Are you looking for fun, engaging, and quick games to energize your classroom or school event? Minute to Win It games are perfect for this! They are not only a blast for kids but also super easy to set up and play. These games are designed to be completed in a minute or less, making them ideal for filling small gaps in your schedule or as a quick reward for good behavior.
In this blog post, we’re going to dive into 23 exciting Minute to Win It games that are perfect for kids at school. We’ll cover a variety of games that test different skills, from balancing acts to quick thinking challenges. These games are sure to bring laughter, excitement, and a little friendly competition to your classroom.
23 Minute to Win It Games for Kids at School
1. Cookie Face
Who doesn’t love cookies? Cookie Face is a hilarious game where each child places a cookie (preferably an Oreo) on their forehead. The objective is to move the cookie to their mouth using only their facial muscles. No hands allowed! The first one to eat their cookie wins. This game is great for breaking the ice and getting everyone to laugh.
The fun part is watching the different techniques the kids use to maneuver the cookie. Some will wiggle their nose, some will scrunch their face, and others will try to tilt their head just right. It’s a fantastic way to bring humor and a sense of accomplishment to a simple activity.
2. Penny Stack
Penny Stack is a simple yet challenging game that tests fine motor skills and patience. Give each child a stack of pennies and see how many they can stack in one minute using only one hand. It’s harder than it sounds! This game encourages focus and precision, and it’s a great way to calm down an energetic classroom.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to teach kids about patience and careful movement. Watching the stack grow taller with each added penny brings a sense of excitement and accomplishment. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some lessons about balance and gravity.
3. Blow It to the Other Side
For Blow It to the Other Side, you’ll need a few Ping-Pong balls and some soda cans. The goal is to blow the Ping-Pong balls from one soda can to another. It sounds easy, but it requires a lot of control and lung power! This game is perfect for teaching kids about perseverance and patience as they try to move the balls without them rolling off the table.
This game also introduces an element of friendly competition, as kids can race against each other to see who can move their Ping-Pong balls the fastest. It’s a fun way to develop fine motor skills and coordination while providing plenty of laughs.
4. Suck It Up
Using a straw, players must transfer candies from one plate to another. The twist? They can only use the straw to suck up and release the candies. This game is fun and engaging, and it also helps improve kids’ focus and coordination. Plus, there’s a sweet treat waiting at the end!
The sight of kids concentrating hard to move the candies can be quite amusing. This game not only tests their dexterity but also their patience, as they need to balance speed with precision to win.
5. Wrapping Presents
Pair up students for this game. Each team has to wrap a present using only one hand each. They must work together to wrap the present, put a bow on it, and address it to someone. The first team to finish wins. This game is fantastic for promoting teamwork and communication skills among students.
Watching the kids coordinate their efforts and come up with strategies is half the fun. It’s a great way to foster collaboration and teach the importance of working together towards a common goal.
6. Keep the Balloon Up
Keep the Balloon Up is a classic game that’s always a hit with kids. The goal is simple: keep a balloon in the air for one minute using only one hand. It’s a great way to get kids moving and laughing, and it can be played individually or in teams.
The game can be made more challenging by adding more balloons or setting rules like not touching certain colors. It’s a versatile game that can be tailored to suit different skill levels and age groups.
7. Traffic Yam
In Traffic Yam, kids use a spoon to move a potato down a line of painter’s tape and back. It’s a silly and fun game that gets kids moving and laughing. The potato’s odd shape makes it tricky to maneuver, adding an extra layer of challenge and hilarity.
This game encourages kids to develop their balancing skills and coordination. It’s also a great way to add some physical activity to their day in a fun and engaging way.
8. LEGO Tower
This game is perfect for LEGO lovers. Kids build the tallest tower they can using LEGO bricks. The catch? They can only touch one brick at a time. This game encourages creativity and fine motor skills as kids try to balance their towers without them crashing down.
It’s a fantastic way to promote problem-solving skills as kids figure out how to stabilize their tower. The satisfaction of building a tall, stable structure with limited resources is immensely rewarding.
9. Sticky Note Challenge
Who can stick the most sticky notes on their partner in one minute? In this game, pairs compete to see who can attach the most Post-its to their partner or a wall. It’s a fun and fast-paced game that leaves everyone laughing and covered in colorful notes.
The challenge lies in the quick thinking and coordination required to peel and stick the notes rapidly. It’s a light-hearted game that brings out creativity and spontaneity among kids.
10. Speedy Bowling
Set up pins (empty soda bottles work great) at the end of a table. Each student gets five balls to knock them down. Speedy Bowling is a fantastic game for teaching coordination and precision. Plus, it’s easy to set up and can be played almost anywhere.
The excitement of watching the pins fall adds to the thrill. It’s a game that combines physical activity with a bit of strategy, making it both engaging and entertaining.
11. Cup and Coin Stacking
In Cup and Coin Stacking, kids stack coins on the edge of eight cups. The challenge is to balance the coins without letting them fall. This game is perfect for testing fine motor skills and patience, and it’s a lot of fun to see who can stack the most coins.
The balancing act required in this game helps improve hand-eye coordination. It’s also a quiet game that’s perfect for calming down a rowdy group of kids.
12. Bottle Flipping
Bottle flipping is a popular challenge that kids love. Give each student a plastic water bottle partially filled with water. The goal is to flip the bottle in the air and have it land upright. The student who lands the most flips within a minute wins. This game is simple but incredibly addictive!
This game encourages perseverance as kids try repeatedly to land their flips. The sense of achievement when they finally succeed is priceless.
13. Paper Toss
Ball up some pieces of paper and attempt to shoot them into a recycling bin. The twist is that you have to throw the paper blindfolded! Paper Toss is a fun way to clean up and engage kids in a quick and competitive game.
It’s a great way to turn a mundane task into a fun activity. The element of being blindfolded adds an exciting challenge that kids enjoy.
14. Ready Spaghetti
For Ready Spaghetti, pairs of students use a noodle to move soda cans into a pyramid. No hands allowed! This game is perfect for teaching teamwork and coordination, and it’s guaranteed to get everyone laughing as they try to balance the cans.
The challenge of using a noodle to move objects tests the kids’ patience and cooperation. It’s a hilarious game that brings out creativity in problem-solving.
15. Tea Party
In this quirky game, players wear a baseball hat with tea bags attached to either side. They must swing the tea bags around until they both land on the bill of the hat. This game is easy to set up and requires minimal supplies, making it a great last-minute addition to any event.
The sight of kids swinging their heads around to get the tea bags on the hat is sure to bring laughs. It’s a simple game that adds a lot of fun to any gathering.
16. Bottoms Up
Players hang a yo-yo from their pants and attempt to swing it around to knock over four soda cans. Bottoms Up is a silly and energetic game that encourages movement and laughter. It’s a great way to burn off some energy and get everyone involved.
The challenge of controlling the yo-yo adds a unique twist to this game. It’s a fun way to develop coordination and motor skills.
17. Marshmallow Move
Using chopsticks, players transfer marshmallows from one bowl to another. Marshmallow Move is a versatile game that can be adapted for younger kids by using larger marshmallows or allowing them to use their hands. It’s a fun way to test coordination and dexterity.
The added challenge of using chopsticks makes this game interesting and engaging. Plus, it’s a fun way to incorporate a tasty treat into the activities.
18. Defy Gravity
In Defy Gravity, players must keep balloons in the air using only one hand. Add more balloons to increase the difficulty. This game is great for parties and can be played indoors or outdoors, making it a versatile option for any event.
It’s a great way to get kids moving and laughing. The challenge of keeping multiple balloons in the air adds an exciting twist to the game.
19. Rubber Band Can Shoot
Set up some empty soda cans and give each player a handful of rubber bands. The goal is to knock over as many cans as possible within a minute. Rubber Band Can Shoot is a simple yet competitive game that kids love, and it’s a great way to improve hand-eye coordination.
This game brings out the competitive spirit in kids. The simplicity of the setup makes it easy to play anywhere.
20. Penny Drop
Place a smaller glass jar inside a larger one and fill the larger jar with water. Players must drop pennies into the smaller jar. Penny Drop is trickier than it looks and requires precision and patience. It’s a great game forprecision and patience. It’s a great game for teaching kids about focus and control.
The excitement comes from trying to get the pennies into the smaller jar without them bouncing out. It’s a simple yet effective way to engage kids in a fun activity that also sharpens their hand-eye coordination.
21. Junk in the Trunk
Attach a tissue box filled with ping pong balls to each player’s waist. They must wiggle and shake to get all the balls out of the box within a minute. Junk in the Trunk is a hilarious and energetic game that gets everyone moving and laughing.
The sight of kids wiggling and shaking to get the balls out is sure to bring lots of laughs. It’s a fantastic way to add some physical activity to the day while also encouraging kids to have fun and be silly.
22. Spoon Race
In the Spoon Race, each student balances a ping pong ball on a spoon and races from start to finish. If the ball falls off, they must go back to the starting point. This game is perfect for testing balance and coordination, and it adds a competitive edge to any event.
The challenge of keeping the ball balanced while moving quickly adds an exciting twist. It’s a great way to get kids moving and competing in a fun and friendly manner.
23. Hula Hoop Challenge
Each student gets a hula hoop and must keep it spinning for one minute. The Hula Hoop Challenge is a fun way to get kids moving and can be made more difficult by adding additional hoops or incorporating different movements.
The rhythmic movement of the hula hoop is not only fun but also helps improve coordination and endurance. It’s a versatile game that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages.
Conclusion
Minute to Win It games are a fantastic way to bring fun and excitement to any school event or classroom. They are quick to set up, easy to play, and can be adapted to suit any age group or skill level. These 23 games are sure to keep kids entertained, laughing, and engaged. So next time you’re looking for a quick and fun activity, give these games a try and watch the smiles spread across your students’ faces.
Remember, the key to a successful Minute to Win It game is enthusiasm and creativity. Don’t be afraid to modify the rules or add your own twist to keep things interesting. Happy gaming!