A great alternative to the traditional Pass the Parcel party game
Pass the Parcel is a traditional party game dating back to medieval times. Even after many centuries, it is still the most popular children’s party game!
Traditionally in medieval times, the package consisted of gifts and items wrapped in layers of cloth. This was passed between the guests with music and when the music stopped, the person holding the package had to remove a layer of cloth to reveal the gift or lose it. The winner was the person who got the last gift, which was often the best prize!
Today, most parents pack themselves, which is easy to do, and wrap toys and candy in layers of paper instead. This is fine, however, when children pass the package with music, especially younger children, they inadvertently end up going through more than one layer and the gifts / candy end up flying out of the package. Also, when a child receives the last gift, which is usually the ‘biggest’ prize, this can cause a bit of jealousy, even if it is the birthday girl or the boy who wins!
A Lucky Dip box is a wonderful alternative to using a layered pass from the pack.
Not only does it look great, kids will love the excitement and suspense that a lucky bath creates.
It is very simple to create a lucky box, here is how to make one in 5 easy steps:
1. Get an old cardboard box, a size that is not too large and can be easily passed through, especially for younger children.
2. Cover the box with any kind of wrapping paper, you can even use plain white paper and create your own design.
3. Drill a round or square hole in the top of the box that is large enough for the children to reach through and remove the presents.
4. Wrap each gift in wrapping paper or tissue paper and put them all in the lucky box.
5. Once all the gifts are in the box, fill the rest of the box with shredded tissue paper or Styrofoam shapes and mix a little.
There you have it, a wonderful looking luck box that can be used to play along to the beat of the music. When the music stops, the child can reach in and pull out a wrapped gift.
Every child should have a chance to dive into the box and there is no ‘one-time winner’ as such as everyone is a winner!