Let's mix up your next gathering with games like Hot Potato! Hot Potato is a classic party game that has entertained generations with its simple yet energizing gameplay. Whether you're looking a quick game to play at indoor recess or want to impress the kiddos are your next party, there are plenty of games that capture the same joy. In this article, we'll explore how to play the Original Hot Potato Game and provide a list of 20 fun games like to Hot Potato that will keep your kiddos squealing with joy.
Be sure to also check out our list of Games like Rock, Paper, Scissors!
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Hot Potato is a game that involves passing an object around a circle while music plays. Here’s how to play:
Hot Potato is great for its simplicity and the excitement it brings, but if you’re looking for similar games that offer a twist on this classic, read on!
Players walk around a circle of chairs while music plays. When the music stops, they must find a chair to sit in. One chair is removed each round until only one player remains. Similar rules to Hot Potato but kids are moving around more! Can be a great indoor recess game if you have the space.
Similar to Hot Potato, but with a beanbag. I love to do this one with my younger students to this song by Georgiana Stewart. The lyrics have the kids speed up and slow down and stop the bean bag to the music. No one gets "out," so it works well with preschool and kindergarten aged kids. My favorite bean bags for this game are these.
Have you watched Bluey? My kids became obsessed with Pass the Parcel after seeing it in an episode of that show! Wrap a small gift in multiple layers of wrapping paper.
Players pass the parcel around while music plays. When the music stops, the player holding the parcel removes one layer of wrapping. The player who unwraps the final layer gets to keep the gift. This one is great for birthday parties. Sometimes there are mini gifts in each layer to include all the kids. My kids say this is their favorite on the list of games like Hot Potato!
Players dance while music plays. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place. Anyone caught moving is out. This is another great indoor recess game, to get wiggles out when it's too hot or rainy outside!
Again, you don't have to have anyone get "out," and you can choose different styles of movement to incorporate into the dance. "Dance like fish," or "Dance like a frog!" "Dance only with your legs!"
This Hot Potato Alternative was actually played at a Mom's Night Out I went to. Players pass a balloon around without using their hands. When the music stops, the player holding the balloon must pop it using only their body. I don't think it's one for the kids, but it's definitely a hilarious spin on Hot Potato!
In this variation of games like Hot Potato, players pass a silly hat around while music plays. When the music stops, the person wearing the hat performs a fun task or answer a question.
Players sit in a circle, and a bottle is placed in the center. One player spins the bottle, and when it stops, the person it points to must perform a task or answer a question. This game adds an element of surprise and quick thinking, similar to the unpredictability of Hot Potato. You can use it to carve out group bonding with silly tasks like "Do your best monkey impression!" or ask questions that help students get to know each other better like, "Who in your family do you most look forward to seeing?" You can also use a regular board game spinner.
Players stack and unstack cups in a specific sequence while music plays. If you mess up or take too long, you’re out. Ya'll know I love a cup stack challenge and even have cup stacking challenges for sale that teach reading and math. They would be great for this game!
Players sit in a circle. One player walks around, tapping others on the head while saying "duck." When they say "goose," that person must chase them around the circle. If they catch the person who "goosed" them, that person becomes the next "ducker." This is a great cooperative learning game that can build class morale!
Players hold a balloon between their knees and race to a finish line. The challenge is to keep the balloon from popping or falling to the ground while moving quickly. This game combines physical activity with the excitement of keeping the balloon intact, creating a fun and lively atmosphere.
Players take turns bending backward under a limbo stick while music plays. The stick is lowered after each round. If you touch the stick or fall, you’re out.
Players act out a word or phrase without speaking while their team guesses. Quick thinking is key, similar to Hot Potato.
Like the game of Hot Potato, kids are in a circle, this time sitting. A Memory Tray is brought to the center of the circle with about 20 objects on it and the kids have 1 minute to observe all the objects from where they're standing. The adult then removes the tray and takes away 1, 2, or 3 objects. The memory tray is returned to the circle and kids need to figure out what was missing. You can play this game in teams where the teams that get the objects first earn a point.
Players follow commands only if prefaced with "Simon says." If "Simon" doesn’t say "Simon says," and you follow the command, you’re out.
This might be my favorite indoor recess game ever. Each corner of the room is designated a number 1-4. Players choose a corner and go stand in it while the adult is closing their eyes. Then the adult chooses a number between 1-4. Those in the chosen corner are out. Similar to Hot Potato, the last person standing is the winner
Similar to Freeze Dance, but with a focus on remaining still like a statue when the music stops. In many games like Hot Potato, the music is the driving force and kids have to be focused to pay attention to when it starts and stops!
This free STEM lesson plan I created can be used to play a game like Hot Potato. You can use music with this lesson, to save the little bears from the rising lava. Kids will rescue bear counters by seeing how many they can balance on the structure they make out of cups before the music stops!
Teams of 3-4 race to pass a plastic Easter Egg down a line without dropping it. Alternate using tongs to a bucket to tongs to a bucket to get to the other side. You can also use a large spoon to make it extra challenging. The fastest team wins. Just like Hot Potato, don't drop that egg!
Want kids to be moving around and getting their wiggles out while developing their commuication skills? This Hedbanz game is something almost all my coteachers have at school. Kids wear a picture on their head that they cannot see. They have to go around to other kids, also wearing the Hedbanz, and ask questions that will help guide them to guess what their picture is! This ends up being a hilarious experience, and the kids all get to know each other, making it great for parties, mixers, and classrooms.
Players place their hands and feet on colored circles according to the spinner's directions. This is the Ultimate Twister board for larger groups because it has twice the space! The game becomes more challenging as more players are added. As kids fall or lose their placement they are out! You can also make this game more academic by attaching sight words or CVC words to each of the dots and calling out which WORD kids need to stand on.
These games like Hot Potato offer various ways to enjoy the thrill of fast-paced, active play. From classic party games to inventive twists, there’s something here for every occasion. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, family gathering, or just having fun with friends, these games will keep everyone entertained and engaged. Try a few of these out and see which ones become your new favorites!
