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Show RAINV DAYS BY EDNA EG AN. S a rule, on rainy days the children amuse themselves with games that are more or less passive, such as "playing house," sewing or cutting out paper dolls, putting together sectional puzzles. puz-zles. If rain keeps up for any length of time thi, lack of exercise is apt to make the little ones "out of sorts" and quarrelsome. In some families, when tho children are strong and healthy and not susceptible sus-ceptible to colds, the mothers deem it safe to put on their raincoats and overshoes and send them out into the rain. But when this is not advisable, active games indoors are an excellent D U U 111 U I V- Oare 6hould ho taken that there Is sufficient ventilation in tho room where the children are playing. Thero is no better game than that played with grace hoops for furnishing furnish-ing the young folks with amusement besides giving them the needed exercise. exer-cise. Tho game can be made or bought If there Is an "older brother" In the family he will no doubt be happy to make the hoops. They consist of rings made of willow such as that used for willow furniture or straw, bound firmly together and wound with worsted worst-ed yarn of a bright color or combination combina-tion of colors. Two sticks about two feet In lenc'h are needed besides the rings. The more children thero are the more sticks and rings aro required for the game There are various ways to play with the grace hoops. One can easily work out a series of gymnast lc exercises, such as the following: The child should take a stick in each hand with arms outstretched at the sides. A ring is placed over each stick, and both rings aro twirled at the same time. It Is not so easy as it sounds, and require not a little practice. prac-tice. The child will delight in accomplishing accom-plishing this feat, gaining poise, a steadiness ot' hand, a sense of balance and a training of the arm muscles at the same time. This movement is changed by holding hold-ing tho arms straight In front and twirling the rings. Then the siniule school gymnastics with which very child is familiar can be done with graco hoops. A ring is held In each hand and the arms aro 1 held down at the sides. To a count of eight they should be raised even with the shoulders, then high above tho 1 head, then straight in front of the chest, and last assume tho original position. |