New Year’s Eve is a special time to celebrate, but for kids, waiting until midnight can feel like an eternity. How do you keep them entertained without losing their attention? Minute to Win It games are the answer! These fast-paced, easy-to-set-up games are perfect for keeping the energy high and the laughter rolling.
The best part about these games is that they’re simple, require minimal supplies, and take only a minute to play. Perfect for short attention spans, they’re engaging, fun, and guaranteed to create unforgettable memories. Here’s a list of 21 creative Minute to Win It games that will make your New Year’s Eve party a hit.
1. Balloon Pop Frenzy
In this energetic game, kids race against the clock to pop as many balloons as they can. It’s a burst of fun that keeps everyone moving and laughing! Kids can pop the balloons by sitting, squeezing, or gently stomping on them, creating hilarious moments of chaos. With colorful balloons scattered across the room, it’s a visual treat and an exciting challenge.
You can add an extra twist by hiding small notes or confetti inside the balloons. This adds a layer of surprise and makes each pop more rewarding.
2. Cup Stack Challenge
This game is all about speed and precision as kids stack and unstack cups in a pyramid. It’s a simple yet addictive activity that brings out the competitive spirit. Kids build a pyramid with 10 plastic cups, starting from a single base and stacking up layer by layer. Once the pyramid is complete, they must unstack it back into a single stack.
It’s a great way to test hand-eye coordination and patience, and watching the towers tumble is part of the fun!
3. Cookie Face Race
The Cookie Face Race is as hilarious to watch as it is to play. Players must move a cookie from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands. Kids scrunch their faces, wiggle their eyebrows, and contort their features to slide the cookie into their mouths. It’s a fantastic icebreaker that guarantees laughter all around.
Not only is this game fun, but it’s also a sneaky way to enjoy a sweet treat mid-game. Watching the kids’ determination will keep everyone entertained.
4. Penny Tower Challenge
This game requires a steady hand and a lot of focus. The challenge is to stack as many pennies as possible into a tower before time runs out. Kids carefully balance one penny on top of another, trying to build the tallest tower they can. If the stack falls, they must start over, adding an element of urgency.
The suspense builds as the tower grows higher and wobblier. It’s a simple yet thrilling game that keeps everyone on their toes.
5. Junk in the Trunk
Junk in the Trunk is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Kids shake ping-pong balls out of a tissue box strapped to their back, using only their dance moves. The box is filled with balls, and players must wiggle, jump, and twist to empty it. Watching the creative moves kids come up with is half the fun.
This game is as much a dance-off as it is a competition. The laughter it inspires makes it one of the most popular Minute to Win It games.
6. Snowball Toss
Snowball Toss is perfect for a winter-themed New Year’s Eve party. Players toss cotton balls or marshmallows into a bucket from a distance. The lightness of the “snowballs” makes them tricky to aim, adding an extra challenge. Younger kids can play from a closer distance, while older kids can step back for a harder version.
It’s a fun and simple game that captures the essence of winter while keeping kids entertained indoors.
7. Chopstick Relay
Chopstick Relay tests coordination and concentration as players transfer small items using chopsticks. It’s a game of precision that’s as fun to watch as it is to play. Kids pick up items like marshmallows or grapes and move them from one bowl to another. The smaller the item, the harder the challenge, making it adaptable for different ages.
This game introduces a cultural twist to the party and is a great way to keep kids focused and engaged.
8. Dizzy Mummy
Dizzy Mummy is all about spinning and wrapping. Kids team up to wrap one another in toilet paper as fast as they can. One player spins around the other, wrapping them from head to toe like a mummy. The more toilet paper used, the better the results.
The game ends in a flurry of laughter and toilet paper confetti, making it a memorable addition to any New Year’s Eve party.
9. Candy Cane Hook
This holiday-inspired game involves hooking candy canes using only another candy cane. It’s a simple yet festive activity that brings out the competitive spirit. Kids use the curved end of one candy cane to pick up as many others as possible within a minute. It’s trickier than it sounds, requiring focus and steady hands.
The candy canes add a festive touch to the game, and kids can enjoy their “prizes” afterward, making it a win-win.
10. Ping-Pong Blow
Ping-Pong Blow is a high-energy game that challenges lung power and precision. Players blow a ping-pong ball across a table into marked zones. The zones can be assigned different point values to increase the competitive element. Younger kids can play without point zones to keep it simple.
This game is fast-paced and keeps everyone cheering as players frantically try to guide their ball to the finish line.
11. Stack Attack
In Stack Attack, players stack and unstack a tower of 21 plastic cups in a pyramid formation. It’s a race against the clock that’s as exciting as it is challenging. The cups must be stacked with precision, requiring focus and quick reflexes. One wrong move can topple the tower, adding to the suspense.
Kids will love the thrill of competition as they try to beat their personal best or challenge friends to see who can stack the fastest.
12. Wrap the Gift
This game challenges kids to wrap a small gift as neatly as possible in just one minute. It’s a race that combines creativity with speed. Players use wrapping paper and tape to cover a box, trying to make it look as polished as possible. The results are often hilariously imperfect.
Wrap the Gift adds a festive touch to the party and is a great way to keep kids engaged in a creative activity.
13. Marshmallow Scoop
In this game, players use a spoon to transfer marshmallows from one bowl to another. It’s simple, sweet, and surprisingly challenging. The lightness of the marshmallows makes them hard to control, especially under the pressure of a ticking timer. Younger kids can use larger spoons for an easier version.
This game is perfect for kids of all ages and adds a delicious twist to the competition.
14. New Year’s Resolution Scramble
This educational game involves unscrambling letters to form New Year’s-themed words. It’s a fun way to keep kids thinking while they play. Players are given scrambled words like “celebration” or “countdown” and must rearrange the letters to solve the puzzle. The faster they unscramble, the more points they earn.
It’s a great game for older kids who enjoy word challenges, and it sneaks in a bit of learning amidst the fun.
15. Spoon Relay
Spoon Relay is all about balance and focus. Players race to carry small items on a spoon across the room without dropping them. The game can be made harder by using smaller items like marbles or grapes. For younger kids, larger items like ping-pong balls work well.
It’s a classic game that never fails to entertain and is easy to set up in any space.
16. Bubble Wrap Stomp
Bubble Wrap Stomp is as satisfying as it is entertaining. Kids stomp on sheets of bubble wrap to pop as many bubbles as possible in a minute. The sound of popping bubbles adds to the excitement, and the physical activity helps kids burn off some energy. It’s simple, loud, and a ton of fun.
This game is especially popular with younger kids, but don’t be surprised if the adults join in too!
17. Clothespin Drop
In this precision-based game, players drop clothespins into an empty bottle from above. It’s a test of focus and steady hands. The challenge lies in aligning the clothespins just right to make them fall into the narrow bottle opening. It’s harder than it looks, which makes it exciting.
This game is quiet but intense, providing a nice balance to the more active games on the list.
18. Guess the Song
Guess the Song brings a musical twist to the party. Players hear a snippet of a song and must identify its title as quickly as possible. Short, kid-friendly songs work best for this game, keeping it light and entertaining. Adding a New Year’s or holiday theme makes it even more festive.
It’s a fun way to get everyone involved and singing along, adding a communal vibe to the celebration.
19. Ring Toss
In this carnival-inspired game, kids toss rings onto bottles to score points. It’s a classic challenge that’s easy to adapt for different ages. The bottles can be placed at varying distances to increase difficulty. Younger kids can stand closer, while older kids take on the challenge from farther away.
Ring Toss is a simple, versatile game that adds a nostalgic touch to your New Year’s Eve party.
20. Tic-Tac-Toss
This game combines the strategy of tic-tac-toe with the physical challenge of tossing. Players throw beanbags into a grid to form a line.
The first player to complete a line wins, but the competitive back-and-forth keeps everyone engaged. It’s a game of skill and strategy rolled into one. Tic-Tac-Toss is a perfect mix of mental and physical activity, making it a hit with all age groups.
21. Feather Float
Feather Float is a whimsical game where players try to keep a feather in the air using only their breath. It’s lighthearted and perfect for younger kids.
The challenge lies in controlling the feather’s direction, as it can easily drift away. Adding an obstacle course makes it more exciting for older kids. This game’s simplicity and silliness make it a great way to end the evening with smiles and laughter.
Wrapping Up
These 21 Minute to Win It games are guaranteed to turn your New Year’s Eve party into an unforgettable celebration. With options for all ages and energy levels, these games will keep kids entertained and engaged throughout the night.
The beauty of these games lies in their simplicity, creativity, and the laughter they inspire. So gather your supplies, set the timer, and let the countdown to fun begin. Here’s to a New Year filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories!