Originally Posted: 4/2/2020

Minute To Win It Games for Kids – 9 Fun Ideas Using Household Items

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My daughter recently turned 11 and she asked for a birthday sleepover with friends. We decided to make it a fun night by setting up these game show-inspired Minute To Win It games for kids.

If you’re not familiar with the game, it features a team of contestants who have to complete challenges in under a minute for cash prizes.

The best part is the challenge of using common household items, making it an easy way to entertain at home for a family game night or a great game for a birthday party.

Kids these days are glued to their devices and screens. These Minute To Win It games for groups are a fun way to boost energy and decrease screen time.

Plus, they’re a great idea for birthday parties, game nights, sleepovers, and playdates with kids or even at a family reunion – the perfect team game for younger children!

So let’s dive in and learn all about how to play Minute To Win It with household items, and learn how to have younger kids join in on the fun!

9 Minute to Win It Ideas

With a little digging around, I’ve found several perfect game ideas for Minute to Win it around the web. We also borrowed some ideas inspired by the show to add to our party game night.

These games are so much fun and are a fantastic way to kick off the new year with a blast!

We had 3 teams of two kids each and did 10 creative games. FYI, this took around 2 hours, so it was just the right amount of time for kids to stay engaged, not too long and not too short.

You can enjoy all of these Minute To Win It Games with household items either as indoor or outdoor activities. Here are the games we played and the setup/items you will need.

Shake The Balls

This fun Minute To Win It game will have your little ones, starting with the first player, shaking it out as they try to get rid of as many balls as possible in the shortest amount of time.

Who can shake their bum faster? It’s a perfect minute for individual games, which makes it great for both younger players and different age groups.

These happy mom hacks will ensure everyone has a blast at your next game night!

You will need an empty tissue box paper, pantyhose, and ping pong balls
Create two holes on both ends of the tissue box, thread your pantyhose through, and tie it to a kid’s waist with the open part of the tissue box opening facing out.
Stuff the ping pong balls inside until full (remember the count as each team will need the same).
Shake as many balls out in 60 seconds!
The winner is the one who shakes the most balls out in the shortest amount of time.

Balance the Die

The starting point for this fun-filled game can be a bit tricky. Even just getting the dice in the correct position can take some skill.

Stack up the dice and see who among the number of players can last the longest in this challenging yet fun Minute to Win it game.

There’s a good chance it will test everyone’s patience and balancing skills!

You will need at least 8-10 dice
Popsicle sticks (the slightly wider ones are great)
The winner is the one who can balance the most die in the shortest time.

Roll the Marble

Being the first team to tackle this entertaining game can be quite a thrill.

This is one of the easiest challenges on our Minute To Win It games list, making it perfect for large groups or smaller groups.

However, don’t take it too lightly – those marbles can move pretty fast, adding an unexpected twist to what seems like a straightforward task.

You will need a plastic spoon and marble
A slanted base, you can use a slanted long cardboard box
Use the back of the spoon to keep the marble from rolling off.
The winner is the one who can keep the marble on the ramp for the longest time.

Stack The Apples

Stacking apples like a pro is a great way to have some fun with your kiddos. I mean, who doesn’t love a little challenge?

You can create your own single stack or go for the classic double stack if you’re feeling adventurous. This game is a fantastic way to test their skill level.

Plus, it’s an awesome addition to birthday parties or group games. Just grab those apples, and you’re good to go! Can you stack those apples in record time?

You will need 5 apples.
The winner is the one who can stack all 5 apples in the shortest time.

Don’t Drop the Donut

Don’t Drop the Donut is like the icing on the cake for family game night or a birthday party.

Picture this: you and your little ones gathered around, holding a delicious donut on a string, trying your best not to let it fall.

It’s a sweet and hilarious challenge that’s perfect for kids of all ages. This game is a real treat for the whole gang.

Who can resist the temptation of a donut dangling just inches from their face? Plus, the giggles are guaranteed as you attempt to keep that sugary delight from hitting the floor.

You will need two chairs, string, and donuts.
Thread the string around two chairs and the donut.
The winner is the one who can eat the most donuts in the shortest time without having them fall.

Thread the Pasta

This is like a culinary challenge with a twist. Instead of munching on raw pasta pieces, you’ll be racing against your team members to see who can thread them onto a string the fastest.

It’s a fun and entertaining game that’s perfect for spicing up your family game night or birthday party. This game is all about skill and speed. Who can thread those pasta pieces like a pro?

The competition will have everyone on the edge of their seats, and the laughter is guaranteed.

You will need spaghetti and penne pasta
Lay out some penne on a table and give each child a piece of spaghetti to place in their mouth.
The winner is the one who can thread the most penne pasta in the shortest time using just their mouth.

Eat the Cookie with No Hands

This challenge is a delightful challenge for kids that combines fun and tasty treats. If you’ve got the skills, you’ll be rewarded with a scrumptious cookie.

It’s the ultimate way to keep the little ones entertained during your upcoming family game night or birthday party!

This game is all about dexterity and a sweet reward. Who can resist the challenge of eating a cookie without using their hands? The excitement and laughter are guaranteed.

Place a cookie on your forehead and try to eat it without hands.
The person who can catch the cookie in their mouth in the shortest time wins.
Note: this was extremely difficult with an Oreo cookie, which is what we used! Try it with a smaller cookie (maybe an animal cracker).

Transfer Goldfish Crackers with a Straw

Transfer Goldfish Crackers with a Straw is a super fun Minute To Win It game that’s incredibly easy to set up, making it the ideal choice for home entertainment.

All you need are some goldfish crackers and a straw, and you’re ready for a great time at your family game night or birthday party! This game is all about skill and precision.

Can you transfer those tiny goldfish crackers from one place to another using just a straw? The excitement and laughter are guaranteed, and it’s a fantastic way to keep everyone entertained.

You will need two bowls, Goldfish crackers, and a straw
The winner is the one who can transfer the most Goldfish crackers using only a straw.

Guess How Many Pennies Are In The Can

This adds a unique twist to Minute To Win It games. Unlike the usual speed and balance challenges, this game tests your intuition and estimation skills.

Gather your family or friends and see who can guess the closest number of pennies in the can – it’s all about having much fun together!

You will need 8 soda cans
Add one penny to one can, two pennies to the second, and so on until each can is filled.
Players must line up the cans in consecutive order and a number of pennies.
The winner is the one who is closest to the right answer.

Note: In the video, we do show an additional game where we throw Goldfish Crackers in the air and see how many we can catch.

However, because of the potential choking hazard, we can’t recommend this on the post.

PLEASE ALWAYS HAVE ADULT SUPERVISION WHEN PLAYING THESE GAMES AND USE COMMON SENSE!

What Was Your Prize Structure For The Minute To Win It Party Games?

Great question. We didn’t follow the structure of the show since it usually follows one team.

Here we had multiple two-player teams, which made it a perfect game for a family game night or a birthday party. We kept the scoring very simple.

Each fun game was worth $10 (of course you can use any denomination, $1, $5, etc). Each team, with its creative team name, had a scoreboard.

For every entertaining game they won, the team won $10. At the end of the games, you just tallied how many games each team won and split the winnings among the team members.

We did do something extra fun at the start of the game, however! We had a “pre-bet” where each team decided if they wanted to bet that they would win.

IF they were the biggest winners (most cash won at the end of all games) they would get a total of $10 added to their winning pot, which added an extra layer of excitement to the party games.

BUT if they lost, $10 would be subtracted. Of course, you can keep score any way that makes sense. And you don’t need to dole out cash.

You can do small trinkets, toys, favors, or just play to have bragging rights as winners. It’s all about having fun and making memorable moments with Minute To Win It!

Enjoy Easy Minute To Win It Games to Play At Home

These great Minute To Win It games at home are the perfect way to entertain your kids indoors, especially during a family game night or birthday party.

Not only will they enjoy it, but they’ll be practicing some fun skills and having a blast with easy minutes of excitement.

After these fun games, don’t be surprised if your kid wants to watch Minute To Win It like ours!

We hope you have as much fun with these fun challenges as we did, especially if you want a good old-fashioned way to play and create happy memories with your family at your next party.

Minute To Win It Games for Kids – 9 Fun Ideas using Household Items