Our secret tips for making the Christmas ball game more fun than everyone else’s Clingwrap ball game!
(It’s OK, we know that you side-eye your bestie’s party games…)
We’ve perfected years of playing this DIY holiday game to make it THE BEST GAME that everyone asks for at our Christmas party every year
(Plus, you can enjoy that your bestie is sad they didn’t know the secret game tips).
Making A Saran Wrap Christmas Ball Game Step-By-Step
I’m going to be honest, making the plastic ball for this Christmas game is the part that takes the most time, especially if this is your first time making it.
It involves adding prizes into layers of Saran Wrap, wrapping a few layers of plastic wrap around the prize, inserting another prize, wrapping more plastic wrap around that prize… and repeating this process until you’re questioning why you agreed to create this game.
I recommend putting on a podcast or some music…
However, it is definitely worth it because playing the game is super fun, so just power through!
IMPORTANT GAME TIP: Make your Saran Wrap ball game a few days ahead of time so you have plenty of time to figure it out! Definitely don’t wait until the last minute to assemble the game! You won’t be able to make this in 30 minutes right before the party.
CHRISTMAS CLING WRAP BALL GAME RULES
If you landed on this Christmas post looking for how to play the plastic wrap game or want the complete instructions for playing the game, you can get the game rules and game instructions HERE.
Supplies For Making The Christmas Ball Game
To make the wrapped ball game you'll need:
• 2-3+ boxes of Saran Wrap
• Scissors
• Prizes for inside of the ball (for gift prize ideas, see below)
How much Saran Wrap to make a ball game?
For a medium plastic wrap ball with plenty of gifts tucked in, I usually use around 2-3 regular to large boxes of cling wrap.
The amount of plastic wrap you need will depend on:
- How long you want the game to last (the bigger the plastic ball, the longer the game will take)
- How many prizes you have
- How big you want the ball to be
- Technique you use for wrapping the ball (*See my SECRET GAME TIP below!)
FREE GAME PRINTABLE SENT TO YOUR EMAIL! WANT THE SECRET TIP ALONG WITH DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE & PLAY THE GAME? LET ME SEND THEM TO YOU!
I have put the basic game making instructions below, but it may be helpful to print out detailed step-by-step instructions for making a Christmas ball game, including the secret tip that I created for this game that makes it better than other people’s Saran Wrap Ball Game!
The free printable also includes how to play the game — all sent to your inbox!
How do you wrap the plastic wrap ball?
Making a Saran Wrap ball can be a little tricky at first until you get used to it, but it gets easier as you go along.
The general idea is this: you start with a really good prize in the middle and wrap layers of Saran Wrap around the prize. Place another prize on top of those layers and wrap more Saran Wrap. Keep adding prizes and wrapping, making a ball shape as you go, until you add your last layer of plastic wrap.
**GAME NOTE: If you want more detailed instructions, I can send them to you in email! CLICK HERE
Here’s how to wrap a SaranWrap ball for the game step-by-step:
1. Start with the best prize in the middle of the ball.
GAME TIP: Stick with name brands of Saran Wrap because sometimes the off-brand wraps (like you get from dollar stores) don’t stick together and you need it to "cling" together for the game. I also like to use green and red clingwrap for a Christmas ball sometimes.
2. Wrap the middle item with a couple of layers of plastic wrap and then turn the item and add a few more layers.
3. Add the next prize.
4. Continue adding prizes, wrapping each prize with multiple layers of plastic wrap.
5. Shape the ball as you go.
6. Make the end hard to find!
GAME TIP: If you don't wrap the ball with paper on the outside, make the outermost prize (the last one you add) a good one. All the players will be able to see it and get excited. I always use money, a gift card, or lottery ticket as the outermost gift near the surface under only 1-2 layers.
Prizes for the Saran Wrap Ball Game
What Should You Put Inside Your Plastic Wrap Ball Game for Prizes and Gifts?
What you use for gifts and game prizes is entirely up to you!
Be aware that making a large Christmas ball game can get expensive, especially if you’re putting money or gift cards or nice prizes.
One year, our friends and family decided to do a pitch-in and give us money each year for the plastic wrap ball game. This allowed us to get nice gifts and special prizes without being out all the money. So, that may be an option for you.
Also, I often buy things throughout the year when I see things on the clearance aisles, at dollar stores, or in dollar aisles.
Not every gift or prize needs to be amazing!
You will be surprised how excited people will get over a quarter or a pair of socks from the dollar store or a funny sticker! (For real!)
Plastic Wrap Prize Tips
When I make my Saran Wrap ball game for holidays, I think about the gifts and prizes in three different tiers:
Cheap prizes — which will be most of the prizes.
These are things like candy, coins (from pennies to quarters), stickers or other fun (but cheap) prizes.
I get a lot of these because I like to add frequent prizes.
Mid-level prizes — these are prizes that are a little more expensive that you can layer in between the cheap prizes to keep people excited.
They can range from things like dollar bills, $5 bills, $10 gift cards, inexpensive air pods, holiday socks & more.
Game prizes are only limited by your imagination!
I usually get about 10 mid-level prizes and space them out with lots of cheap prizes in between.
Main prize — the main prize is the one in the middle and the last prize to be unwrapped.
The last prize should be THE BEST prize for the plastic wrap ball game.
It varies by year, but I usually put a Christmas-themed item (like a small tree ornament or nice chocolate), with a $20 bill, wrapped around a lottery ticket.
NOTE: The last prize that someone opens is actually the first prize that you wrap – the prize in the middle of the ball that you start with when making the ball.
List of Ideas for Saran Wrap Ball Prizes
Prizes will depend on the ages of your guests playing the game.
We always play this game with adults and kids, so we do a mix of fun prizes.
However, if you have teens and adults, gear your mid-level and main prize gift more toward them.
- Lottery tickets
- Dollar bills / money
- Coins
- Mix of fun party favors
- Mini candy bars
- Prank gifts
- Christmas socks (they’re easy to make flat and wrap around the ball)
- Chocolate coins
- AirPods or headphones (great game prizes for teens!)
- Candy coal
- Glow necklaces or glow sticks
- Coupons for fun field trips or local events
- Lip balms
- Mini alcohols or wines
- Gift cards
- Dreidels
- Finger puppets
- Pencil toppers
- Temporary tattoos
- Koolaid or dip seasoning packets
- Bubble gum
- Candy canes
- Suckers
- Assortment of candy
- Individually wrapped teas
- Nice pieces of wrapped chocolates
- Hot chocolate packets
- Mini hand sanitizers
- Balloons
- Small sheets of stickers
- Candy necklaces
- Mini slime
- Mini flashlight
- Flashing rings
- Movie coupons
DON’T FORGET: You can tap here to download more detailed game instructions than listed here. The FREE printable also covers detailed instructions on how to make the ball game, including THE SECRET TIP all to your email inbox! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you have fun making and playing your Christmas ball game.
