Adult Pass The Parcel: Cheeky And Hilarious Prize Ideas For Grown-Up Party Games

October 1, 2026

Pass the parcel isn't just for kids. With better prizes and a few forfeits, it's one of the best grown-up party games going.

Some of the things we suggest here are sold by other shops, not by us. Where we link to them, we say so.

Small layer prizes

These pocket-sized tokens are perfect for lively dinner party guests who love a bit of light-hearted competition. Distribute them throughout the middle layers of your parcel to keep momentum high and ensure everyone stays interested. For a practical tip, choose lightweight items that fit easily between sheets of newspaper, which prevents the package from becoming too bulky to pass around.

Mini bottles of gin or prosecco.
Funny pin badges.
Scratch cards.
Fancy chocolates.

Forfeits between layers

These playful challenges suit close friends and family members who do not take themselves too seriously. Introduce them early in the evening to break the ice and get everyone laughing together. As a practical tip, keep these tasks entirely voluntary so that quieter guests can choose to pass, ensuring the atmosphere remains warm and comfortable for everybody.

Do your best impression of the host.
Tell the group your most embarrassing date.
Swap a drink with the person on your left.
Sing the chorus of the last song you listened to.

The big prize

This ultimate reward is designed for competitive players who love the thrill of the chase. Save this grand finale for the very end of the game to create a dramatic climax to your evening. A helpful tip is to wrap this final item in several extra sheets of bright paper, making it look incredibly enticing as it sits in the centre of the circle.

An upside down wine glass — the steal-worthy prize everyone fights over.
A good bottle of wine.
A voucher for a takeaway.

How to run it

This simple guide suits busy hosts who want to organise a seamless and stress-free activity for their guests. Refer to these steps whilst prepping your materials a day before the gathering. For a practical tip, prepare a playlist of upbeat tunes in advance, and make sure your speaker is fully charged so the fun flows without any technical hitches.

One layer per guest, plus the final prize.
Have someone control the music with their back turned.
Write a forfeit on a slip of paper in every other layer.

Key things to remember

Use newspaper for the layers — it's cheap and quick.
Keep forfeits fun, not humiliating.

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Frequently asked questions

What do you put in adult pass the parcel?

Small treats in each layer, a forfeit every other layer and one bigger prize in the centre.

How much should adult pass the parcel prizes cost?

About £1–£3 a layer and £10–£20 for the main prize.

What is a good example of adult pass the parcel prize ideas?

"Mini bottles of gin or prosecco." is one of 14 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.