75 Minute-to-Win-It Games for Every Group and Occasion

The first time I hosted a Minute-to-Win-It night, I bought $60 worth of supplies for 20 games. We played four. Everyone had a blast, and I had a garage full of red Solo cups for a year.

Here’s how it works. Each game gives a player 60 seconds to pull off one silly task with stuff you already own, like wiggling a cookie from forehead to mouth with no hands. One minute, one goal, and a whole lot of yelling from the sidelines.

This list has 75 minute to win it games for kids, teens, adults and couples. There are picks for classrooms, offices and teams too, plus games for home, the backyard and seasonal parties. You’ll also get a quick-pick table, simple tournament rules, and a guide to the best list for your crowd.

Quick Answer

Short answer: Give each challenge 60 seconds and use stuff from your kitchen or junk drawer, like plastic cups, cookies, balloons, and pennies. Players can score on their own or as teams. And don’t overdo it. Three to five games per event is plenty, since every game runs longer than you’d think once you add setup, a demo, and a few redos.

Quick-Pick Minute-to-Win-It Table

How to Run a Minute-to-Win-It Tournament

Running a tournament is easy. The hard part is keeping 20 excited people from grabbing the cookies before you’ve explained the rules. Here’s the setup that’s worked for me at birthday parties, a school fun night, and one very competitive family reunion.

Set up a supply station. Put every game’s supplies in its own labeled bin or zip-top bag before guests arrive. A dollar-store bin for each game (about $1.25 each at Dollar Tree) keeps you from digging through a pile of cups mid-game.

Use one loud timer. A phone works, but a kitchen timer or a big countdown clock on the TV is better, because everyone can see the seconds tick down. That last-10-seconds countdown is half the fun.

Demo every game first. Do a 10-second run yourself before anyone plays. People get the rules from watching way faster than from listening, and you’ll find out right away whether that cookie is too crumbly.

Decide on attempts ahead of time. On the show, players get unlimited tries until time runs out. That works for most games. For quick ones like Penny Tower, one minute with as many restarts as you want keeps it fair.

Keep points simple:

• 3 points for finishing the challenge
• 1 point for the best try if nobody finishes
• Bonus point for the fastest finish

Plan a tie-breaker. Keep one quick game in your pocket for ties. Cup Pyramid or Penny Tower works great, since it’s easy to tell who got farther.

Think about safety. Pennies, hard candy, and balloon pieces are choking hazards for little kids, so keep those games for older groups. Ask about food allergies before any snack game, and keep running games away from coffee tables and stairs. Wipe up spilled water right away too, before somebody slides into the wall.

Classic Crowd-Pleasers

These ten come straight from the TV show, and they’re the ones guests already know. Start here if you only have time to pick a few.

1. Cookie Face

This is the game everybody pictures first, and it’s still the funniest one to watch.

• Supplies: Sandwich cookies, about $4 a pack
• Setup: Players tilt their heads back, and you set a cookie in the middle of each forehead.
• In 60 seconds: Wiggle the cookie down to your mouth using only your face. If it falls, grab a new one and start over.
• Scoring: 3 points for getting it in your mouth.
• Best adaptation: Kids do better with a lighter vanilla wafer. Check for food allergies first. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it cookie face]

2. Stack Attack

This is the classic speed stack. Build a pyramid, then put it all back into one tower.

• Supplies: 21 plastic cups per player
• Setup: Start with the cups in one stack.
• In 60 seconds: Build a 6-5-4-3-2-1 pyramid, then collapse it back into a single stack.
• Scoring: 3 points for finishing. Fastest time wins a tie.
• Best adaptation: Give kids 10 cups and a 4-3-2-1 pyramid.

3. Junk in the Trunk

It’s the game that makes grown adults look ridiculous, which is exactly why people love it.

• Supplies: An empty tissue box, a belt, and 6 ping-pong balls
• Setup: Fill the box with the balls and strap it to the player’s lower back.
• In 60 seconds: Shake, wiggle, and jump until every ball falls out. No hands.
• Scoring: 3 points for an empty box. Otherwise, 1 point per ball.
• Best adaptation: Kids 6 and up can play with 4 balls. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: junk in the trunk minute to win it]

4. Movin’ On Up

A stack of red cups hides one green cup at the bottom. Your job is to bring it to the top.

• Supplies: 15 red cups and 1 green cup
• Setup: Stack them with the green cup at the bottom.
• In 60 seconds: Using one hand, move the top cup to the bottom of the stack, one at a time, until green is on top.
• Scoring: 3 points for finishing.
• Best adaptation: Use 8 cups for little kids.

5. Penny Tower

You’ll need a steady hand for this one, and you’ll find out fast who’s had too much coffee.

• Supplies: 30 pennies
• Setup: Scatter the pennies on a table.
• In 60 seconds: Stack all 30 into one tower using one hand. It has to stand for 3 seconds.
• Scoring: 3 points for a finished tower. Otherwise, count the pennies.
• Best adaptation: Pennies are a choking hazard for kids under 4. Use checkers for younger players.

6. Suck It Up

Players race to drink a cup of juice through a ridiculously long straw.

• Supplies: 6 straws taped end to end per player, plus a cup of water or juice
• Setup: Set the cup on the floor while the player stands.
• In 60 seconds: Drink the whole cup through the long straw.
• Scoring: 3 points for an empty cup.
• Best adaptation: Use 3 straws for kids. Bendy straws make a great twisty version for teens.

7. Nose Dive

Put a dab of petroleum jelly on your nose and turn it into a cotton ball magnet.

• Supplies: Petroleum jelly, cotton balls, and 2 bowls
• Setup: Set the bowls about 6 feet apart.
• In 60 seconds: Press your nose into the cotton, carry it to the other bowl, and drop it in. No hands.
• Scoring: 1 point per cotton ball.
• Best adaptation: Ages 6 and up. Keep wipes nearby, because it gets messy.

8. Back Flip

Balance craft sticks on the back of your hand, flip them up, and catch them.

• Supplies: 10 craft sticks
• Setup: Lay the sticks across the back of your hand.
• In 60 seconds: Flip and catch 1 stick, then 2, then 3, and keep going.
• Scoring: 1 point for each catch.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can start with just 1 stick and count their catches.

9. This Blows

Blow up a balloon, then use its air to blast cups right off the table.

• Supplies: Balloons and 15 plastic cups
• Setup: Line the cups up along a table.
• In 60 seconds: Blow up the balloon, aim the opening, and let the air knock the cups off.
• Scoring: 3 points for clearing all 15.
• Best adaptation: Kids 8 and up can play. Check for latex allergies, and pick up popped pieces.

10. Elephant March

Swing a ball in pantyhose like an elephant’s trunk to knock over water bottles.

• Supplies: Pantyhose, a tennis ball, and 6 empty water bottles
• Setup: Drop the ball into one leg of the pantyhose, and pull the waist over the player’s head.
• In 60 seconds: Swing the “trunk” to knock down all 6 bottles.
• Scoring: 1 point per bottle.
• Best adaptation: Use 3 bottles for kids, and spread them out for adults.

Cup, Straw, and Desk Games

Got a bag of cups and a table? You’ve got half a party. For more cup ideas, see our cup game guide.

11. Rapid Fire Cup Knockdown

Knock down a cup pyramid, rebuild it, and do it again as many times as you can.

• Supplies: 6 cups and a soft ball
• Setup: Build a 3-2-1 pyramid at the end of a table.
• In 60 seconds: Throw the ball, knock the pyramid down, rebuild, and keep going.
• Scoring: 1 point per knockdown.
• Best adaptation: Kids stand 4 feet back. Adults stand 8 feet back.

12. Tilt-A-Cup

This is a homemade cup-and-ball toy, and it’s way harder than it looks.

• Supplies: A plastic cup and a crumpled ball of paper
• Setup: Drop the paper ball in the cup.
• In 60 seconds: Toss the ball up and catch it back in the cup.
• Scoring: 1 point per catch.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can use a bowl instead.

13. Flip Your Lid

It’s tiddlywinks with yogurt lids.

• Supplies: 10 plastic yogurt lids and a bowl
• Setup: Put the bowl about 1 foot away.
• In 60 seconds: Press the edge of each lid so it flips into the bowl.
• Scoring: 1 point per lid in the bowl.
• Best adaptation: Move the bowl closer for little kids.

14. Speed Eraser

Think desk shuffleboard with pink erasers.

• Supplies: 5 block erasers and painter’s tape
• Setup: Tape a target zone at the far end of a desk.
• In 60 seconds: Slide the erasers into the zone without letting them fall off the edge.
• Scoring: 2 points in the zone, 1 point near it.
• Best adaptation: Great for classrooms. Each row can play at once.

15. Cup Pyramid

This one’s a tower with index cards between every layer, and it’s surprisingly shaky.

• Supplies: 10 cups and 4 index cards
• Setup: Cups and cards in a pile.
• In 60 seconds: Build a 4-3-2-1 pyramid with a card on top of each layer.
• Scoring: 3 points for a full pyramid.
• Best adaptation: This makes a perfect tie-breaker.

16. Cup-to-Cup Transfer

Move water from one cup to another using only a sponge.

• Supplies: 2 cups, water, and a sponge
• Setup: Fill one cup and mark a line on the empty one.
• In 60 seconds: Soak up the water and squeeze it into the empty cup.
• Scoring: 3 points for hitting the line.
• Best adaptation: Play over a towel, or outside on a hot day.

17. Straw Race

Blow a straw across the table using another straw.

• Supplies: 2 straws per player
• Setup: Mark a start and finish line with tape.
• In 60 seconds: Blow through one straw to push the other one across the table and back.
• Scoring: 1 point per lap.
• Best adaptation: Kids 5 and up can play.

18. Rubber Band Shooting Gallery

Shoot rubber bands at dominoes standing on a table.

• Supplies: 20 rubber bands and 10 dominoes
• Setup: Stand the dominoes up at the end of a table.
• In 60 seconds: Shoot rubber bands to knock them down.
• Scoring: 1 point per domino.
• Best adaptation: Ages 10 and up. Always aim away from people, and grab safety glasses if you have them.

19. Paper Clip Chain

Link paper clips into the longest chain you can.

• Supplies: A box of paper clips
• Setup: Pour out a pile.
• In 60 seconds: Link the clips together one at a time.
• Scoring: 1 point per clip in the chain.
• Best adaptation: Use jumbo clips for kids.

20. Sticky Situation

One player wears a paper plate covered in tape, and a partner tosses cotton balls at it.

• Supplies: A paper plate, double-sided tape, string, and cotton balls
• Setup: Cover the plate with tape and hang it around the player’s neck.
• In 60 seconds: The partner tosses cotton balls from 5 feet away.
• Scoring: 1 point per cotton ball that sticks.
• Best adaptation: Great for pairs and couples.

Ping-Pong, Ball, and Balloon Games

A $5 pack of ping-pong balls covers a lot of games. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it ping pong ball games]

21. Ping-Pong Bounce

Bounce a ping-pong ball off the table and into a cup.

• Supplies: Ping-pong balls and 5 cups
• Setup: Line the cups up at the end of the table.
• In 60 seconds: Bounce a ball into each cup, one at a time.
• Scoring: 3 points for filling all 5.
• Best adaptation: Kids can bounce from a closer spot.

22. Paddle Balance

Keep a ping-pong ball bouncing on a paddle without dropping it.

• Supplies: A paddle and a ping-pong ball
• Setup: Stand in an open space.
• In 60 seconds: Bounce the ball on the paddle as many times as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point per bounce in a row.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can use a big paper plate.

23. Spoon Carry

Carry ping-pong balls across the room with a spoon in your mouth.

• Supplies: A spoon, ping-pong balls, and 2 bowls
• Setup: Set the bowls 10 feet apart.
• In 60 seconds: Carry the balls, one at a time.
• Scoring: 1 point per ball.
• Best adaptation: Kids can hold the spoon in their hand.

24. Ball Drop

Drop a ping-pong ball from forehead height into a narrow vase.

• Supplies: A tall vase or jar, plus ping-pong balls
• Setup: Set the vase on the floor.
• In 60 seconds: Drop balls from your forehead, one at a time.
• Scoring: 1 point for each ball that stays in.
• Best adaptation: Kids can use a bucket.

25. Balloon Keep-Up

Keep 3 balloons in the air at once.

• Supplies: 3 balloons
• Setup: Start with all 3 in your hands.
• In 60 seconds: Keep them all off the floor.
• Scoring: 3 points if none touch the floor.
• Best adaptation: Kids start with 2 balloons. Clean up popped pieces, since they’re a choking hazard for kids under 8. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it balloon games]

26. Balloon Waddle

Waddle across the room with a balloon between your knees.

• Supplies: Balloons and a bucket
• Setup: Put the bucket 15 feet away.
• In 60 seconds: Waddle and drop as many balloons in the bucket as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point per balloon.
• Best adaptation: Great for teams, as a relay.

27. Balloon Cup Knockdown

It’s bowling, but with a balloon.

• Supplies: A balloon and 10 cups
• Setup: Set the cups up like bowling pins.
• In 60 seconds: Bat the balloon to knock them down. Rebuild and keep going.
• Scoring: 1 point per cup.
• Best adaptation: Little kids love this one.

28. Bucket Bounce

Bounce a tennis ball off the wall and into a bucket.

• Supplies: A tennis ball and a laundry basket
• Setup: Set the basket 6 feet from the wall.
• In 60 seconds: Bounce the ball off the wall and into the basket.
• Scoring: 1 point per basket.
• Best adaptation: Move the basket closer for kids.

29. Tennis Ball Stack

Stack tennis balls and toilet paper tubes into a tower.

• Supplies: 5 tennis balls and 5 toilet paper tubes
• Setup: Put everything in a pile.
• In 60 seconds: Alternate tubes and balls in a tower.
• Scoring: 3 points for a full tower.
• Best adaptation: Kids can use 3 of each.

30. Bottle Flip

Flip a water bottle so it lands standing up.

• Supplies: A plastic water bottle, about one-third full
• Setup: Stand at a table.
• In 60 seconds: Flip the bottle and land it.
• Scoring: 1 point per landing.
• Best adaptation: Teens can try to land it on its cap. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it bottle flip games]

Candy, Cookie, and Snack Games

Snack games always get the loudest cheers. Ask about food allergies before you start.

31. Cookie Stack

Stack cookies on your forehead and hold them there.

• Supplies: A pack of sandwich cookies
• Setup: The player tilts their head back.
• In 60 seconds: Stack as many cookies as you can on your forehead.
• Scoring: 1 point per cookie that stays.
• Best adaptation: Use crackers if anyone has a cookie allergy.

32. Pretzel Fishing

Use a pretzel rod to “fish” for pretzel twists.

• Supplies: Pretzel rods and pretzel twists
• Setup: Pour the twists into a bowl.
• In 60 seconds: Hold the rod in your mouth and hook as many twists as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point per twist.
• Best adaptation: Use gluten-free pretzels if you need them.

33. Cereal Bracelet

Thread cereal onto a pipe cleaner with one hand.

• Supplies: Ring-shaped cereal and pipe cleaners
• Setup: Pour the cereal into a bowl.
• In 60 seconds: Thread the cereal on with one hand.
• Scoring: 1 point per piece.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can use both hands.

34. Candy Color Sort

Sort candy by color while wearing a winter mitten.

• Supplies: A cup of candy and a mitten
• Setup: Set out a few small bowls.
• In 60 seconds: Sort the candy by color.
• Scoring: 1 point per piece.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can skip the mitten. Hard candy is a choking hazard for kids under 4.

35. Marshmallow Toss

Toss mini marshmallows into a cup your partner holds in their teeth.

• Supplies: Mini marshmallows and a cup
• Setup: Partners stand 5 feet apart.
• In 60 seconds: Toss the marshmallows into the cup.
• Scoring: 1 point per catch.
• Best adaptation: Kids can hold the cup in their hands.

36. Chopstick Candy Transfer

Gummy bears are squishy and slippery, so moving them with chopsticks is harder than it sounds. Watching someone chase the last bear around the bowl is the best part.

• Supplies: A pair of chopsticks, a bag of gummy bears (about $2), and 2 bowls
• Setup: Fill one bowl with 20 gummies and set the empty bowl 1 foot away.
• In 60 seconds: Move as many gummies as you can using only the chopsticks. Drop one on the table? Pick it back up with the chopsticks.
• Scoring: 1 point per gummy in the second bowl.
• Best adaptation: Kids can use the clip-together training chopsticks from Target (about $5). For adults, swap the gummies for dry pinto beans.

37. Donut String Bite

I’ve hosted this at three parties, and every single time someone ends up with glaze on their eyebrows. It’s messy in the best way.

• Supplies: Glazed donuts, kitchen string, and a broom handle or doorframe
• Setup: Tie each donut to a string and hang them at mouth height. Players keep their hands behind their backs.
• In 60 seconds: Eat the whole donut without using your hands.
• Scoring: The first player to finish wins. If nobody finishes, the smallest leftover wins.
• Best adaptation: Hang mini donuts for kids, and lower the strings to their height. Ask about egg, dairy, and wheat allergies first.

38. Licorice Relay

Teammates pass a gummy ring down the line using licorice sticks in their mouths. Nobody touches it with their hands, and the ring will fall at least once.

• Supplies: Straight licorice sticks (the pull-apart kind works great) and a bag of gummy rings
• Setup: Teams line up shoulder to shoulder. Each player holds a licorice stick in their mouth.
• In 60 seconds: Hook a ring on the first stick and pass it stick to stick to the end of the line. Then start a new ring.
• Scoring: 1 point for every ring that makes it to the last player.
• Best adaptation: Teams of 5 or 6 work best. For younger kids, use pretzel rods and a lightweight cereal ring instead.

39. Pasta Pickup

Stand penne on end, then pick them up with a piece of dry spaghetti held in your mouth. The spaghetti snaps a lot, so keep extras handy.

• Supplies: A box of dry spaghetti and a box of penne
• Setup: Stand 6 penne pieces on their ends across a table.
• In 60 seconds: Thread each penne onto the spaghetti using only your mouth.
• Scoring: 3 points for picking up all 6. Otherwise, 1 point per penne.
• Best adaptation: Kids can use a pretzel rod, which is thicker and won’t snap. Use gluten-free pasta for anyone who needs it.

40. M&M Straw Transfer

Suck an M&M onto the end of a straw and carry it to a plate across the table. It takes real lung control.

• Supplies: A bag of M&Ms (about $4), straws, and 2 plates
• Setup: Pour 20 candies on one plate and set the empty plate 2 feet away.
• In 60 seconds: Move as many M&Ms as you can using only straw suction.
• Scoring: 1 point per candy on the second plate.
• Best adaptation: This one’s for ages 6 and up, since M&Ms are a choking hazard for younger kids. For nut allergies, swap in Skittles.

Team and Relay Games

These work best with fixed teams and a scoreboard. Our team game guide has more relays and tournament ideas. Want rotating stations without fixed teams? The group version is coming soon.

41. Relay Stack

This is a cup pyramid with a twist. Each teammate adds only one cup per turn, so nobody can carry the team.

• Supplies: 15 plastic cups per team
• Setup: Put the cups on a table 15 feet from the start line. Teams line up behind the line.
• In 60 seconds: One player runs, adds a single cup, and runs back to tag the next teammate. Keep going until the 5-4-3-2-1 pyramid is done.
• Scoring: 3 points for a finished pyramid, plus 1 bonus point for the fastest team.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can build a 3-2-1 pyramid with 6 cups.

42. Human Conveyor Belt

The ball goes over one head and under the next pair of legs, all the way down the line. Then the last player sprints to the front.

• Supplies: One playground ball per team
• Setup: Teams stand in a straight line, about an arm’s length apart.
• In 60 seconds: Pass the ball over, under, over, under. When it reaches the back, that player runs to the front and starts it again.
• Scoring: 1 point for each full trip down the line.
• Best adaptation: This one’s perfect for big groups of 30 or more. Older guests can pass side to side instead of bending.

43. Pass the Hoop

The whole team holds hands in a circle and passes a hula hoop around without letting go. Expect a lot of ducking and stepping.

• Supplies: A hula hoop per team (about $3 at Five Below)
• Setup: Hang the hoop on one player’s arm, then everyone joins hands.
• In 60 seconds: Wiggle the hoop over each body and pass it all the way around the circle.
• Scoring: 1 point per full lap.
• Best adaptation: Use an adult-size hoop for grown-ups. For huge groups, add a second hoop going the other way.

44. Team Cup Flip

Players set an empty cup at the edge of the table and flick it so it lands upside down. It’s all cups and no drinks.

• Supplies: One empty plastic cup per player, plus a long table
• Setup: Teams line up on opposite sides of the table, each player in front of a cup.
• In 60 seconds: The first player flips their cup until it lands face-down, then the next teammate goes.
• Scoring: The first team to flip every cup wins.
• Best adaptation: Kids 8 and up can play. For younger kids, let them flip the cup over by hand, then hop to the end of the line.

45. Balloon Sandwich Relay

Partners squeeze a balloon between their backs and shuffle to the finish line. If it drops, you start over from where it fell.

• Supplies: One balloon per pair
• Setup: Partners stand back to back with the balloon between them.
• In 60 seconds: Shuffle to a cone 15 feet away and back. No hands.
• Scoring: 1 point per lap.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can hold the balloon between their hands and walk side by side. Check for latex allergies first.

46. Paper Plate Transfer

The floor is lava, and the team only gets 3 paper plates to stand on. Somebody always ends up hopping on one foot.

• Supplies: 3 paper plates per team
• Setup: Mark a start line and a finish line about 15 feet apart.
• In 60 seconds: The team steps from plate to plate, passing the back plate to the front to move forward.
• Scoring: The first team with every player across wins.
• Best adaptation: Give kids a 4th plate. Teams of 3 or 4 work best.

47. Blind Builder

One player wears a blindfold and builds. The rest of the team gives directions without touching a single cup.

• Supplies: A blindfold, 10 cups, and a picture of a cup tower
• Setup: Show the team the picture, then blindfold the builder.
• In 60 seconds: Teammates shout directions, and the builder makes the tower.
• Scoring: 3 points for a matching tower.
• Best adaptation: This is a great office team-builder. For kids, use 5 big blocks instead of cups.

48. Partner Ping-Pong

One partner bounces a ball off the table, and the other catches it in a cup. Then you switch.

• Supplies: A ping-pong ball and a plastic cup
• Setup: Partners stand on opposite sides of a table.
• In 60 seconds: Bounce once on the table and catch it in the cup. Switch roles after every catch.
• Scoring: 1 point per catch.
• Best adaptation: Kids can catch with a bowl. For a harder version, require 2 bounces.

49. Team Puzzle Rush

Each team gets a 24-piece puzzle and 60 seconds. It’s more teamwork than you’d think, because everyone grabs the corners at once.

• Supplies: A 24-piece puzzle per team (about $1.25 at Dollar Tree)
• Setup: Dump the pieces face-down on the table.
• In 60 seconds: Flip the pieces over and finish the puzzle.
• Scoring: 3 points for a finished puzzle. Otherwise, 1 point for every 5 connected pieces.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can use 12-piece puzzles. Teams of 3 work best.

50. Four-Corner Challenge

Four players, four corners, four mini challenges, and one clock. The team wins together or loses together.

• Supplies: Supplies for 4 short games, like Penny Tower, Movin’ On Up, Tilt-A-Cup, and Paper Clip Chain
• Setup: Set one challenge in each corner of the room.
• In 60 seconds: Each teammate takes a different corner, and everyone plays at the same time.
• Scoring: 1 point for each challenge finished, and 5 points if all four finish.
• Best adaptation: This works great for teams of 4. Give younger kids easier versions, like fewer cups or bigger targets.

Kids, School, and Classroom Games

Desk games work great for teachers, and bigger games fit field days. Our games for kids cover birthday parties and play dates. For assemblies and field days, try these school games. And our classroom games are made for small spaces. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it olympic games for kids]

51. Pencil Flip

Set a pencil hanging off the edge of the desk, tap the end, and catch it mid-air. Kids get weirdly good at this fast.

• Supplies: An unsharpened pencil per student
• Setup: Each student sets their pencil so half of it hangs off the desk.
• In 60 seconds: Tap the end so the pencil flips up, then catch it.
• Scoring: 1 point per catch.
• Best adaptation: The whole class can play at once. For a harder round, try 2 pencils at a time.

52. Pom-Pom Blow

Blow pom-poms across the desk and into a “goal,” which is just a cup taped on its side.

• Supplies: A straw, 10 pom-poms (a 100-pack is about $3), and a plastic cup
• Setup: Tape the cup on its side at the far end of the desk.
• In 60 seconds: Blow through the straw to push each pom-pom into the cup.
• Scoring: 1 point per pom-pom in the goal.
• Best adaptation: Kids 5 and up can play. Make it a soccer match with 2 kids at one desk.

53. Tissue Box Shake

This isn’t Junk in the Trunk. Kids hold the box in one hand and pull out every tissue with the other, as fast as they can.

• Supplies: A full box of tissues per player
• Setup: Hand each kid a box.
• In 60 seconds: Pull out every tissue, one at a time.
• Scoring: 3 points for an empty box. Otherwise, the fewest tissues left wins.
• Best adaptation: Stuff the tissues into a classroom supply bin afterward, so nothing goes to waste.

54. Paper Airplane Target

Fold a plane and fly it through a hula hoop. Every kid has a “perfect design,” so expect some debates.

• Supplies: Printer paper and a hula hoop
• Setup: Hang the hoop from a doorframe or have a helper hold it 10 feet away.
• In 60 seconds: Fold one plane, then fly it through the hoop as many times as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point for every flight through the hoop.
• Best adaptation: Move the hoop to 6 feet for younger kids. For a field day, line up 5 hoops and run heats.

55. Dice Tower

Hold a craft stick in your mouth and balance dice on it. It’s tough, because talking or laughing knocks them off.

• Supplies: A craft stick and 6 dice per player
• Setup: Players put the stick in their mouths and keep the dice on the desk.
• In 60 seconds: Stack the dice on the stick, one at a time, with one hand.
• Scoring: 3 points for all 6, and the tower has to stay up for 3 seconds.
• Best adaptation: Kids can hold the stick in their hand instead.

56. Cotton Ball Scoop

Players wear a blindfold and scoop cotton balls from one bowl to another with a spoon. They can’t feel if anything is on the spoon.

• Supplies: A spoon, 15 cotton balls, a blindfold, and 2 bowls
• Setup: Set the bowls side by side in front of the player.
• In 60 seconds: Scoop as many cotton balls into the empty bowl as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point per cotton ball.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can skip the blindfold and use a ladle.

57. Post-it Note Cover-Up

Kids race to cover their teacher (a willing one) in sticky notes. Trust me, they’ll talk about it for weeks.

• Supplies: A pad of sticky notes per team
• Setup: The teacher stands at the front of the room.
• In 60 seconds: Teams take turns running up to stick notes on the teacher’s sleeves, shoulders, and back.
• Scoring: 1 point per note that stays on.
• Best adaptation: Cover a whiteboard or a door instead of a person.

58. Bookmark Balance

Set a ruler across a cup like a seesaw, and balance bookmarks on both ends without tipping it.

• Supplies: A ruler, a plastic cup, and 10 bookmarks or index cards
• Setup: Flip the cup upside down and balance the ruler on top.
• In 60 seconds: Add bookmarks to both sides without letting the ruler fall.
• Scoring: 1 point per bookmark on the ruler at the end.
• Best adaptation: This one’s quiet and perfect for small spaces. Older kids can try it with coins.

59. Paper Snowball Toss

Crumple up scrap paper “snowballs” and toss them into a trash can. It’s the perfect excuse to clean out the recycling bin.

• Supplies: Scrap paper and a trash can
• Setup: Set the can 6 feet away and mark a line.
• In 60 seconds: Crumple and toss as many snowballs into the can as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point per basket.
• Best adaptation: It’s perfect for a winter class party. Older kids can try from 10 feet away.

60. Color Sort Sprint

Kids run crayons across the room to matching colored bins. It’s a sprint, not a desk game, so clear the aisles.

• Supplies: A box of crayons and colored bins or paper plates
• Setup: Set the bins across the room or field.
• In 60 seconds: Grab a crayon, run it to the matching bin, and run back.
• Scoring: 1 point per crayon in the right bin.
• Best adaptation: This works great at a field day. For preschoolers, use 3 colors only.

Adults, Couples, and Office Games

These games keep things fun with zero drinking. For more grown-up ideas, see our adult games. Our couples games are great for date nights. Planning a work event? Check out our office games. For showers, try these funny baby shower games. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it bridal shower games]

61. Office Supply Sweep

Use a magnet to “sweep” scattered paper clips into a cup. It’s oddly satisfying.

• Supplies: A magnet, a box of paper clips, and a coffee mug
• Setup: Scatter the clips across a desk.
• In 60 seconds: Drag the magnet to collect the clips, then shake them into the mug.
• Scoring: 1 point per clip in the mug.
• Best adaptation: It’s perfect for an office party. Use a bigger magnet for older guests.

62. Tie the Knot

Partners stand side by side and tie bows on a broom handle. The catch? Each partner gets only one hand.

• Supplies: A broom handle and 5 pieces of ribbon
• Setup: Partners stand side by side, each with one hand behind their back.
• In 60 seconds: Tie as many bows as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point per bow that holds.
• Best adaptation: It’s great for couples, and even better at a bridal shower.

63. Partner Draw

One partner draws a simple shape on the other’s back with a finger. Then the second partner draws it on paper.

• Supplies: Paper, markers, and a list of simple shapes
• Setup: Partners sit back to back.
• In 60 seconds: Draw as many shapes as you can, like a heart, a star, or a house.
• Scoring: 1 point for each correct match.
• Best adaptation: Couples can draw words instead of shapes.

64. Desk Chair Slalom

Roll an office chair through a cone course using only your feet. It sounds easy until you try to turn, and the whole office will gather to watch.

• Supplies: A rolling office chair and 5 cones (or full water bottles)
• Setup: Set the cones in a zigzag down a hallway, about 4 feet apart.
• In 60 seconds: Sit, push off with your feet, weave through every cone, and roll back to the start. Knock one over and you go back and fix it.
• Scoring: The fastest clean run wins.
• Best adaptation: Use a carpeted room and keep the course far from stairs and glass doors. Teams can run it as a relay, passing the chair to the next player.

65. Meeting Room Mini Golf

Turn the conference room into a three-hole course. Coffee mugs on their sides are the holes, and a yardstick is your putter.

• Supplies: A yardstick, a golf ball (or ping-pong ball), and 3 mugs
• Setup: Lay the mugs on their sides around the room, and add a stapler or a stack of books as an obstacle.
• In 60 seconds: Putt the ball into all 3 mugs, in order.
• Scoring: 1 point per hole. Finish all 3 for a bonus point.
• Best adaptation: It’s a great lunch-break challenge for coworkers. For kids, use a paper towel tube as the putter and bigger targets, like shoeboxes.

66. Two-Person Cup Stack

Partners build a pyramid together, but each one only gets one hand. You’ll learn a lot about how well you work together.

• Supplies: 10 plastic cups
• Setup: Partners stand side by side, each with their inside hand behind their back.
• In 60 seconds: Build a 4-3-2-1 pyramid using just the two free hands.
• Scoring: 3 points for a finished pyramid. Fastest pair wins ties.
• Best adaptation: Pair kids with grandparents for a sweet mixed-age round. Couples can try it with 15 cups.

67. Blindfold Snack Match

Taste a mystery snack and name it, brand and flavor included. It’s harder than it sounds once you can’t see the bag.

• Supplies: A blindfold and 5 snacks with similar textures, like two kinds of potato chips, cheese crackers, and pretzels
• Setup: Put a small pile of each snack on numbered plates.
• In 60 seconds: Taste each snack and name it, as specifically as you can.
• Scoring: 1 point for the right snack and a bonus point for the right flavor.
• Best adaptation: Ask about food allergies first, and post the snack list so allergic guests can skip a plate. Kids can play with simple foods, like apple slices and goldfish crackers.

68. Couples Question Toss

Toss a ball back and forth, and you have to answer a question about your partner before you throw it back.

• Supplies: A soft ball and a stack of question cards, like “What’s my go-to coffee order?”
• Setup: Partners stand 5 feet apart, and a host reads the questions.
• In 60 seconds: Each catch earns a question. Answer it, then toss the ball back.
• Scoring: 1 point per right answer, judged by the partner.
• Best adaptation: For a date night, write the questions together ahead of time. At a shower, the guest of honor can play with their partner while everyone watches.

Outdoor and Seasonal Games

These games work great outside and at holiday parties. For more ideas, see our outdoor games. Have a pool? A water version is coming soon. [ADD LINK AFTER PUBLISHING: minute to win it pool games] For fall parties, try these fall games. Thanksgiving fans will love these Thanksgiving games. Ringing in 2027? Try these New Year’s Eve games. And for February, see our Valentine’s games.

69. Water Cup Relay

Poke holes in a plastic cup, then race to fill a bucket before it all leaks out. Everyone gets soaked, which is the point on a hot day.

• Supplies: Plastic cups with 4 or 5 holes poked in the bottom, plus 2 buckets
• Setup: Fill one bucket with water and put the empty one 20 feet away. Draw a fill line on the empty one.
• In 60 seconds: Scoop, run, and pour into the empty bucket, then hand off to the next teammate.
• Scoring: The team with the most water wins. Hit the line for a bonus point.
• Best adaptation: Kids 5 and up love this one. Keep an adult on watch if you play near a pool, and set up on grass so nobody slips.

70. Pool Noodle Ring Toss

Bend pool noodles into rings with duct tape, and toss them onto stakes in the yard. It’s cheap, and it works for every age.

• Supplies: 3 pool noodles (about $2 each at Dollar Tree), duct tape, and 3 garden stakes or a cone
• Setup: Tape each noodle into a ring and push the stakes into the grass in a row.
• In 60 seconds: Toss the rings, grab them back, and keep going.
• Scoring: 1 point per ringer. The farthest stake is worth 3.
• Best adaptation: Little kids stand 3 feet back. Teens and adults stand at 8 feet.

71. Sidewalk Chalk Target

Draw a giant bullseye on the driveway, and toss beanbags at it. Kids can help draw it, which is half the fun.

• Supplies: Sidewalk chalk and 5 beanbags
• Setup: Draw a bullseye with 3 rings and a throw line 8 feet back.
• In 60 seconds: Toss all 5 beanbags, run to collect them, and toss again.
• Scoring: 3 points for the center, 2 for the middle, and 1 for the outer ring.
• Best adaptation: Little kids can toss from 4 feet. For teens, add a tiny “bonus” circle worth 5.

72. Lawn Dice Dash

Roll a big foam die, then sprint to the cone and back as many times as it says. A lucky roll isn’t always lucky.

• Supplies: A foam die (about $5) and a cone
• Setup: Set the cone 10 feet from the start.
• In 60 seconds: Roll, run that many round trips, and roll again.
• Scoring: Add up the numbers you finish. A trip you don’t finish doesn’t count.
• Best adaptation: It’s a perfect field-day station. For younger kids, put the cone 5 feet away.

73. Fall Leaf Scoop

Scoop leaves into a laundry basket using only a paper plate. It’s basically yard work, but nobody complains.

• Supplies: A big pile of dry leaves, a paper plate, and a laundry basket
• Setup: Set the basket 10 feet from the pile.
• In 60 seconds: Scoop leaves onto the plate, carry them to the basket, and dump them in.
• Scoring: The fullest basket wins. Press the leaves down to check.
• Best adaptation: Check the pile for sticks and rocks first. Little kids can use their hands.

74. Turkey Feather Toss

Toss craft feathers at a paper-plate turkey covered in tape loops. Feathers float everywhere, so the laughs are guaranteed.

• Supplies: A bag of craft feathers (about $3), a paper plate, and tape
• Setup: Draw a turkey face on the plate, cover it with tape loops, and tape it to a wall.
• In 60 seconds: Toss feathers from 4 feet back.
• Scoring: 1 point per feather that sticks.
• Best adaptation: It’s a perfect Thanksgiving kids’ table game. Adults can try it from 6 feet.

75. New Year’s Countdown Stack

Number 10 cups from 10 to 1, mix them up, and stack them in countdown order. Shout each number as you go.

• Supplies: 10 plastic cups and a marker
• Setup: Write a number on each cup and mix them up on a table.
• In 60 seconds: Find the cups in order and stack them from 10 down to 1.
• Scoring: 3 points for a finished stack. Fastest time wins ties.
• Best adaptation: Kids can use 5 cups. It’s a great way to fill the last few minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve.

How to Choose the Right Minute to Win It Games

You don’t need all 75. Pick the guide that fits your crowd.

• Small spaces: Desk games work best. See our classroom games.
• Large groups: Try relays and stations. See our school games.
• Mixed ages: Keep it simple. See our easy games.
• Younger kids: See our games for kids.
• Teens: See our games for teens.
• Adults: See our adult games.
• Teams: See our team games.
• Offices: See our office games.
• Outdoors: See our outdoor games.
• Low-prep home play: See our games at home.

Simple Scoring Options

Pick one scoring style and stick with it all night. Switching halfway is how arguments start.

• Individual points: Every player earns their own points. It works best for groups of 10 or fewer.
• Head-to-head heats: Two or four players go at the same time, and the winner moves on. It feels like a real tournament.
• Team relay points: The whole team earns points together, so nobody’s stuck playing alone.
• Station rotation: Groups move from game to game every few minutes, and each group keeps a score card.
• One tie-breaker: Keep one quick game ready, like Penny Tower or Cup Pyramid.

FAQs

How many Minute-to-Win-It games should one party use?

Plan 3 to 5 games for a 90-minute party. Each game takes about 10 to 15 minutes once you add the demo, rounds, and cleanup. Keep one backup game ready in case one flops.

Can these games work without special supplies?

Yes. Most of these games use plastic cups, cookies, balloons, pennies, and paper. A trip to the dollar store covers almost everything for about $20.

How do you adapt the games for children and adults together?

Give kids an easier version, like fewer cups, a closer target, or both hands. Then pair kids with adults for team rounds, so everybody plays.

What is the best way to run the games for a large group?

Set up 4 to 6 stations and rotate groups every few minutes. Run several players at once in heats, and put one helper at each station to watch the timer.

How do you keep score fairly?

Use one big timer everyone can see and the same rules for every player. Write the scores on a whiteboard, and settle ties with one quick game.

Conclusion

You’ve got 75 games and a plan. Now pick the one page that fits your next party.

Hosting a kids’ birthday? Our kids’ game list is the best next stop. Running a work event? The office list is built for coworkers. Either way, you’ll find more minute to win it games made for your exact crowd. Grab a sleeve of cups and try one this weekend.