How to play Pass the Parcel: Which game rules from Bluey do you follow?
One prize at the end or is everyone a winner?
When the Pass the Parcel season three Bluey episode first aired in December 2021, it proved the simple game is actually not that straightforward.
In the episode, Lucky’s dad Pat is outraged when he finds out that there’s a present under every layer of wrapping paper and that he will need to time the music so it stops on each child.
“We’re raising a nation of squibs,” he says.
For Lucky’s party, Pat decides to play it the “proper way” with one big present in the middle.
There’s disappointment and tears from the kids who aren’t too keen on “Lucky’s dad’s rules”.
As more birthday parties come and go, the children come to love Lucky’s dad’s traditional version of the game and prefer one big prize in the middle.
At the time, many parents were quick to praise Lucky’s dad’s version of the game and had their say on Twitter.
“OMG Bluey making the case for a return to ’80s pass-the-parcel, I love it,” wrote one viewer.
So, which way do you play pass the parcel and what exactly are the rules for both versions?
How do you play Pass the Parcel?
Do you go the traditional way with a gift for the winner or do you keep everyone happy with a prize?
Lucky’s dad’s (traditional) rules for Pass the Parcel
Preparation: Wrap one gift (the main prize) in multiple layers of wrapping paper. Be sure to wrap each layer.
Set-up: Players sit in a circle. The person holding the parcel starts the game.
Playing the game: Start playing the music while the players pass the parcel around the circle. When the music randomly stops, the player holding the parcel unwraps one layer of wrapping paper hoping the layer they unwrap will reveal the main prize. Continue passing the parcel while playing the music and stopping at random until players have unwrapped all layers.
The winner: The player who unwraps the final layer of wrapping paper scores the prize and is deemed the winner.
The ‘everyone’s a winner’ way to play Pass the Parcel
Preparation: Wrap one gift for each player in multiple layers of wrapping paper. Each layer should be wrapped separately and contain a small gift. If there are 10 players for Pass the Parcel, you will need to wrap 10 gifts in 10 layers of paper.
Set-up: Players sit in a circle. The person holding the parcel starts the game.
Playing the game: Start playing the music while the players pass the parcel around the circle. The person controlling the music will need to keep a careful eye on the game to ensure the music stops once on each player. This will allow each person a turn to unwrap one layer of wrapping paper and receive a gift. Continue playing the music and passing the parcel until all layers are unwrapped.
The winner: Everyone wins!
