Last Updated on December 19, 2022
Whether you are hosting a birthday party, office party, family get-together, house party, or any other fun occasion, there are various activities you can indulge in to make any event exciting.
The goal of any host is to make sure that his guests are entertained and have an exciting time. So, next time you want to throw that house party or get together, remember to include a couple of Minute to Win It Games in your list of activities.
What is a Minute to Win It Game?
As the name implies, Minute to Win It games are easy and fun games that can be played in one minute, using objects commonly found around the house.
Initially, “Minute to Win It” was an international game show where participants took part in challenges that lasted one minute with things commonly found around the house. The first version aired was the American primetime game show which premiered on NBC.
Though the program no longer airs, Minute to Win It games have become trendy for parties and game nights because they are great for all ages, easy, fun, and can be played as a group or individually. Modern adaptations have increased the time limit from one minute to two minutes and even three minutes.
Minute to Win It games are great for birthday parties, office parties, family get-togethers, or any holiday celebration and can be played with family and friends of all ages.
As such, we’ve compiled a list of 22 Minute to Win It Games suitable for adults. We have also included four categories of these games for easy access. The fun never stops, so feel free to add yours and join in. Let’s begin!
Pinky ‘n’ the Brain
In this category, players will participate in a series of mentally stimulating Minute to Win It games that would mainly require the same tools.
1. Word-maker
As the name implies, this is a simple game that involves creating new words from a given word. It’s simple, can be played in a minute or less, and is best played individually. To play this game, you will need a piece of paper or notepad, a pen or pencil, and a timer.
The game begins with a neutral person or umpire reading out a word. The participants are expected to form as many new words from the word given in one minute. Whoever creates the most words under the stipulated time wins.
2. State and capital
An easy and fun game to play that can also be mentally stimulating. It can be played orally but most preferably in writing. This game is usually played with a piece of paper or notepad, a pen or pencil, and a timer.
To start this game, have the players write down as many states and capitals as they know. Whoever puts down the most names in a minute wins. To make the game more challenging, you can restrict the states to a particular continent or region.
3. Name that tune
How well do you know your music? Everyone has a favorite or favorites. Get to know what kind of music your guests like by how many they can identify.
To commence this game, have the players listen to a 6-second snippet of 10 different songs for a total of one minute. The player who identifies the most songs and writes them down within a minute wins. You may also reduce the duration of the snippets to accommodate more songs.
4. Mr. President
This game is quite similar to state and capital. The players are expected to name as many presidents as possible in one minute.
To start this game, have each player write down as many presidents they know in one minute. The player with the most names wins. Spice it up by restricting the game to names of presidents from a particular region or continent.
5. Guess the Movie
Not a movie night, but you can have your guests guess the name of a movie from a line or two—a fun and easy game that is sure to keep your guests entertained. Guess the movie is usually played with a piece of paper or notepad, a pen or pencil, and a timer.
To start this game, show each player a quote from any movie. The player who guesses the most movies correctly from each quote wins. Each player is given a total of one minute. Choose movies from different categories such as romance, sci-fi, and action to make it more interesting.
Physical feats
This category involves games that require a lot of physical energy that are sure to keep your friends pumped up and entertained!
6. Cup-de-pong
This is another exciting game that requires a lot of concentration. It is also a favorite at any party. Entertain your guests with a little game of cup-de-pong. This game is usually played with pong balls, plastic cups, a table (optional), and a timer.
Set out the cups in a line about 6 to 8 feet from the starting line to start this game. Give each player a total of 10 balls. Next, have each player take turns in throwing the balls from behind the starting line into the cups. The player with the most balls thrown in after one minute wins.
7. Egg Race
This is a very entertaining, thrilling, and exciting game. Burn off a few calories running back and forth while having fun with friends. Egg race is usually played with eggs, spoons, baskets, and a timer or a stopwatch.
Set out the empty baskets in a line about 6 to 8 feet away from the starting line to commence this game. Have each player pick up an egg from the baskets behind the starting line and balance on a spoon.
Each player is expected to race to the empty basket with their egg adequately balanced on their spoon and place the egg carefully in it. Whoever drops an egg must go back to the starting line to pick another one.
The player who has the most eggs in the basket at the end of the game wins!
8. Keep it up!
This fun game is sure to keep your guests entertained. Trust me; the laughter never ends with this one! This game is usually played with balloons, a timer, or a stopwatch.
To begin this game, give each player three balloons to keep up in the air simultaneously for one minute. The player that has all his balloons up after one-minute wins. If there is a tie, increase the number of balloons per player and play the game again. Repeat this process until there is a winner.
9. Thread it
Is it easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle? Well, find out in this game of thread it! Side note, this game requires a lot of patience and concentration. This game is usually played with threads, needles, and a timer or a stopwatch.
To commence the game, have each player thread as many needles as possible in one minute. At the end of the game, the player with the most threaded needles wins.
10. Tower of terror
What’s terrifying about a tower? Nothing, I guess. But try building one with cups stacked up together with falling. Just make sure there are enough cups to create your masterpiece!
You will need plastic cups of any color, a couple of tables, and a timer for this game. Have each player build a tower on a table by stacking cups together to start this game.
If along the line a tower crashes, the player whose tower crashed must start rebuilding from that point. Whoever builds the tallest tower at the end of the game wins.
11. Ring the bottle
Want to know how well your guests can aim? Then try playing ring the bottle—an entertaining and engaging game to play in very little time. This game is usually played with small-sized glass bottles, medium-sized hula hoops, and a timer or a stopwatch.
To start this game, set out the glass bottles about 6 to 8 feet from each player. It is important to use glass bottles that can stand solidly on the ground and would not topple over when aimed at. Next, hand each player about 8 to 10 medium-sized hula hoops.
Each player is expected to ring a bottle by throwing hula hoops around the bottle directly before them. Lastly, whoever has the most rings on the bottle in one-minute wins.
12. Pop the balloon
Popping a balloon may sound like an easy thing to do — well, maybe if you are using a pin or sharp object. But try popping as many balloons by simply sitting on them. Yeah, I thought so too. Not as simple as you thought, is it?
To commence the game, set out chairs enough for every participant. Each participant is expected to pick a balloon from the pile, place it on a chair and sit on it until it pops. Whoever pops the most balloons in one-minute wins.
Food for Game
What’s more exciting than having food on any occasion? Your guess is as good as mine. Play fun and exciting food games in this category where winners get rewarded with more food and snacks.
13. Cookie face
This is a famous Minute to Win It Game and is suitable for any occasion. You will need a box of cookies and a timer or a stopwatch for this game.
To commence this game, have each player tilt their face up and place a small cookie on their forehead. The trick is for them to use their facial muscles in place of their hands in moving the cookie to their mouth.
The first player to get the cookie into their mouth wins. Afterward, you may reward the winner with the leftover cookies.
14. Suck it up
If you can’t suck it up, then you suck! Haha. Just kidding. For this game, you will need M&Ms or skittles or any other tiny candy, paper plates, a pack of straws, and a timer.
To commence this game, have two plates labeled “A” and “B” set out before each player. Fill up “A” with M&Ms, skittles, or any other tiny candy of your choice, and leave “B” empty.
Each player is expected to transfer the candy in “A” to “B’ using only their mouth and a straw. Whoever has the most sweets in “B” at the end of the game wins.
15. Rice bowl
This game is similar to the game of suck it up. Test your guests on how patient they are. In this game, slow and steady wins the race! This game is usually played with paper plates, rice, and a pair of Chopsticks or tweezers.
To commence the game, have two plates labeled “A” and “B” set out before each player. Fill up “A” with rice and leave “B” empty. Each player is expected to transfer the rice from “A” to “B” using a pair of chopsticks or tweezers.
Whoever has the most rice in “B” at the end of the game wins. To make it more fun and competitive, use uncooked rice so that the texture makes it uneasy for the players to pick.
16. Tasty bracelet
Working with one hand never felt so easy! Or maybe not. We all know how difficult it can be to work with one hand unless you have some exceptional talent or skill. However, making a bracelet with one hand can bring all the excitement to any party.
For this game, you will need ring-like cereal (Kellogg’s frooty loops/any other similar brand), a straw or pipe cleaner, and a time.
To begin this game, have each player take one straw or pipe cleaner. Each player is expected to make a bracelet by threading the ring-like cereal onto a straw or pipe cleaner using only ONE hand.
Whoever finishes first and can wear the bracelet—remember, using only one hand, wins.
Teamwork
Sometimes, a little teamwork is essential to bring fun and excitement to any game. This category contains a list of games that can be played as a team.
17. Mummy wrap
Nothing scary about a game of mummy wrap. Just a couple of friends having fun! This game is usually played with toilet paper and a timer or stopwatch.
To commence this game, have a team of two players each. In each group, one player is expected to wrap the other in toilet paper like an Egyptian mummy. The first team to achieve this wins.
18. Spinning/dizzy mummy
Play this as a sequel to mummy wrap. A game of wrapping and unwrapping is sure to keep everyone entertained. This game is usually played with a timer or stopwatch.
To play this game, the player (not wrapped up in toilet paper) is expected to unwrap the other player. The player wrapped up must spin himself about to aid the unwrapping process. You can make this a sequel to the game of mummy wrap to make the whole process easier.
Whichever team gets the unwrapping done first or in one-minute wins. Remember, this instruction only applies where the game of mummy wrap has already taken place.
19. Pop the balloon (team version)
How easy is popping a balloon without a sharp object? Find out if teamwork pays off after all. This game is usually played with balloons and a timer or stopwatch.
To commence the game, have two players in each team stand back to back with their arms linked. Put a balloon in between them. The team that pops their balloon first wins. Take it further by crowning the team with the most popped balloons in one minute, winner.
20. Candy toss
This isn’t the most successful of all Minute to Win It Games, but you’re sure to get your guests giggling and chuckling. Oh, lest I forget, you must have a perfect aim to play this game.
Also, for this game, you will need candy and a timer or stopwatch.
To begin the game, Have two players in each team stand 5 to 6 feet away from each other. One player is expected to aim to throw candy into his teammate’s mouth. Whichever team gets the most candy in wins.
21. Interview time
This is a great way to get your guests to bond on any occasion. It is also a great game to play at an office get-together.
This game is usually played with a piece of paper or notepad, a pen or pencil, and a timer.
To begin the game, have two players in each team. One player is expected to interview the other and write down as much information as possible in one minute. Whoever remembers the most information about the other teammate wins for the team.
22. Treasure hunt
In this game, concentration and attentiveness are critical. It is one game that is sure to get your guests pumped up. Expect a lot of screaming and shouting — but trust me, it’s all part of the excitement!
For this game, you will need a blindfold, Cups/balls/scrolls/any other item that can serve as a treasure, and a timer or stopwatch.
To commence the game, have two players in each team. Set out the treasures in various corners of the room. Have one player from each team blindfolded.
The other player is expected to direct the blindfolded teammate to the hidden treasure by speaking ONLY! No other form of help is allowed.
Whichever team finds the hidden treasure in one-minute wins. Spice up the game by allowing more than one team to simultaneously search for the hidden treasure. In this case, whichever team finds the hidden treasure first or in one-minute wins.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Minute to Win It games are a sure way to break the ice on any occasion and have your guests ready to have a good time. Like I stated earlier, the list is endless, so feel free to add yours. What’s important is that you have a blast with your loved ones. Enjoy!