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Seated

Hot Potato

Also called Pass the Potato, Bomb Pass

Pass a small object around a circle as fast as you can; whoever holds it when the music stops is out.

people
6–40
time
10 min
energy
Medium
materials
Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need2
How to play4

Before you start

Sit everyone in one circle, close enough to hand the object to the next person without stretching. The music controller stands outside the circle facing away.

  1. 1Players hand the object to the next person, always in the same direction, while the music plays.
  2. 2No throwing and no skipping people.
  3. 3When the music stops, whoever is holding the object is out and leaves the circle.
  4. 4Close the circle and repeat until one player remains.
What to say3
  1. 1“It's hot, it's hot — get it out of your hands!”
  2. 2“STOP! Who's holding it? Sorry — out you go!”
  3. 3“Last two! Pass it… pass it…”
Host tips3
  • Players start throwing it to get rid of it faster, and someone gets hit in the face. Make throwing an instant out from round one.
  • A big circle (30+) takes too long to shrink. Run two circles and play the two winners off in a final.
  • Eliminated players drift away. Give each one a job — the next one out takes over the music.
Variants2

  • Question potato

    Nobody is out. Whoever is holding it answers a quick question (favourite food, best holiday) and stays in.

  • Two potatoes

    Add a second object going the other way once the circle is down to half its size.

Safety1
  • Use something soft — not an actual potato, a hard ball or a phone.
Good for

Occasions

BirthdayChristmasSchoolReunionFiesta

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hallOutdoor
If this one dies early6