How do you run a mummy-wrap game?

The basic rules for a mummy-wrap round

These are suggested house rules, not official ones. What matters most is announcing the timer length, the scoring and the number of rounds before you hand out any paper, so every team plays the same game.

Make teams of three. Each team picks one willing mummy and two wrappers. The mummy holds the loose end of the roll against their clothing. On "go", start the timer. The wrappers walk around the mummy and wrap the torso, arms and legs, tucking loose ends under the layers already in place. Three minutes is the default. If your group wants more time, use five minutes, but give every team the same time.

If the paper tears, the team keeps going with what's left on the same roll. In the classic version, wrappers can pick up fallen pieces and tuck them back in before time runs out. If a roll runs out early, that team waits for the buzzer. No one gets an extra roll during a round.

Any mummy can say "stop" and tear free at any time. They don't need to wait for the judge, the buzzer or a wrapper's help. That team's attempt ends straight away and isn't scored, and nobody should ask the mummy to keep wearing the paper. On the judge's sheet, write "not scored" rather than giving a zero. That player can join the next round in another role or try the box version. If every team stops, finish the round without a winner.

If several players stop or the group doesn't enjoy unscored attempts, you can switch activity. Party games with no elimination let guests pass or take a break and rejoin at the next turn. Whenever you do play mummy wrap, the stop rule still applies.

Get the supplies and space ready

You don't need much, but every team should get the same type and size of toilet paper roll so no one has an advantage.

Illustrative example: you have 12 players, counting the birthday child and any siblings who are joining in. That makes four teams of three. For two rounds, set aside two rolls per team, which is eight rolls in total. Hand out the second roll only after you've reset for round two. Keep any spares out of reach of the teams during scored rounds. If you'd rather play a two-roll version, give every team two rolls and announce that before you start.

• One toilet paper roll per team for each round, all the same type and size
• A timer, plus paper and a pen for the judge
• A separate open spot for each team, with room for two wrappers to walk around their mummy
• A trash bag for each team to collect paper between rounds
• A cardboard box or kitchen chair for anyone who would rather wrap an object than be wrapped
• A cone and a measured ten-foot route, only if you plan to play the Mummy Shuffle Race or use it as a tiebreak

If your room can't give every team space to walk around their mummy, play something else rather than squeezing in. Party games for a tiny living room are built around a coffee table and a couch, not a cleared floor.

How to split players into teams and share the roles

Count everyone who wants to play, including the birthday child and any siblings or adults who are joining in. Then make as many teams of three as you can.

Once you have the count, sort players so nobody is picked in front of everyone: make the teams yourself or use a simple draw with exactly the right number of slips. Each team still needs a mummy and two wrappers. See choosing teams without hurt feelings.

Keep two active wrappers on every team. When the numbers don't divide evenly, give the extra players real jobs, like running the timer or keeping score, and move them onto a team in the next round. With mixed ages, a younger guest might hold the loose end while an older wrapper guides the layers.

In children's groups, let each child choose a role that suits them, whether holding the end, guiding layers or being the mummy, while every team keeps two active wrappers. Our guide to how children of different ages can play together has more ways to share roles.

Keep heads, faces and necks uncovered

Repeat the wrapping limits before every round: only the torso, arms and legs. Leave the head, face and neck uncovered, and keep paper away from the nose and mouth. Every mummy must be able to breathe freely the whole time; if anything gets in the way of breathing, the mummy should say "stop" and tear free at once. As a house rule, keep the layers loose enough to slide a hand underneath, and remind everyone that a mummy can say "stop" and tear free immediately, without waiting for anyone. If paper ends up on the head, face or neck, stop that team and take the paper off. That attempt isn't scored.

Collect paper between rounds, and keep drinks and snack tables away from the wrapping area. If you play the shuffle race, move any cords and rugs out of the route. Skip the race for any mummy who can't move freely; a final pose in place is enough for the classic game.

If people want photos, ask who wants to be in them and let others skip. At a teen party, agree on photo arrangements before you start.

Ending the round and judging fairly

Choose one judge who isn't playing, and announce the scoring categories before the first round. In the classic game the mummy poses in place; walking is a separate variation. Score what's still in place at the buzzer, even if the wrapping isn't finished.

Switch roles and clean up between rounds

Between rounds, have each team put its paper in its trash bag before you hand out new rolls. Loose paper left on the floor makes the next round messy and makes scoring harder to judge.

Give each team its own bag, and ask a helper to check the floor for loose paper before new rolls go out. Planning party cleanup so it doesn't all fall on the host shows how to share jobs like this.

The judge can copy this blank score sheet onto paper. Use one row per team per round, and write "not scored" for a stopped attempt.

A sample 15-minute game plan

This illustrative plan is for the four teams of three described above, playing two three-minute rounds with eight rolls. The time slots add up to 15 minutes: 3 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 4. Allow more time if you choose five-minute rounds, have more teams to judge or add a shuffle race tiebreak.

Place the whole 15-minute block, including explaining, judging and cleanup, into your party schedule, then add up the minutes and compare the total with your invitation. Longer rounds or more teams mean adding time. The party-day timeline shows how to adjust.

Other ways to play, and a final checklist

Pick one variation before a round so every team follows the same rules. The suggested ages are only starting points; adjust for your guests. Unless a variation says otherwise, use the classic timer, scoring, stop rule and reset. Each variation is one round: clear the paper and give everyone equal new supplies before playing again. The Box Mummy Round is described in the section on shy guests.

Toilet-Paper-Only Sprint (6+): use the classic rules, but anything that falls off stays off. No tape, pins or props. Show players how to tuck a loose end under a layer. Stop after three minutes and score only paper still in place. If every team's paper has fallen off, finish without a winner rather than judging poses alone.

Over-Under Wrap (8+): before starting, unroll each team's paper and divide it into two equal portions. One wrapper works down from below the shoulders; the other works up from the ankles, leaving the feet free. The aim is to meet near the waist without a gap. Call a one-minute warning. The first team whose layers join wins; simultaneous finishes share the win. Stop after three minutes, and if nobody's layers have joined, there's no winner.

Bride of Frankenstein Style (6+, craft table nearby): give every team the same extras, a roll, paper towels, paper flowers and crayons, and five minutes. Draw stitches on paper before adding it, and tuck paper flowers into the layers. Drape the paper-towel veil over the shoulders so the head, face and neck stay uncovered. At time, each mummy poses. Judge the costume's look out of 5; equal scores share the win. Cleanup ends the round.

Glow Wrap Finale (7+, a room you can dim): give every team the same number of glow bracelets. Wrap for three minutes, tucking bracelets into the final layers on the arms or torso. Stop all adjustments before dimming the lights to view the pattern. Judge the pattern out of 5; equal scores share the win. Turn the lights back on before removing paper or moving to another activity. You can also skip scoring and finish with an optional photo.

Before the party, test the glow effect in the room you'll dim, and keep an ordinary-lights option for anyone who doesn't want to be in a dimmed room; joining should never be required. Planning a glow or neon party has more on games that work with the lights on.

Mummy Shuffle Race (6+, clear hallway or yard): first play a classic round. Then, for willing mummies who can move freely, mark a cone ten feet away. On "go", they shuffle to the cone and back. A torn layer ends that mummy's race attempt. The first mummy home without tearing a layer wins; simultaneous finishes share the win. Stop after one minute, and if nobody finishes intact, there's no race winner. Remove the paper and clear the route before playing again.

Silent Wrap (5+): wrappers stay silent and mummies point to guide them. Each spoken word means that team stops wrapping for five seconds while the main three-minute timer keeps running. Saying "stop" or asking for help never earns a penalty. At the buzzer, score out of 20 and share tied wins.

One-Handed Wrap (10+): each wrapper keeps one hand behind their back and wraps with the other. Give every team five minutes. If a wrapper uses both hands, ask them to put one hand back behind their back; don't restart the timer. Score out of 20 even if the wrapping isn't finished, share tied wins and switch roles before repeating.

Cape Wrap for Toddlers (2–4): instead of wrapping a person, children drape a cape of short crepe streamers or scarves over a willing grown-up's shoulders. Keep the head, face and neck clear, and keep streamers short enough to stay off the floor. There's no timer, score or winner. Finish after one short parade or whenever anyone wants to stop, and take the cape off before starting again.

• Count every player, including the birthday child, siblings and any adults joining in
• Set aside one roll per team for each round
• Choose a judge who isn't playing and announce the scoring categories
• Announce the wrapping limits and that any mummy can say stop and tear free
• Have the end-of-round words ready and write down scores before anyone removes paper
• Have a trash bag ready for each team

Sources and further reading

• Mummy wrap game rules

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