Games for All Occasions

"Games for All Occasions" by Mary E. Blain is an assortment of games intended for children from the early 1900s. The book gathers together a wide range of games from outdoor classics to indoor activities, aimed at getting young children and their families to engage in play together. The work focuses on the happiness found in taking part in play and presents several ways to have fun that is suitable for both young and old to enjoy, encouraging connection across age groups. At the beginning, it opens with a preface that draws attention to how vital play is to human life, claiming that grown-ups tend to dismiss the happiness linked with games. Blain argues to re-introduce the enthusiasm that can be found in playing like a child in grown-ups, pushing them to join in on the fun and playfulness that games can bring. The book contains a list of games to play for different age groups, giving clear steps for how to play while showcasing how its ability to foster happiness, create and maintain social relationships, and promote imagination amongst players.