Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Christmas Pass the Parcel: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Christmas Pass the Parcel is a free printable game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Cut out the forfeit slips and tape one to each layer of a parcel. When the music stops, the child unwrapping reads the slip and does the action. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, use page 1 for the game and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children play a party game with a Christmas twist. The sheet holds forfeit slips to cut out. Each slip gives a short, silly action, such as a movement, a sound or a funny voice. Children pass the parcel while the music plays. When it stops, one child unwraps a layer, reads the slip and does what it says. Everyone watches, waits and cheers each other on.
- Do five star jumps
- Sing one line of a song
- Wiggle like a jelly
- Hop on one foot
- Say your name in a silly voice
- Act like a reindeer
- Give someone a high five
- Spin round three times
- Make a snowman shape
- Tell a joke
- Pat your head and rub your tummy
- Walk like a penguin
How to build your parcel
Cut out the slips
Cut along the lines on page 1. A grown-up can do the cutting for younger children. Keep the slips in a pile so none get lost.
Choose a small prize
Pick a treat or a small toy for the middle of the parcel. Check for allergies before you choose any food.
Wrap in layers
Wrap the prize in plain paper or Christmas paper. Tape one slip to the outside of each layer, then wrap again. Add as many layers as you have slips.
Sit in a circle
Children sit close together. Choose one grown-up to look after the music and stop it at unexpected moments.
Why play pass the parcel at Christmas?
Pass the parcel is a familiar party game in the UK. A wrapped parcel moves around a circle while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding it takes off one layer. Many families play it at birthdays and Christmas gatherings, so children often know the idea before they ever read the rules.
Adding a forfeit to each layer turns a waiting game into an active one. Children have to listen for the music to stop, follow a short instruction and then join in together. Because the actions are silly, most children laugh rather than worry about getting something wrong. That makes it a gentle way to practise group play.
Check for allergies before choosing any treat for the last layer. Small items can be a choking risk for young children, so choose a prize that suits the age of the group. Adults should do the cutting if children are not confident with scissors.
Skills and curriculum link
- Turn taking
- Listening
- Following instructions
- Movement
- Joining in a group game
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | PE | Team games | Year 1 |
What children will be able to do
- I can take turns.
- I can follow short instructions.
- I can join in a group game.
Ideas to make the game run smoothly
- Agree the rules firstSay aloud how the parcel moves and what happens when the music stops. Children play better when everyone knows the same rules.
- Pass in one directionChoose left or right before you start. This stops the parcel going back and forth and keeps the game fair.
- Let everyone join inThe child unwrapping does the action. Others can copy it, clap or cheer, so no one feels left out while they wait.
- Keep it lightLaugh with the children, not at them. If a child does not want to do a forfeit, let them choose to skip it and move on.
Key words
- ParcelA wrapped item, passed from person to person in this game.
- LayerOne piece of wrapping. The parcel has many layers, one on top of another.
- ForfeitA small, silly action you do when it is your turn to unwrap.
- SlipA small piece of paper with a forfeit written on it.
- TurnYour chance to do something before the next person has theirs.
- InstructionWords that tell you what to do.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the game. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown-up.
- Cut out the slips. Tape one to each layer of the parcel as you wrap it. Put a small treat in the middle.
- Read the rules aloud together. Choose which way the parcel will travel round the circle.
- Play music while the parcel goes round. Pause it at random. The child holding the parcel unwraps one layer, reads the slip and does the action.
- Play again another day with the same slips or new ones. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
A grown-up reads each forfeit aloud and does it with the child. Let the child copy first, then try it alone if they feel ready. Keep the circle small and the music short, so waiting never feels too long.
To stretch confident children
Ask older children to write extra forfeits on blank slips. They can read them aloud to check they make sense, then tape them to new layers. Swap the new slips with a friend and play again.
Make it a game
Play music while the parcel goes round and pause it at random. Put a small treat in the last layer. Check for allergies before choosing treats. For a calmer round, let each child choose the next forfeit from a pile.
Talk about it
- Which forfeit would you most like to get? Why?
- How did you know when it was your turn?
- What helped you wait for your go?
- Can you think of a new forfeit for the parcel?
- Which forfeit made you laugh the most?
- How can we make sure everyone feels happy playing?
Take it off the page
Wrap your own parcel
Wrap a small toy in layers of scrap paper. Draw a simple picture on each layer. Take turns to unwrap and say what the picture shows.
Freeze dance
Play music and dance. When it stops, freeze like a snowman or a reindeer. This practises listening for the pause.
Action story
Tell a short Christmas story. Each time a grown-up says a special word, everyone does an action together.
Who it is for
Parents
Join in for the first round, then let your child lead. Play it at a family gathering or on a rainy afternoon. Keep rounds short and stop while everyone is still enjoying it.
Teachers
Use it as an end of term treat, a PE warm up or a Christmas circle time game. It needs only printing, cutting and wrapping. Pair children who need support with a confident partner.
Home educators
Print it again for brothers and sisters, and play it with different slips each time. It pairs well with Christmas stories, music and outdoor play. Let children help wrap the parcel.
Where this fits
Before this game, children learn to sit in a group, listen to a grown-up and wait for a turn. Simple circle games and songs build these habits. Pass the parcel adds a short instruction to follow and an action to carry out in front of others.
After this, children can move on to games with a few more rules, such as simple team games in Year 2. They begin to share ideas, agree what is fair and cheer on others. The same skills help in PE and in the classroom.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you know when it was your turn?
- What instruction did you have to follow?
- How did it feel to wait for your go?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Christmas Pass the Parcel for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can join in with help, and older children can write extra forfeits of their own.
- What do children practise?
They practise taking turns, following short instructions and joining in a group game. They also listen for the music to stop, which needs careful attention.
- How do I use it?
Cut out the slips and tape one between each layer of the parcel. Play music while it goes round. When the music stops, the child unwrapping reads the slip and does it.
- What if it feels too hard?
A grown-up reads each forfeit aloud and does it with the child. Keep the group small and the music short. A child may skip a forfeit and still join the game.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another class.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a Christmas starter, a plenary or a circle time game. It needs no preparation beyond printing, cutting and wrapping the parcel.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can colour the slips in if they like, before you tape them to the parcel.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.