Preface

The Editor hopes that this volume will be the means of inspiring boys to adopt some hobby and to follow it diligently. At any rate he has arranged that they shall be able to have a wide choice of occupations, and shall begin with expert assistance. Too many youths fall into mere aimless dawdling, and waste the golden years of their life loafing about smoking cigarettes, watching others play, chattering endlessly about games, but never engaging in them. Though this book is written for the boy’s play hour, it will not be without value in aiding him upon the sterner side of his career, if it shows him how to train hand and eye, how to strengthen his will and muscles, and if it inculcates patience, exactitude, and perseverance.

Contents

Chapter I. In Training
Chapter II. How to Become a Gymnast
Chapter III. Walking, Running, and Jumping
Chapter IV. Hockey and Indian Clubs
Chapter V. Swimming, Kowing, and Water Polo
Chapter VI. Paperchasing, Football, Golf, and Boxing
Chapter VII. On the Ice
Chapter VIII. Angling
Chapter IX. Canoes and Yachts
Chapter X. Cooking in Camp
Chapter XI. Butterflies and Moths
Chapter XII. Hints on Aquariums
Chapter XIII. In the Playing Fields
Chapter XIV. The Garden
Chapter XV. The Boy as Artist
Chapter XVI. Ventriloquism and Polyphony
Chapter XVII. The Boy as Magician
Chapter XVIII. Pets
Chapter XIX. Things Boys can Make
Chapter XX. Fireside Amusements
Chapter XXI. Work and Play at the Bench
Chapter XXII. Science for the Play-hour
Chapter XXIII. Home-made Toys
Chapter XXIV. Concerning Many Things

Electric Scotland Note: In this day and age many people are talking about how children are not taking enough exercise and hence obesity is an issue with many children.  While this is a book from some 100 years ago I felt it might make a contribution towards getting children to consider doing some new activities.  While this is about Boys the content is also applicable to Girls.

As there are many illustrations in this book we've made it available as a pdf file so you can print out individual chapters should you wish to refer to them offline.

Download the book here