I learned the hard way that a normal pass-the-parcel can go a bit quiet between layers. You know the vibe. Music stops, someone unwraps… and it is just more wrapping. So I started making what my kids now insist on calling “Pass the Laugh”, a multi-layer parcel where every layer has something to do, read, wear, or giggle at.
This version is perfect for birthdays, rainy-day family parties, and those living-room gatherings where you want maximum laughter with minimum faff. It is also wonderfully cheap, because most of it comes straight from the recycling bin. Yorkshire approved.
How Pass the Laugh works
Instead of one big prize at the middle and nothing much in between, this parcel has:
- A tiny giggle in every layer (a joke, a mini prop, or a quick challenge).
- Optional theme clues so each layer feels like part of the same silly story.
- A simple rhythm that keeps kids engaged even when it is not their turn.
It is still pass-the-parcel, just with more moments for kids to feel included and brave, especially the quieter ones.
What you need (use what you have)
- Wrapping materials: old wrapping paper, newspaper, brown parcel paper, pages from a magazine, or even clean packing paper.
- Tape: the good stuff if you have it, the cheap stuff if you enjoy living dangerously.
- Scissors
- Small paper scraps for joke notes
- Markers (optional)
- Mini gags and prizes: see ideas below
- Music source: phone speaker is fine
Party tip from my living room: choose wrapping that tears easily. Kids do not want a parcel that requires a degree in engineering.
Build the parcel in 6 easy steps
1) Decide how many layers
A good rule is one layer per child, plus 2 extra layers for the inevitable “Can we do it again?”
Sweet spot: 10 to 16 layers.
2) Pick your “laugh ingredients”
Each layer gets one of these:
- A joke note (quick to read aloud)
- A tiny prop (something wearable or holdable)
- A micro-challenge (10 seconds, no pressure)
- A mini prize (sticker, bouncy ball, etc)
3) Make 3 types of layer (so it feels varied)
- Joke layers (about half the parcel): easy laughs, fast pace.
- Action layers (about a third): silly tasks.
- Prize layers (a few): tiny wins along the way.
4) Wrap and hide the surprise
Place the note or prop flat against the parcel, then wrap around it. If it is lumpy, add an extra paper layer to stop kids spotting it from across the room like parcel-detectives.
5) Add a “read this out loud” prompt
I like taping a small note on the outside of each layer that says:
- “Read it loud!”
- “Do the silly thing!”
- “Pick a helper!” (great for shy kids)
6) Finish with a middle prize that feels special
The centre prize does not need to be expensive. It just needs to feel like a finale. Think: a small toy, a funny medal, or a “boss of jokes” certificate you handwrite on card.
Layer ideas: tiny gags that cost pennies
Wearable giggles
- Paper crown (folded from a strip of paper)
- Sticker moustache
- Pipe cleaner bracelet
- Silly glasses cut from thin card
- A single googly eye to stick on your forehead (optional, but glorious)
Mini props
- A joke fortune in a folded paper slip (like a mini version of our paper fortune cookies)
- A tiny “microphone” made from foil wrapped round a bottle cap
- A “winner” ribbon strip made from scrap fabric or paper
- A single balloon with “make a balloon face” instructions
Quick prizes that do not cause chaos
- Stickers
- Mini notepads
- Pencils with toppers
- Temporary tattoos (test for sensitive skin if needed)
- Small packet of raisins or sweets (check allergies)
Keep it fair: I aim for 3 to 5 mini prizes spread out, then a bigger centre prize.
Ready-to-use joke notes (copy by hand)
These are designed to be read out loud quickly. Mix and match, or make them fit your party theme.
Classic quick jokes
- What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.
- Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because it was not peeling well.
- What do you call cheese that is not yours? Nacho cheese.
- Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tired.
- What do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino-snore.
- What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? Frostbite.
Silly “groaners” for bigger kids
- I tried to catch fog yesterday. Mist.
- I would tell you a joke about construction… but I am still working on it.
- Did you hear about the corduroy pillow? It made headlines.
- I asked the librarian if the library had books on paranoia. She whispered, “They are right behind you.”
Pass-the-laugh prompts
- Tell your best animal noise.
- Do your poshest voice for the next round.
- Pick someone to be your “giggle coach”. They must clap for you.
- Everyone does jazz hands for three seconds.
If you want a bigger bank of jokes for notes, our kids jokes guide is a handy place to rummage.
Micro-challenges that do not wreck your house
These are fast, low-mess, and no one gets singled out too harshly.
- Statue face: pull your silliest face, freeze for 3 seconds.
- Whisper shout: say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” in a whisper like it is a huge secret.
- Robot hello: greet the group like a friendly robot.
- Joke DJ: choose the next song or press play.
- Mirror me: pick a partner, they copy your funny pose.
- Pun builder: finish this sentence: “I am so good at birthdays that…”
My dad rule: if a challenge could embarrass a child, I scrap it. The goal is brave giggles, not red cheeks.
Two ways to play (choose your party mood)
Option A: Traditional rules (one winner)
Music plays, parcel passes, music stops, one child unwraps one layer. Repeat until the centre prize is won.
Option B: “Lucky layer” rules (more winners)
Before the party, secretly mark 3 layers with a tiny dot under tape. If a child opens a marked layer, they get a mini prize. The centre is still the big finale.
This version helps avoid the classic party wobble where one child wins and another child immediately becomes a small storm cloud.
Theme it in 5 minutes
You can theme the whole parcel without buying themed supplies. Just make the notes match.
Examples
- Pirate parcel: each layer has a “treasure clue”. Pair it with our pirate treasure hunt if you want to go full captain.
- Comedy club parcel: layers include “tell a one-line joke” prompts. If your kids love performing, you might also like kids comedy night.
- Crafty parcel: layers include tiny craft bits like stickers and googly eyes. For more quick makes, browse our kids crafts guide.
Safety and sanity notes (from someone who has hosted too many living-room parties)
- Allergies: if you include sweets, check ingredients and ask parents ahead of time.
- Choking hazards: avoid tiny items for under-3s. For toddlers, keep it to big soft props and big stickers.
- Noise control: set a “cheer volume” rule before you start. I say, “Big smiles, medium volume.”
- Wrapping paper mess: put a laundry basket in the middle for scraps. Kids love dunking paper like it is basketball.
Quick troubleshooting
The parcel is taking too long
- Use faster music and stop it sooner.
- Limit unwrapping to one layer only (no sneaky double-peels).
- Switch to smaller layers (thin paper, less tape).
Kids are tearing like wild raccoons
- Announce “gentle unwrap” and demonstrate once.
- Give the un-wrapper a helper if they are struggling.
One child is getting upset about not winning
- Use the “lucky layer” mini prizes.
- Add a final group prize at the end, like everyone gets a sticker or a high five parade.
A simple layer plan (example for 12 kids)
If you like a blueprint, here is a balanced setup:
- Layers 1 to 4: joke note, challenge, joke note, mini prize
- Layers 5 to 8: challenge, joke note, wearable gag, joke note
- Layers 9 to 12: mini prize, challenge, joke note, centre prize
My own kids will tell you the most important ingredient is not the prize. It is the moment someone reads a terrible joke with full confidence and the adults groan like it is legally required.