Hot Potato

Toss-and-freeze — pass an object round the circle to music; whoever holds it when the music stops is out.

🌤both

What is Hot Potato?

Hot Potato is a Victorian children's elimination game. Players sit or stand in a circle and toss a small object (traditionally a potato — or a bean-bag, ball, or timer) around as fast as possible while music plays. When the music stops (or a hidden timer buzzes), whoever is holding the 'hot potato' is out. Play continues until one player remains.

Quick facts

Category

Party Games

Type

Individual

Players

3–20

Where played

both

Country of origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Estimated origin

Victorian-era parlour children's elimination game

Olympic

No

Popularity

global

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified