How many layers in a pass the parcel?

[DuffyFluckling]

As many as there are children?

They are all around 3 years old, and there will be 8 - 10 of them I think.

number of children plus one layer
with a packet of choc buttons in between each layer.

that way you can count 'em out one by one so they all get a something, and then pick the nicest child randomly pick the winner.

As many as there are children, plus the final layer - a little tip, use one colour wrapping paper for all of the outside layers. Then, the final layer in a different sort! Makes it much easier to make sure that everyone's had one, and you know when you've got to the end!

As many as there are children + 1 for errors in stopping music (plus have a spare one of whatever is in the layers in your pocket just in case!)

oh yes - what littlefish said about wrapping paper, definitely. It also helps if you alternate colours through the parcel so that you can make sure they are only taking one layer off at a time.

one layer per child plus one extra, with a little present in each layer (small chocolate etc.)

I have always done one for each child so no one gets left out.

I think the kids are more excited about the parcel stopping on them, then wining, i have always put a little pack of buttons in each layer to.

Just a tip, write down how many layers you have done so you dont lose count

Hmm, I am going to disagree, I think only about 4/5 layers, because with 3 year olds, getting them to sit through 8/10 layers of pass the parcel could be difficult.
You could either do 2 small pass the parcel (I did a "girl" main prize and a "boy" one) do one at start of party and one at end or another game/games that they can win something in.
May just be my boys though

One for each child plus 1 or 2. Different coloured paper for each layer so two don't get ripped

Will do enough layers for everyone, but make the passing intervals short.

I'm sure we didn't have chocolate in between layers when we were kids. The 'treat' was getting to unwrap a layer.

I always find that once the child has had their turn they run off, my dd has become wise to this and stays to the end of the came and always seems to win

opps game

I would join you in the grumble grumble, but 'tis sadly the 'norm' nowadays... I have sometimes put non-food things in (little monster finger puppets when DS had a monster party, for example).

Lizzylou I have actually gone the other way - as they have got older and more able to deal with not 'winning' anything, I have done less layers than there are children to shorten the game - or split them into groups (but then DS has had huge big parties with 20+ DC )

One per layer, plus one extra.

Let's face it it is more fun if you all get to unwrap and join in.

It doesn't have to be choc buttons inside. Can be something muh smaller. IME 3y love lttle stickers so would go for that