Christmas Saran Wrap Ball Game
Make a plastic-wrap ball filled with candy and prizes, then unwrap it while the next player rolls for doubles. Includes our lap-only rule and optional challenge cards.
Yield: 1 prize ball
Equipment
- Two dice
- Cake pan or shallow tray, optional
- Scissors, for cutting printable challenge cards
Materials
- Plastic wrap — approximately 100 feet used for my family ball; adjust as needed
- Candy and small prizes — about 100 candies plus cash and change used for my four kids
- One toilet paper roll for the base
- Packing tape optional
- Challenge cards optional
- Oven mitts or socks if using those challenges
Instructions
Making the Ball
- Wrap the toilet paper roll in plastic wrap, changing directions to form a ball.
- Add candy and small prizes between the layers, leaving wrap between prizes.
- Add optional challenge cards between the layers.
- Secure the wrap with packing tape every few layers if you want a harder game.
- Continue until all prizes and cards are inside.
Playing the Game
- Sit in a circle. Give the first player the ball and the player to their left two dice.
- Keep the ball snugly in the player’s lap. Unwrap while the next player continuously rolls both dice.
- Keep any prizes fully released during your turn.
- When both dice show the same number, stop immediately. Pass the ball to the dice roller and the dice to the next player on the left.
- When a challenge card appears, stop unwrapping to read and follow it. The dice keep rolling. Unwrapping challenges last for the rest of the turn; prize actions happen once. A lose-your-turn card means pass immediately.
- Continue until the ball is completely unwrapped and the final prize is released.
Notes
- No lifting the ball and letting gravity unravel it.
- Choose optional challenges appropriate for your players.
- Have challenge props ready before playing.
- Skip a give-or-swap action if the player has no prize.
- Keep extra prizes available for players who unwrap nothing.