Getting kids up and moving around the classroom is a great way to help them stay engaged and attentive. But sometimes it can be hard to come up with new ideas to keep things fresh. That's where minute to win it games come in! These games are perfect for kids of all ages and can be adapted to any subject. Here are a few of our favorites.

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Paper Race

The classic paper-tearing race is always a favorite. You will need several pieces of paper per student. To play have the students line up at the front of the room. On go, each student starts tearing their paper into as many pieces as possible. The goal is to see how many pieces they can tear in one minute. The student with the most pieces at the end is the winner

Book Stack

See who can stack the most books in one minute. Each person has to start stacking books on top of each other, one at a time. The goal is to see how many books they can stack in one minute. The student with the tallest stack at the end is the winner.

Pencil Race

How many pencils can you sharpen in one minute?  Give each player a stack of pencils and a sharpener. The goal is to see how many pencils they can sharpen in one minute.  Or start each person with a full length pencil and a sharpener. When the timer starts, they must keep sharpening the pencil for the full 60 seconds. Whoever has the shortest pencil at the end of the time will win.

School Games Bundle Printables

Grab this bundle of printable games, divide the class into 4 or 5 groups give each group one of the games from the bundle. Then each group will have 1 minute to complete their game, then once the minute is up rotate to the next game.

The Ball Race

This is a great game for elementary school students. All you need is a small ball and a timer. Split your students into two groups and have each group line up. The first student start by holding the ball at their side in their left hand. When the timer starts, they pass the ball to the right hand of the next player in the line. The object of the game is to see which team can get the ball to the last person in their team in the shortest amount of time. If the ball drops, the team must start back at the beginning.

Ball Bounce

How many times can you bounce a ball off a desk in one minute? You will need: a tennis ball or similar per student. To play, each student starts bouncing their ball off their desk or wall and catching it again. The goal is to see how many times they can bounce their ball off their desk without dropping it and catch it again in one minute.

Emoji Pictionary - A Minute to Win It Game

This emoji pictionary game is perfect for kids in the classroom. It's easy to set up, just print out enough copies for the class. Set a timer and shout 'go' and let the kids get solving the emoji words.

The Oreo Cookie Stack

This game is perfect for older elementary students or even middle schoolers. You'll need a package of Oreo cookies, a timer, and a plate or napkin. The object of the game is to see how many Oreos the student can stack on top of each other in one minute. The student starts with an empty plate and one Oreo cookie. They must then twist the cookie apart and stack it back on top of the plate. They continue doing this until time runs out or they run out of cookies.

The Transfer

This game is great for kids of all ages. You'll need a cup, an eye dropper, and a timer. The object of the game is to see how quickly the student can transfer water from one cup to another. The student starts with two cups, one filled with water and one empty. They must then use the eyedropper to transfer water from the full cup to the empty cup.

Eye DroppersClassroom TimersKids Cups

The Cup Stacking Game

This game is a great way to get your students up and moving. All you need is a stack of plastic cups and a timer. Students will race against the clock to see how many cups they can stack in one minute. The student with the most cups stacked at the end of the minute wins!

The Candy Sorting Game

This game is sure to be a hit with your sweet tooth students! All you need for this game is a bag of Skittles candies and a timer. Students will have one minute to sort the Skittles by color into separate bowls. The student with the most Skittles sorted at the end of the minute wins!

Skittles, Original CandySKITTLES Original CandySkittles, Wild Berry Candy

The Balloon Popping Game

This game is sure to get your students excited! All you need for this game is a pack of balloons and a sharp object (a pencil or pen will work fine). Students will have one minute to pop as many balloons as they can. The student with the most balloons popped at the end of the minute wins!

The Gong Show Game

This game is a great way to review material with your students while also getting them up and moving. To play, divide your students into teams of two or three. Each team will need one member who can serve as the "gong master." The gong master will be responsible for ringing a gong or bell when a team gets an answer incorrect.

The other members of the team will take turns answering questions from the selected subject area. If they answer correctly, they get a point. If they answer incorrectly, the gong master will ring the gong or bell and they lose their turn. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Brass Feng Shui Desktop GongDesk Bell for Schools

Marshmallow Stack

Using only one hand, stack as many marshmallows as possible in 60 seconds. The person with the tallest marshmallow stack at the end of the minute wins

Keep it Up

Using a balloon, keep the balloon in the air for 60 seconds. The person who keeps the balloon airborne for the longest time wins.

120 Balloons Assorted Color120 Balloons Assorted Color

Popcorn Pick Up

Using only chopsticks, transfer popcorn from one bowl to another. The person who transfers the most popcorn in 60 seconds wins!

Hula Hoop Race

See who can keep their hula hoop moving around their waist for the longest time.

Minute to Win It games are perfect for students of all ages. They can be modified to fit the interests and skill levels of your students for maximum fun. These games are guaranteed to get your students engaged and excited about learning while also providing a much-needed break from traditional class work. These work well for rainy day activities, indoor recess, or anytime you need a quick and easy activity that will keep your students entertained.

Learning Outcomes of Minute to Win It Games

Minute to Win It games aren’t just about having a blast (though, let’s be honest, they totally are). These fast-paced challenges sneak in some serious learning outcomes, too! Here are a few skills that kids can develop while they’re laughing and racing against the clock:

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Many of these games require kids to work together, whether it’s passing an object without dropping it or coordinating to complete a task. It’s a fantastic way to reinforce those communication and cooperation skills that will serve them well both in and out of school.

• Fine Motor Skills: Balancing a cookie on your forehead or stacking cups with precision? Hello, fine motor skills! These games get those little hands working hard without even realizing it.

• Problem-Solving: Quick thinking is key! Kids have to figure out the best strategy to complete each challenge in just 60 seconds. Watching their creative minds go to work is one of the best parts.

• Resilience & Growth Mindset: Let’s face it, not every attempt is going to be successful, but that’s what we love about these games. They encourage kids to keep trying, even when things don’t go as planned. (Anyone else out there with a stubborn little one who refuses to give up? )

Tips for Teachers: How to Integrate Minute to Win It Games into the Classroom

Now, I get it. As a teacher, sometimes the thought of adding “one more thing” to your lesson plan can feel overwhelming. But trust me, these games are worth it, and they don’t have to be an extra headache! Here are some simple tips to make them work seamlessly in your classroom:

1. Use Them as Brain Breaks: These games are perfect for giving kids a much-needed break from sitting at their desks. After a long stretch of math or reading, a quick Minute to Win It challenge can refresh their minds and get them ready to focus again. Plus, they help burn off that extra energy we all know kids have in abundance!

2. Tie Them to Lesson Content: Believe it or not, you can easily adapt these games to reinforce academic concepts. For example, if you’re working on numbers, have kids compete to stack a certain number of objects or solve a math puzzle before time runs out. It’s sneaky, but effective!

3. Encourage Friendly Competition: Kids love a little competition, but it’s important to keep it light and fun. Emphasize that it’s okay not to win every time, and focus on effort and improvement. This can foster a supportive classroom environment where kids cheer each other on.

4. Keep Supplies Simple: I’ve been there, trying to round up a ton of materials for a project can be stressful. The beauty of Minute to Win It games is that most of the supplies are things you probably already have in your classroom (think paper clips, plastic cups, or even tissues!). No need for a last-minute trip to the store.

The beauty of these games is that they’re a great equalizer. Whether it’s the star student or the one who struggles a bit, everyone gets a chance to shine. One of the quieter students, who usually hangs back, could end up winning a cup-stacking game, which will surely bring a smile to their face. Moments like that are why these games are more than just a break, they’re confidence boosters, too!

More Fun Party Game Ideas:

If you love fun 60 second games, check out our Minute to Win It Swimming Pool games. Hours of fun for all ages, these games will keep everyone busy this Summer. So gather up your friends and family and start playing!

Add some excitement to your Thanksgiving celebrations with these Thanksgiving Minute to Win It games. These games are easy to set up and play and will keep everyone entertained while waiting for their Thanksgiving meal