Home Occupations for Boys and Girls

Save out five seeds, and cut the cuticle of the large end into two tiny points to simulate the ears 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 cotton 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 exercises both mind and body. It requires good coördination 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 impromptu background of glass. This allows the freedom 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 readily removed with a damp cloth. It may reveal creative possibilities in some otherwise "mute, inglorious" artist.

CEREAL BOXES

Moving-Van (Cereal-box, glue, two skewers, 4 button-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, although 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 ½ inch from the top, ½ inch from the bottom, and ½ 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 lengthwise 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 ¼ inch wide. Whittle the ends till they are slender enough to hold the button-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.)

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'-lantern, 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 another. 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 opportunity 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 discarded mustard box, the holes to be opposite each other. These may be made by hammering a nail 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 suspend 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. Children 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 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 sandbox 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, wire 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 dishpan sea.

Flower-Rack (Flat cork, pencil)

Take a flat piece of cork such as is used by entomologists 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 pencil. 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 beneath 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 × 36 inches, needle, thread)

Make two strong canvas bags, measuring about 18 × 20 inches. Fill these with corks to act as floats. Unite the two bags by a strong band of canvas about 7 × 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 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

Bottled Pebbles (Pebbles, plain glass bottle)

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.

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, saw-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 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, arranged 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. Decorate 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 scalloped. An appropriate sentiment to write upon penwiper 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 6 × 6 inches. Cut four others 3 × 6 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 ¼ 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 appearance punch more holes along edge of box and lid, making them ¼ inch apart. Then hold a fine basket reed or piece of raffia along the edges and overcast. If lavender or sweet grass is obtainable, that will be even better than reed or raffia for the edge, lending 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 5 × 8 inches. Punch in it a series of holes ¾ of an inch apart, and ½ 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 together 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 overcasting 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 grocer's.

Fan, modeled after East Indian pattern (Bark, kindling wood, dye, gold paint)

Cut two stiff pieces of bark into hatchet-shaped trapezoid. Punch row of holes in the narrowest side, whittle a handle of pinewood, and sew it to the narrow 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 4 × 5 inches, one of smooth bark, one of the outer bark with pleasing markings. Punch holes around the edges of each ¾ inches apart. In the rough outside piece cut an oval 2½ × 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

Darning-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 drainage. 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 beautiful, 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 educational hand-training it affords. It can be obtained at kindergarten supply places.

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 possible. 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 5 × 5 inches in diameter. 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 described 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 width 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.

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, 1 yard white India silk, sewing silk, needle)

1. Take a piece of bolting-cloth twice the length of the largest leaf and fold over evenly. Open again 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 transparency 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 pasting 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 country 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 decorate place cards for dinners. It will hardly be necessary to state that the four-leaved clover has for long years been the symbol of good-luck.

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 uncarpeted room or one in which the floor has been covered with a large sheet.

Classify the feathers according to size, and arrange 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.

Soften the beeswax by heating slightly in a pan till soft enough to mold between the fingers. Shape it into the form of the calyx, inserting the stem at the lower end, and pushing it far enough to insure firmness. Wrap this soft calyx form round with green feathers to represent the flower copied. Upon accuracy 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 spirally, beginning at the bottom and building gradually up to the top. The larger feathers are used first, growing 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 curling 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, cardboard, 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.

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 morning-glory to be visible through it. When dry, cut the paper from around the flower and pin to curtains, lambrequin, 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 (Haws, 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 water)

Hollow straws several inches long may be used to blow tiny bubbles of soapy water in the absence of a clay pipe.

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 suggestive in her designing.

Shadow Game (Smooth fence in sunshine; branch with leaves.)

CHAPTER III

SAVED FROM THE SCRAP BASKET

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 involves 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 snowball out of white paper, and then a snowman. These need only crude outlines, such as are within his capacity. Then lead him on, little by little, to cut a picture of the cat and of the dog, and illustrations to his favorite stories, as the "Three Bears." This is beloved in the kindergarten, requiring, as it does, pictures of the chairs, the bowls, etc. Those who have not seen children do this kind of work will be surprised 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 along together. If a line be drawn, be sure that it is heavy and distinct enough to be readily seen and followed.

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 suggest 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 bottom 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 × 12 inches. Make a fringe or series of cuts in this about four inches long and ½ 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 measurement, 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 ½ 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 overlapping. 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 person or the room. To make paste see page 169.

It is well to have a small pomade box, obtainable 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 toothpick 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 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 × 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 ½ 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.

Book-Mark (Fine white or tinted paper)

Take a piece of dainty paper and cut into an oblong 1 × 6 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, ½ or ¾ 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, colored ink or water-color paints, candy, verse of poetry)

Cut a sheet of tissue paper into little oblongs 4 × 5 inches. Dip each narrow end ¾ of an inch into ink, red, green, etc., or into water-color paints, and let dry. Then cut this colored margin into narrow 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 impression of the coin will appear on the paper. Cut out and use in playing store.

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 circle. 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 microscope 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 triangles, circles, etc., into your folded circle so that when opened out it will suggest an enlarged snowflake with its six varied points. A delicate appearance 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 directions for cutting, as the great fascination of the occupation 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, 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, 3½ feet long and ½ 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 framework 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 1, 2, 3, 4, making the top 1, 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; 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 experimentally, 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, button-molds, water-color paints or colored inks)

Get a piece of bristol board or clean cardboard at stationer's and cut it 18 inches square. Divide by straight lines into small squares ¾ inches each way.

To draw the straight lines in ink turn the ruler upside down and run the penholder against the edge, which is a little raised from the paper. This keeps the ink from blotting.

Four is the smallest number that can play with much success, and each should have about a dozen counters. These can be made of the smallest sized button-molds, each set of 12 painted a different color, or distinguished by a ring of a particular color drawn upon its upper surface with ink or paint. Small flat buttons may also be used.

To win the game each player must succeed in getting a certain number of counters (number previously agreed upon), say four, five or six, in a straight row, either horizontally, vertically or obliquely. If he gets three in a row, then the next player should stop this opponent's progress at one end of the line by putting one of his own men there, and must depend upon his neighbor to close the other end of the line. One player must not give warning to another of the prospective success of a third. Each must keep a lookout on his own account.

Checker-Board (Bristol board or any stiff, smooth cardboard, smooth, glazed paper of two colors, red and black, paste, scissors, ruler)

Cut from the cardboard a square of 15 inches. Draw a line parallel to each side one inch from the edge for a border. From each colored sheet of paper cut 32 squares of 1¾ inches each. Paste eight of these in a row, alternating colors, and arranging so that they just touch the top border line. Make eight such rows, one beneath the other, and finally giving 64 squares.

For checkers, button-molds of small size may be used. Twelve will be needed of one color and twelve of another. Paint these with water-colors. Flat porcelain buttons may also be used.

Toy Screen (Tinted cardboard, punch, worsted or ribbon, 4 small pictures)

Cut four pieces of pale blue Bristol board 3 × 4 inches. Punch two holes in the two long sides of two of these, and in one side of each of the remaining ones. Tie the four panels together with the ribbon or worsted so as to make a tiny screen, first pasting on each panel a miniature picture of a Madonna and Child or some other similar subject. Suitable for child to give as Christmas gift. Must be done neatly.

Fan (Bristol board, pencil, worsted, two slats, scrap picture)

Cut two pieces of tinted Bristol board into ovals, 6¾ × 8 inches. Make a series of pencil dots ¼ inch from edge of oval and one inch apart. Through these, holding the ovals together, punch holes. Sew together with worsted, using the overhand stitch. Having gone around once, if cross-stitch effect is desired, go around again the other way, going thus through each hole a second time. For handles take two long slats and glue on to each side of the fan from the centre down to the point of the oval, and beyond. Paste a pretty scrap picture over the centre to finish off. Tie the worsted around the ends of slats in a pretty knot to hold them together. Baby ribbon may be used instead of worsted.

Cardboard Animals (Glue, blocks or spools, picture-books, cardboard, tissue paper)

Find models in picture-books, or get from Butterick Fashion Co. their animal pictures, or same may be had from kindergarten supply stores. Trace outline upon tissue paper, using soft pencil. Turn paper over on cardboard and trace firmly again around the outline. This leaves impression of picture. Cut it out and glue it to block or spool, or attach a cardboard brace to one side to make stand.

Candlesticks (Squares of bright tissue paper, Bristol board, rubber bands)

Cut circle of stiff cardboard 5 inches in diameter. Draw upon it two diameters at right angles to each other. From the centre cut along each of these diameters for a little less than half an inch. Bend up the corners thus made and insert a candle.

Cut pieces of tissue paper 12 inches square; place the circle holding the candle upon the tissue paper, fold the latter around the circle and the candle, and put a rubber band around to hold in place. The appearance is improved if two colors of tissue paper be used. The effect up and down a table of these simple candlesticks is most festive. Colors may be changed to suit special occasions.

Chinese Toy (Three thin pieces of cardboard 2 × 2½ inches in measurement [visiting cards will do], 6 lengths of taffeta binding or baby ribbon, ¼ inch wide × 3 inches long)

The following toy can be made with little expense and very little trouble if directions are followed explicitly. It may be well to have an older child read each statement as the less experienced one tries to follow. A child who enjoys attempting things that are a little difficult will enjoy working this out.

Place the three cards one beneath the other, narrow sides facing each other.

Letter the cards respectively A, B, C.