How to Play Pin the Tail on the Donkey

By Jaques of London · Est. 1795 · Updated 2026-08-17

Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a blindfold party game in which players take turns trying to place a paper or fabric tail onto the correct position on a picture of a donkey, all while blindfolded and disorientated from being spun on the spot. It is simple to explain, costs almost nothing to run, and produces reliable laughter from players and spectators alike.

The game is most commonly played at children's birthday parties, school fairs, and garden gatherings. It works indoors or outdoors, scales from three players to a full classroom, and requires no reading ability, making it genuinely inclusive for mixed-age groups.

A little history

Pin the Tail on the Donkey is traditionally associated with late nineteenth-century America, where illustrated party sets were commercially available by the 1880s. Its precise origins are unclear, though blindfold games involving a target fixed to a wall have appeared across many cultures for centuries. The donkey format became widely popular across Britain and the United States through the twentieth century as a staple of children's birthday parties, and packaged versions circulated widely from the early 1900s onward.

Setting up

1. Fix the donkey poster securely to a flat wall or board at a height roughly level with the players' shoulders.
2. Mark the correct tail position on the reverse of the poster, or agree in advance exactly where the tail should go. A small cross or dot on the front is optional but keeps judging objective.
3. Label each tail with a player's name or number so placements can be identified after everyone has had a turn.
4. Agree a spin count before play begins. Three full turns is the standard; adjust for younger children.
5. Establish a clear starting line, typically 60-90 cm from the wall, from which each player will be spun.

How to play

1. Decide the playing order. A simple age-based or birthday-based order works well; random draw is equally fair.
2. Hand the first player their labelled tail and fit the blindfold so that vision is completely blocked. Check the player cannot see downward past the blindfold.
3. A supervising adult or designated helper stands behind the player, places both hands on the player's shoulders, and spins them the agreed number of full rotations at a gentle, controlled pace.
4. Once spinning stops, the player walks forward and places their tail on the poster wherever they believe the target to be, pressing it firmly so it stays in place.
5. The helper steadies the player if they stumble but must not guide their hand toward the target.
6. Remove the blindfold so the player can see their result. Leave the tail in place.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for every remaining player, ensuring each tail stays fixed where it was placed.
8. Once all players have had their turn, measure or judge which tail is closest to the agreed target point. The player whose tail is nearest wins.

Winning and scoring

The player whose tail is pinned closest to the agreed target point on the donkey is the winner. Distance is measured from the centre of the tail's pin point to the centre of the target mark. If two tails appear equally close, a rematch for those two players only is the standard resolution. There is no points system in the classic format: it is a single-round, single-winner game, though a best-of-three format works well for larger groups who want extended play.

The fine points

The most common dispute is whether a tail that falls off the poster entirely counts as a valid attempt. The standard ruling is that it does count: the player placed the tail where they believed the target to be and it happened to miss the poster. That result stands and typically loses by default to any tail touching the poster at all. A player who deliberately removes their blindfold before placing the tail is disqualified from that round; the tail is removed and they do not get a second attempt.

Spinning technique matters more than it appears. A helper who spins a player unevenly or releases them facing a different direction each time introduces inconsistency. All players should start facing the wall, be spun the same number of times at the same speed, and be released facing the same general direction. If a player trips or falls during their approach to the wall, allow one restart from the spin stage only, not a fresh attempt from scratch.

How to win more often

• Before your turn, note exactly where the target is on the poster and fix a reference point in your memory, such as a corner of the room or a piece of furniture.
• Count your spins carefully during rotation. Knowing how many times you have turned helps you estimate your final orientation.
• Walk slowly and deliberately after spinning rather than rushing. Disorientation fades faster than most players expect.
• Extend your free hand in front of you as you approach the wall. Feeling the surface before committing to a placement gives you a moment to recalibrate.
• As a helper or host, keep your spin speed steady and consistent for every player. Fair conditions matter more than dramatic spinning.

Variations

Scored Rounds

Rather than a single winner, assign points based on distance from the target: 3 points for touching the target, 2 points for landing on the correct body region, 1 point for landing anywhere on the donkey, and 0 points for missing the poster. Play three rounds per player and total the scores. This format suits larger groups and keeps all players engaged across multiple turns.

Different Animals

The same rules apply but the poster features a different animal matched to a party theme, a unicorn's horn, a lion's tail, a bee's stinger, or a cat's whiskers. The target location changes accordingly. This variation works well for older children who consider the donkey format too familiar.

Team Play

Divide players into two or more equal teams. Each team nominates one player per round, and that player's tail placement earns or loses points for the whole team. The team with the highest cumulative score after all members have played once wins. This format encourages supportive shouting from teammates and extends total playing time usefully.

No-Spin Version

For very young children or players with balance or vestibular sensitivities, skip the spinning entirely. The player is simply blindfolded, walked to the starting line with eyes covered, turned once slowly on the spot, and then allowed to approach the poster. This removes the disorientation element but keeps the spatial challenge and is far safer for mixed-ability groups.

Pin the Tail on the Donkey: frequently asked questions