She's a Gem Pass the Parcel | Party Ideas in a Box

If you’re planning a princess party that’s not too princessy in styling and involves lots of fun and games, then She’s a Gem Pass the Parcel idea is a great start to your party entertainment.

Louise from Illume Partyware asked me to create a small selection of fun, themed party games to play for the She’s a Gem photo shoot.

The games needed to suit being indoors, easy for the children to organise and manage themselves, and have the element of being a princess party without going over the top. Inspired by sparkles, shapes and metallic colours, I custom-made a pass the parcel for the shoot. The pass the parcel was a girly twist on the traditional favourite. The party game is also easy for you to make and play at your next gem-inspired party.

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What You’ll Need for Pass the Parcel

At least two different colours of tissue paper. I used white and hot pink tissue paper. Gold tissue paper would really complement the party colours as well, available from here.

Glitter washi tape to seal each layer. The glitter washi tape, available from here and here, makes it easier for the children to spot where to open each layer.
Prizes for each layer. For this party styling, the same prizes were in each layer, with one sharable prize in the last layer. Ideas for gem-inspired, metallic prizes include these large acrylic diamonds, elasticised sequin belt, elasticised beaded bracelets, metallic tattoos from Illume Partyware or from here, metallic hair clips and head bands & hair ties.
Jumbo Confetti. The jumbo, round, blossom coloured confetti, available from The Party Parlour, made a real buzz as the children opened each layer! The confetti naturally invites children to throw it up in the air. Perfect for action-shot birthday photos!
Dancing scarves for each person is a brilliant last layer prize. Not only a prize, the scarves become another entertainment idea! Everyone receives a dancing scarf to enjoy the pure magic of dancing with scarves. Wrist/ ankle bells, available from here and here, or belly dancing style scarves with bells/ coins, available from here and here, are also very enticing for kids to dance with a shimmy style!

How to Play

As their favourite selection of music is played, children pass the parcel around the circle. When the music stops, the person who is holding the parcel opens one layer only. The music goes back on and the play starts again until there are no more layers.

For a stack of party-ready, family friendly and funky tunes so your birthday entertainment is sorted, check out Australian digital radio, Kinderling. For the best portable speaker to buy and play your favourite music, check out the pricing and availability from here and here.

Pass the parcel is one of the 4 classic party games to play at kids parties, including this unicorn variation. Read more from Party Ideas in a Box for tips on how to play pass the parcel and who should win the main prize.

Additional Party Games

The children played two more gem-themed party games. Dancing with Dancing Scarves and playing Pin the Gem on the Crown.

Lightweight chiffon scarves lend themselves to dancing. Seeing the flow of the scarf as the children dance is an invitation to move your body in different ways. More than chiffon scarves, they will also love the sound and feel of ankle/ wrist cuffs and waist scarves with coins/ bells attached to them for more shimmy shakes.

Buy coloured scarves for dance from here; shop for belly dance hip scarf from here and here and source kids wrist/ ankle bells from here.

Pin the Gem on the Crown is a simple make-your-own party game. Cut out circles from coloured glitter cardstock from here, or buy these precut glitter heart stickers from Illume Partyware, as well as a crown shape from coloured cardboard. Using the dancing scarves to blindfold each game player, children stick the round “gems” on the crown. The best part about this style of game is that it doesn’t really matter where the gems go, as gems everywhere make it more special!

Top Tips for Planning Parties

In Issue #5 July 2018 of the Celebrating Little Ones magazine, Louise from Illume Partyware shares her top tips for planning children’s parties and celebrations “Kids love to explore and play…make sure you’ve picked a few things to keep their interest and the day flowing like a craft or tattoo station, some games and even dancing”.

Enjoy the magic and make believe with a gem inspired party! Ensuring you have things to do and fun activities to play makes your child’s party memorable. Either make your own party games or contact me at Party Ideas in a Box to find out how I can create custom DIY party games for your party theme.

Contributors of She’s a Gem Party Shoot

The party games component of the She’s a Gem birthday party was made possible by a collection of quality Australian businesses. The styling, partyware, tattoo and foil balloons are by Illume Partyware. The jumbo confetti supplied by The Party Parlour. Here at Party Ideas in a Box, I created the party game ideas and Captured by Kirri snapped the photos.

Other businesses involved in the party shoot include Quincy Lane, Tiny Tots Toy Hire, Schooza, Born to Party, Petite Cookies, Emma Smith Event Stationery and Melt Bake and Party.

She’s a Gem party features in the online Australian magazine, Celebrating Little Ones Issue #5 July 2018. Collated by Australian party directory Life’s Little Celebrations, the magazine shares some inspirational kids party ideas. Click here to view the free online magazine for details and click here to read more about the She’s a Gem Party.