100+ Best Minute-To-Win-It Games For All Ages

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Games add life and color to any party. Minute-to-win-it competition games are an excellent idea for reunions, gatherings, birthday parties, and family game nights. A family gathering or a birthday party is an ideal setting for you to play games. It will help you have a great bonding time with your loved ones. In this post, we’ve compiled an interesting list of games that can be played within a minute. These games will keep your guests hooked and make sure everyone has a blast at the party. Scroll down.

How To Play Minute-To-Win-It Games?

You can play minute-to-win-it games in three different ways. You can arrange these various types of games based on the number of participants.

1. Individual games

In this style, one player attempts to beat the clock. They have to complete the game within a minute to win. If they do, they receive a prize. If they don’t, another player will attempt to do the same within a minute.

As an alternative, you can arrange a series of games where the player plays each game until they cannot complete a task within a minute. Then, if multiple players are playing simultaneously, they can compete to complete tasks before the other.

2. Group games

In this style, two players form a group to challenge two players of another group. However, they will not be competing against a clock. Instead, they’ll be competing to see who can finish first. This fast-paced challenge will test their dexterity and brainstorming abilities.

If you have a smaller group of players, you can set the games in this style. Then, rotate the players so that everyone has an equal chance of winning and everyone has the opportunity to play more games.

3. Team games

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In this style, divide the players into teams. They will then choose one player from their team to compete against a player from the opposing team. Then, all the players compete against one another to see who can finish first. The team whose player finishes first wins the most points. If there are more teams, you can assign graded points to them.

This style works well when there are a large number of participants. However, if they don’t know each other well, this will be a great icebreaker, testing their intellect and strategic skills.

101 Minute-To-Win-It Games

We’ve compiled a list of 101 fun and entertaining minute-to-win-it games. They will instantly lift the mood and bring people together at any gathering. Children, in particular, enjoy such games, and you can include creative games for them as well.

Fun Minute-To-Win-It Games

Anyone can participate in these entertaining minute-to-win-it games. They are simple to arrange and enjoyable for people of all age groups.

1. Cereal jigsaw

This is a fun game that people of all ages can enjoy. It is simple to arrange, and you can adapt it for children or adults.

You will need:

• Cereal box
• Scissors

How to play:

• Cut the front of the cereal box and then cut it into smaller pieces. You can cut them into smaller pieces if the players are adults and bigger pieces if the players are children.
• Scatter them on a flat surface.
• Next, the players have to put the pieces together to make the front of the cereal box.
• The player who puts it together first is the winner. Such puzzles are sure to wrack their brains.

2. Suck it up

This game will be enjoyed by all participants, regardless of age. In addition, you can give the M&Ms to the winner for a sweet win.

You will need:

• M&Ms
• Drinking straws
• Two small bowls
• Timer

How to play:

• Put the M&Ms in a bowl.
• Give each player two bowls, one with M&Ms and one empty.
• When the timer starts, each player must suck an M&M with the straw to stick to the end and transfer it to the other bowl.
• The player who transfers the maximum number of M&Ms is the winner.

Minute-to-win-it games are a fun way to promote interaction between people of different age groups. It helps improve social skills and quick thinking, testing their swiftness and speed while under pressure.

3. State of affairs

Do you have nerdy friends? Then, you can play this game to keep everyone occupied for a long time.

You will need:

• A list of states/countries with their capitals
• Timer

How to play:

• Start the timer and start saying out the name of each state or country aloud.
• Each player has to answer with the name of the capital.
• The player who manages to say the most capital names is the winner.

4. Volcano

Everyone knows that when a mint is dropped in a bottle of soda, a volcano emerges. So try this experiment with your friends in your backyard.

You will need:

• Mint
• Unopened soda bottles with soda

How to play:

• Give each player a bottle of soda and some mints.
• When the game begins, each player has to open their bottles and drop the mint into them.
• Place the bottle on the ground immediately.
• In a few moments, the soda erupts.
• The player who manages to make the highest volcano wins.

5. Build a pyramid

Image: IStock

This is a fun game that you can play with your family on family nights. It is a game of balancing and coordination.

You will need:

• Paper or plastic cups
• Timer

How to play:

• When the timer begins, each player has to build a pyramid by stacking cups.
• Once it is done, dismantle it, and build it again.
• The player who manages to do this the maximum number of times wins.
• You can increase the challenge quotient by asking the players to stack using one hand. This game will test their intuition and rhythm as a team.

6. Spray it away

This is a fun game for both children and adults. If you’re planning an outdoor activity, make sure you include this game.

You will need:

• A big trashcan
• Spray bottles with water
• Balloons
• Timer

How to play:

• Inflate the balloons and hand a few to each player.
• Place the trashcan a short distance away.
• Give each player a spray bottle.
• Every player must use the spray bottle to transport the balloon to the trash can. They are not permitted to touch it.
• If the balloon crashes to the ground, they must restart.

7. Rice bowl

This is yet another game that will put the players’ patience to the test. This minute-to-win-it game has grown in popularity in recent times.

You will need:

• Rice (uncooked, if you want to make it more difficult)
• Two bowls
• Chopsticks

How to play:

• Give each player two bowls and a pair of chopsticks.
• Fill one bowl with rice and keep the other empty.
• When the timer starts, the player should use chopsticks to pick up the rice and place it in the other bowl.
• The winner is the player who manages to fill the other bowl with the most rice.

8. Name dropper

You can play this game with your friends if you think you know all the celebrities. There will be a lot of name–dropping, and you can improve your general knowledge.

You will need:

• A list of categories
• Timer

How to play:

• Decide a category and start the timer.
• The players must say the names of the celebrities belonging to the category.
• The player who says the maximum names wins.
• You can also do this in rounds, narrowing down the categories as you go. For example, in the beginning, create broad categories such as movies, sports, etc. Later, you can add categories such as Hollywood actors, music artists, etc.

9. Mr. President

Do you consider yourself to be well-versed with your country’s history? Then, you should play this game with your history-loving friends.

You will need:

• Timer

How to play:

• When the timer starts, each player has to say the names of the Presidents of the USA.
• The player who says the maximum number of names is the winner. This game tests the player’s reactive skills.

10. Chain reaction

This game is similar to name-dropping. Make lots of categories for hours of fun.

You will need:

• A list of categories
• Timer

How to play:

• Announce a category of a chain store or a brand and start the timer.
• The players must say as many brand names or store names as possible.
• Then, as you progress, you can narrow down the categories.

11. Ball drop

This minute-to-win-it game needs balance and precision. You can set it up in your home for days when you cannot go out.

You will need:

• A plastic cup
• Ping pong balls
• Chair

How to play:

• The player has to stand on the chair.
• Place the plastic cup some distance away.
• The player must throw ping pong balls into the cup without tipping it over.
• The player is declared a winner when three balls are inside the cup.

12. Wrap them

Image: IStock

Wrapping presents is an art. This game will present you with endless laughs.

You will need:

• Empty gift boxes
• Wrapping paper or newspaper
• Ribbons

How to play:

• The players have 60 seconds to wrap presents properly
• The player who wraps the most presents correctly is the winner. This game will bring out several inventive ideas from its participants.

13. Roll the dice

Have you got any math enthusiasts in your family? Then, you can play this game with them.

You will need:

• A pair of dice

How to play:

• Divide the players into teams of two.
• One player rolls the dice, and the other adds the number on the dice.
• The player has to roll the dice as many times as they can within a minute.
• The team with the highest total wins.

14. Unstack it

You have used Jenga to make a tower. Now you have to unstack it in this entertaining game.

You will need:

• Jenga blocks

How to play:

• Stack the Jenga blocks in a tower.
• Each player has to remove the blocks one by one, trying to keep the tower from falling.
• The winner is the player who removes the most blocks without causing the tower to collapse.

15. Swish and throw

This game is an agility test and is the game of choice if your gang is athletic. It is an energetic game that you can plan on a sunny day outside.

You will need:

• Plastic bottles
• Rubber balls

How to play:

• Place the plastic bottles at a distance. Weigh them down with water, if necessary.
• Throw the balls one by one at the bottles.
• When you hit a bottle, take a step back for the next shot.
• The player who hits the maximum number of bottles is the winner.

16. Nosedive

This is a game that both children and adults will enjoy. It is usually played to rousing applause and laughter at parties and get-togethers.

You will need:

• Cotton balls
• Paper plates
• Vaseline

How to play:

• Give each player two paper plates.
• Place a few cotton balls on one paper plate.
• Every player has to apply Vaseline on their nose, hold their hands behind their back, pick the cotton balls with their nose, and drop it on the other plate.
• They should not touch the balls at any point.
• A player who transfers five balls first or the player who transfers the maximum number of balls wins.

17. Yank the cards

Yank the cards is a fast-paced card game that mixes strategy with lightning-quick reactions.

You will need:

• Deck of playing cards
• Plastic cups

How to play:

• Set up plastic cups one on top of another with cards stocked in between.
• Each player tries to yank the cards from the towers.
• The aim is to pull maximum cards rapidly without collapsing the tower.
• The player who yanks the most cards within a minute is the winner.

18. Blow the ping pong balls

This game of precision and lung power can be aggravating, but also irresistibly fun.

You will need:

• Soda cans
• Ping pong balls

How to play:

• Align a few soda cans side by side on a table.
• Place a ping pong ball on top of one can.
• You aim to transfer this ping pong ball to the farthest possible by blowing.
• The one to accomplish this task the best within one minute is the winner.

19. Bottle flip

Cheers of joy and sighs of disappointment fill the air as players aim for that special moment when the bottle stands tall in this super-fun game.

You will need:

• Empty bottles
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Place a table or a flat surface in the playing area.
• The goal is to flip the water bottle and land it upright.
• The player or team who completes the most successful bottle flips in the shortest duration wins.

20. Paper toss

In this game, players begin on a funny adventure to test their throwing skills, aiming at a recycling bin as the target, blindfolded, relying solely on their senses of touch and direction.

You will need:

• Recycling bin
• Blindfold
• Crumpled pieces of paper

How to play:

• Place the bin at a safe distance from the starting point.
• The person who is going to toss the paper will be blindfolded.
• The goal is to throw the paper into the bin while blindfolded.
• Whoever scores the most points or makes the most accurate throws in a minute wins.

21. Card castle

As the game’s name suggests, the players must build the biggest and strongest castle using playing cards in just one minute.

You will need:

• Cards
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Give a deck of cards to all players.
• The players can use these cards to construct a card castle.
• The castle must stand for at least three seconds after the timer stops.
• The player who builds the highest and most stable card castle within the time limit wins.

22. Toothpick word stock

The room buzzes with concentration and creativity as participants create, dismantle, and rearrange their toothpick letters to find new words.

You will need:

• Toothpicks
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Distribute toothpicks among all the players.
• The game’s goal is to create as many three-letter words as possible using the toothpicks.
• You can’t break or bend the toothpicks.
• The player who creates the most three-letter words wins the game.

23. Toilet paper pull

In this exciting and unusual challenge, the players must stretch unrolled toilet paper across the room to wrap it around a heavy object at the far end.

You will need:

• Toilet paper
• Heavy object (glass or toy)

How to play:

• Unroll the toilet paper throughout the room, placing the heavy object at the far end of each roll.
• The goal is to roll up the toilet paper without damaging it or dropping the heavy object.
• The first player to successfully roll up their toilet paper while picking up the heavy object at the end without tearing the paper wins the game.

24. Ear, nose, and pinch

The task begins with a simple sequence of grabbing your nose and ear and clapping between each step.

You will need:

• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Hold your nose with your right hand while holding your ear with your left hand, then switch to holding your nose with your left hand and your ear with your right hand.
• Clap your hands between every switch.
• If someone makes a mistake or forgets to clap, they are out of the game.
• The person who completes the challenge the fastest and without any mistakes is the winner.

25. Balloon stacking

The game adds a whimsical touch to cup stacking by challenging the players to use balloons as their secret weapon.

You will need:

• Plastic cups
• Balloons

How to play:

• Make a line of empty glasses that are a short distance apart.
• The goal is to use a balloon to pick up each cup and stack it into a tower.
• The person who correctly stacks all of the cups without dropping them wins.

26. Marshmallow tower

Marshmallow tower blends construction skills with marshmallow sweetness.

You will need:

• Stopwatch
• Toothpicks
• Marshmallow

How to play:

• The objective is for the participants to build the tallest tower possible within one minute, using only toothpicks and marshmallows.
• The player or team that manages to construct the tallest marshmallow tower within the allotted time wins.

27. Watermelon ninja

With a creative use of a juicy watermelon as a target, the watermelon ninja game is fun and amazing.

You will need:

• Cards
• Watermelon

How to play:

• Place the watermelon on a stable surface and cut it in half.
• The objective is to throw playing cards at the watermelon and count how many stick to it.
• At the end of the game, the player with the most cards stuck in the watermelon is the winner.

28. Rhyming words

It’s a game that combines word skills with creative thinking, and the wordsmiths who can blend the given words with an array of lyrical options win.

You will need:

• Stopwatch
• List of words

How to play:

• Make a word list or assign words to each player.
• The players have to come up with as many realistic rhyming words as possible in one minute.
• Allot one point for each legitimate, accurate rhyming word.
• After one minute, the player with the highest number of points wins.

29. Move up

The move-up game is a fast-paced challenge that tests your stacking abilities and speed.

You will need:

• Two different colored cups
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• To begin the game, stack 20 cups of color A with one cup of color B on top.
• The aim is to move the cup of color B from the top of the stack to the bottom and then to the top again in one minute.
• The player who manages to get color B cup back to the top of the stack, within a minute wins the game.

30. Funny face

It’s a game that combines humor and calmness to withstand your opponent’s funny faces and gestures for a whole minute.

You will need:

• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Pair up the players so that each pair has two people facing each other.
• The goal is to keep yourself from laughing for a whole minute. However, you both can come up with funny glances and gestures to make your opponent laugh first.
• If one of the players in the pair laughs or smiles before the one-minute countdown is over, their opponent wins.

31. Mini golf masters

Turn your living room into a mini golf course with this exciting game. The players must design their own mini golf hole out of home items and try to complete the course in one minute.

You will need:

• Stopwatch
• Household items

How to play:

• Provide household items such as cups or small rings for players to create mini golf holes.
• Then, they must get a ping pong ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible.
• The person who completes their mini golf course in one-minute wins.

Do remember

Team games help improve coordination skills and promote team spirit in players.

Minute-To-WinIt Games For Kids

Children enjoy good challenges. These games are not only entertaining, but they also help children improve their motor skillsⁱSet of abilities that help move and control various body parts, especially hands, legs, and fingers. , communication skills, and teamwork.

32. Bounce the balloon

This game is a fun way to keep children occupied for hours or until the balloon bursts. This minute-to-win-it version of the game is fun too.

You will need:

• A balloon
• Stopwatch or timer

How to play:

• Inflate the balloon and drop it on the ground.
• Set the timer to one minute.
• When the timer starts, the child has to start bouncing the balloon.
• The balloon should not touch the ground until the timer runs out.

33. Chopstick race

This is a great game to improve children’s fine motor skillsⁱAbilities where one needs to use the small muscles in their hands, fingers, and wrists to perform specific movements. and also reduce fighting at breakfast. Breakfast time will never be the same anymore.

You will need:

• Cereal
• Chopsticks
• Two small bowls
• Timer

How to play:

• Give each player two bowls.
• One bowl will be filled with cereal, and the other will be empty.
• Each player has a pair of chopsticks.
• When the timer starts, each player has to pick a cereal from the bowl and drop it into the other bowl with their chopsticks.
• The player who manages to transfer the maximum number of cereal is the winner.

34. Penny stack

At birthday parties, this is a fun children’s game to play.  You can award the winning child with the pennies as a prize.

You will need:

• Pennies
• Timer

How to play:

• Give each player 25 pennies.
• When the timer starts, they have to stack the pennies using only one hand.
• The first player who manages to stack the pennies or the player who stacks the maximum number of pennies wins.

35. Oreo stack

Children love Oreo. Challenge them to a game of stacking Oreos to see how far they can go before the tower collapses.

You will need:

• Oreos
• Timer

How to play:

• Give some Oreos to each player.
• When the timer begins, each player has to start stacking the Oreos to make the largest tower.
• The player whose tower is biggest before the minute is over is the winner.

36. Water pong

This is a variant of the well-known adult game Beer Pong. Children can enjoy this game just as much as adults if the beer is replaced with water.

You will need:

• Ping pong balls
• Plastic glasses
• Water
• Table

How to play:

• Fill the cups with water and place them on one side of the table.
• Then, from the other end, the players have to throw ping pong balls into the cups.
• The player who drops the maximum number of balls in the cups is the winner.

37. Wrap it up

This game is a great idea for Halloween parties and birthday parties. Children usually love making a mess, so this is the perfect outlet for them.

You will need:

• Ribbons, toilet paper, or streamers
• Timer

How to play:

• Divide players into teams of two.
• One player must cover the other in ribbons or streamers or toilet paper as much as they can.
• The team that covers the players maximum is the winner.

38. Bottle to bottle

This is a fun minute-to-win-it game that is not simple as it appears. This game requires patience and a high level of precision and alertness from children.

You will need:

• Two empty soda bottles
• M&Ms, beads, cereal, gummy bears, jelly beans, or any small item to fill the bottles
• Duct tape

How to play:

• Tape two empty soda bottles together side by side.
• Fill one bottle with small items.
• The players have to shake and toss the bottles to transfer the contents of one bottle into the other. They cannot touch the items by hand.
• The player who can transfer the maximum number of items from one bottle to another is the winner.

39. Traffic yam

This is a fun indoor game that doubles up as a minute-to-win-it game. So prepare for guffaws and hoots of laughter.

You will need:

• Sweet potatoes
• Duct tape

How to play:

• Stick two duct tapes on the floor to indicate the start and finish lines.
• Each player has to push a sweet potato towards the finish line with their nose.

40. Iron man

Make your own iron man with this minute-to-win-it game. Test your children’s balancing skills with this game.

You will need:

• Iron nuts
• Chopsticks

How to play:

• Each player has to stack the iron nuts on top of each other before the minute runs out.
• The player who stacks the most iron nuts is the winner.

41. Lego builders

Image: IStock

Children simply adore Lego sets. So make a simple minute-to-win-it game with the blocks.

You will need:

• Lego blocks
• Paper and pen

How to play:

• Write down the instructions for a Lego construction on paper.
• The players must build a structure following the instructions.
• If the children are very young, you can simply ask them to create a tower. The one with the tallest tower wins.

42. Captain America superhero game

If your children are Captain America fans, you can plan this game for them on their birthday or a special occasion.

You will need:

• Paper plates in white, red, and blue
• Basket or box
• Masking tape

How to play:

• Apply the tape to the floor and place the basket 20 feet away.
• The players stand behind the tape and throw the paper plate “shields” into the basket.
• The player who throws the maximum plates into the basket is the winner.
• If you are playing individually, you can ask each player to throw a certain number of plates before the minute is up.

43. Sticky hands

Even if your children dislike creepy crawlies, they may enjoy this game. They could even pretend they are Spiderman.

You will need:

• Sticky hands
• Plastic spiders

How to play:

• Put a few plastic spiders on a table.
• Give each player a sticky hand.
• The players have to pick the spiders with the sticky hand.
• The player who picks the most spiders wins. Alternatively, you can ask them to pick up a certain number of spiders before the minute is up.

44. Balance the book

This is an excellent game for improving your children’s gross motor skillsⁱAbilities that allow one to perform tasks by engaging the large muscles in the legs, arms, and torso. . For this game, you can create a short race track in your living room.

You will need:

• Books
• Duct tape

How to play:

• Apply duct tape to the floor and create a race track.
• The players have to stand at the start line and place a book on their heads.
• Then they must attempt to reach the finish line by balancing the book. They should not touch the book with their hands.
• If a player drops the book, they must start again.
• The player who finishes first or the player who completes the most circuits back and forth wins.

45. Dice stack

Dice stack is a compelling skill game that tests your child’s patience and hand-eye coordination.

You will need:

• Four to five dice of different sizes
• Ice cream sticks

How to play:

• Each player needs to place an ice cream stick in their mouth.
• Then, they must stack dice on top of each other without making them fall.
• You may also use different sizes of dice to increase the difficulty level.
• The player who can stack the most dice before the stack collapses wins.

46. Straw and pom-poms

Laughter fills the air as children race to move as many pom-poms as they can in the specified time in this fun activity.

You will need:

• Colorful pom-poms
• Straws
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Scatter pom-poms on a flat surface or a table and give each player a straw.
• The players must suck up a pom-pom with the straw and then blow it onto the other side.
• The person who transfers the most pom-poms within a minute wins.

47. Stick the sticky notes

The sticky notes challenge is a funny and entertaining game that will quickly cover you with colorful sticky notes.

You will need:

• Sticky notes
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Each team chooses a ‘sticky’ and a ‘target’ player.
• Set the stopwatch to one minute.
• The ‘sticky’ players must stick as many sticky notes as possible on the ‘target.’
• Count the number of sticky notes when the timer ends.
• Repeat the game with other players/teams if desired.
• Ultimately, the team with the most sticky notes attached to the ‘target’ player wins.

48. Bowling

It’s a fast-paced and entertaining game with only five rolls per player, offering immense fun for everyone involved.

You will need:

• Empty bottles
• Small ball

How to play:

• Set up the bottles in a triangle at one end of the table, like in regular bowling.
• The players try to knock down as many bottles as possible in one minute using the ball.
• Track the number of bottles knocked down by each player in each roll.
• After five rolls, total the scores. The player with the highest score wins.

49. Roller rings

This is an enjoyable game for kids, where they need to aim, roll the ball, and try to score their way to victory.

You will need:

• Plastic rings
• Tennis balls

How to play:

• Arrange the rings about ten feet away from the players on the floor.
• The players must roll tennis balls into the rings and try to fetch as many balls as possible inside each ring.
• In the end, The player with the most balls in a ring or the highest total score wins.

50. Backward ABC

The backward ABC game turns a common childhood activity into an exciting test of memory and mental agility.

You will need:

• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Bring everyone together in a circle or in a row.
• Ask children to correctly recite the alphabet in the reverse order as quickly as they can.
• The player who recites the alphabet backward without making mistakes wins the game.

51. Flying feathers

With buckets close by, watch children eagerly take turns, holding a feather in their hands and excitement in their hearts.

You will need:

• Feather
• Bucket

How to play:

• Set the bucket at a certain distance from where the participants begin the play.
• Give each participant a feather.
• The goal is to blow a feather without touching it across the room and into the bucket.
• The person who gets the feather closest to the bucket within one minute wins the game.

52. Tissue box

The tissue box game turns a plain box of tissues into a thrilling race against the clock by introducing a skillful twist.

You will need:

• Tissue box
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Provide each player with a box of tissues and set the timer to one minute.
• The objective is to remove tissues from the box, one at a time, using just one hand, as quickly as possible.
• When the timer runs off, the player with the most tissues wins.

53. Sticky marbles

Children prepare to launch marbles of various colors using double-sided tape as their canvas in this creatively artistic game.

You will need:

• Colorful marbles
• Double-sided tape
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Unroll the double-sided tape on the table with the sticky side facing up.
• Players should roll marbles across the table and stick them to the tape before the timer ends.
• The player with the most marbles stuck to the tape before the timer stops wins the game.

54. Minty dog bone challenge

Watch your children joyfully accept this fun task as they transform a ruler into a ‘dog bone’ by taping mint containers on both ends.

You will need:

• Ruler
• Mint container
• Mints

How to play:

• Attach the two mint containers to each end of the ruler to form a ‘dog bone’ shape.
• Put mints in both containers.
• Now, the players must keep the ruler in their mouths and shake their heads sideways to make the mints fall out of the containers.
• Finally, the player with a few mint left in their container wins.

Minute-To-Win-It Christmas Games

Christmas is a joyous occasion that brings your family together. Play these games during Christmas to spread some holiday cheer.

55. Marshmallow munch

This is the perfect Christmas game to play with your family and friends. It also keeps the cold at bay, and children who like marshmallows will enjoy this game.

You will need:

• Mini marshmallows
• Hot chocolate
• Small bowls
• Timer

How to play:

• Put the mini marshmallows in small bowls.
• Set the timer to one minute and start it.
• The players have to race to finish the marshmallows and drink the hot chocolate before the minute ends.
• The first player to finish the task is the winner.

56. Stuff it

This is yet another fun marshmallow game that will be a big hit with children. However, you can make this game more enjoyable by adding your touches.

You will need:

• Mini marshmallows
• Timer

How to play:

• When the timer goes, each player has to pick one marshmallow and place it inside their mouth.
• Continue to do this until their mouth is filled with marshmallows.
• Count the number of marshmallows they put in their mouth while they put it in.
• The player who has managed to stuff the maximum number of mini marshmallows is the winner.
• You can ask them to say something with their mouth full or act like an animal to make the game funnier.

57. Candy cane catch

Christmas time is a joyous occasion for all. Make it more enjoyable with this simple minute-to-win-it game.

You will need:

• Ribbon
• Chairs
• Candy canes

How to play:

• Tie the ribbon between two chairs and pull them apart to make the ribbon taut.
• The players must stand on the chairs.
• The goal is to drop the candy cane on the ribbon and make it stay there.
• The player who manages to achieve the goal the maximum number of times is the winner.

58. Toy touchdown

This is yet another Christmas game for the family to enjoy. It fosters a sense of well-being and encourages teamwork.

You will need:

• Plastic ornaments
• Christmas basket
• Duct tape
• Pantyhose

How to play:

• One player on the team is the carrier. Tie the basket around their middle using pantyhose.
• Apply duct tape to the floor. All the other players have to stand beyond that line.
• Each player throws the plastic ornaments towards the player with the basket who tries to catch them. They must not touch the objects with their hands.
• The first team that collects five toys is the winner.

59. Elf toss

This tossing game is an all-time favorite among children. Play it at Christmas for some brownie points.

You will need:

• Plastic elves
• Small holiday buckets

How to play:

• Place three buckets in a row. One will be 5 feet away, the second will be 7 feet away, and the third bucket will be 10 feet away.
• Each player has to throw at least one elf into each of the buckets within a minute.

60. Snowman shake

Even if you do not have any snow at Christmas, do not worry. This game will bring back all the laughs.

You will need:

• White ping pong balls
• Tissue boxes
• Duct tape

How to play:

• Decorate the ping pong balls to resemble snowmen’s
• Attach the tissue box behind a player using duct tape.
• Fill the tissue box with the balls.
• The players have to shake their bodies to remove all the balls out of the box.
• The player who removes all the balls first is the winner.

61. Cold balloon pop

If you are feeling cold, it is time to warm up with this game. So get ready for loads of fun this Christmas.

You will need:

• Balloons
• Snow gloves

How to play:

• Inflate the balloons and drop them on the floor.
• Each player should burst the balloons while wearing snow gloves.
• The player who bursts the most balloons is the winner.

62. Pile of kisses

How nimble are your fingers? Test your skills with this Christmas minute-to-win-it game.

You will need:

• Hershey kisses
• Two bowls

How to play:

• Give each player two bowls.
• Fill one with wrapped Hershey kisses.
• When the timer starts, the players have to unwrap them one by one and drop them in the other bowl.
• The player who makes the largest pile of kisses is the winner.

63. New Year eve countdown

The next big event after Christmas is the New Year. So bring in the New Year with this game.

You will need:

• Ping pong balls
• Marker
• Tissue box

How to play:

• Write the numbers 1 to 5 on the ping pong balls and drop them into the tissue box.
• The players have to roll and shake them around to arrange them in ascending order in a line.

64. Jingle bells

These adorable jingle bells will get you in the Christmas spirit. Who knows, Santa Claus might even drop by your home for a cozy chat.

You will need:

• Jingle bells
• Gift boxes
• Wrapping paper

How to play:

• Fill the boxes with a different number of jingle bells and gift wrap them.
• The players should shake the boxes and try to guess the number of bells inside them.
• You can also ask them to arrange them in ascending order.
• Open the boxes and count.

65. Partridge in a pear tree

If “12 days of Christmas” is your favorite Christmas song, you must play this game with your family.

You will need:

• A sheet of paper
• Tape
• A small bucket
• Badminton birdies
• Blindfold

How to play:

• Print out a picture of a pear on the sheet of paper.
• Divide players into teams of two.
• One player has to attach the picture of the pear to their front using tape and hold a bucket on top of their head.
• The other player has to wear a blindfold and stand at a distance with some birdies in their hand.
• They have to throw the birdies, and the first player has to try to catch them in the bucket without touching them. They cannot move to catch the birdies as they are pear trees. They may communicate with the other player to help them throw accurately.
• The team which manages to catch the maximum number of birdies wins.

66. Paper planes

In this fun airplane race game, players create colorful  paper planes and compete to see whose plane can fly the fastest.

You will need:

• Color papers

How to play:

• Give each player access to a flying area and a stack of paper.
• The players fold and launch paper airplanes one by one.
• Points are awarded for each successfully flown plane.
• The player who collects the most points in a minute wins.

67. Donut on a string

The donut on a string is a fun and perfect party game that requires fast reactions while satisfying your sweet tooth.

You will need:

• Donut
• String
• Blindfold

How to play:

• Hang the donuts on a string at a reachable height.
• Blindfold the players.
• The aim is to eat the entire donut without using your hands.
• Players can twist, jump, and contort to reach the donut.
• The first player to finish the donut wins.

68. Straw sculptures

Straw sculptures allow individuals to express their creativity by using drinking straws.

You will need:

• Straws
• Stopwatch
• Tape

How to play:

• Give each player a stack of straws and a roll of tape.
• The players must use straws and tape to create sculptures of their choice.
• The player who makes the most amazing straw sculptures in one minute wins.

69. Candy toss

The candy toss game is a fun and competitive game, incorporating sweetness and accuracy. .

You will need:

• Candy
• Stopwatch
• Cups

How to play:

• Pair up the participants, ensuring they stand at least three feet distance.
• One player must stand with a cup and the other partner will stand at the other end with candies.
• The player with candies must toss them into their partner’s cup.
• The pair with the most candies in their cup after the timer ends wins.

70. Breakfast bands

The room fills with laughter and excitement as cereal loops turn into vibrant wristbands, in this joyful game.

You will need:

• Cereal
• Pipe cleaner (of various colors)
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Thread as many cereal or candy pieces onto the pipe cleaner using only one hand to create a bracelet or wristband.
• When you are done, use only one hand to put the bracelet on your wrist.
• The player who threads and wears the bracelet in the shortest time wins.

71. Blow the pom-poms

Witness gentle breaths turning into strong gusts of wind as players blow their pom-poms toward the finish line in this fun game.

You will need:

• Pom-poms
• Tape

How to play:

• Make two parallel lines spaced apart with tape on the floor or tabletop.
• These lines will serve as the beginning and end points.
• Ask the players to blow out a pom-pom from one line to the other.
• The winner is the first player who gets their pom-pom past the finish line.

72. Head stacker

The head stacker game transforms a basic paper plate into a fanciful stage for a balancing performance.

You will need:

• Paper plate
• Lightweight items (candies, cotton balls, sprinkles, etc.)

How to play:

• Give each participant a paper plate and place the objects within easy reach.
• The players should pile up as many items as possible on top of their heads on the paper plate without dropping them.
• The player who can stack the most stuff on their head before the paper plate falls wins.

73. Marshmallow toss

The marshmallow toss game is a lively and exciting activity that challenges your coordination and accuracy.

You will need:

• Cups
• Mini marshmallows
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Divide the marshmallows in two cups.
• Set a timer for a minute.
• The players must move as many marshmallows from cup one to cup two in one minute. The twist here is that they should toss the marshmallows and not pick and drop them with their hands.
• After the timer stops, count the number of marshmallows transferred from cup one to cup two for each player.
• The player with the most marshmallows after one minute wins.

Minute-To-Win-It Games For Adults

When you hold an adults-only party, there might be some alcohol flowing. These games are perfect drinking games. Remember to have alcohol responsibly, know your limits, and never drink and drive.

74. Cookie face

This is a super fun game you can play at kitty parties and family reunions. So get ready to exercise your facial muscles with this game.

You will need:

• Oreo
• Timer

How to play:

• Place the Oreo on your forehead.
• Start the timer.
• Moving your face only, bring it to your mouth.
• If it falls, place it on your forehead again.
• The player who achieves the goal first is the winner.

75. Scoop it up

This is another fun game to play with adults. It will keep them entertained for quite some time, and there will be plenty of laughs.

You will need:

• Ping pong balls
• Two small bowls
• Plastic spoon

How to play:

• Put 4-5 ping pong balls into one bowl.
• Place both bowls in front of the player.
• The player sits with a spoon in their mouth.
• Then the player has to put their hands behind their backs, pick up each ping pong ball from one bowl, and drop it into the other.
• The player who drops the maximum balls within a minute is the winner.

76. Apple stacks

This game will test your ability to maintain your balance. Therefore, you must play this game if you believe you are an expert at balancing things.

You will need:

• Apples
• Timer

How to play:

• Provide each player with some apples.
• When the timer starts, they have to start stacking the apples one on top of the other.
• The player who manages to make the biggest apple tower wins.

77. Thread it

This game sounds pretty simple but can get quite frustrating. Nevertheless, this is a great game to play during kitty parties and other adult get-togethers.

You will need:

• Needles
• Spools of thread
• Scissors
• Timer

How to play:

• Give each player several needles, a spool of thread, and a pair of scissors.
• When the timer starts, each player has to thread the string through the needle and cut it.
• Take another needle and thread it again.
• The player who threads the maximum number of needles within a minute is the winner.

78. Eggs-cellent spooner

This is a notch harder than the ping-pong ball game, scoop it up. If you don’t mind some mess, play this game for endless laughter.

You will need:

• Two bowls
• Eggs
• Spoon
• Timer

How to play:

• Give each player two bowls and a spoon.
• Place several eggs in one bowl.
• When the timer starts, each player must transfer the eggs from one bowl to another by holding the spoon in their mouth.
• The player who transfers the maximum number of eggs wins.

79. Beer pong

Image: Shutterstock

Beer pong is a popular drinking game that adults play at parties. Watch the shots go awry as the players drink more beer.

You will need:

• Plastic cups
• Beer
• Ping pong balls
• Table

How to play:

• Fill the plastic cups in half with beer and place them on one edge of the table.
• The players must take turns to stand on the other side and throw ping pong balls into the cups.
• If a ball lands in a cup, they should drink the beer in it.
• The more they drink, the more their target.

80. Name the tune

This game will appeal to your music-loving friends. In addition, the game can help you improve your memory and recall skillsⁱThe ability to preserve information in the brain and retrieve it when required. .

You will need:

• A sheet of paper
• Pen
• Music player
• Timer

How to play:

• Play 12 five-second clips of music.
• Each player must write down the names of the track they think was played.
• The player with the correct entries wins.

81. Mental math

How many of you recall what you learned in school? This game will put your math skills to the test.

You will need:

• A list of math problems
• Timer

How to play:

• Each player must solve as many problems as they can within a minute.
• The player who solves the most problems wins.
• Put in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions to confuse the players.

82. Choosing cups

This can double up as a drinking game if there are only adults at the party. This is a game where the tipsier you get, the funnier it becomes.

You will need:

• Plastic cups
• Beer
• Stickers

How to play:

• Stick some stickers on the underside of a few cups.
• Place these cups among other cups randomly in a line and fill all the cups with beer.
• The players have to lift each cup to see if there is a sticker beneath it. If there is a sticker, they have to drink the beer in the cup.
• The player who finds the maximum stickers within a minute wins.

83. Bouncing basketball

This is a minute-to-win-it game that is fun when played while drinking. You can quickly adapt this game for children.

You will need:

• Ping pong balls
• Small bucket

How to play:

• Give each player ten ping pong balls.
• Place the bucket at some distance.
• The players have to bounce their balls and drop it into the bucket.
• The balls have to bounce at least once. You cannot throw them directly into the bucket.
• The floor should allow the balls to bounce.
• Every time a ball goes into the bucket, the player should take a shot.

84. Rubber band shooting

In this exciting game for adults, get ready to see cans falling and hear cheers of victory as players aim for the perfect shot!

You will need:

• Empty cans
• Rubber bands
• Small paper balls

How to play:

• Stack the cans in a pyramid form, with more cans at the bottom and fewer on top.
• The players take turns to knock cans out of the pyramid with rubber bands and paper balls.
• Set a timer for one minute to make it a timed challenge.
• Count the number of cans knocked down for each player as the timer stops.
• The player with the fewest remaining cans wins.

85. Egg and spoon race

Transform this classic, fun childhood activity into an exciting, compelling adult challenge.

You will need:

• Spoon
• Eggs

How to play:

• Establish a beginning and finishing point.
• The players must carry an egg on a spoon from the beginning to the end point without dropping it.
• The player who successfully finishes the race in the shortest time wins.

86. Head steps

In this energetic and exhilarating activity, participants engage in a fun head swaying while wearing fitness monitors firmly fastened to their heads.

You will need:

• Fitness tracker
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Securely strap a fitness tracker to each participant’s head.
• The goal is to earn as many ‘steps’ on the fitness device as possible by shaking the head back and forth.
• The player with the most steps on their fitness tracker within a minute wins the game.

87. Rescue the gummy bears

In this delightful game, the players must accept the challenge of saving the tasty treats hidden in a soft, cream-filled setting with their mouths only, as their hands are tied behind their backs.

You will need:

• Gummy bears
• Whipped cream

How to play:

• Hide numerous gummy worms in a dish filled with whipped cream.
• The players have to find and grab the gummy worms using only your mouth (no hands).
• When the timer stops, count how many gummy worms each player has collected.
• The player with the most gummy worms at the end wins.

88. Sweet sorting

This game mixes precision and fun, and each candy sorted brings you one step closer to success.

You will need:

• 100 multi-colored candies
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Place the candy pile in front of each player.
• The players must sort the candy by color using only their non-dominant hand.
• When the timer runs out, count leftover unsorted candies for each player.
• The player with the fewest unsorted candies at the end wins the game.

89. Penny drops

Each coin transforms into a miniature missile as the timer runs, carefully shot into the bucket in this fun challenge.

You will need:

• Cup
• Bucket
• Coins
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Place the plastic cup in the bucket of water about two inches above the cup.
• The players must throw coins into the bucket, hoping they will land in the cup.
• When the timer goes off, the player with the most coins in the cup wins.

90. Find the kernel

This interesting game transforms a basic pot of corn kernels into a fascinating quest of patience and precision.

You will need:

• Kernels
• Chopsticks
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Mix the colored corn kernels with the plain ones, making sure they are hidden.
• The players must use chopsticks to identify and take out the colored corn kernels within a minute.
• The player who finds and removes the most colored kernels within the time limit wins.

91. Bubble race

In this fun bubble game, everyone will enjoy seeing the bubbles dance and bounce towards the finish line.

You will need:

• Bubble wands

How to play:

• Set the finish and start lines close together.
• Blow a bubble and keep it in the air as you cross the finish line.
• The player whose bubble lasts until they reach the finish line first wins.

92. Water tower

It is an enjoyable game that challenges your building and coordinating skills. The aim is to earn as many points as possible by constructing floors in water before gravity brings them down!

You will need:

• Bowl of water
• Plates
• Empty cans
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Make the plate float in a bowl of water.
• Try to build a tower out of empty cans on the floating plate.
• You earn points for each ‘floor’ of your structure before it falls.
• The winner is the player with the most points at the end of the timer.

93. Carry the bag

In this amusing game, a row of paper bags serve as the unusual obstacle course, putting participants’ skills to the test.

You will need:

• Paper bags
• A table
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Arrange the paper bags in a row on the floor.
• The players must pick up the bags with their mouths and place them on the table.
• The player who correctly places all of the bags on the table in a minute wins.

94. Party blower

It’s a game that balances fun and challenge, and the winner is the one who can showcase a skilled performance with their breath.

You will need:

• Plastic cups
• A table
• Party blowers

How to play:

• Arrange the plastic cups in a row on one edge of the table.
• Use a party blower to move the cups from one side of the table to the other as quickly as possible.
• The player whose cup moves the farthest in a minute wins.

95. Crazy pasta

This game could interest pasta lovers, and the best part is, if you win, you get to cook and enjoy some delicious pasta as your reward!

You will need:

• Pasta
• Spaghetti sticks
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Place the dried rotini pasta on plates and give each participant a cup.
• The players must use mouth-held spaghetti to move the pasta from the plate to the cup.
• The winner is the player who successfully transfers most pasta pieces into the cup within a minute.

96. Puzzle race

This puzzle game is a fast-paced and fascinating battle that tests your teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

You will need:

• Puzzle
• Stopwatch

How to play:

• If you use a traditional puzzle, ensure it’s dismantled and ready.
• The goal is to finish the puzzle and form a recognizable shape within one minute.
• The player who completes the puzzle or makes the shape in one minute wins.

97. Back-to-back

In this cheerful game, partners work together in a coordinated dance of cooperation and balance, taking turns going up and down.

You will need:

• Stopwatch

How to play:

• Partners sit on the ground with their backs touching and arms intertwined.
• They try to stand up and sit down for one minute without unlinking their arms.
• The pair that does this the most times in one minute wins.

98. Jump the rope

This jump rope game turns a simple childhood interest into a competitive team sport.

You will need:

• Stopwatch
• Jump rope

How to play:

• Split the participants into two teams and make them stand in a line.
• Each player from a team jumps rope ten times, and passes the rope to the next person.
• The player who has finished jumping rope goes to the back of the line.
• The team with the most members completing ten jumps before the timer goes off is the winner.

99. Human ring toss

The human ring toss game is an entertaining activity where partners test their aiming skills by trying to toss rings onto each other.

You will need:

• Stopwatch
• Hula loops or pool floats

How to play:

• Split the players into pairs and position them at least six feet apart.
• To win, each partner must encircle the other with a hula hoop or pool float.
• The duo with the most rings correctly placed on each other at the end of a minute wins.

100. Feed your partner

In this amusing and exciting game, the blindfolded partner relies on their seated teammates’ voice-guided instructions to serve them pudding with precision.

You will need:

• Blindfold
• Spoon
• Pudding

How to play:

• Divide the participants into pairs.
• One partner sits in a chair and the other stands blindfolded.
• The blindfolded partner tries to spoon-feed pudding to the seated partner.
• The team with the least pudding left in their cup after one minute wins.

101. Pencil flip

It is a fun game that tests your coordination and flair, with success measured in cool flips and swift pencil catches.

You will need:

• Stopwatch
• Pencil

How to play:

• Put a pencil on your hand’s back and stretch out your hand with the palm facing down.
• Flip your palm in an attempt to capture the pencil as it falls.
• If you catch it, add another pencil in the same way to your hand.
• The person who acquires the most pencils at the end of one minute wins.

Infographic: How To Play Minute-To-Win-It Games?

One-minute games are a popular way to entertain a small or large crowd. These are not only challenging but also fun to play. If you wish to know the rules for playing these games, check out the infographic below and get familiar. Learn them so you can incorporate the games into your party.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Fun family indoor activities don’t have to be boring! Check out our video on 10 Minute to Win It Games for Kids – easy at-home games for kids that will keep everyone entertained!

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Jaye Harrison has more than a decade of experience in event and party planning. She did her graduation in Human Services at Griffith University and used her education to launch herself into event planning. Over the years, Jaye has showcased her expertise in creating memorable events and personal experiences for a wide array of clients.

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