Hot potato facts for kids

Hot potato is a fun party game where players stand in a circle. They quickly pass a small object, like a beanbag or even a real potato, from one person to another. All this happens while music is playing! When the music suddenly stops, the player holding the "hot potato" is out of the game. The last player remaining wins!

Where Did Hot Potato Come From?

The exact start of the Hot Potato game isn't perfectly clear. However, a game similar to it was described way back in 1888. A book called Glossary of Sheffield Words by Sidney Oldall Addy talks about a game.

In this old game, people would sit in a row or around a room. They would pass a lit candle to each other. As they passed it, they would say a short rhyme:

Jack's alive, and likely to live
If he dies in your hand, you've a forfeit to give.

The person holding the candle when its flame went out had to pay a "forfeit." A forfeit was like a small penalty or a task they had to do. This game is very much like Hot Potato, but with a candle instead of a potato!

How to Play Hot Potato

Playing Hot Potato is super easy and lots of fun! Here's how you can play:

• Gather your friends and stand in a circle.
• Choose a "hot potato." This can be a soft ball, a beanbag, or even a real potato!
• Have one person be the "music master." They will play and stop the music.
• When the music starts, quickly pass the "hot potato" to the person next to you. Don't hold onto it for too long!
• Keep passing the object around the circle as the music plays.
• When the music suddenly stops, the player holding the "hot potato" is out of the game.
• The game continues until only one player is left. That player is the winner!

This game is great for parties and helps everyone have a good time.

Images for kids

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  A friendly robot playing a game.