TinyStepper
Child sorting colourful blocks into matching bowls at a table

Pass the Parcel Play

Wrap a small surprise in several layers of paper — children take turns unwrapping one layer each.

Activity details

2y–4y10 minsmediumindoorNewspaper

Instructions

Get ready
  • Wrap a small shared treat or toy in 6-8 layers of newspaper or tissue paper
  • Sit in a circle on the floor — two children is enough, more is better
  1. Wrap a small shared treat or toy in 6-8 layers of newspaper or tissue paper
  2. Sit in a circle on the floor — two children is enough, more is better
  3. Explain: 'We take turns peeling off one layer each'
  4. Play music or sing — when you stop, the person holding it peels a layer
  5. Pass to the next person: 'Your turn next!'
  6. Build anticipation: 'What do you think is inside? We're getting closer!'
  7. When the last layer is unwrapped, share the treat or toy equally
  8. Let the children wrap a new parcel for the next round

Parent tip

Set out newspaper before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Toddler at a table with a completed puzzle and neatly sorted blocks in a bright aha moment

What success looks like

Intense focus, even briefly. Watch for the small ‘aha’ moment when they figure out how something works.

Wrap a small shared treat or toy in multiple layers of newspaper or tissue paper. Children sit in a circle and take turns removing one layer each. Use a timer, a song, or a parent calling 'PASS!' to signal turns. The classic party game teaches turn-taking, patience, and delayed gratification in a context so exciting that waiting feels almost bearable. The shared surprise at the centre means everyone wins equally.

Why it helps

The EYFS framework identifies turn-taking as a key social development milestone that emerges through guided play experiences in the early years. Delayed gratification — the ability to wait for a reward — is one of the strongest predictors of self-regulation in later childhood. Pass the parcel practises this skill in a structured, supported context where the wait is short, the anticipation is exciting, and the reward is guaranteed. Turn-taking in a circle also builds the procedural memory of 'it will come back to me,' which is the cognitive foundation for patience.

Variations

  • Add a small treat between some layers so every turn has a mini reward, not just the last one.
  • Let the children wrap the parcel themselves — the wrapping is half the fun.
  • Use music they love and let them take turns being the DJ who stops the music.

Safety tips

  • Ensure the surprise inside is age-appropriate and safe for the youngest child.
  • Use soft wrapping materials — avoid tape or staples that could scratch small hands.
  • Supervise the wrapping to prevent paper being put in mouths by younger toddlers.

Want to try another?

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