furniture 85 
 
 Blowing Bubbles 51 
 
 Blowing Out Candle 100 
 
 Boat 22, 26, 36, 41 
 
 Blue Prints 52 
 
 Bon-bon Papers 58, 115 
 
 Booklist 151 
 
 Bookmark 58, 174 
 
 Border for Sand-table 40 
 
 Bottling Shells 40 
 
 Bottling Stones 39 
 
 Boxes 12, 15, 174 
 
 Breastpin 71 
 
 Bristol Board 61 
 
 181
 
 i 82 Index 
 
 PAGl 
 
 Brush, Pencil or 73 
 
 Bubbles 51 
 
 Burnt Match Safe 34 
 
 Butter Dishes 41 
 
 Butterflies 105. 121 
 
 Butterfly Party 105 
 
 Butter Modeling 134 
 
 Buttons 69 
 
 Button-Box 15 
 
 Button Mold Tops 70 
 
 Button Mold Wheels 70 
 
 Calendar 74, 109 
 
 Candle, Blowing Out 100 
 
 Candle Design 55 
 
 Candle Making 137 
 
 Candle Sticks 24, 64, 138 
 
 Canoe 43 
 
 Cardboard 61 
 
 Cardboard Animals 63 
 
 Cardboard Modeling 173 
 
 Cardboard Sewing 165 
 
 Carols 138 
 
 Carrot Top 45 
 
 Celluloid Butterflies 121 
 
 Center Piece, Pumpkin 135 
 
 Cereal Boxes 32 
 
 Chains 56, 115 
 
 Chased by a Goose 78 
 
 Checkerboard 62 
 
 Cherry Stone Game 99 
 
 Chicken Coop 13 
 
 Chicken, Easter 122 
 
 Chicken, Squash Seed 29 
 
 Child's Library, The 149 
 
 Chinese Kite 66 
 
 Chinese Toy 64 
 
 Christmas ". 136 
 
 Cigar-Box Bedstead 87 
 
 Cigar-Box Dollhouse 82 
 
 Circle Tag 92 
 
 Classifying 39, 40, 48 
 
 Clay 176 
 
 Clay-pipe Doll 80
 
 Index 183 
 
 Clock, Paper 86 
 
 Clothespin Doll 80 
 
 Clothespin Race 94 
 
 Clover, Four-leaf 48 
 
 Collecting 39, 40, 48 
 
 Color Top 75 
 
 Colors, Matching 71 
 
 Cork 36 
 
 Cork Doll 81 
 
 Corn 18 
 
 Corncobs 18 
 
 Corncrib 18 
 
 Cornhusks 18 
 
 Cornstalks 135 
 
 Counters for Games 28, 62, 69 
 
 Countess of the Huggermuggers 100 
 
 Counting Ball 96 
 
 Cover for Medicine Glass 166, 170 
 
 Cradle, Egg Shell 25 
 
 Cranberries 136 
 
 Croquet with Peas 98 
 
 Cross Tag 93 
 
 Cup and Ball 96 
 
 Curtains for Dollhouse 87 
 
 Cutlery, Toy 36 
 
 Cutting Paper 54, 167 
 
 Darning Egg 44 
 
 Decorated Note-Paper f 9 
 
 Decoration Day ) .2.5 
 
 Decorative Cherries 114 
 
 Decorative Leaves 47 
 
 Designs 21,28, 77 
 
 Dinner Souvenirs 120, 130, 134 
 
 Dishes, Tin-foil 35 
 
 Dish-washing 143 
 
 Distances, Guessing 72 
 
 Doll Furniture 15, 37, 85 
 
 Doll-Houses 82 
 
 Doll Park 89 
 
 Dolls 80 
 
 Donkey Game 100 
 
 Drawing 31, 72 
 
 Drums 125
 
 184 Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Ducking for Apples 131 
 
 Dusting 147 
 
 Easter 120 
 
 Easter Card 122, 168 
 
 Easter Chicken 122 
 
 East Indian Fan 43 
 
 Edam Cheese Lantern 34 
 
 Egg-shell Boat 26 
 
 Egg-shell Cradle 25 
 
 Egg-shell Game 99 
 
 Egg-shell Garden 25 
 
 Eggs, Humpty Dumpty 26 
 
 Egg-shell, To Blow 25 
 
 Egg-shells 25,26, 99 
 
 Eighth Gift Plays 162 
 
 Elevator, Toy 71 
 
 Epaulettes 56 
 
 Experiments with Color 75 
 
 Expression with Pencil and Brush 73 
 
 Fairy Tales, Myths, etc 151 
 
 Fan 43, 63 
 
 Feather, Corn-husk 18 
 
 Feather Flowers 49 
 
 Felt Mats 170 
 
 Fence 1 1, 19 
 
 Festival Occasions 107 
 
 Festoons 47 
 
 Firecracker Designs 55 
 
 Firecracker, Imitation 124 
 
 First Gift Balls 156 
 
 Flags 119 
 
 Flower- Pot 35 
 
 Flower Rack 37 
 
 Flowers, Feather 49 
 
 Flowers, Pressing 51 
 
 Foot-ball, Egg 99 
 
 Fortune Telling 131 
 
 Fourth of July 124 
 
 Frieze 48, 168 
 
 Fringed Bon-bon Papers 58, 1 15 
 
 Furniture 15, 20, 37. 85
 
 Index 185 
 
 FACE 
 
 Games and Plays 92, 157, 158, 161 
 
 Gift Card 166 
 
 Gifts, Kindergarten 155 
 
 Go-Bang Board 61 
 
 Good Luck Pigs 109 
 
 Gourds 44 
 
 Grace Hoops 97 
 
 Grocery Store 88 
 
 Guess Ball 96 
 
 Guessing Distances 72 
 
 Hallowe'en 131 
 
 Hammering Soap 31 
 
 Handkerchief Box 42 
 
 Hanging Basket 15, 35, 44 
 
 Hearts no 
 
 History and Biography Books 152 
 
 Home Tasks 141 
 
 Honey, Weighing 103 
 
 House, Cob 19 
 
 House, Doll's 33, 82 
 
 Household Duties 141 
 
 Humpty Dumpty Eggs 26 
 
 Imitation Water 31 
 
 Independence Day 124 
 
 Indian Head-dress 50 
 
 Ironing 146 
 
 Jack O'Lantern 135 
 
 Jackstones 39 
 
 Japanese Tag 93 
 
 Key-Basket, The 141 
 
 Kindergarten Materials Gifts 155 
 
 " Occupations 164 
 
 Kite 60, 66 
 
 Labor Day 128 
 
 Dinner 130 
 
 " '' Parade 129 
 
 Lacy Valentine in 
 
 Lamp Mats 170
 
 i 86 Index 
 
 *xce 
 
 Lamp, Toy 86 
 
 Lantern 33, 34, 1 39 
 
 Toy 24 
 
 Learning to Observe 73 
 
 Leaves, to Dry and Press 47 
 
 Lentils 163 
 
 Library, The Child's 149 
 
 Looms go 
 
 Man, Prunes, Raisins 27 
 
 Masks 57 
 
 Matching Colors 71 
 
 Matchsafe 34, 177 
 
 Mats 18, 46, 170 
 
 Medicine Glass Cover 166, 170 
 
 Memorial Day 123 
 
 Merry-Go-Round, Dolls' 89 
 
 Midnight Watching 109 
 
 Mirror, Toy 36 
 
 Money, Toy . 36, 58 
 
 Morning Glories, Pressed 51 
 
 Moving Van 32 
 
 Music Books 154 
 
 Nature Books 153 
 
 Needle Case 42 
 
 Needles 71 
 
 New Year's Bells 109 
 
 " Day 108 
 
 Newspaper Wrappers 57 
 
 Numeral Frame 17 
 
 Nuts 22 
 
 Occupations, Kindergarten 164 
 
 Oilcloth Mats 170 
 
 Oiled Paper 87 
 
 Omnibus Swing 101 
 
 Orange Basket 24 
 
 Paint-Box, The 73 
 
 Paint-Brush Box 43 
 
 Painting from Object 73 
 
 " Wagons or Houses 76 
 
 Paper 54
 
 Index 187 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Paper Chains 56, 115 
 
 Paper Cutting 54, 167 
 
 Paper Doll 81 
 
 Paper Folding 171 
 
 Paper Furniture 85 
 
 Paper Lanterns 1 18 
 
 Paper Mats 169 
 
 Paper Money 58 
 
 Paper-Weight 40 
 
 Papering House 85 
 
 Papers for Baking Pans 57 
 
 Park for Dolls 89 
 
 Parquetry 168 
 
 Parties, Suggestions for 103 
 
 Paste 169 
 
 Pasteboard Doll House 82 
 
 Paste Stick 14 
 
 Path Borders or Markers 39 
 
 Pea Furniture 164 
 
 Peanut Animals 23 
 
 Doll 80 
 
 Party 103 
 
 Pea Pod Boat 16 
 
 Peas 16 
 
 Peaswork 164 
 
 Pebbles 39 
 
 Pegbpard 160 
 
 Pencil Box 43 
 
 Pen Tray 67 
 
 Penwiper 42 
 
 Perforating or Pricking 133, 165 
 
 Piano Scarf 41 
 
 Picture Books 153 
 
 Picture Frames 13, 44, 46 
 
 Picture Story 78 
 
 Pictures of Seedling 74 
 
 Pigments 75 
 
 Pincushion 41 
 
 Pin Tray 41 
 
 Place or Luncheon Cards, 76, 108, 113, 119, 121, 127, 130, 133 
 134, 136 
 
 Plays or Games 92 
 
 Plays with Gifts 161 
 
 Plumes for Hat 55
 
 i 88 Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Poetry Books 123, 153 
 
 Pop-corn Balls 22 
 
 Pop-corn Chains or Festoons 22, 139 
 
 Portieres 21 
 
 Post Fence 19, 160 
 
 Potato Horse 17 
 
 Race 94 
 
 Pressed Leaves 47 
 
 Pressed Morning Glories 51 
 
 Pricking 133, 165 
 
 Prism 75 
 
 Prunes 27 
 
 Pulley, Toy 71 
 
 Pumpkin Basket or Center Piece 135 
 
 Races 94 
 
 Racing Tag 93 
 
 Raffia 45 
 
 Rafts 19, 36 
 
 Rag Doll 82 
 
 Raisins 27 
 
 Ramekin Dishes 41 
 
 Reading 123, 133, 140, 177 
 
 Red Pepper Lantern 24 
 
 Reins 46 
 
 Ring Toss 97 
 
 Road Roller, Spool 71 
 
 Rockets, Imitation 127 
 
 Room Decorations 132, 135 
 
 Rope and Sandbag 101 
 
 Rose-haw Chains or Rosaries 5 1 
 
 Rosettes 126 
 
 Rug Design 77 
 
 Rugs 90 
 
 Sailboat 23, 36, 173 
 
 St. Patrick's Day 119 
 
 Dinner 120 
 
 St. Valentine's Day no 
 
 Dinner 112 
 
 Salt 34 
 
 Salt Dishes 41 
 
 Sand 178 
 
 Sand Table 178
 
 Index i 89 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Saved from the Scrap Basket 53 
 
 Scales, Toy 88 
 
 Scent Bag 170 
 
 Scissors, Drawing 72 
 
 Scrap Books 68 
 
 Screen, Toy or Miniature 63, 122 
 
 Second Gift Plays 157, 158 
 
 Second Gift Beads 159 
 
 Seedling, Drawing of 74 
 
 Seed-markers n 
 
 Seeds 27 
 
 Seventh Gift, Tablets 162 
 
 Sewing 165 
 
 Sewing Basket, The 69 
 
 Shadow Game 52 
 
 Shamrock , ..no 
 
 Shells 40 
 
 Shields 127 
 
 Snowball 137 
 
 Snowflakes 59 
 
 Soap 31 
 
 Soap Box Doll House 84 
 
 Soldiers Caps, etc 55 
 
 Soldier-Flowers, Milkweed 51 
 
 Spiderweb Party 104 
 
 Valentine in 
 
 Spinning Buttons 69, 70 
 
 Sponge Garden 120 
 
 Spools 70 
 
 Squash Animals 17 
 
 Squash Seed Chicken 29 
 
 Stained Glass Windows 77 
 
 Sticks, Kindergarten 156, 162 
 
 Stones and Pebbles 39 
 
 Stove, Toy 86 
 
 Strawberry Boxes II 
 
 Straws 51 
 
 Stringing 21, 27, 51, 69, 136 
 
 Sugar Scoop 174 
 
 Suggestions for Parties 103 
 
 Sun and Shadow 52 
 
 Sunday-School Helps 154 
 
 Surprise Walnuts 23 
 
 Sweeping 147
 
 190 Index 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Sweet Potato Animals ................................. i? 
 
 Sweet Potato Vine ..................................... 45 
 
 Swimming Float ....................................... 37 
 
 Swing, Omnibus ...................................... 101 
 
 Table Serving ......................................... 143 
 
 Table Setting .......................................... 142 
 
 Tablets, Kindergarten .................................. 162 
 
 Tag 
 
 ill 
 et, Sp 
 
 per ......................................... 54 
 
 Telephone Toy, for Doll House ......................... 87 
 
 Tailless Kite 
 
 Target, 
 
 Tearing 
 
 Target, Spool .......................................... 70 
 
 Paper 
 
 Tents, Paper .......................................... 116 
 
 Thanksgiving .......................................... 133 
 
 Thimble Biscuit Party .................................. 104 
 
 Threading Needles .................................... 72 
 
 Tiling, Doll House .................................... 85 
 
 Tin Cans .............................................. 34 
 
 Tin- foil ............................................... 35 
 
 Top ............................................. 70, 75, 77 
 
 Tower Target, Spool ................................... 70 
 
 Toy Vegetables ........................................ 40 
 
 Transparency .......................................... 47 
 
 Transparent Papers .................................... 75 
 
 Tree-Boxes ............................................. 70 
 
 Tunnel, Paper ......................................... 172 
 
 Turnip Basket ......................................... 45 
 
 Turtle ................................................. 27 
 
 Umbrella, Toy ......................................... 167 
 
 Valentine Party Dinner ................................ 112 
 
 Valentines ............................................. no 
 
 Vegetable Animals ..................................... 17 
 
 Vegetables ............................................. 45 
 
 Toy ....................................... 40 
 
 Wagon ............................................. 14, 32 
 
 Walnut Boats ......................................... 23 
 
 Surprise ....................................... 23 
 
 Washing .............................................. 146 
 
 Washbench, Cardboard ................................. 174 
 
 Washington's Birthday ................................. 113
 
 Index 191 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Water-color Cups 40 
 
 Water, Imitation 31 
 
 Waxed Leaves 47 
 
 Weaving go, 169 
 
 Weighing Honey 103 
 
 Wheels 14, 32, 35 
 
 Windows 77, 87 
 
 Wishbone Doll 80 
 
 Work Box 175 
 
 Worsted Mats 90 
 
 Yarn Doll . . .81
 
 A 000 037 051 o
 
 j