Discover 12 fun and easy ‘Minute to Win It’ games for kids to play at school in 60 seconds or less. Perfect for classroom parties and quick activities!
Minute to Win it Games Perfect for School
When it comes to keeping kids entertained, few things work better than a fast-paced game—especially one that gets everyone laughing and involved.
That’s where “Minute to Win It” games come to the rescue. Originally made famous by the TV show of the same name, these short, silly, and often hilarious challenges have become a go-to option for parents and teachers alike when planning fun activities for kids.
Whether you’re looking to add excitement to a classroom party, need a break between lessons, or want to spark some laughter at a school event, “Minute to Win It” games are the perfect blend of high energy, minimal prep, and maximum fun.
And let’s be honest, if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for something that’s easy to set up but still gets the kids excited.
These games are a lifesaver because they fit that exact description. Plus, they’re adaptable for any age group, which means you can use them for elementary kids, tweens, or even high school students.
You just need the right set of games and a good plan, and the kids will be occupied, giggling, and completely engaged.
What’s Different Between These Games at School Vs. Home?
What’s different about these Minute to Win it Games for Kids at school than other Minute to Win it games?
Well, for starters, these 12 specific Minute to Win it games don’t create big messes and secondly, none of them require a lot of time, materials to set up or supplies from home.
In fact, most of these supplies can be found around the school already, or likely you already have them in your cabinets at home.
Check out the 12 most perfect Minute to Win it games for kids at school when you’re looking to have a lot of fun in a short amount of time, or need to organize fun on the fly with 24 kids in your classroom!
Why Are “Minute to Win It” Games So Popular?
Kids these days have shorter attention spans than ever before (thanks, TikTok!), so games that are quick, easy, and fun are exactly what teachers and parents need. The format of a “Minute to Win It” game is perfect for keeping children focused while still challenging them.
The competitive element, combined with a ticking clock, creates an exciting environment that makes even the simplest task feel like a big deal.
And let’s be real, who doesn’t love the tension of racing against the clock?
But beyond the fun factor, these games are also an awesome tool for building teamwork, enhancing motor skills, and encouraging creativity. That’s why they work so well in school settings. Whether you’re looking for something educational or just plain fun, these games offer a little bit of both.
Setting Up “Minute to Win It” Games at School
You don’t need fancy props or complicated setups for most of these games. In fact, many of the supplies you already have in your classroom or home are perfect for this. Think paper plates, plastic cups, balloons, pencils, and string—simple, right?
Here’s a pro tip: If you’re in charge of organizing games for a large group of students, make sure to gather everything you need beforehand. That way, once the games start, you won’t have to scramble to find missing items.
Additionally, be sure to go over the rules before starting each game. Kids get really competitive when they hear “you’ve got one minute!” and you’ll want to avoid any confusion or disagreements about what counts as a win.
Also, dividing the kids into teams is a great way to incorporate teamwork. If you’re in a school setting, it could be fun to pit different grades or classes against each other in a friendly competition. And hey, a little teacher-student competition never hurt anyone, right?
Minute to Win it Games for Kids at School
Now, let’s dive into the good stuff—actual game ideas! These games are all school-friendly, meaning they’re quick, low-mess, and don’t require tons of supplies. I’ve also kept in mind that teachers are busy and don’t have time for elaborate setups, so all of these games are easy to organize.
Here are 12 fun minute to win it games for kids at school that require a minimal list of supplies, are great for rainy days, a classroom break, or class parties.
1. Dice Balance
The kids over at Paging Fun Mums try to see how many dice they can get on the stick in one minute (the most dice wins!). It’s a little tricky and super fun to watch!
Here’s What You Need:
2. Nose Dive
This game requires just a bit of preparation but is totally worth it. You’ll need cotton balls and petroleum jelly. The challenge is to dab a bit of petroleum jelly on the player’s nose, and using only their nose, they have to transfer cotton balls from one plate to another. It’s tricky and ridiculously fun!
Idea from Sophie’s Hope.
Here’s What You Need:
3. Empty Soda Tower
You’ll need a bin of empty, cleaned (and dry) soda cans (I recommend least 20 per team.) The kids can work alone or in pairs of two to stack cans with paper plates in between to see how high they can make their tower. The highest tower in one minute without falling, wins!
Here’s What You Need:
- Empty Soda/Sparkling Water Cans
- Paper Plates
4. M&M Color Matchmaking
Give each player a pile of assorted M&Ms and matching colored cups. (For example, if you give them blue, green, red and orange M&Ms, you must have the same colored cups to play.) Then, in one minute, see who can match the most M&Ms into the correct matching colored cups. The person with all their M&Ms or the smallest pile at the end of one minute, wins.
Here’s What You Need:
5. Stack Attack
For this game, each student gets a stack of plastic cups (about 20 works well). The goal is to stack them into a pyramid, and then unstack them, all within one minute.
This one is deceptively tricky and will test their patience as much as their dexterity. Plus, it’s a great exercise for fine motor skills.
This activity may feel simple when you first explain it, but under the pressure of only having one minute to complete the task, it becomes a challenge! This idea is from Teach Mama.
Here’s What You Need:
6. Post It Note Face Challenge
Something tells me this looks a lot easier than it is! In one minute, see how many post-it notes you can make stick to your face (without falling off, or laughing too hard!) See a list of World Record Date ideas on Dating Divas.
Here’s What You Need:
7. Penny Tower
How many pennies can each child stack in one minute? This may seem simple, except the trick to this game is that each child may only use one hand to stack the coins. Have them hold their other hand behind their back so they aren’t tempted to use both hands. This new way of stacking pennies makes the game oh-so-challenging!
Here’s What You Need:
- A lot of Pennies!
8. Defy Gravity Balloons in the Air
With one hand behind the child’s back, they need to do their best to keep two blown balloons in the air for 60 seconds. You can adjust the difficultly be adding a balloon or two, or taking away a balloon for young children. From Happy Mom Hacks
Here’s What You Need:
9. Cheerio / Fruit Loop Bracelet
With a pipe cleaner, the goal is to string as many fruit loops as the child can onto the pipe cleaner in one minute. The tricky party is that each player can only use one hand to do this!
Here’s What You Need:
- Cereal Such as Cheerios or Fruit Loops
10. Ping Pong Ball Transfer
One player at a time with one minute on the clock, has to move 6 ping pong balls from one plate to the other using a plastic spoon held in their mouth. You can adjust the number of ping pong balls you use based on how players are doing. The goal is to see who can move the most ping pong balls to the other plate in one minute. From Happy Mom Hacks.
Here’s What You Need:
11. Bottle to Bottle
Fill up one 2-liter bottle with small objects such as jelly beans, Lucky Charms, Cheerios, or beads. Then, tape a second 2-liter bottle so they’re touching opening to opening. The players have to shake, roll and move all the objects from one bottle to the other much like a sand timer, but in one minute.
Here’s What You Need:
- (2) Empty 2-Litter Bottles
- Something to fill the bottles with
- Tape (Duct Tape Works Best)
12. Junk in the Trunk
Get ready for some belly laughs with this one. You’ll need an empty tissue box and some ping pong balls. Attach the box to a belt and strap it around each participant’s waist, with the box resting on their lower back. The goal is to shake out all the balls within one minute—no hands allowed! The sight of kids hopping and wiggling around to get the balls out is pure comedy gold.
This Minute to Win It Game is from Housing a Forest.
Here’s What You Need:
- Empty Kleenex Boxes
- Ping Pong Balls
- Belts to Hold the Kleenex Boxes
Additional Tips for Running These Games at School
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Be mindful of space. Some games require a bit of room for movement, so clear out desks or chairs beforehand.
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Set clear rules. It’s always a good idea to explain the rules in detail before each game. This minimizes any confusion and ensures fair play.
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Create a scoring system. You can either play these games individually or create teams and assign points to each winning team or player. This way, you can tally scores at the end for a grand champion!
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Make it educational. While the games are designed for fun, you can also sneak in a bit of learning. For example, encourage kids to use math skills to count their cups or practice teamwork during group activities.
Wrapping It Up
“Minute to Win It” games are a fun, engaging way to bring excitement into any school day. They require minimal setup, use simple materials, and are perfect for large groups. Plus, the laughter and energy they bring are exactly what kids need to break up the school day or liven up a classroom party. So, if you’re ready to spark some excitement, gather your supplies, set the timer, and let the games begin!
Find More Minute to Win it Games & Fun Activities
- 20 Easy & Fun Minute to Win it Family Games for Kids
- 25 Best Minute to Win It Games for Family Fun Night: Quick, Easy, and Hilarious Ideas
- 12 Hilarious Minute To Win It Christmas Games for Kids
- Best Board Games for Kids and Families to Play Together
- 18 Simple & Fun Quiet Games for Kids to Take Anywhere
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