7 Fun Minute to Win It Games for Kids

Looking for quick, fun activities to energize your classroom? Minute to Win It games are fast challenges where students get 60 seconds to complete a silly or skill-based task. They’re perfect for indoor recess, brain breaks, or class parties, and they use everyday supplies you probably already have in your classroom.

Here are 7 easy and fun Minute to Win It games that elementary students will love.

Stack Attack

Give each student 36 plastic cups. The goal is to stack the cups into a pyramid and then back into one tall stackbefore the minute runs out.

• Great for hand-eye coordination.

• Works well as a relay if you want to make it a team game.

Cookie Face

Place a cookie (or cracker) on each student’s forehead. The challenge is to wiggle it into their mouth without using their hands. Expect lots of laughs!

• Fun icebreaker activity.

• Can be done with small groups at a time.

Defying Gravity

Hand each student three balloons. Their task is to keep all the balloons in the air for one minute without letting any touch the ground.

• Perfect for a whole-class challenge.

• Works in smaller spaces too.

Penny Tower

Students get a pile of pennies. They must stack as many pennies as possible in one minute using only one hand.

• Builds fine motor skills.

• Quick and low-cost — just grab some coins.

Movin’ On Up

Each student gets a stack of red cups with one blue cup on the bottom. The challenge: move cups from the top to the bottom until the blue cup is back on top.

• Simple but surprisingly tricky.

• Can be played in pairs to spark friendly competition.

Marshmallow Toss

Pair students up. One student tosses mini marshmallows, and the other catches them in a cup.

• They have 60 seconds to catch as many as possible.

• Fun teamwork game, and doubles as a math/counting activity.

Straw Tower

Give each student a pile of straws and tape. The goal: build the tallest free-standing tower in one minute.

• STEM-style challenge.

• Great way to sneak in a quick engineering activity.

Why Teachers Love Minute to Win It Games

• Fast and flexible – Only take one minute, but can fill 10–15 minutes with rotations.

• Low-prep – Materials are simple and inexpensive.

• Inclusive – Can be adapted for different ages or ability levels.

• Engaging – Kids get moving, laughing, and cheering each other on.

  
  

Whether it’s stacking cups, balancing balloons, or racing to wiggle a cookie into your mouth, Minute to Win It games are a guaranteed hit with elementary students. Try a few the next time your class needs a burst of fun, or keep them handy for rainy days and special events.

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