Pin the Tail
Blindfolded and spun around, each player tries to stick a tail in the right place on a picture. Closest wins.
Also called Pin the Tail on the Donkey.
- Suit
- Move
- Players
- 3–20
- Ages
- 3 and up
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Where
- Indoors, Outdoors
- Energy
- Lively
- Prep
- 2 minutes of prep
- You need
- A large picture with the tail missing, One paper tail per player, Reusable adhesive or tape, A blindfold, A pen
Set up
Draw or print a large picture of an animal without its tail and fix it to a wall or door at the children’s shoulder height. Cut out one paper tail per player, write each player’s name on theirs, and put a piece of reusable adhesive on the back. Clear the floor between the starting line and the picture.
Mark a starting line about five steps away.
How to play
- The first player stands on the line holding their tail.
- Blindfold them, turn them around gently a few times, and face them toward the picture.
- The player walks forward with the tail held out and sticks it wherever their hand first touches. No feeling around.
- Take off the blindfold so they can see where it landed. Leave the tail in place.
- Every player takes a turn.
- The tail closest to the right spot wins.
Keeping it safe and fair
An adult should walk beside small children so nobody meets the wall face first. Use adhesive or tape, never pins. Keep the waiting players behind the line and quiet: shouted directions are part of the fun for older groups, but decide before you start whether they are allowed.
Versions for every occasion
The game is the same; only the picture changes.
- Christmas: the nose on the reindeer, the star on the tree, the carrot on the snowman.
- Halloween: the spider on the web, the hat on the witch, the grin on the pumpkin.
- Birthday themes: the horn on the unicorn, the patch on the pirate, the wheel on the fire truck.
- Classroom: the capital on the map, the planet in its orbit.
Ways to change it
- Team version: a blindfolded player is guided only by a teammate’s words: left, up, stop.
- Draw it instead: blindfolded players draw the missing part with a marker on a big sheet of paper.
- Backward: older children walk to the picture backward.
Who it suits, and who it doesn’t
Pin the Tail has been a birthday standard for generations because it needs no reading, no teams and almost no explaining. It suits ages three to eight. Older children enjoy it for one round, usually with a harder twist. It needs a clear wall and a few minutes to make the picture. Do not force a blindfold on a child who does not want one.
Questions about Pin the Tail
What can you use instead of pins?
Reusable adhesive putty, a loop of tape or a sticky note. They hold on paper, come off walls cleanly and are safe for small children. Avoid real pins.
How many times should you spin the player?
Three slow turns for children under six, up to five for older ones. Spin gently, then point them toward the picture. The aim is mild confusion, not dizziness.
What if a child will not wear a blindfold?
Let them close their eyes or pull a hat down over them. Some children dislike having their eyes covered, and the game works just as well on trust.
Good for BirthdaysChristmasHalloweenClassrooms
Written October 9, 2026. Last checked October 9, 2026. How we write these.