The short answer: The saran wrap ball game is a party game where you wrap small prizes inside layers of plastic wrap to make one big ball. One player unwraps as fast as they can while the next player rolls two dice. Doubles means the ball passes on, and everyone keeps the prizes they free.
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Below are the rules, how to wrap the ball, 40 prize ideas grouped by budget, variations and safety tips.
Planning prizes for a crowd adds up fast. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) gives you a budget per person and a purchase log, and the Holiday Season Bundle is $15.99, regularly $25.94 for its six planners bought separately. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) covers the party snacks.
How to play the saran wrap ball game
- Seat everyone in a circle around a table or on the floor.
- Hand the ball to the first player and a pair of dice to the player on their left.
- On "go," the first player starts unwrapping and the dice player starts rolling.
- When the roller gets doubles, they take the ball and start unwrapping.
- The dice move one seat to the left, and that player starts rolling.
- Any prize that comes loose belongs to the person who unwrapped it.
- The game ends when the center prize is unwrapped.
That is the whole game. It works for 4 to 20 players, and you only need one ball for most groups.
How to wrap a saran wrap ball
- Start with the best prize in the center, like a gift card or folded cash.
- Wrap it tightly 15 to 20 times so the center takes real work.
- Add a small prize on the outside, then wrap 5 to 10 more times.
- Keep adding prizes and layers, spacing them out evenly.
- Put the smallest, cheapest treats on the outer layers.
- Finish with a few extra layers and a bow or sticker on top.
Wrap flat items flat against the ball and bulky items in the gaps. That keeps the ball round so it rolls and passes easily. For more on this topic, see our parties and games.
Saran wrap ball game prize ideas (40)
Under $1 each (10)
- Wrapped candy or mini chocolate bars
- Hair ties
- Stickers
- Small erasers or pencils
- Folded dollar bills
- Tea bags or hot cocoa packets
- Gum
- Mini candy canes
- Bookmarks
- Fun-size snack packs
$1 to $3 each (10)
- Lip balm
- Mini hand sanitizer
- Keychains
- Nail files
- Travel tissues
- Hand warmer packets
- Mini notebooks
- Ornaments that are flat and unbreakable
- Pens
- Single-serve coffee packets
$3 to $5 each (10)
- Fuzzy socks
- Small lotion
- Phone grip
- Mini puzzles
- Fancy chocolate bar
- Face masks
- Card games in small boxes
- Measuring tape keychains
- Scrunchies set
- Holiday cookie cutters
Center prizes (10)
- Gift card ($10 to $25)
- Folded $5, $10 or $20 bill
- Movie ticket voucher
- Lottery scratch-off ticket for adults, where legal
- A coupon for "skip dish duty"
- Earbuds in a flat case
- A small jewelry box
- A coffee shop gift card
- A printed coupon for a homemade dessert
- A rolled-up holiday tea towel
If you add a gift card, the FTC's holiday gift card tips suggest buying from trusted sellers and checking that the package has not been tampered with.
Saran wrap ball game budget table
| Ball size | Players | Prizes | Plastic wrap | Prize budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 4 to 6 | 12 to 18 | 1 to 2 rolls | $10 to $20 |
| Medium | 7 to 12 | 20 to 35 | 2 to 3 rolls | $20 to $40 |
| Large | 13 to 20 | 35 to 60 | 3 to 4 rolls | $40 to $75 |
These ranges are planning guides, not price quotes. Your totals depend on which prizes you pick and where you shop. Log each purchase in the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner so the ball stays on budget.
Decide the house rules before wrapping the ball
The doubles rule controls whose turn ends, but it does not settle every disagreement. Announce these choices before the first player touches the ball. A rule that changes halfway through can make an inexpensive game feel unfair.
| Decision | Clear house rule to choose |
|---|---|
| Can players tear the wrap? | Unwrap along the layers, or allow tearing; use the same rule for everyone |
| When is a prize won? | A prize belongs to the player only when it is fully free of the wrap |
| When does unwrapping stop? | Stop immediately when the roller calls doubles |
| Are gloves required? | Use them only if the group wants that difficulty |
| Can someone have no prizes? | Choose random winnings or add a separate equal-share pool |
| What if a die leaves the table? | Re-roll that die in a tray or designated area |
Cut wrap into shorter overlapping sections for a harder ball, or use a longer continuous layer for easier unwrapping. Tell players which version they are getting. Keep scissors with the host for setup and cleanup; they are not part of a speed-unwrapping turn.
A prize count and spending worksheet
For a sample eight-player game, 24 small prizes means three prizes per person on average, but the doubles game does not guarantee that everyone wins three. If equal shares matter, reserve eight small prizes outside the ball and give one to each player at the end.
Set a total cap, subtract wrap and the center prize, then divide the remaining allowance by the small prizes still needed. For example, a hypothetical $30 cap minus $5 of supplies and a $9 center prize leaves $16 for the remaining prizes. If that does not cover the items you can actually find, reduce the prize count or use safe items already on hand instead of quietly increasing the cap.
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A pen from a Paper Mate InkJoy set can be a practical adult prize; Sharpie fine-tip markers can label the host's prize list and game notes. These are optional supplies to price within the cap, not tested game essentials.
For a calmer format with younger guests, choose from our family gift-exchange ideas. Keep the other party tasks in the Christmas planning guide.
Saran wrap ball game variations
- Oven mitt round: the unwrapper wears oven mitts or winter gloves.
- Timer round: use a phone timer set to random intervals instead of dice.
- Music round: play holiday songs and pass the ball when the music stops.
- Team round: split into two teams and race two smaller balls.
- Adults-only ball: fill it with gift cards, cash and grown-up treats.
- Kid-friendly ball: stick to stickers, candy and small toys for older kids.
For more ideas, try our Christmas party games, the left right Christmas game and white elephant rules.
Safety tips for kids
Plastic wrap and tiny prizes can be hazards for little ones. The American Academy of Pediatrics choking prevention advice warns that small objects like coins, balloons and small toy parts are choking risks for young children.
- Keep loose wrap and small prizes away from toddlers.
- Supervise kids while they play.
- Gather and throw away wrap right after the game.
- Skip batteries, magnets and balloons as prizes for children.
The CPSC also shares holiday safety tips for decorating and gatherings that are worth a look before a big party.
Plan the party around the game
Use the holiday party planning checklist for the timeline, then grab the printables that keep prizes and snacks organized.
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner: $4.99 for a budget per person, a purchase log and gift lists.
- Holiday Season Bundle: $15.99, regularly $25.94 for its six planners bought separately.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List: $3.99 for the snack menu and shopping list.
- Browse all holiday printables or save with bundles.
Christmas Budget & Gift Planner
Set a budget for every person, log each purchase, and watch what's left - plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
$4.99 · Instant download. Print at home or fill it in on screen. Or browse the full Holidays collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the saran wrap ball game? The saran wrap ball game is a party game where small prizes are wrapped inside layers of plastic wrap to make one big ball. Players take turns unwrapping as fast as they can and keep any prizes that fall out, until someone rolls doubles on a pair of dice and steals the ball.
How do you play the saran wrap ball game? Players sit in a circle with the ball and a pair of dice. One person unwraps while the player to their left rolls the dice. When the roller gets doubles, they grab the ball and start unwrapping, and the dice move one seat to the left. Play ends when the last prize is unwrapped.
How much does a saran wrap ball game cost to make? The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) lets you set a game budget and log every prize you buy, so the ball does not quietly double in cost. A simple ball usually comes down to a few rolls of plastic wrap plus whatever you spend on prizes, which you can scale from dollar-store treats to gift cards.
What do you put in a saran wrap ball? Good saran wrap ball prizes are small, sturdy and flat enough to wrap tightly. Think candy, lip balm, gift cards, scratch-off tickets where legal, mini hand sanitizers, keychains, socks, hair ties and folded cash. Save the best prize for the very center.
How many prizes go in a saran wrap ball game? Plan about two to four prizes per player for a game that lasts 15 to 30 minutes. For ten players, 25 to 35 small prizes is a comfortable range, spaced every few wraps so there is always something close.
How much plastic wrap do you need for a saran wrap ball? Most balls use two to four standard rolls of plastic wrap, depending on how many prizes you add and how big you want the ball. Wrap more layers between prizes near the center to stretch out the suspense.
Can kids play the saran wrap ball game? Yes, kids can play with adult supervision and age-appropriate prizes. Plastic wrap and very small items can be hazards for young children, so check the American Academy of Pediatrics choking prevention advice first. Keep tiny prizes and loose wrap away from toddlers and clean up wrap right after the game.
What can I use instead of dice in the saran wrap ball game? You can use a kitchen timer, a phone timer set to random lengths or music that stops at random. With a timer, the unwrapper keeps going until it beeps, then the ball passes to the left. Music works the same way, like musical chairs.
Do players wear oven mitts in the saran wrap ball game? Some groups add oven mitts or winter gloves for the unwrapper to make the game harder and funnier. It slows down fast unwrappers and evens the playing field between adults and kids.
Is the saran wrap ball game good for Christmas parties? The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) helps plan the whole Christmas party, from the menu to the gift list, so the game is one easy item on your to-do list. The saran wrap ball game fits Christmas parties well because one ball entertains a big group with little setup.
Can I put gift cards in a saran wrap ball? Yes, gift cards are a popular center prize because they are flat and easy to wrap. Buy them from trusted retailers and check the packaging, as the FTC suggests, so the card has not been tampered with before you wrap it.
How long does the saran wrap ball game take? Most games last 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the ball and the number of players. More layers, more players and gloves all make the game last longer.
What snacks go with a saran wrap ball game party? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) keeps the snack menu and shopping list on one page, so party food is planned alongside the game. Easy finger foods work best because hands get busy with dice and wrap.
Does everyone get the same number of prizes in the saran wrap ball game? The doubles version of the saran wrap ball game does not guarantee equal prizes because turns end unpredictably. If equal shares matter, reserve one small prize per player outside the ball or use timed turns with a separate shared prize pool. Explain that choice before playing.
Can you tear the plastic wrap during the saran wrap ball game? Tearing the plastic wrap is a house-rule choice in the saran wrap ball game. Decide before play whether players must follow the layers or may tear them, and keep the same rule for everyone. Keep scissors out of speed-unwrapping turns.
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Sources
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Choking prevention healthychildren.org
- FTC: Tips for holiday gift card shopping consumer.ftc.gov
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Holiday safety cpsc.gov