Are you looking for a fun, simple game to entertain the kids on a rainy day or to get everyone laughing at a children’s party? Then you’ve come to the right place! Our printable pin the tail on the donkey templates include everything you need to play this timeless party game, and it costs nothing to play!
Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a classic game that has brought laughter and joy to both adults and children for many generations. The game of pin the tail on the donkey originated in rural areas of Wisconsin, USA, in the 1880s and used to be called the Donkey Party Game!
The beauty of this iconic game is that it’s easy to play and can be enjoyed by all ages. It’s also simple to set up with no difficult rules or equipment needed. It’s also portable and can be enjoyed almost anywhere, from birthday parties to a school playground or park.
During the game, each player is given a cut-out of a tail ready to stick onto the donkey. They then have to place the tail on the donkey’s posterior whilst blindfolded! To make things even trickier (and even more hilarious for everyone else watching, the player is spun around a couple of times when it’s their turn, to make them feel slightly disorientated!
Playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey is all about fun, but youngsters can benefit in lots of ways from playing this hilarious game:
- Pinning the tail on the donkey helps kids refine their fine motor skills.
- Children will learn more about spatial awareness whilst playing the game.
- Playing this exciting game teaches children about friendly competition and turn-taking.
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey is the perfect game to encourage teamwork and teach children all about social interaction.
- You can teach the children about shapes and colours by using different coloured designs of donkeys and tails!
Our Pin The Tail On The Donkey PDF Includes:
We’ve got three fun pin the tail on the donkey printable pdfs to choose from, each with a different cute donkey design. Choose your favourite, or print them all so you have one in ready on a rainy day or if you need a party game in a hurry!
Design 1
Our first design features an adorable light grey donkey with big brown eyes, just like the donkeys you find on a farm or giving rides at the seaside! The printable PDF has a second page with 5 brown tails ready to pin on the donkey, and a red blindfold.
Design 2
Our second donkey has a spikey purple mane! The second sheet of the set has 5 bright orange and yellow tails ready to print and cut out, and a red spotty blindfold so you can get started playing the game without anybody being able to peek!
Design 3
The third design features a grey donkey with a colourful purple and blue mane, and red ears. The tail for this donkey is bright and rainbow coloured, and we’ve included 5 tails so you’ll always have plenty spare! There’s a simple blindfold to cut out too, so you’ll have everything you need to get started with the fun.
How To Play Pin The Tail On The Donkey
Many of us played this nostalgic game when we were children, but if you need a little reminder of how to play just follow these simple instructions to get started:
- Download one of our printable pin the tail on the donkey templates and print using your home printer. Cut out the donkey, tails and blindfold. To make the blindfold, make a hole in each side then thread a piece of elastic or string through each hole and fasten with a knot or tape.
- Find some double-sided sticky tape or blu-tack for sticking the tails onto the donkey (a safer option than a sharp pin!).
- Stick the cut out of the donkey onto a flat surface like a wall or door, making sure your smallest player will be able to reach.
- Give every player a tail (everyone can write their name or initial on a tail if you prefer).
- Put the blindfold on the first player, then spin them round a few times so they are little bit disoriented.
- Guide the player towards the donkey then ask them to pin the tail to correct place.
- Take turns until every player has had a go. The person whose tail is the closest to the right spot is the winner!
Add Some Extra Fun To The Game
Looking for a few ideas to make our pin the tail on the donkey printables even more fun, or to keep the excitement going a bit longer? Why not try these fun suggestions:
- Ask the kids to get creative by adding glitter, jewels or beads to the donkey and tails for a little personal decoration. It’s a great way to make each tail unique so you know who places each one on the donkey!
- For older children and adults, why not try setting a time limit for each player to pin the tail?
- If you want to make the fun last longer after the game, ask the kids to draw a donkey picture after they’ve played the game, or try a fun donkey-theme craft. This paper plate donkey by thecraftballoon.com is easy to make and very cute! .
Pin the tail on the donkey is an iconic party game that many generations have enjoyed through the years, but this game isn’t just special because of its long history. Whatever your age, everyone will fall about in fits of laughter as they watch their family and friends wobbling around trying to find the donkey with a tail in their hand!
Whether you enjoy them at your next birthday party or to keep the family laughing next time you need a hilarious rainy day activity, we hope you enjoy our pin the tail on the donkey printable templates. If you have any photographs using our pintables in action at your party, in the park, or anywhere else, please share them with us on social media – we’d love to see them!