Home/Games/Saran Wrap Ball Party Game

All Ages

Saran Wrap Ball Party Game

A chaotic and hilarious holiday favorite where players race to unwrap a giant ball of prizes while the next player rolls dice.

The Saran Wrap Ball Game has exploded in popularity recently, becoming a "new classic" for Christmas parties and family gatherings. It is the ultimate high-energy, high-stakes game that works for every generation from grandkids to grandparents. The core of the game is the tension between the person frantically unwrapping and the person desperately trying to roll doubles. It's loud, it's fast, and it's incredibly rewarding when you finally hit a layer with a $20 bill or your favorite candy. The best part is that you can customize the prizes to perfectly fit your group's interests and budget.

Players

Duration

30 min

Budget

Low Cost

Mess Level

Medium

Note:Moderate mess from plastic wrap scraps and small prizes. Quick cleanup.

📋What You Need

Plastic wrap (Saran wrap)
Small prizes (candy, gum, cash, gift cards)
A pair of dice
Oven mitts (optional for difficulty)

Hungry Players? 🍕

Planning the food for after the game? Don't guess! Use our free party tools to feed the crowd.

Pizza Planner

How many pies to buy?

Taco Bar Planner

Meat & toppings list

See All Calculators →

How to Play

Wrap Prizes

Start with the best prize in the center and wrap it in layers of plastic wrap. Add smaller prizes between layers as you build a giant ball.

The Rules

Sit in a circle. One person holds the ball, the person to their left holds the dice.

Unwrap & Roll

The person with the ball tries to unwrap it to get prizes. The person with the dice tries to roll doubles.

Switch

As soon as doubles are rolled, the ball must be passed to the dice roller, and the dice pass to the next person.

Pro Tips & Tricks

Use press-and-seal wrap periodically to make it much harder to unpeel!
Include "gag gifts" like coal or funny notes for extra laughs.
Alternate the direction of the wrap every few layers to prevent easy unrolling.
Use oven mitts to make it significantly harder for adults to unwrap!

Fun Variations to Try

✨The Oven Mitt Challenge

The person unwrapping must wear bulky oven mitts. This slows down the process significantly and makes for hilarious struggling.

✨Double Dice Chaos

Use two sets of dice moving around the circle in opposite directions. This increases the speed of turns and keeps everyone on their toes.

✨The "Coal" Rule

Include a few layers that contain "bad" prizes or funny challenges (like "do 5 pushups before you can continue") to add an extra twist.

Common Questions (FAQ)

QHow much plastic wrap do I need?

For a group of 8-10 people, we recommend at least 2 large rolls (400-500 sq ft total) to ensure the game lasts at least 20-30 minutes.

QWhat are the best prizes for the center?

Gift cards ($10-$25), a crisp $20 bill, or a high-quality small toy are the most popular "Grand Prizes" for the very center.

QHow do I keep the dice from flying everywhere?

Have the dice roller use a small tray or a shallow box. This keeps the game moving fast without pausing to chase runaway dice under the sofa.

QIs it okay for kids and adults to play together?

Absolutely! It's one of the few games where a 6-year-old has a fair chance against an adult. Just be careful with smaller prizes that might be choking hazards for very young children.

🎁

Printable Asset