FAMILY FUN Adapted from Parlour Games for Modern Families by Myfanwy Jones and Spiri Tsintziras, Scribe, $35.
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday December 28, 2009
TWO MOTHERS, Myfanwy Jones and Spiri Tsintziras, were sitting in a park watching their children play when they began reminiscing about the games of their childhood.Even talking about the games made them smile. So they began compiling a record of classic family games, many of which were invented in the Victorian "parlours", long before television, computer games and the internet.The result is a new book, Parlour Games for Modern Families, which sets out the rules for an array of games that are free, creative, inclusive and fun.We'll publish one of their favourite parlour games every day.The first is PICTURE CONSEQUENCES.There are many variations of this game using words but younger children will enjoy this one because it uses pictures, it's easy and the results are often very amusing.The element of surprise (to which they have each contributed) gets children going every time.Number of players Two or more.Age Four and up.You will need Pen and paper.Playing time Five minutes a round.Object of the game To draw the funniest made-up character you can.How to play Each player takes a sheet of paper, on which he or she draws the head of a person or beast €” the more creative and ridiculous the drawing, the better.They fold the paper down, leaving only a small part of the neck showing. They pass this down the line and the next player attaches a body to the neck.That player then folds the paper down again, with only a tiny part of the torso showing, and passes it along for the next player to draw the legs. Finally, the last player draws the feet.When everyone has finished drawing, each piece of paper is unfolded, in turn, and the results are shared around the table, usually to great amusement.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
