50+ Pass the Parcel Ideas: Prizes, Forfeits and Game Tips for Kids

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Pass the parcel is one of those party games that just works. It’s simple, it’s exciting, and it gets everyone involved, from the littlest toddlers to the competitive adults who insist they’re not competitive at all.

But let’s be honest: the standard version (wrap a gift, pass it around, stop the music) can get a little predictable. The good news? With the right forfeits, prizes, themes, and twists, pass the parcel becomes one of the most memorable games at any party.

Whether you’re planning a birthday party for a two-year-old, a classroom activity, a teen hangout, or an adult get-together, this guide has everything you need, age-by-age prize ideas, 40+ forfeits, creative themes, and all the tips I’ve learned from hosting way too many parties.

How to Play Pass the Parcel: The Basic Rules

I am sure you all know how to play the traditional pass the parcel party game but if you’re new tot he game here is a quick recap.

1. Wrap a main prize in the centre.
2. Add layers of wrapping paper around it, one layer per player is ideal.
3. Tuck a small prize or forfeit slip between each layer.
4. Players sit in a circle and pass the parcel while music plays.
5. When the music stops, whoever is holding the parcel unwraps one layer and completes the forfeit or keeps the small prize.
6. The person who unwraps the final layer wins the main prize!

Easy to explain, endlessly adaptable, and always fun. Now let’s get into the good stuff.

How Many Layers Should Pass the Parcel Have?

A great rule of thumb: one layer per player. If you have 10 kids, aim for 10 layers. This way, everyone gets a turn and nobody feels left out, which is especially important for younger children.

For very large groups (15+ players), you can do one layer per two players and use forfeits instead of prizes in every layer to keep costs down.

For the center prize, wrap it in at least 2–3 extra layers of its own so there’s a satisfying dramatic unwrap at the end!

Want to skip the cutting and writing? Grab my free printable pass the parcel challenge cards, 36 ready-to-print forfeits for every age group!

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Toddlers (Ages 2–4)

Toddlers need a version of this game that’s fast, simple, and makes everyone feel like a winner. The key at this age? Keep it short (5–8 minutes max), make sure every child gets a turn, and keep the forfeits very simple and physical.

Prize ideas for toddlers

• Mini bubble wands
• Small board books
• Sticker sheets, toddlers absolutely love these
• Play-doh mini pots
• Foam bath toys
• Mini puzzles (4–6 pieces)
• Small soft toys or finger puppets
• Wrapped lollipops or small packets of crackers
• Crayons in a small pack
• Wind-up toys

Simple forfeits for toddlers

Keep forfeits short, silly, and physical, toddlers love movement!

• Hop like a bunny three times
• Make your best lion ROAR
• Give everyone a big wave hello
• Do your silliest dance for 10 seconds
• Quack like a duck five times
• Touch your toes and then reach for the sky
• Spin around in a circle
• Give the person next to you a high five
• Make a funny face and hold it for five seconds
• Crawl around the circle once

Tips for playing with toddlers

• Control the music yourself so you can make sure every child gets a turn
• Use different colored wrapping paper for each layer, toddlers love the visual excitement
• Keep the main prize something all kids will enjoy equally (a book, a craft kit)
• Have a helper ready to assist little ones who struggle with the wrapping

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Kids Ages 5–10

This is the classic sweet spot for pass the parcel. Kids this age love a bit of suspense, enjoy simple forfeits, and are old enough to follow the rules without too much help. You can start getting more creative here!

Prize ideas for kids ages 5–10

• Mini Lego sets or Lego mini figures
• Temporary tattoos
• Pokemon cards or trading cards
• Novelty erasers or cool pencils
• Small squishies or fidget toys
• Mini craft kits
• Slime pots
• Puzzle erasers
• Small colouring books with a mini pencil pack
• Hair clips, bracelets or friendship bracelet kits (great for mixed groups)
• Joke books
• Individually wrapped chocolates or sweets
• Mini kaleidoscopes or magnifying glasses
• Cool sticker books

Fun forfeits for kids ages 5–10

• Do your best robot dance for 15 seconds
• Tell the funniest joke you know
• Speak in a silly accent for the next two rounds
• Do 10 star jumps as fast as you can
• Act like a monkey for 20 seconds
• Try to lick your elbow (spoiler: you can’t!)
• Sing the first verse of “Twinkle Twinkle” as loud as you can
• Do your best impression of a teacher
• Balance a book on your head for 10 seconds
• Do a dramatic slow-motion fall
• Make up a rap about your name
• Give three compliments to three different people
• Do the worm (or attempt it!)
• Name five animals in 5 seconds
• Walk like a penguin around the circle

Creative game variations for this age group

• Color categories: Use different colored wrapping paper for each layer. Assign each colour a category, animals, foods, superheroes, and the player must name three things in that category before unwrapping.
• Question layers: Tuck a fun question between each layer instead of a forfeit. “What’s your superpower?” or “What would you do with a million dollars?” are always great conversation starters.
• Story pass the parcel: Each layer has a sentence to add to a group story. Start with “Once upon a time there was a very unusual pizza…” and let the kids build the silliest story ever told.
• Double parcel: For large groups of 15+, use two parcels going in opposite directions at the same time. Chaos guaranteed.

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Teens

Teenagers can absolutely enjoy pass the parcel, you just need to make the forfeits genuinely funny and slightly challenging, and the prizes something they’d actually want. Lean into the humor and make it feel less “little kid party” and more “chaotic fun with your friends.”

Prize ideas for teens

• Gift cards (even small ones, $5 to a favorite store goes a long way)
• Earbuds or phone accessories
• Lip balm, nail polish, or mini skincare sets
• Snack packs, chips, candy, popcorn
• Bookmarks or stationery sets for bookworms
• Pokemon cards or collectible trading cards
• Mini journals or sketchbooks
• Funny socks
• Phone stands or pop sockets
• Movie theatre vouchers

Funny forfeits for teens

• Do your best impression of your most dramatic friend, without saying who it is
• Text the last person you messaged: “I have a confession to make…” and read the reply out loud
• Try to say the alphabet backwards in under 20 seconds
• Speak in a British accent for the next three rounds
• Do a 30-second stand-up comedy routine, right now, no preparation
• Let the group choose a song and you have to lip sync it perfectly
• Do 20 push-ups or 30 jumping jacks
• Tell an embarrassing story from primary school
• Call a family member and sing them happy birthday for no reason
• Let the group look through your camera roll for 30 seconds
• Do your best catwalk down an imaginary runway
• Try to say “She sells seashells” five times fast
• Impersonate a celebrity for 1 minute and the group has to guess who
• Do a dramatic reading of your most recent text conversation
• Let the group give you a new hairstyle using whatever’s available

Pass the Parcel Ideas for Adults

Yes, adults can absolutely play pass the parcel, and honestly, once the forfeits get going, it often becomes the highlight of the night. Perfect for birthday parties, hen/bachelorette parties, office parties, family reunions, or any adult gathering that needs a guaranteed icebreaker.

Prize ideas for adults

• Mini wine, prosecco, or spirits bottles
• Fancy chocolates or gourmet treats
• Scented candles or bath bombs
• Scratch cards
• Gift cards
• Novelty mugs
• Mini hand cream or lip balm sets
• Books or bookmarks for a book-loving crowd
• Funny adult-themed items (keep it appropriate for your crowd!)
• Movie or restaurant vouchers

Funny forfeits for adults

• Do your best impression of the host, they can’t react
• Tell the group your most embarrassing childhood memory
• Let the group ask you any one question and you must answer honestly
• Do a dramatic soap opera monologue about losing your car keys
• Recreate your favourite movie scene using only the people in the room as props
• Call a family member and pretend you’ve just won a major award
• Do a live cooking show commentary while eating a snack
• Let the group style your hair and you can’t look in a mirror
• Do a 60-second sales pitch for the most boring object in the room
• Text your boss something vague and mysterious (‘About tomorrow…’) and show the reply
• Attempt to breakdance for 30 seconds
• Narrate everything you do in the next 2 minutes in a wildlife documentary voice
• Give a heartfelt wedding toast for the person to your left
• Do your best villain laugh, the group rates it out of 10
• Confess your most irrational fear

Adult party themes for pass the parcel

• Hen party version: Theme the forfeits around the bride-to-be. “Share your favourite memory of [bride’s name]” or “Do your best impression of [bride] getting ready in the morning.”
• Office party version: Keep forfeits workplace-friendly but fun. Trivia questions about the company, impressions of famous leaders, or “two truths and a lie” about your job.
• Murder mystery version: Each layer reveals a clue card that’s part of a running whodunit story. Whoever holds the final layer also reveals the murderer.

Master List: 40 Pass the Parcel Forfeit Ideas

Mix and match these across any age group. Simply adjust the difficulty to suit your players.

Silly physical forfeits

• Do 10 star jumps while singing a nursery rhyme
• Walk backwards around the circle
• Do your best slow-motion run across the room
• Hop on one foot for 30 seconds
• Cartwheel across the room (or attempt one!)
• Do the worm
• Freeze in a funny pose for the entire next round
• Do a limbo under someone’s arm

Performance forfeits

• Sing the chorus of a song chosen by the group
• Do a 30-second stand-up comedy routine
• Impersonate a famous person and hold it for 1 minute
• Perform a dramatic reading of a random text message
• Do a dramatic movie death scene
• Act out a word for the group to guess (charades-style)
• Make up and perform a 4-line poem on the spot

Challenge forfeits

• Try to lick your elbow
• Say the alphabet backwards
• Name 10 types of cheese in 15 seconds
• Wink with each eye alternately five times (harder than it sounds)
• Put your elbows together in front of you
• Keep a straight face while the group tries to make you laugh for 30 seconds
• Name 5 countries beginning with S in 10 seconds
• Try to say “Unique New York” ten times fast

Social forfeits

• Swap shoes with the person to your left for two rounds
• Speak only in questions for the next round
• Give a genuine compliment to every person in the circle
• Let the group ask you any question, you must answer
• Share your most embarrassing moment
• Tell the group a secret talent
• Text someone in your contacts something nice, show the group what you sent

Pass the Parcel Themes for Birthday Parties

Theming your pass the parcel makes the whole game feel more special and ties it beautifully into your party decor. Here are some popular themes with ideas for each.

Unicorn pass the parcel

• Wrap in holographic silver or pastel pink paper
• Prizes: unicorn stickers, rainbow pencils, sparkly hair clips, mini glitter pots
• Forfeits: “Prance around the circle like a unicorn”, “Make up a unicorn name for everyone in the room”
• Main prize: unicorn soft toy, unicorn craft kit, or a rainbow art set

Superhero pass the parcel

• Wrap in bold primary colors, red, blue, yellow
• Prizes: superhero stickers, mini capes, temporary tattoos, comic books
• Forfeits: “Strike a superhero pose and hold it for 10 seconds”, “Give everyone in the circle a superhero name and their power”
• Main prize: superhero figure, cape and mask set, superhero coloring book.

Princess pass the parcel

• Wrap in pink, gold, and purple paper with ribbon curls
• Prizes: tiaras, jewellery kits, nail stickers, mini perfumes
• Forfeits: “Curtsy to each person in the circle”, “Speak in your most royal accent for two rounds”
• Main prize: princess dress-up kit, jewellery making set

Dinosaur pass the parcel

• Wrap in green and brown paper with dino stickers on each layer
• Prizes: mini dinosaur figures, dino eggs (bath bombs), dinosaur stickers
• Forfeits: “Stomp around the circle like a T-Rex”, “Roar as loud as you can”, “Name five dinosaurs in 10 seconds”
• Main prize: dinosaur excavation kit, large dino figure set

Under the sea pass the parcel

• Wrap in blue and green paper with fish and shell stickers
• Prizes: ocean stickers, mini sea creature figures, blue and green slime
• Forfeits: “Swim around the circle”, “Act like a crab for the next round”, “Make a whale sound”
• Main prize: ocean art set, fish tank building kit, snorkel and goggles

Pass the Parcel Tips to Make It Run Smoothly

Wrapping tips

• Use different colours or patterns of wrapping paper for each layer, it makes each unwrap feel like a new surprise and helps you track which layer you’re on
• Tape each layer well so it doesn’t all fall apart at once, but not so well that kids struggle to open it
• Pre-fold the edges neatly. Messy layers = frustrating unwrapping = grumpy kids
• Number each forfeit slip on the back so you can check they’re all accounted for before the party

Music tips

• Use upbeat, recognisable songs, party anthems work best for kids, trending songs for teens
• Vary the length between stops, sometimes 5 seconds, sometimes 20. The unpredictability is where the fun is
• If playing with young children, control the stops to ensure every child gets a turn
• Good apps for pass the parcel music control: Spotify with a timer app, or search YouTube for “pass the parcel music”, there are pre-made tracks designed to stop and start.

Prize tips

• Match prize value: inner layers should have smaller prizes, with the best one in the centre
• For mixed age groups, use prizes that appeal to everyone, sweets, stickers, and joke strips are universally loved
• Wrap each inner prize individually in tissue paper for extra excitement
• Have a small consolation prize bag ready for anyone who doesn’t win a layer, useful for younger children

Frequently Asked Questions About Pass the Parcel

How many layers should pass the parcel have?

The best approach is one layer per player. So if you have 10 people playing, aim for 10 layers. This way every player gets at least one turn to unwrap. For very large groups, you can reduce to one layer per two players and rely on forfeits rather than prizes in every layer to keep costs manageable.

What prizes do you put in pass the parcel?

Small, inexpensive items work perfectly for the inner layers, think stickers, sweets, temporary tattoos, mini Play-Doh pots, or novelty erasers for kids. For teens and adults, snacks, scratch cards, or small beauty items work well. Save your best prize for the center of the parcel.

How do you make pass the parcel more fun?

The single best upgrade is adding forfeits between layers. A silly dare or challenge tucked inside each layer transforms a passive game into an active, hilarious one. Theming the parcel to match your party and using different coloured wrapping paper for each layer also adds a lot of excitement.

Can adults play pass the parcel?

Absolutely! Adults love pass the parcel when the forfeits are funny and the prizes are age-appropriate (think chocolates, small wine bottles, scratch cards, or gift cards). The key is making the forfeits more grown-up, embarrassing challenges, impression contests, and social dares work brilliantly.

What is a pass the parcel forfeit?

A forfeit is a small challenge or dare tucked between the layers of the parcel. When a player unwraps that layer, they must complete the forfeit before the game continues. Forfeits can be silly physical challenges (hop like a frog!), performance tasks (sing a song!), or social ones (tell an embarrassing story). They keep every player engaged and the energy high throughout the whole game.

How do you play pass the parcel for adults?

The rules are identical to the kids’ version, sit in a circle, pass while music plays, unwrap when the music stops. The difference is in the forfeits and prizes. Use grown-up prizes (wine, chocolates, gift cards) and funnier, more daring forfeits. Adult party themes like hen nights and office parties work especially well with a customized set of forfeits tailored to the group.

What music do you use for pass the parcel?

Any upbeat music work, the only requirement is that you can pause it unpredictably. For children’s parties, party anthems and pop songs work great. For teens, use current chart hits. For adults, you can even make it part of the game (name that tune when the music stops!). YouTube has dedicated pass the parcel playlists with natural pauses built in if you want a hands-free option.

In a nutshell, the pass the parcel game is an all-time favorite that works like a charm for kids, teens, and adults. It’s the kind of game that brings fun to every age group.

I hope these creative pass the parcel ideas add a little extra magic to your next party. Remember, the most important thing is to keep it fun and lighthearted. Let your imagination run wild, and don’t forget to capture those smiles and laughter.

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