There comes a time when even the most far-sighted grownups are confronted with a situation where bored youngsters must be kept interested, or at least quiet, with a minimum of available material for amusement. Here is where imagination and that pioneer faculty of improvisation will pay big dividends.

Frequently these situations have not been provided for in rainy day or sickroom schedules. They usually pop up extemporaneously, allowing little or no time for consideration of ways and means. Waiting at the doctor's office or the bus depot, train trips or unexpected stopovers away from home because of inclement weather, long, foggy ferryboat rides, moving day with toys, games, and furniture en route, or even baby sitting for housebound friends or relatives are examples of situations which are apt to strain an unprepared adult who is suddenly charged with entertaining easily amused, but more easily bored, children.

It is to aid harassed parents and guardians who must brave this type of hazard that the following suggestions are presented. It is realized that all, or even many of the materials mentioned will not be on hand, yet there are many amusements which require little or no preparation, along with others which can be modified to suit the circumstances. Once the children's interest is at least temporarily engrossed, it is often possible to round up various materials for more lasting entertainment.

Greta Gabbler

A veteran of railroad trains, trolleys and buses, Greta Gabbler beguiles long hours for small bored travelers with her animated renditions of fairy stories, tales of adventure, and lively comments on the life and times of her listeners.

Fig. 6.3. Greta Gabbler.

Outlined in lipstick and black pencil or crayon as shown in A of Figure 6.3, in her sillier moments she is prone to stick out her tongue as in B. A handkerchief coiled above her forehead will add a tasteful turbaned effect.

Spinning Disk

For small fry a quickly improvised toy consists of a cardboard disk strung on a looped piece of string. For the disk, outline a cup upside down on a piece of cardboard, cut it out, then pierce it with a darning needle or nail about Jin. above and below its center. Run a 2-ft. string through both holes and knot the ends so that a long loop will be formed with the disk in its center when it is pulled out horizontally. Holding both ends of the loop with the forefinger of each hand, continue to swing the disk around in a circle until the string is well twisted. Then, when the hands are pulled apart, the string will unwind so fast that it will rewind in the opposite direction. By moving the hands together and apart rhythmically at the proper moments, the disk can be kept spinning. If one side of the disk is colored in contrasting segments and the opposite side in spirals, the colors will blend into various combinations as it revolves.

A more quickly assembled spinner can be made by substituting a large button for the cardboard disk.