The Plastic Wrap Ball Game – A Fun And Entertaining Holiday Game To Play With Family And Friends. Everyone Gets A Turn To Unwrap A Plastic Wrap Ball Filled With Prizes And Gets To Keep What Comes Out On Their Turn!
We first learned about this game a few years ago and realized it was one of the best holiday games ever. It’s now become one of my family’s traditions to play at Christmas time and one the entire family can enjoy.
What is the Plastic Wrap Ball Game? It involves a huge ball made up of plastic wrap with goodies wrapped up in it. The object of the game is to unwrap the big ball of wrap during your turn in the hopes that some of those prizes fall out during that turn. Here is what you’ll need to make the ball.
- 1-2 rolls of plastic wrap (not cling wrap)
- prizes (see suggestions at the end of this article)
- broom handle (optional)
- 2 dice in a tray (a plastic food container works well)
- 2 oven mitts (optional)
- patience
Making this ball is quite easy but here are some tips to make it simple. Begin by gathering all your supplies and prizes. It’s not necessary, but if you put the broom handle through the plastic wrap roll then place the broom handle behind something on both ends (we used two chairs). Now start pulling the wrap out and wrap your first object. Be sure to wrap it several times and put something really great there…like a $5 bill, lottery ticket or whatever so it becomes the “Grand Prize”. Continue rolling up prizes adding a prize or candy every few rolls. Using larger prizes is really the only way to get a larger ball since everything is compact when you wrap it this way. That’s why we like to throw in larger random objects like small toys, drinks, lotions, etc. In order to keep it a more round ball (and to make it more fun while un-rolling while playing), turn the ball 90 degrees while rolling things up. It’s even more challenging if you cut the wrap after about every 5 prizes. It makes it harder for the next person to get it started again. When you run out of one roll, just add the next roll and keep going. When you are done wrapping up the ball, you can mark the edge of the wrap otherwise, it may be hard finding the end when you start playing.
Now the fun begins! Have all your party guests sit close (about 2 feet apart) to each other in a circle or at a table. One person will begin with the ball, while the person to their left has a pan with two dice in it.
Once the game begins, the person with the ball puts on oven mitts and tries to unwrap as much as they can, while the person to the left tries to roll doubles. When that person rolls doubles, it’s their turn and the pan with dice gets passed to the left and the ball goes to the person who rolls doubles. They put on the oven mitts and try to unroll while the next person tries to roll doubles – and so on. Everything that falls out during that person’s turn, is theirs. The game ends when the last prize falls out. Be prepared for loads of laugh and fun playing this game.
Prizes for each game should vary based on who is playing the game. We like to have an adult version and a kid version and even though many of the things are the same, we like to change it up.
Here are some ideas of gift ideas to include in an adult game:
- gift cards
- cash
- candy, gum and mints
- card games
- bath & body items – lotion, etc
- Snacks – jerky, cookies
- sports drinks
For the kids we change things up a bit, but like to include:
- cash – dollars and coins
- candy
- small knick knacks
- small toys
- small games
- bath & body items
Buying all of these items can add up, so we like to ask the family for donations. We gather those a week before our event and put everything in the ball. For gift cards, we also like to buy 1 or 2 each month all year long, so we aren’t buying them all at once.
This is such a fun game and is perfect for your next holiday party or get together. We love that both adults and kids can play and everyone loves it. Who doesn’t love winning a bunch of candy and prizes?
