Pin the tail etiquette

[letsgomaths]

Following on from the lovely lighthearted "pass the parcel etiquette" thread: AIBU to ask what unwritten rules you have if you're running pin the tail on the donkey for a child's birthday party? Should the birthday child go first or last, and should they be given extra spins so they're less likely to win? If you're rigging it so that birthday child doesn't win (see pass the parcel thread), how do you achieve this? If there are children who are nervous about their eyes being covered, do you allow them to close their eyes?

I remember a time when I was one of two children who got the clown's nose in exactly the right place. I knew that I couldn't see anything, but the mum's dilemma was clear: should she make both of us do it again, in case she hadn't blindfolded us properly? In the end she gave us the benefit of the doubt, and we both got prizes.

Your childhood experiences was bizarre. She shouldn’t have assumed that you cheated - just declared you both the winners from the start. I think you’re thinking about it too much - just tell them all to get in a queue and that’s the order they do if - no special place needed for birthday child.

I treat all the children the same during games. If the birthday child happens to win due to luck or being good at the game then so be it.

I wouldn't rig a game to make the birthday child win but I wouldn't make it more difficult for them either.

I dont think it really matters who goes first/last and everyone should have the same number of spins.

Only pass the parcel needs to be rigged to avoid birthday child winning. The other games where there's a 'skill' element or beyond your control then they're on an equal footing. Maybe have an extra prize available to give to the runner up if the birthday child wins?

Maybe have an extra prize available to give to the runner up if the birthday child wins?

This. Plus it solves the problem if you get a draw.

If you really don't want birthday child to win, they could have a practice turn to demonstrate, then "help you judge" which one is the winner.

I like the idea of the birthday child doing a “practice” run to show the others. The birthday child winning doesn’t matter to me especially, but it clearly does to others!

But I also like games with no winner, such as keeper of the keys.

I don't think I would go so far as making it harder for the birthday child, if they win, then they win. Maybe you could cause more upset too.

Maybe do 2 or 3 rounds if you're worried with small prizes of sweets?

Novelty beer goggles ?

I don’t think you have to rig it. The reason people rig pass the parcel is because the birthday child has enough parcels.

You just get them to one up to have a go, first to get to the front of the line goes first, simple as that. And I wouldn’t make it harder or easier to win for any child who wins wins. I find this thing of the Birthday child must win very strange I’ve never seen it happen at a party.