Hey there, ghouls and goblins! Roshan here, your friendly neighborhood Halloween fanatic. 🎃 It’s that time of year again when the air gets crisp and our thoughts turn to all things spooky and fun. Planning a Halloween party that keeps everyone from tiny terrors to full-grown monsters entertained can feel like a real challenge. 👻
You want more than just a bowl of candy and a spooky playlist; you want an unforgettable experience filled with laughter and chaos (the good kind, of course!). You’re looking for that perfect activity that breaks the ice and creates memories that’ll last long after the last jack-o’-lantern has been blown out. 😩
Well, you’ve come to the right haunted house! I’m here to share one of my all-time favorite party games: the Mummy Wrapping Race. It’s cheap, easy to set up, and guarantees some of the best belly laughs and photo ops of the night. Let’s get this party started! 🎉
Activity At-a-Glance
- Best For 👨👩👧👦: Halloween parties, birthday celebrations, family gatherings, school events, team-building activities
- Time Required ⏳: Approx. 15-30 minutes per race (depending on number of teams)
- Budget Level 💸: Low-Cost
- Spookiness Level 😱: Low
Image-1: A flat-lay photo showcasing all the necessary materials: a pile of toilet paper rolls, a stopwatch, and some Halloween-themed decorations like plastic spiders.
What You’ll Need for Your Mummy Wrapping Race 📋
The best part about this game is that you probably have most of the supplies already! I always grab a bulk pack of toilet paper in early October—it never goes to waste.
- Plenty of toilet paper rolls (I recommend at least 2-3 standard rolls per team) 🧻
- Willing participants (at least 2 per team: one “mummy,” one or more “wrappers”) 🧍
- An open space for wrapping and movement 🤸
- Optional: Safety scissors (for quick unwrapping, just in case!) ✂️
- Optional: Stopwatch or timer ⏱️
- Optional: Fun, upbeat Halloween-themed music 🎶
Image-2: A photo of a living room decorated for a Halloween party with orange and black streamers, fake cobwebs, and a clearly designated open area for the game.
Preparation & Setup: Creating the Spooky Scene
Setting the mood is half the fun! Before your guests arrive, you’ll want to prepare your “crypt” for the wrapping frenzy. First, clear a large, open space where teams can work without bumping into furniture or each other. A living room with the coffee table pushed aside or a backyard works perfectly.
I love to dim the lights and use some orange or purple string lights to create a spooky glow. Of course, you need a killer Halloween playlist—I’m talking “Monster Mash,” “Ghostbusters,” and all the classics. Lay out each team’s supply of toilet paper in separate piles so they’re ready to grab and go!
Pro Tip 💡: Use masking tape or some small plastic pumpkins to create a clear “starting line” for each team. If you’re adding the finish line dash (my favorite part!), mark that too. It makes the race feel official and even more exciting!
How to Lead the Activity: Step-by-Step 🚀
Alright, hosts, this is your time to shine. Your energy will get everyone else hyped up! Here’s how to run the race smoothly from start to finish.
Step 1: Gather Your Mummy Makers & Mummies-to-Be
First, call your guests over and divide them into teams of 2-4 people. Let each team decide amongst themselves who will be the brave “mummy” and who will be the “wrappers.” The mummy needs to be someone who doesn’t mind standing still for a few minutes and being the center of attention! Hand each team their starting supply of toilet paper rolls.
Image-3: A wide shot of three teams lined up side-by-side. Each team has one person standing still (the “mummy”) and two “wrappers” holding rolls of toilet paper, all smiling and ready to start.
Step 2: On Your Mark, Get Set, Wrap!
Explain the rules clearly: the goal is to wrap your mummy from ankles to shoulders as quickly and completely as possible. The face must be left uncovered! Once everyone understands, give a dramatic countdown: “Three… two… one… WRAP!”
The wrappers should work together, circling their mummy and passing the roll back and forth. A good strategy I’ve seen work is starting at the feet and working your way up. It’s pure, hilarious chaos, and that’s the point!
Note 📝: Safety first, always! Remind your wrappers not to wrap the toilet paper too tightly. The mummy should be able to breathe easily and have good circulation. Make it very clear that the nose and mouth should not be covered at all.
Image-4: A dynamic, close-up action shot of two people’s hands quickly unspooling toilet paper around a teammate’s torso.
Image-5: A wider photo showing the hilarious midway point of the race, with multiple teams frantically trying to cover their mummies in white paper.
Step 3: The Grand Mummy Reveal & Finish Line Dash
The race ends when a team completely uses up their toilet paper or when you, the judge, decide their mummy is “fully wrapped.” The first team to yell “MUMMY!” wins the wrapping portion.
For an extra dose of fun, add a second phase: once wrapped, the mummy must waddle, hop, or shuffle their way to a finish line about 10 feet away. Last year, my nephew did this hilarious stiff-legged walk that had everyone crying with laughter! The first mummy to cross the finish line wins the race for their team.
Image-6: A photo of a fully wrapped mummy, arms stiff at their sides, hilariously trying to waddle across a tape finish line on the floor.
Step 4: Judging, Awards, and Laughter
Now for the awards ceremony! You can give a prize to the first team to finish, but I like to hand out a few silly awards to spread the love. Get creative with your judging criteria!
Some of my favorite award categories include:
- Fastest Wrappers 🏆
- Most Creative Mummy 🎨 (Did they make a little hat out of the paper?)
- Most Likely to Scare a Real Ghost 👻
- The Unraveling Mess Award 😂 (For the mummy who fell apart first!)
Image-7: A triumphant team posing for a photo. The mummy is partially unwrapped and laughing, while the wrappers hold up silly, handmade “Best Wrapped” awards.
Troubleshooting & Ensuring Fair Play
Even the best-laid plans can go awry, but don’t worry! After hosting this game for over 25 family parties, I’ve seen it all. Here’s how to handle common hiccups:
- The Paper Keeps Tearing: This is almost guaranteed to happen, and it’s part of the fun! Encourage teams to just grab the torn end and keep going. If a roll becomes unusable, have a few extra rolls on standby to swap out.
- One Team is Dominating: If you have super-competitive players, keep the mood light. Remind everyone it’s about having a laugh. Awarding funny, non-speed-related prizes helps ensure everyone feels like a winner.
- Ensuring Everyone Gets a Turn: If you have time for multiple rounds, encourage teams to swap roles so someone else gets to be the mummy. It’s only fair!
- A “Mummy” Feels Uncomfortable: If someone gets claustrophobic or needs to stop, that’s totally fine. Stop the game immediately and help them unwrap. The key is fun, not fear!
Image-8: A photo of a host smiling and handing a spare toilet paper roll to a team whose paper has clearly ripped, demonstrating a helpful and fun attitude.
Variations & Customizations to Haunt Your House
Want to mix things up? This game is super easy to adapt. Here are a few of my favorite twists:
- Blindfolded Mummy Race 🙈: One wrapper on each team is blindfolded and must rely on their teammates’ verbal instructions to wrap the mummy.
- Mummy Relay Race 🏃♀️: Each team member is responsible for wrapping one specific body part (one does the legs, the next does the torso, etc.).
- Costume Mummy Challenge 👑: After the mummy is wrapped, teams have 30 seconds to add props like hats, sunglasses, or scarves.
- Obstacle Course Mummy 🚧: Once wrapped, the mummy must navigate a simple obstacle course, like stepping over pillows or weaving around chairs.
- Tiny Tot Mummies 👶: For the little ones, use wide, soft white crepe paper or strips of fabric instead of toilet paper. It’s less likely to tear and gentler on their skin.
Theme Twist 💡: For a sci-fi party, switch things up and play “Alien Cocooning”! Swap the toilet paper for rolls of aluminum foil and have teams create shiny alien cocoons. It’s a futuristic and crinkly good time!
Image-9: A hilarious photo of a person wrapped head-to-toe in shiny aluminum foil, posing like a robot for the “Alien Cocooning” variation.
Image-10: A close-up shot of different wrapping materials laid out side-by-side: toilet paper, white crepe paper, and wide strips of white fabric.
Halloween Activity FAQs ❓
#### Q1: How much toilet paper do I need to buy for a mummy wrapping race?
My rule of thumb is 2-3 standard rolls per team. However, I always recommend buying a big bulk pack from a warehouse store. You’ll have plenty for the game, extras for any tearing emergencies, and you’ll be stocked up for your bathroom anyway!
#### Q2: Can very young children or toddlers participate safely in this game?
Absolutely! For toddlers, I suggest the “Tiny Tot Mummies” variation mentioned above using soft crepe paper or fabric. Make sure the wrapping is very loose, and an adult should always be right there supervising. The goal is giggles, not a perfect wrap job!
#### Q3: What if the toilet paper keeps tearing during the wrapping process?
Embrace the chaos! The tearing is part of what makes the game so funny and frantic. Tell your guests not to worry about perfection. If it’s becoming a real issue, suggest they use a lighter touch and not pull so hard. Using a 2-ply brand also helps a bit.
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And there you have it—everything you need to host a legendary Mummy Wrapping Race! This activity never fails to get everyone involved and create a core memory for your Halloween party. I still have photos from last year’s race that make me smile every time I see them. So go ahead, grab that toilet paper, put on some spooky tunes, and get ready to unleash the laughter.
What’s your all-time favorite Halloween party game? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for new ideas to try! Happy haunting! 🎃
