HOT POTATO

Age Level: 3 and up

Number of Players: 4 or more

What Is Needed: a potato, a radio or record player for music

Type of Game: competitive or noncompetitive

Location: inside or outside

HOW TO PLAY

Have the children sit in a circle close together. Give the birthday child a potato and ask him or her to start passing it when you start the music. When you stop the music, whoever has the potato holds it up.

COMPETITIVE VERSION

Whoever is left holding the potato when the music stops is out and must leave the circle. Everyone closes in, and the game resumes. Eventually there are only two children left. The next time the music stops, the one who is not holding the potato wins. Rule: No one is allowed to throw the potato when the music stops. Anyone who does is automatically out.

NONCOMPETITIVE VERSION

When the music stops, whoever has the potato is out. You say, "Mary has it!" and everyone laughs. Mary does not have to leave the circle. Play until the children tire of the game.

VARIATIONS

Change the name to suit the theme of the party: Hot Egg for an Easter Party or Hot Balloon for a Balloon Party, and so on.