Ethan Clarke
The Saran Wrap Ball game is a fun activity for parties and gatherings. It involves wrapping prizes of varying value in a ball of plastic wrap. The number of rolls of plastic wrap you will need depends on the size of the ball and the number of gifts you want to include. For a medium-sized ball with plenty of gifts, you will need around 2-3 rolls of plastic wrap. However, some people have expressed concerns about the environmental impact of using large amounts of plastic wrap, and have suggested using recyclable paper products or fewer layers of plastic wrap as more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Variable |
| Game goal | To unwrap as much of the plastic-wrapped ball and claim as many prizes as possible before the next player rolls doubles on a die |
| Game start | On a flat surface, every player rolls a die and the player with the highest roll goes first |
| Game variations | Players can wear oven mitts to make unwrapping more challenging; the ball can be passed in the opposite direction if a player rolls snake eyes |
| Number of dice | One or two |
| Plastic wrap | Two to three rolls or boxes of plastic wrap are needed for a medium-sized ball |
| Items to wrap | Various items of different values, such as candy, money, gift cards, cheap wine, candles, etc. |
What You'll Learn
The game
The Saran Wrap Ball Game is a fun and entertaining game for parties, holidays, and get-togethers. It is suitable for both adults and children and can be played at any time of the year. The game involves a large ball made of plastic wrap, such as Saran Wrap or Cling Wrap, with small gifts and prizes tucked inside. The goal of the game is to unwrap the ball and claim as many prizes as possible before the other players.
To prepare the game, you will need a few rolls of plastic wrap and various small prizes. The number of rolls and prizes will depend on the size of the ball you want to create and the number of players. It is recommended to have a mix of prizes with different values to make the game more exciting. The prizes can include candy, money, gift cards, chapsticks, hair ties, mini soaps and lotions, gag gifts, or even bigger items like toilet paper or wine. The biggest and best prize should be placed in the centre of the ball. When wrapping the ball, use a couple of layers of plastic wrap between each prize, turning the ball and adding more layers as you go.
To play the game, players sit around a table or on the floor in a circle. Each player rolls a die, and the player with the highest roll starts first. The game begins with the starting player trying to unwrap the ball and claim as many prizes as possible during their turn. The prizes that fall out during their turn are theirs to keep. The game continues with each player taking turns to unwrap the ball until all the prizes have been claimed.
There are also some optional rules that you can include to make the game more interesting. For example, you can introduce a reverse rule, where rolling snake eyes (two 1s) causes the ball to be passed in the opposite direction. You can also include "steal" tags or other instructions, such as "reverse game" or "skip two people", within the layers of the ball to add unexpected twists to the game. Additionally, players can be required to wear oven mitts or a hat while unwrapping the ball to create an extra challenge.
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Gift ideas
The Saran Wrap Ball Game is a popular game often played during Christmas time. It involves layering plastic wrap and gifts to form a ball. The gifts are usually staggered and separated by at least one layer of plastic wrap. The number of plastic wrap rolls needed depends on the size of the gifts and the number of players. Here are some gift ideas for the Saran Wrap Ball Game:
- Outer layers: These layers should be inexpensive and can include candy, goodie bag fillers, stocking stuffers, and $1 toys. Edible treats such as chocolate, mints, or gum are always a hit. Other options are $1 toys like plastic bugs, toy cars, or crayons. For stocking stuffers, consider hand sanitizer, lip balm, or compact mirrors.
- Middle layers: As the ball gets smaller, the game gets more intense. Choose small gifts such as gift cards, travel-sized lotion, mini packs of tissues, hot chocolate packs, gloves, or light-up items like toothbrush holders or toilet night lights.
- Center: The most coveted gift is usually placed in the center, such as a gift card or a fair amount of money. Other ideas for the center include a burrito blanket, tech gadgets, or gender-neutral items like batteries, stamps, or stickers.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives:
If you're concerned about the amount of plastic used, there are eco-friendly alternatives. Try using wrapping paper, butcher block paper, tissue paper, or recycled paper. You can also use Christmas fabrics cut into strips to wrap the gifts. For a fun challenge, include items like socks, gloves, or mittens, which are easier to wrap with paper.
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Number of layers
The number of layers of plastic wrap you will need for your Saran Wrap Ball depends on the size of your ball and the number of gifts you want to include. For a medium-sized ball with plenty of gifts, you will need around 2-3 boxes of cling wrap. Each gift should be wrapped in at least one layer of plastic wrap, with more expensive gifts wrapped in 2-3 layers. As the ball grows in size, you can include multiple gifts per layer. If your ball is the size of a soccer or basketball, stick to one gift per layer, but if it's the size of a beach ball, you can include multiple gifts. To make the game more challenging and secure the gifts in place, use 2-3 layers of plastic wrap and alternate the direction of each wrap. For example, wrap the ball horizontally, then vertically, and finish with a diagonal wrap.
While the Saran Wrap Ball game is a lot of fun, it can be quite wasteful. Some people have expressed concerns about the amount of plastic used, suggesting alternative materials such as newspaper, wrapping paper, butcher block paper, or tissue paper. However, others argue that plastic wrap makes the game more challenging as it is harder to unwrap. If you want to make the game more environmentally friendly, you can rotate between using plastic wrap and recyclable paper.
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Eco-friendly alternatives
The Saran Wrap Ball game is a fun activity for parties, but it can use a lot of plastic wrap. If you're concerned about the environmental impact of the game, there are several eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wrap that you can use instead.
One option is to use beeswax wraps, which are made from organic cotton infused with beeswax, tree resin, and coconut oil. These wraps are antibacterial, antifungal, and easy to clean, making them a great alternative to plastic wrap. They can be moulded around food and bowls and are safe to use in the fridge and freezer. Another option is to use reusable cloth bowl covers, which are made from food-safe laminated cotton and can be easily washed. These covers are perfect for short-term food storage and for transporting food to potlucks or picnics.
If you're looking for a more sustainable option for storing food in the fridge, reusable glass storage containers with plastic or wooden lids are a great choice. They are microwave and freezer-safe and can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. Another alternative is to use bento boxes, which are typically made from stainless steel with a wooden lid. Bento boxes are perfect for taking your lunch to the office or for storing snacks.
For dry or wet food storage, reusable silicone food bags are a good option. They are self-sealing and airtight, making them safe for storing food in the freezer, fridge, or cupboard. Silicone bowl covers are another alternative, although they are not as environmentally friendly as some other options due to the chemicals and energy required to produce them. However, they can be a good choice if you cannot find any other reusable alternatives.
Some other eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wrap include using old newspapers or gift-wrapping paper, cotton mesh bags for shopping, and aluminium foil, which can be washed and reused multiple times.
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Rules
The Saran Wrap Ball Game is a fun party game for both adults and kids. It is also known as the Cling Wrap Ball Game, the Christmas Ball Wrap Game, and the Plastic Wrap Money Ball. The game involves players unwrapping layers of plastic wrap to reveal prizes. The number of items and the amount of plastic wrap used can vary depending on the number of players and the desired duration of the game.
- Before the game, prepare the Saran Wrap Ball by placing prizes of various values inside. Start with the best prize in the middle of the ball, which will be the last thing unwrapped. You can also include funny items to make people laugh.
- Wrap each item with at least one layer of plastic wrap, tearing off the plastic after each item, or continuing with one continuous layer.
- As the ball grows in size, you can include multiple items per layer. However, if the ball is the size of a soccer ball or basketball, stick to one item per layer.
- Cover the ball with 2-3 layers of plastic wrap to secure the items inside and make it easier to transport. Alternate the directions of wrapping (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal) for each layer.
- Gather players in a circle, and decide who goes first. This can be done by rolling dice, picking lots, guessing numbers, or based on age.
- The player who goes first puts on a hat and begins unwrapping the ball on a flat surface, keeping the ball on their lap to slow down the game.
- Players can wear oven mitts to make unwrapping the ball more challenging.
- The goal of the game is to unwrap the ball and claim as many prizes as possible before the next player rolls doubles on a die.
- After each turn, pass the ball and the die to the right. The next player will now have the ball, and the person on their right will have the die.
- If desired, include special rules such as "steal" tags, where a gift can be stolen, or tags that reverse the direction of play or skip players.
- If using one continuous sheet of plastic wrap, cut or tear it off once you reach the middle of the ball.
- For an eco-friendly version, use recyclable wrapping paper, butcher block paper, or tissue paper instead of plastic wrap.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of plastic wrap you need depends on the size of the ball and the number of gifts you want to include. For a medium-sized ball with plenty of gifts, you will need around 2-3 rolls of plastic wrap. If you are creating a large ball with multiple items per layer, you may need more.
You can use wrapping paper, butcher block paper, tissue paper, or newspaper instead of plastic wrap. These options are more environmentally friendly as they can be recycled. However, they may make the game less challenging as they are easier to unwrap than plastic.
The Saran Wrap Ball game is a fun party game for all ages. To play, you will need a ball made of gifts wrapped in plastic wrap and a set of dice. Each player rolls a die, and the person with the highest number starts. The players then take turns rolling the dice and unwrapping the ball to reveal and claim prizes. If a player rips the plastic, their turn ends, and the ball is passed to the next player.
