Video: Saran Wrap Ball Game Rules and Ideas

We play a lot of games in our family; I mean a lot! When I heard about a popular game using Saran Wrap and dice, I knew we just had to play it.  If you are looking for the perfect party game idea for your next gathering then you have to check out this fun and easy Saran wrap ball game!

There are a lot of variations of the Official Saran Wrap Ball game; but, I’ll show you how to make the saran wrap ball and how to play the saran wrap ball game along with my version of the rules and my ideas of what to put in your Saran Wrap ball…

Saran Wrap Game graphic

What is the Saran wrap ball game?

The saran wrap ball game is a fun game for both adults and kids of all ages.  It is made up of various prizes wrapped tightly inside a ball of saran wrap.

The goal of the game is to unravel the saran wrap to reveal as many prizes as you can during your turn. The prizes you unwrap, you get to keep!

There are also several variations on how to play this game.

To get started create your saran wrap ball with your desired prizes inside. Then proceed to the rules below; finally, review and choose any variations of the rules you want to use for your own game.

Supplies needed for Saran wrap ball game

(This post contains affiliate links. See disclosure here)

  • Two rolls of Saran Wrap (You can try other brands of plastic wrap as well; I used Glad Cling Wrap brand plastic wrap and it worked very well for this particular use.)
  • Various candies, money, gift cards, chapsticks, etc. See the Complete List of Ideas below
  • Pair of Dice
  • Funny Hat
Saran wrap ball game prizes

What do you put in a Saran wrap ball game?

To create your saran wrap ball you’ll need a couple of rolls of saran wrap as well as prizes of various values. You’ll want to scatter the BEST prizes throughout the ball, to make it more exciting and fun for everyone.

Here are some ideas for saran wrap ball game prizes:

How many items do you need for the Saran wrap game?

The number of items you need for the saran wrap game can vary based on the number of people playing and how long you would like the game to be in play.

First, consider how many people are playing. I like to include at least three prizes per person. You won’t know which people will get the prizes or how many until the game is played, but this is a good estimate to start with.

If ten people will be playing, hide 30 prizes in the saran wrap ball.

Keep in mind the prizes don’t have to be big or cost a lot of money. Many prizes listed above include several items with a package that can be split up to make multiple prizes.

Order everything you need for your Saran wrap ball game here below!

The next step after you have all of your supplies is to start wrapping each item up keeping the saran wrap tight as you go. 

Wrap the items in all different directions, adding prizes randomly to it as you go. Use tape between items if desired.

Have fun and make it as big as you want!

actual saran wrap ball

Watch a step by step video on how to create a Saran wrap game ball HERE below over on my YouTube Channel! 

My Official Saran wrap ball game rules

  • To play the saran wrap ball game you’ll need your loaded and wrapped saran wrap ball, a fun hat, and a pair of dice.
  • Begin by rolling the dice to see who goes first.  Highest roll wins.
  • To play, gather in a circle and the winner of the dice roll puts on the hat and starts unwrapping the saran wrap ball. You must keep the ball on the tabletop at all times and unwrap it as fast as possible while the person to the right keeps rolling the dice until they get doubles.
  • Once they roll doubles the dice will then pass to the person on their right and the hat plus the saran wrap ball will pass to the person who was the dice roller.
  • Once the person to their right rolls doubles, the hat and the ball gets passed again.
  • Keep unwrapping the saran wrap ball as fast as possible the entire time the person is rolling the dice until they roll doubles.
  • You get to keep any goodies you unwrap (no trading until the end).
  • The hat must be completely on your head in order to begin unwrapping the saran wrap ball.  
  • HAVE FUN!!!!

I won’t name any names, but sometimes people like to test or bend the rules. Grab my Saran Wrap Ball Game Rules Printable HERE to keep a hard copy of the rules on hand.

It is nice to have a copy of the game rules on hand for reference to keep everyone honest while the game is in play.

Watch the Saran wrap ball game in action in this video HERE below on my YouTube Channel

Saran wrap ball game variations

There are so many variations of the saran wrap ball game rules out there! I’m listing a few of them below.  Feel free to choose the one that you like best or change it up every time you play. 

  1. Add colorful paper confetti to the saran wrap ball.
  2. Create a scavenger hunt saran wrap ball by wrapping up numbers on pieces of paper for each prize instead of the actual prize! When you unwrap the paper with the number on it you get the corresponding prize.
  3. Make your game like musical chairs! Instead of rolling dice, use music! You unroll the ball until the music stops and then pass it on to the next person.
  4. Try wearing oven mitts or bulky gloves to make it unwrapping the ball more difficult.
  5. Mix it up and create some action by adding some pieces of paper that say things like “reverse”, “steal”, or “skip ” in place of prizes. If it says to reverse the game then the ball will go back in the opposite direction.  If you get a steal card then you can steal a prize that someone has already unwrapped and won. And of course, skip, skips that player.

Make sure to include a little something for your pet, too!  My dog got a little jealous and stole the Santa hat!

saran wrap ball game santa hat

Even more Saran wrap game ideas

Wouldn’t it be fun to get a group of friends together and play the saran wrap ball game during a “Friendsgiving” celebration?

Everyone would enjoy themselves and each person would have a keepsake to take home from the fun. In case you missed it, here is my post all about how to celebrate Friendsgiving, plus FREE printables!

Funny gifts for Saran wrap game

If you want to get the whole party laughing, try filling the saran wrap ball with funny gifts. These can be like “white elephant” gifts that can be embarrassing, too!

Get creative and remember to goal is to always have fun!

Luxury gifts for Saran wrap game

It may be fun to gather a few girlfriends and everyone “pitch-in” for a more luxurious version of the saran wrap ball game. You could make a fun night of it!

These are a few ideas of things that could be added to a luxury gift version of this game. Don’t forget to add the gift cards and cash!

If your family plays a lot of games like mine does, you may enjoy creating this super cute Game Table Centerpiece!

game night table top centerpiece

Video: Saran Wrap Ball Game Rules and Ideas

The saran wrap ball game is a fun game for both adults and kids of all ages.  It is made up of various prizes wrapped tightly inside a ball of saran wrap. The goal of the game is to unravel the saran wrap to reveal as many prizes as you can during your turn. The prizes you unwrap, you get to keep! There are also several variations on how to play this game.
Prep Time1 hour
Keyword: saran wrap ball game, saran wrap game

Equipment

  • 1 scissors
  • 2-5 rolls saran wrap or cling wrap
  • 1 pair of dice
  • 1 fun hat
  • 1 Tape optional

Materials

Instructions

  • The next step after you have all of your supplies is to start wrapping each item up keeping the saran wrap tight as you go.
  • Wrap the items in all different directions, adding prizes randomly to it as you go. Use tape between items if desired.
  • Have fun and make it as big as you want!

Video

Notes

To play the saran wrap ball game you’ll need your loaded and wrapped saran wrap ball, a fun hat, and a pair of dice. Begin by rolling the dice to see who goes first.  Highest roll wins. To play, gather in a circle and the winner of the dice roll puts on the hat and starts unwrapping the saran wrap ball. You must keep the ball on the tabletop at all times and unwrap it as fast as possible while the person to the right keeps rolling the dice until they get doubles. Once they roll doubles the dice will then pass to the person on their right and the hat plus the saran wrap ball will pass to the person who was the dice roller. Once the person to their right rolls doubles, the hat and the ball gets passed again. Keep unwrapping the saran wrap ball as fast as possible the entire time the person is rolling the dice until they roll doubles. You get to keep any goodies you unwrap (no trading until the end). The hat must be completely on your head in order to begin unwrapping the saran wrap ball.  HAVE FUN!!!!

Be sure to Download the FREE Printable Rules!

12 Comments

  1. Irene Hudson says:

    We played this last Christmas and I also added money ones fives and tens. That really motivated the older grandchildren.

    1. never played the game before but ive seen videos of it done and it sure looked like fun and gave me a chuckle or two

  2. Such a fun game! My daughter is a 5th grade teacher and she plays this in her class every year at Christmas.

  3. Sherry Schultz says:

    This is such a fun idea…I remember watching the video when you shared it on Facebook of the kids playing the game.

  4. Joyce Prager says:

    How about a few gag gifts like coal

    1. southerncrush says:

      That would be fun, too!

  5. Susan A Pauliks says:

    I love the idea. I think we will try it this holiday!

    1. southerncrush says:

      You’ll love it! It’s a hit every single year.

  6. We play this game at Christmas too and we have such a wonderful time. I start with a plastic ball that opens to place a special prize. I got the plastic ball from Party City! It makes this game even more fun. Our family plays music that continues until stopped by the Christmas hostess (me).

    1. southerncrush says:

      How fun! I put a large bill in the center… and trust me, they all know its there! LOL

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