Is this ok for pass the parcel?

[KimGa]

Pass the parcel for 18 seven year olds, 3 boys and 15 girls.

Thinking I need 2 parcels? Trying to think of a small-ish but half decent present in the middle on a budget. Wanted something like smiggle bits/smelly gel pens but now they seem to be about £5 each for a pack which is a bit steep if I need to do 2 parcels. Entertainer for first half of party/hall cost/food and favours have been pricey enough but daughter wants to do it. Majority of other parents wealthy and eco conscious!!

Is a box of malteasers a bit sad or ok? Slightly worried about them melting in the overheating hall though. Other budget suggestions welcome, can’t see anything suitable in Poundland/Flying Tiger.

Also wonder how to do it with two parcels - do I need two circles? Would need to use the same music. Makes it hard to ensure it lands on someone who hasn’t had it if there’s 2? I guess they just have to pass it on if they’ve already opened a layer.

Thank you!

I’m 45 and I would love a box of Maltesers 🤣

One circle, start parcels at opposite sides. Say at the start it’s one layer each, if you get it again you pass on until someone who hasn’t got it gets it. Box of malteasers is fine! Maybe a mowam (??) or other wrapped sweet in each layer as they open it too.

One of the parties my DS went to had a big bag of glow sticks in the last parcel, all the kids got one and had a glow stick disco with them at the end. They loved it and there weren’t any tears or hanging onto the parcel as there wasn’t anything between the layers. It was the only successful pass the parcel I’ve ever seen!

I love a box of Maltesers too!

I suppose you could do the version where once you open a layer you are out and move out of the circle and then they easily works for two parcels.

You're not obliged to do a pass the parcel at a party at all.

Lego is the usual gift in the middle from my experience.

No problem just doing one parcel.

Have two parcels/ circles so people get their go quicker, same music but an adult watching each circle, make sure each adult lets you know when their circle is ready to proceed in case someone isn’t very quick at unwrapping. I would put something like a bag of haribo in each parcel rather than a box of malteasers ( am now craving malteasers) , and make sure there are the same number of wrappings on each one.

And yes, if they have had a turn they pass it on until everyone has had a turn, then the last few layers are in the laps of the gods……

My husband usually is in charge of the pass the parcels- he has developed a system. Gifts for the centre- Smiggle usually have a “2 for £5” shelf which is a great place to start. Then usually pencils/ packs of stickers/ erasers and some sweets or something. Mini torches (you can usually get online or in camping shops for £3 or so)for the centre?
He wraps the centre in very different paper, both the same- so you know where it is in the game. He then wraps each layer in the same colour tissue paper til he’s had enough/ run out of prizes. It makes checking off layers easier, seeing at a glance that someone isn’t sneaking through the pile. We usually do enough for 2 prizes each, and try and make it quick so there’s not too much waiting!

I wouldn’t bother with the expense of Smiggle. Put a bag of Haribo in and that will be a great present.

We do pass the teddy with all the prizes in a bag for a 'lucky dip'! Saves the wrapping and the panic if someone unwraps two layers by mistake.

Do you have any vegans on your list? They can't eat Maltesers or Haribo?

We did the mini choc bars so they all got them aswell as the other bits mentioned all from pound shop and kids love whatever they get

Other good games are relay races. Even numbers in each team if possible, or one person goes twice.. Pass a ball over head to the next person , when it reaches the last person they run to the front and start again, when the original first person is at the front they all sit down. First team gets a sweet each. Next round they have to pass the ball between their legs.

if you have space and they need to be a bit more active then an alternative relay would be to dribble ( with feet, or using something like a wooden spoon to hit it with ) a small ball toward and around an obstacle then back towards the team, pass it on to the next person , first person goes to the back.

We always did a bit of a different pass the parcel. Small present in each layer like an animal mask or a pencil, then the last layer was full of fun size sweets and chocs, 2-3 for each kid. I made sure my child was the last one to open and they then opened the last layer with a big flourish into the middle for all the kids to grab. Bit more exciting and everyone gets lots of things.

Vegan Percy pigs .

Some haribo are vegan.

I made sure my child was the last one to open and they then opened the last layer with a big flourish into the middle for all the kids to grab.

You fixed pass the parcel so your own child opened the last layer? I know they shared the prize but it still seems odd to fix it in that way.

The prize sounds fine OP, and I agree with a previous poster about making sure the last layer is in a different paper.

i think that’s a great idea. I’d imagine the children wouldn’t mind and would just all be excited to get a share of the sweets

Wait so are you not playing Luckys Dad’s rules…you don’t want to be raising a nation of squibs!

If you do two make sure they have the same number of layers. And don't let the birthday child win (I make sure it passes them then close my eyes so it's random).

Masks or party hat between the layers is a good idea, with the instruction to put it on immediately. Easily highlights who has already had a win.

@OneLittleFinger Marking who’s had a go already is genius! Came looking for ideas and this is perfect, thanks.

I hear ya! I did Luckys Dad rules this year, and it caused mayhem....... sigh. Trying to build resilient little buggers didn't work 🤣