Pass the parcel (pirate treasure hunt style)

by Rachel
(Devon, UK)

This is an alternative way to play pass the parcel. I did this game at an adventure theme fancy dress party for a four year old boy. It worked really well.

When the last layer was unwrapped a potato was found instead of a prize and the children were really puzzled, then a letter was given to the birthday child and the children became quite excited.

This is a good game for preschool or young school age children or some children with special needs who can't understand traditional treasure hunt clues.

Here's how to play

You will need:
Photos of different areas of the party venue (so a digital camera is needed or a film camera if you can get the pictures printed in time)

A potato
A present wrapped up
The usual newspaper, old wrapping paper etc to wrap your parcel.
A letter addressed to the birthday child
Music

Preparation for the game:
Wrap up the potato in lots of layers of wrapping paper as you would do in the normal game of Pass the Parcel.

Type or write a letter to the birthday child which should say something like this:

Dear
I have stolen the prize from the parcel and left a potato in it's place. If you want the prize you and your friends will have to search for it.
I have hidden it somewhere near here.
I have left you picture clues to help you find the prize. The first clue is with this letter.

Good luck.
From Pirate Patty

Next you need to decide where to hide the prize and where the children are allowed to search for it. Hide the prize somewhere. Take some photos of different areas around the party venue (including the place where the prize is hidden), put one photo inside an envelope with the letter and address it to the birthday child. Put the other photos around the party venue as you would do with clues for a treasure hunt. The last photo clue should lead the children to the prize.

How to play:
Start the game as you would do for a normal game of Pass the Parcel with different children unwrapping a layer each time the music is stopped.
When the last layer is unwrapped act surprised to see the potato instead of the present. Get another adult to come in (acting surprised) with the envelope saying they have just found it and give it to the birthday child. then when the letter has been read the children can all follow the photo clues to find the present.

The prize can be given to the child who finds it first or to the child who unwrapped the potato or the prize can be one that can be shared out amongst all the children.

With older children (who can read and follow clues) you could put traditional treasure hunt clues around the venue instead of photos but they are less likely to be fooled by the letter, they probably won't believe a pirate has stolen the prize.