Pass the gift to the person with the longest hair. Next, pass it to the person who is next to have a birthday. Keep passing, smiling and enjoying the celebration with this Pass the Parcel Game and free printable.

This popular game is easy to play and can be played at virtually any celebration. The theme of the pass the parcel game below is birthday, but you can change some of the wording when you play to fit any party. If you are looking for a Christmas themed pass the parcel game, you can view and print one here.

One of the great things about this game is any one can play. From a young child’s birthday party to a family celebration, this game is a great fit for any party.

I have used this game in many settings, including a classroom with a large group of children and a teen’s birthday party. It was a hit with both groups!

As you plan your next party, make sure to look through all of the activity ideas below from Hands-On Teaching Ideas. Try a Birthday Party Escape Room Game or add a few party activities to your next event from this collection of 29 Best Birthday Party Ideas.

For another pass the parcel game that follows the same structure, but with a slightly different themed, check out another free pass the gift game below.

Pass the Parcel Game Materials

One of the great things about this pass the parcel game is that there is very little prep required in order to play. You can quickly add the game to any event. All you need is:

• A Wrapped Gift
• Free Printable Riddles (Available at the end of this post)

The riddles are included on three printable pages. There are fifteen riddles.

Pass the Parcel Game Set Up

Start by choosing a gift that you feel any of your guests at the party would love to win. Wrap the gift and have the printable riddles ready to use.

When you’re ready to play, have everyone playing the game sit down. There is no order or best way for guests to sit. The game works best if seating is random. Add some music to make the game even more exciting.

Once everyone has sat down, you can begin by reading the first riddle. The riddle tells players to pass the parcel to the first guest who arrived. This guest then takes the gift. You can have your party host read all of the riddles out loud or when a guest is passed the gift, they can read the next riddle.

Go through each of the riddles and pass the present to a guest each time.

Pass the Parcel Riddles

As each riddle is read, guests decide who fits each clue best. The order that the gifts are passed are as follows:

• First guest to arrive
• Youngest guest
• Oldest guest
• Person across from the guest holding the gift
• Two spots to the right of where the game began. (Pass the gift back to the first guest who arrived and then two spots to the right.)
• Biggest/fanciest earrings
• Fanciest nails
• Tallest guest
• Back to the person who started the game (This can be the host or the first guest, you can choose.)
• Guests who haven’t played yet. (Pass the gift from player to player for anyone who hasn’t held the gift yet. This is included because if young children are playing it will be important to each child to at least be passed the gift at some point during the game.)
• Person wearing the most white
• Guest with the next birthday
• Longest name
• Longest hair
• Person to the left of the one reading the final riddle.

For several clues, it is up to the group, or the host how players interpret the clues. For example, the riddle that tells players to pass it to the guest with the longest name, can be understood to mean first name, last name or all names. It’s up to you how you want to play.

Once the final riddle is read and the gift is passed, this player finally gets to open the gift and gets to keep the gift inside.

Pass the Gift Game Ideas – Alternative Ideas

There are a few other ways to play the game. I have listed a few ideas below.

You can choose to wrap the gift several times and a layer is unwrapped each time a new person holds the gift. This is optional, but can increase the playing time and engagement. The gift would need to be wrapped many times to make this work.

Another option is to wrap a small gift into each layer. For example, you can wrap a small chocolate, candy, or a gift card in each layer. This way each time the gift is passed, the guest receives a small gift as they open a layer.

If you like the idea of wrapping the gift in several layers, another option is to cut the riddles into strips and include the riddle in each layer. This way, as players unwrap each layer they also uncover the next riddle. This way each guest not only gets to unwrap a layer but also get to read a clue.

Pass the Parcel Game

If you choose to wrap the gift in several layers, be aware of the clue that allows the gift to be passed to anyone who has not yet touched the gift. You can either figure out who would not have touched the gift at this point and wrap enough layers, or allow guest to touch, but not unwrap.

You can also decide to omit this clue from the game completely and avoid this part becoming complicated. The game will still work without this riddle.

When I did the game in the classroom, I wrapped the gift in several layers, but also made sure that the present inside was one that everyone could share.

There are lots of great ways to play this game. Choose one that fits best for your party and group and the game is sure to be a hit!

Free Party Game Riddles

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