How do I run Minute-to-Win-It games for different ages?

How Minute-to-Win-It games work at a home party

Each game is one simple task with a 60-second limit, such as stacking cups into a pyramid, keeping a balloon off the floor or carrying a ball on a spoon. The clock is what makes it exciting, so the task itself can stay simple. One player or the whole group tries the task while someone keeps time, then you write down whether they did it.

These are home-party versions, so you can change a target, a distance or the number of cups to suit your guests. Explain any changes before anyone plays, and keep the rules the same for everyone whose scores you compare.

Gather supplies from around the house

You don't need to buy a kit. Check your cupboards first and choose games that use what you already have. If a game needs something you don't have, skip it. A short block of games works fine without every item.

If a challenge needs something you're missing, swap in a different game that uses what's already in the house instead of buying a replacement. Prizes are optional too. You can choose one separately from the games or play without one. These budget party games that cost almost nothing give you more options.

Try the challenges yourself, or with your child, before buying extra equipment. You'll find out quickly whether a task is too easy, too hard or needs more space than you expected.

Choose games that suit your guests' ages

Age labels are only suggestions. What matters more is whether your guests can understand the task quickly and succeed with a bit of effort. Show the task first, watch the practice tries and make it easier if players are getting frustrated.

After watching the practice tries, compare tasks by how much reading, movement and waiting they ask of your guests. Our list of party games by age suggests what to play and how to run each game. It also suggests agreeing who will lead the games while food is served.

For teens, the challenges can be harder. For example, a ten-cup pyramid adds more stacking without changing the clock. If younger siblings join a teen party, give them an easier version and explain the different targets before play. Keep scores from different versions separate so nobody is compared unfairly.

When teens and younger siblings play together, separate targets can get hard to track. A shared game can be simpler. In Pass the Story, for example, you can run two stories with a different starter for each. These party games for a wide age range let everyone play the same game instead of comparing scores across versions.

How to run each round

Choose a playing surface and a place where waiting guests can sit or stand. Keep food, bags and the next game's supplies off that surface.

Before choosing indoor challenges, check where players will stand, where others will wait and how close play is to furniture. Put the waiting spot outside any throwing or rolling route. Indoor party games that keep play away from furniture help you match each challenge to the space you have.

Pick one scoring system and stick to it. The teen version uses 1 point for meeting the goal and 0 for an unfinished attempt, and the rules below use that system. Other versions of these games use a three-point system. For example, the balloon game in the by-age guide gives points for unsuccessful attempts and has no boundary rule, so don't combine it with the bounded balloon version. Either system works, but don't mix totals from both.

Six-cup stack: start with six identical plastic cups nested together. In 60 seconds, build a pyramid with rows of three, two and one, then nest all six cups again. If the pyramid falls, rebuild while the clock keeps running. Finishing both steps earns 1 point; otherwise record 0. Stop after one completed stack, and reset by nesting all six cups.

Ten-cup stack: the same game with ten identical cups nested together and rows of four, three, two and one. Build the pyramid, then nest all ten cups again. Rebuild a fallen tower in the time left. Both steps finished earns 1 point; otherwise 0. Reset by nesting all ten cups.

Paper tower, for a table: start with three sheets of paper and no tape. In 60 seconds, fold or roll them into a tower that stands without anyone holding it. You may rebuild while the clock runs. At the buzzer, take your hands away. A tower that stands for five seconds earns 1 point; otherwise record 0. Height doesn't count. Reset with three fresh sheets.

Paper-ball target, for a table: start with five crumpled paper balls and an empty bowl. Mark a throwing line and use the same bowl and distance for everyone. In 60 seconds, toss the balls one at a time. Each ball gets one throw, and misses stay out. Stop after five throws or at the buzzer. Three or more balls in the bowl earns 1 point; otherwise record 0. Reset by collecting all five balls and emptying the bowl.

• Show the task and explain what counts as a success and what happens after a mistake.
• Give players one unscored practice try.
• Start a 60-second timer. Everyone stops at the buzzer, apart from the paper tower's five-second standing check.
• Write down the result, put the supplies back where they started and call the next player.
• Give everyone a turn before moving to the next game. Add up the scores after the last game. If totals are tied, players share the win.

Plan how many games and how much time

How long the games take depends mostly on whether everyone plays at once or takes turns at shared equipment. Count your players first, including your own child if they're playing and any siblings who join in. Then count your equipment sets.

Once you have both numbers, decide whether everyone plays at once or in teams. Check that the room and equipment have space for every team playing at the same time. The FAQ Which party games work for our group size? helps you match player counts to formats that cut down on waiting.

Illustrative example: eight players taking turns at one shared set, with four games, need 4 times 8, or 32 minutes, of scored playing time alone. With two identical sets, two players can go at once, so the scored time drops to about 16 minutes, as long as you have room and someone to watch both attempts.

Using teams

If you want teams, decide them or hold a draw before play starts so nobody is picked last in front of everyone. If the teams are uneven, compare the same number of scored attempts for each team instead of giving the larger team extra turns. Give guests who don't want to compete a job, such as keeping time or writing down scores.

Example: a two-hour teen party

This illustrative 120-minute plan assumes eight players, two identical sets of equipment and four challenges. If your teen is playing, count them as one of the eight. With only one set, play fewer games or allow a longer games block. Adjust the times after you've tried your chosen games.

• Don't add an extra game if it would run into pickup time.
• Serve food away from the game table, and add fruit, salty snacks, water and dessert as they suit your group.
• Match the menu to the party time and to any food needs guests have told you about.

Agree on house rules and supervision

Before guests arrive, agree with your teen on the house rules and who will collect each guest. Write down the exact finish time and finish the games before pickup starts, so you're free to answer the door.

Checklist before the games start

• Choose your games and check that you have the supplies for each one.
• Check the age warnings on balloons and balls if young children are playing.
• Count your players and equipment sets, then work out how many separate turns you need.
• Write down each game's setup, goal, mistake rule, scoring and reset.
• Pick one scoring system and prepare a score sheet and pen.
• Test the timer.
• Decide teams in advance if you're using them, and plan a job for guests who'd rather not compete.
• Set up food on a separate table from the games.
• Confirm the house rules, finish time and pickup arrangements.

Sources and further reading

• Teen Minute To Win It Party
• Minute to Win It Games
• Minute-to-Win-It Games by Age Using Household Items

Related questions

• How many activities should I plan for a party?
• How do I choose party games for the children’s ages?
• How do I run fair team games and choose prizes?
• How can children of different ages play party games together?