[PrincessPinkenIt]

I'm currently sorting out games for DD's Party on the weekend, and Little Miss is wanting Pass the Parcel.
So before I start organising it, I have been wondering what it the norm for Pass the Parcel.

So I have a two questions to get an idea... and hopefully get motivation to sort it out, before a rush to the shops early Sat Morning.

Do you put mini prizes between layers, if so what mini prizes do you put in between?


Roughly how much do you spend for the main prize?

[-*meh*-]

each layer has some type of treat (freddo, lolly pop, sticker sheet, etc)

main prize is something like a packet of textas, mini puzzle, small doll, or theme based depending on the party... no more than $5-$10

[qak]

My hint is - make the present VERY small. Depending on how many layers you have to do the parcel can be huge!

[Tracey2]

I do things a little different. Especially if you have quite a few kids the layers can become quite a few so that everyone gets a prize.

I buy just cheap party favours and but them in a nice little box. Then when it is their turn they just open the box and choose a prize. Less rubbish and super quick to make.

When my youngest DD was in Kindergarten I invited all the kids from her class and a few other friends so about 30 kids. I did two box pass the parcel and put a girls one and boys one. Made two seperate circles and they played the game together saving time.

[imamumto3]

I do things a little different. Especially if you have quite a few kids the layers can become quite a few so that everyone gets a prize.

I buy just cheap party favours and but them in a nice little box. Then when it is their turn they just open the box and choose a prize. Less rubbish and super quick to make.

When my youngest DD was in Kindergarten I invited all the kids from her class and a few other friends so about 30 kids. I did two box pass the parcel and put a girls one and boys one. Made two seperate circles and they played the game together saving time.

I did this for 4yo dds party. there was a huge range of ages and abilities in the group and some just didn't grasp the concept and tried to take something each time or took forever choosing. so I think it really depends on the age of the kids on how well it works

[SeaPrincess]

I put something in each layer, usually those tiny bottles of bubbles because
a) they're not food,
b) everyone likes bubbles and
c) it gives the children something to do if the games don't take as long as I expect! I get those boxes of 24(?) little bottles.

Main prize for DS2's 5th birthday in 2 weeks is a Monster-theme stationery pack containing an A5 notebook, pad of post-its, 2 sticker sheets, 6-colour pen and pack of 4 mini glitter gel pens $3 from K-mart.

[wonder woman]

Why must every layer or every guest have a prize?

[Holidayromp]

I did lollipops and stickers between each layer and the main prize consisted of a timeout chocolate bar, bubbles, dora pen etc.

DD1 who is 10 had mini choc bars and stickers between the layers and a sudoko book and a timeout chocolate bar for the main prize.

The key is to buy token prizes for each layer but reserve the best one for the centre. I wouldn't go spending too much on in though.

[BadCat]

Change it up a little. Instead of passing it round the circle lamely making sure everyone gets a little prize, put a note on each layer:

This layer is to be unwrapped by the person with the longest hair.
This layer is to be unwrapped by the person who can stand on one foot for the longest.
This layer is to be unwrapped by the person who can make the funniest face.

You have some of the notes be subjective so you can opt for certain kids who might not otherwise get to open a layer, and some purely competitive.

The final layer should be competitive and be the one that leads to the prize.

The modern, every layer has a prize version, tends to end up with kids who get bored once they've opened a layer because they know they only get one. In the version I described any child can open more than one layer and any child can win the prize.

[Klinkalink]

Why must every layer or every guest have a prize?

Because we're in the New Age 'every child must win a prize as not winning a prize may result in overt or repressed feelings of hard-done-byness, inferiority or social omission'. Or some such rubbish.

**I'm not having a go at the OP at all, just the way everyone has to win a prize these days.