Mummy Wrap Game Rules: How to Play and Score a Round
Give each team one roll of toilet paper, choose one mummy and two wrappers, and set a three-minute timer. Teams wrap the mummy’s torso, arms and legs, then stop for judging. Heads, faces and necks stay uncovered. Below are rules you can read aloud, a score sheet and ten variations, including a box version for anyone who would rather not be wrapped.
Get the supplies ready
- One toilet paper roll per team for each round. Use the same type and size for everyone; have fresh rolls ready if you plan to play again.
- A timer, 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 guests who prefer to wrap an object.
- A cone and a measured ten-foot route only if you plan to use the shuffle variation.
For example, four teams playing two rounds need eight rolls in play. Keep any spare rolls aside; do not give one team extra paper during a scored round. For a bigger guest list, large-group party games offers other formats where several children play at once.
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How to play the mummy wrap game
These are suggested house rules. Announce the timer length, scoring and number of rounds before handing out supplies. Three minutes is the default; use five minutes for every team if your group wants more time.
- Make teams of three. Each team chooses one willing mummy and two wrappers. Give each team one roll and let the mummy hold the loose end against their clothing.
- Explain where to wrap. Only the torso, arms and legs may be wrapped. Leave the head, face and neck uncovered. Any mummy can say “stop” and tear free at any time.
- Start together. On “go,” start the timer. Wrappers walk around the mummy and tuck loose ends under existing layers. The classic version uses toilet paper only: no tape, pins or extra props.
- Keep going if the paper tears. Use the remaining paper from that roll. In the classic version, fallen pieces may be picked up and tucked back in before time ends. If the roll runs out, wait for the buzzer; there is no refill.
- Stop at the buzzer. Say, “Time! Wrappers, step back and raise your hands. Mummies, hold your pose.” No more tucking or adjustments. Score what remains in place, even if the wrapping is incomplete.
- Record the result and reset. Announce each score before removing the wrapping. Collect loose paper, rotate willing players into new roles and hand out equal fresh rolls before restarting.
If a mummy calls stop, that team’s attempt ends immediately. Do not score that attempt or ask them to keep wearing the paper. They can join the next round in another role or use the box version. If every team stops, finish the round without a winner.
What if you have seven or eight players?
Keep two active wrappers per team. With seven players, make two teams of three and offer the remaining guest the timer or scorekeeping job. With eight, offer those jobs to two guests. Rotate helpers onto teams between rounds so they get wrapping turns too. With eight players who all want team roles, use two teams of four with one mummy, two active wrappers and one helper; switch the helper at the halfway signal on both teams.
Give every team the same number of scored rounds, the same time and the same paper allowance. For mixed ages, a younger guest might hold the loose end while an older wrapper guides the layers; see mixed-age party games for more ways to share jobs. Other team party games can suit a group that does not want wrapping roles.
Score each mummy
Choose one judge who is not competing. In this version, the mummy poses in place; walking is a separate variation. Use the same three categories for every team:
| Category | Maximum | What the judge looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 10 | How much of the allowed torso, arm and leg areas remains covered at the buzzer. |
| Neatness | 5 | Layers that stay in place and loose ends tucked in. Tighter wrapping does not earn extra points. |
| Final pose | 5 | A monster pose held while the judge looks, without adding or adjusting paper. |
| Total | 20 | Add all three scores. |
The highest total wins. For a two-round game, add both round totals, for a maximum of 40. Equal totals share the win. If you want a shuffle tiebreak instead, announce it before play and use the bounded race rules below; share the win if that race still ends in a tie or has no finisher.
Print these blank rows for the judge. Mark a stopped attempt “not scored” rather than assigning a zero. For a combined-score contest, a team needs two scored rounds to qualify; a team with a stopped attempt can still take part in the next round and receive a separate category award. If no team has two scored rounds, finish without an overall winner.
| Team / round | Coverage /10 | Neatness /5 | Pose /5 | Total /20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
You can also award “Best Monster Pose” or “Most Creative Costume.” Keep those awards separate from the total. See party game prizes if you want to add prizes. For a no-gifts birthday, use clear no-gifts invitation wording so guests know they do not need to bring anything.
Keep heads, faces and necks uncovered
Repeat the wrapping limits before each round. Keep layers loose enough for a hand to slide underneath, and remind players that “stop” ends their team’s attempt. If paper reaches a prohibited area, stop that team and remove it; that attempt is not scored. Nobody has to be a mummy to take part.
Collect paper between rounds, clear cords and rugs from any shuffle route, and keep drinks and snack tables away from the wrapping area. Skip the walking version if the mummy cannot move freely. A final pose in place is enough for the classic game.
If guests want photos, ask who wants to be photographed and let others skip the picture. For a teen party, decide the photo arrangements before play; teen party phone rules covers taking photos and when to share them.
Ten ways to play
The ages below are starting suggestions; adjust for the guests taking part. Choose one variation before a round so every team follows the same rules. Unless an entry says otherwise, use the classic timer, scoring, stop rule and reset. Each variation is one round; replay only after clearing the paper and giving everyone equal fresh supplies.
Classic Mummy Wrap
Suggested ages: 5+ · Open floor · Supplies: one roll per team and a timer. One mummy and two wrappers use three minutes to wrap the allowed areas, then hold a final pose. Score out of 20. Incomplete wrapping still counts; equal scores share the win.
Toilet-Paper-Only Sprint
Suggested ages: 6+ · Indoors or yard · Supplies: one roll per team and a timer. Use the classic rules, with one change: anything that falls off stays off. No tape, pins or props. Demonstrate how to tuck a loose end beneath 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
Suggested ages: 8+ · Open floor · Supplies: one roll per mummy and a timer. 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 even if nobody joins their layers, and declare no winner in that case.
Bride of Frankenstein Style
Suggested ages: 6+ · Craft table nearby · Supplies: roll, paper towels, paper flowers and crayons. Give every team the same extras and five minutes. Draw stitches on paper before adding it, and attach paper flowers by tucking them into layers. Drape the paper-towel “veil” over the shoulders so the head, face and neck remain uncovered. At time, each mummy poses. Judge the costume’s appearance out of five; equal scores share the win. Cleanup ends the round.
Glow Wrap Finale
Suggested ages: 7+ · Dimmable room · Supplies: roll, equal numbers of glow bracelets and a timer. Wrap for three minutes, tucking glow 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 five; tied scores share the win. Restore the lights before removing paper or moving to another activity. You can also run this without scores and finish with an optional photo.
Mummy Shuffle Race
Suggested ages: 6+ · Clear hallway or yard · Supplies: rolls, cones and a timer. First run a classic wrap 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. If nobody finishes intact, there is no race winner. Remove the paper and clear the route before playing again. When used as a tiebreak, a failed or tied race leaves the original win shared.
Silent Wrap
Suggested ages: 5+ · Open floor · Supplies: one roll per mummy and a timer. Wrappers stay silent and mummies use pointing to guide them. Each spoken word means that team stops wrapping for five seconds while the main three-minute timer continues. Saying “stop” or asking for help never earns a penalty. At the buzzer, score out of 20 and share tied wins. Clear the paper before the next round.
One-Handed Wrap
Suggested ages: 10+ · Open floor · Supplies: one roll per mummy and a timer. Each wrapper keeps one hand behind their back and wraps with the other. Give all teams five minutes. If a wrapper uses both hands, ask them to return one hand behind their back; do not restart the timer. Stop and score out of 20, even if the wrapping is incomplete. Share tied wins and rotate roles before repeating.
Box Mummy Round
Suggested ages: 4+ · Table or floor · Supplies: roll, cardboard box or kitchen chair and a timer. Two wrappers decorate a box or chair instead of a person. The third teammate holds the loose end and chooses the final display. Mark comparable areas to cover on each object before play and use three minutes. Judge coverage out of 10, neatness out of five and the final display out of five. Box entries can win category awards outright; compare overall totals within the box group so different shapes do not decide the person-wrap contest. Stop at time, share ties, then unwrap the objects.
Cape Wrap for Toddlers
Suggested ages: 2–4 · Supplies: short crepe streamers or scarves. Children drape a cape over a willing grown-up’s shoulders instead of wrapping a person. Keep the head, face and neck clear, and keep streamers short enough to stay off the floor. There is no timer, score or winner. Finish after one short parade or whenever anyone wants to stop; remove the cape before starting again.
An example 15-minute game schedule
This suggested schedule uses two three-minute scored rounds. The slots total 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 tiebreak.
- 0:00–3:00 — Explain and demonstrate. Make teams, show a tucked layer, announce wrapping limits and explain scoring.
- 3:00–6:00 — Play round one. Start all teams together and stop at the buzzer.
- 6:00–8:00 — Score and reset. Write down totals, collect paper, switch willing mummies and hand out fresh rolls.
- 8:00–11:00 — Play round two. Use the same time and categories so scores can be added.
- 11:00–15:00 — Score, award and clear up. Add both totals, announce shared wins if needed and take optional photos.
Two rounds give two people per team a mummy turn. If all three want that role, announce a third round and allow extra time. For a game during an overnight party, the sleepover rules and host planning guide can help you fit activities around the rest of the evening.
What to play after mummy wrap
If the next activity is not ready, pick a short game from transition games between party activities. While food is being served, games to play while waiting for food offers seated options that need no supplies.
For a quieter follow-up, try Would You Rather questions or Never Have I Ever questions, with a pass option. For more movement or another simple activity, browse easy party games or the broader party games guide.
At a holiday gathering, you could follow wrapping with a dice gift exchange if guests have brought gifts, or a Christmas carol drawing relay if you have paper and markers ready.
Mummy wrap game questions
What are the rules for the mummy wrap game?
Use teams of three, with one mummy, two wrappers and one roll per team. Wrap the torso, arms and legs for three minutes, leaving the head, face and neck uncovered. Stop all adjustments at the buzzer and score coverage, neatness and a final pose out of 20. Any mummy can stop their attempt at any time.
How many rolls does each team need?
One roll for each round. For two rounds, set aside two rolls per team and hand out the second only after resetting. If you want a two-roll version, give every team two rolls and announce that allowance before starting.
What if the roll rips mid-round?
Keep going with the remaining paper from the same roll. The classic version allows fallen pieces to be tucked back in before time ends; the Toilet-Paper-Only Sprint leaves fallen paper on the floor. Neither version gives extra rolls during the round.
How do you judge the winner fairly?
Have one nonplaying judge score coverage out of 10, neatness out of five and the final pose out of five. Announce those categories beforehand and apply them to every team. Highest total wins; ties share the win unless everyone agreed to the shuffle tiebreak before play.
Can shy guests play without being wrapped?
Yes. Offer the Box Mummy Round, a wrapping role or a timer or scorekeeping job. Box entries can win category awards; compare their overall scores with other box entries rather than differently shaped human mummies.
How do I organize the mummy wrap game when the guest count is not divisible by three?
Keep two active wrappers on each team and offer extra guests the timer and scorekeeping jobs, then rotate them into play. For teams of four, use one mummy, two active wrappers and one helper; switch the helper halfway through every team’s round. Keep supplies and time equal.
Can players use tape to keep the mummy wrapping in place?
Not in the classic or Toilet-Paper-Only Sprint versions. Tuck the loose end under a layer instead. Keep decorated costume rounds separate and give every team the same announced extras.
What should the host say when the mummy wrap timer ends?
Say, “Time! Wrappers, step back and raise your hands. Mummies, hold your pose.” Stop all adjustments, score what remains in place and record each result before removing the paper.
How do we rotate roles for a second mummy wrap round?
Ask who wants the next mummy turn and move the previous mummy into a wrapping role if they want to play. Rotate helpers too, clear loose paper and give every team a fresh equal supply. Keep the same scoring if you are adding round totals.