15 Christmas Minute to Win It Games for Kids, Teens & Adults

I’ve been playing Minute to Win It games with kids for years—first as an elementary school teacher and room mom, and now with my own family. They’ve always been one of my favorite ways to get everyone involved because the rules are simple, the supplies are inexpensive, and kids, teens, and adults can all play together.

After testing these Christmas Minute-to-Win-It games with my kids, I learned that the best challenges aren’t necessarily the hardest ones. The games that work best give everyone a realistic chance to finish in one minute, while still being challenging enough to create some hilarious competition. When a game was too frustrating for younger players, we tested easier variations—and I’ve included those adjustments throughout the list.

These are the 15 games that have worked best for us, including some we’ve played again and again over the years. I’ve included difficulty levels, supplies, instructions, and my tips from actually playing them so you can quickly choose the games that will work best for your Christmas party, classroom, youth group, or family gathering.

Minute to Win It Christmas Games

These Minute to Win It Christmas games use simple supplies and one-minute challenges to bring a little friendly competition to your holiday party. I’ve included games with different difficulty levels, plus easier and harder variations, so you can choose the ones that work best for your group.

What are Minute To Win It Games?

Minute to Win It games were inspired by the NBC game show where contestants had 60 seconds to complete a challenge using simple, everyday items. Some challenges were played individually, while others required two players.

Today, Minute to Win It games are popular for Christmas parties, classrooms, church groups, family gatherings, and other celebrations. Players race against the one-minute clock individually or as teams, making them easy to adapt for groups of different ages and sizes.

How to Play Minute to Win It Games

Small Groups

For a small group, have players compete one at a time against the clock. Each player has one minute to complete the challenge. If they finish in under a minute, award points for completing the task.

If a challenge is too difficult to complete in one minute, let each player attempt it and award points to the person who makes the most progress.

Medium Groups

Divide players into teams and have one player from each team compete against each other in each challenge. Rotate players so everyone gets a chance to participate, and award points based on how they finish.

Large Groups

For large groups, divide everyone into teams and choose a player from each team to compete in each challenge. Award points in order of completion: 5 points for first place, 3 points for second place, and 1 point for third place. Award zero points if the challenge is not completed.

Scoring Minute to Win It Games

How you score Minute to Win It games depends on whether players are competing individually or racing against other teams. I use two different scoring systems depending on how we’re playing.

Scoring Individual Players or Small Groups

When players are taking turns against the one-minute clock, award points based on how well they complete the challenge:

3 points: Completes the challenge in under one minute.
2 points: Comes close to completing the challenge.
1 point: Makes a good attempt but does not come close to finishing.
0 points: Does not complete or attempt the challenge.

This works especially well for challenges that are difficult to finish because players can still earn points based on how well they do.

Scoring Team Competitions

When teams are racing against each other, I like to award more points for finishing first:

5 points: First team to complete the challenge.
3 points: Second team to complete the challenge.
1 point: Third team to complete the challenge.
0 points: Does not complete the challenge.

The larger point spread makes winning each round more meaningful and works well when several teams are competing at the same time.

For a closer competition, you can also give 1 point to every team that completes the challenge within one minute, even if they don’t place in the top three.

Keeping Track of the Score

Use a large whiteboard, poster board, or scoreboard so everyone can follow along. Write the team names across the top and the game numbers down the side, then record the points after each challenge.

Add the points after the final game, and the team with the highest total wins.

Here’s an example of how to keep score when four teams are competing using the 5-3-1-0 scoring method:

Using a big whiteboard is an excellent way to keep track and see how the game is progressing.

How to Start Minute to Win It Games

Before each game, explain the challenge and demonstrate it if needed. Give players time to get into position, set a timer for one minute, and start everyone with a countdown: 3, 2, 1, Go!

When the minute is up, record the points, reset the supplies, and move on to the next challenge.

Minute to Win It Game Prize Ideas

Prizes are optional, but they can make the competition even more fun. For Christmas Minute-to-Win-It games, inexpensive prizes like candy, small gift cards, holiday treats, ornaments, or dollar-store gifts work well.

You can give a prize to the overall winning player or team, or have a small selection of prizes for winners to choose from.

Easy Minute to Win It Games and Difficulty Levels

Most of these are easy Minute to Win It games that use simple supplies, but some challenges require a little more coordination or skill. I’ve given each game a difficulty level so you can quickly choose challenges that work for your group.

Level 1 – Easy: Simple challenges that work well for younger kids and mixed-age groups.
Level 2 – Moderate: Still easy to learn, but requires a little more coordination or speed.
Level 3 – Challenging: Better for older kids, teens, and adults who want a tougher challenge.
Level 4 – Very Challenging: Best for older kids, teens, and adults who want the toughest challenges.

Look for easier and harder variations throughout the games, too. These are especially helpful when kids and adults are playing together.

Game 1

Snowball Fight

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 2 players per team

Supplies Needed

• Mini marshmallows
• Plastic spoon

How to Play

Divide players into teams of two and have teammates stand on opposite sides of a table. Give one player a pile of mini marshmallows and a plastic spoon.

Set the timer for one minute. When the timer starts, one player uses the spoon to fling mini marshmallows across the table while their teammate tries to catch them in their mouth.

Continue until the minute is up. The team that catches the most marshmallows wins the challenge.

Variation

For an easier version, use large marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows. They’re easier to see, launch, and catch, making this a good variation for younger players.

Watch Snowball Fight in Action

Here’s our Snowball Fight game in action! One quick tip from playing it: have the player catching the marshmallows sit in a chair. My son is standing in our video, but sitting keeps players from moving closer to catch the marshmallows and makes the game much more fair.

Game 2

Avalanche! (Also Called Junk in the Trunk)

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• Empty tissue box for each player
• Pantyhose
• Bungee cord
• Mini marshmallows

How to Set It Up

Fill each empty tissue box with mini marshmallows. Secure the tissue box around the player’s waist with pantyhose and a bungee cord, positioning it behind them with the opening facing outward.

Tip: Make sure you use a tissue box with the dispenser opening centered on the box. This makes it much easier for the marshmallows to shake out evenly.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. When the timer starts, players shake, jump, wiggle, and move to try to get all of the mini marshmallows out of the tissue box without using their hands.

The first player to empty their box wins. If no one empties the box before the minute is up, the player with the fewest marshmallows remaining wins.

Watch Avalanche in Action

This one is much easier to understand once you see it! Watch the video below to see how players shake the marshmallows out of the box without using their hands.

Game 3

Build a Snowman (Also Called Sticky Balls)

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• Ping pong balls — one package per team
• Removable double-sided tape that is safe for your table surface
• Bowl for each team’s ping pong balls

Tip: I found removable double-sided tape in the craft adhesive section. Make sure the tape you use is safe for your table surface. The tape I used came off my table without causing any damage.

How to Set It Up

Place a long strip of double-sided tape across one end of the table. Put the ping pong balls in a bowl at the opposite end of the table.

Surface Protection Tip: Before placing double-sided tape on a wood table, test a small piece in an inconspicuous spot first. For extra protection, place a strip of painter’s tape on the table first, then put the double-sided tape on top of it. This keeps the adhesive from coming into direct contact with the wood finish.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Players must blow the ping pong balls across the table, trying to control their speed and direction so they stop on the double-sided tape.

The goal is to get three ping pong balls lined up next to each other on the tape before the minute is up.

My Tips for Playing

This one takes more strategy than you might expect! Players have to control both how hard they blow and the direction of the air. We had plenty of ping pong balls blow right across the tape and completely off the table.

I found that the best strategy is to blow gently as the ball gets closer to the tape.

*For younger kids, you could accept 3 balls anywhere on the tape; for older kids and adults, you can be firm on making sure the balls are right next to each other or even touching each other 

Easier Variation for Younger Kids

For younger players, make the challenge easier by requiring them to get one ping pong ball to stick to the tape instead of lining up three.

You can also shorten the distance between the bowl of ping pong balls and the tape.

Make It Harder

For a more challenging version, have players try to stack three ping pong balls on top of each other on the double-sided tape instead of simply lining them up.

The tape helps hold the bottom ball in place, but balancing the other two takes a lot more control and patience.

Watch Build a Snowman in Action

Watch the video below to see how we played Build a Snowman and how much control it takes to get the ping pong balls to stop in just the right spot.

Game 4

Snowman Stack (Marshmallow Chopstick)

Difficulty Level: 1
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• Chopsticks — one pair per player
• Marshmallows

Choose the marshmallow size based on your players: Use giant campfire marshmallows for younger kids, regular large marshmallows for a medium challenge, or mini marshmallows to make the game much harder. The minis are surprisingly difficult to stack without toppling over.

How to Play

Give each player a pair of chopsticks and a pile of marshmallows.

Set the timer for one minute. Using only the chopsticks, players pick up the marshmallows one at a time and stack them on top of each other to build a snowman.

The goal is to successfully stack three marshmallows before the minute is up.

Make It Easier for Younger Kids

Use giant campfire-sized marshmallows. Their larger size makes them easier to pick up with the chopsticks and much easier to balance.

Make It Harder

Use mini marshmallows and have players try to stack three of them. We tried this version, and it’s much harder than it looks—the tiny marshmallows topple over very easily.

Game 5

Santa’s Beard

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• Whipped cream — the squeeze-can style is easiest to use
• About 30 gumdrops per player
• Plate for each player
• Bowl for each player

How to Set It Up

Place the gumdrops on each player’s plate and completely cover them with whipped cream. Place an empty bowl beside each plate.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Without using their hands, players must find the gumdrops hidden underneath the whipped cream and transfer them from the plate into their bowl using only their mouths.

When the minute is up, count the gumdrops in each bowl. The player who collected the most wins.

My Tip for Playing

When we tested this game, I started with 14 gumdrops per player, but my kids finished too easily. For younger kids, 14 may be just right. For older kids, teens, and adults, I recommend hiding more gumdrops in the whipped cream to make the challenge last longer.

Make It Easier

Use fewer gumdrops—around 14 per player—and spread them out underneath the whipped cream so they’re easier to find.

Make It Harder

Use about 30 gumdrops per player and really bury them in the whipped cream. The more gumdrops players have to find and transfer within one minute, the harder the challenge becomes.

Game 6

Candy Cane Fishing

Difficulty Level: 2 with the updated “easier” version (Harder version below)
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• Candy canes
• String
• One candy cane to use as the fishing hook
• Bowl or container for each player

How to Set It Up

• Give players one candy cane to put in their mouth as a hook.
• Place the remaining candy canes in a bowl or container with their curved ends accessible so players have something to hook.
• Set a plate nearby to hold the “caught candy canes”

How to Play

• Players use one candy cane as a hook, holding the candy cane in their mouth with the curved section at the bottom.
• With their hands behind their backs, they try to pick up as many candy canes as possible and transfer them to a designated area in one minute.
• The team with the most transferred candy canes wins.

My Tip for Playing

Adjust this game based on players ages

Bowl Version: With the updated version, I would rate Candy Cane Fishing around a Level 1–2 depending on the age of the players.

Table Top Version: I would rate this as Difficulty Level 4

Watch the Easier Candy Cane Fishing Game

Make It Harder (Level 4)

For older kids, teens, and adults, place the candy canes directly onto a flat surface closer together in a pile. Players will have to be much more precise when trying to catch one.

• Pile the candy canes up onto a flat surface – such as a table
• Place a plate to hold the “caught candy canes” nearby
• Give players one candy cane to use as their hook. With the candy cane in their mouth, the curved section at the bottom.
• With hands behind their backs, they will have to pick up as many candy canes as possible and transfer them to a given area in 1 minute
• The team with the most transferred candy canes wins. “Honestly, it might just be one.” 😂

Watch the Original Candy Cane Fishing Game

This is the original, more difficult version we tested. I originally gave this setup a Difficulty Level 4 because getting the candy canes hooked takes quite a bit of patience and coordination

Game 7

Go Shovel the Snow

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• 1 heavy bowl
• 1 additional bowl or paper plate
• About 1 dozen individual cotton balls, separated so they aren’t clumped together
• 1 plastic spoon per player

How to Set It Up

Place the separated cotton balls in the heavy bowl. Set the second bowl or paper plate nearby as the place players will transfer their “snow.”

How to Play

Give each player a plastic spoon and set the timer for one minute. Players use the spoon to scoop the cotton balls from the heavy bowl and transfer them to the second bowl or plate.

When the minute is up, the player who transferred the most cotton balls wins the round.

My Tip for Playing

Use a heavy bowl for the starting bowl. We originally tried this with Styrofoam bowls, but they kept tipping over whenever the kids tried to scoop the cotton balls. Live and learn!

Easier Variation for Younger Kids

For younger kids, use mini marshmallows and a spoon instead of the cotton balls. The marshmallows are easier to scoop and transfer.

Watch Go Shovel the Snow in Action

Watch the video below to see how we played Go Shovel the Snow.

Game 8

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Difficulty Level: 1
Players: 2 players per team

Supplies

• 5 gift boxes with lids
• 15 jingle bells

How to Set It Up

Place a different number of jingle bells in each gift box:

• Box 1: 1 bell
• Box 2: 2 bells
• Box 3: 3 bells
• Box 4: 4 bells
• Box 5: 5 bells

Put the lids on the boxes and place them on a table. Mix up the boxes so the players don’t know how many bells are inside each one.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. The two players work together, shaking the boxes next to their ears and listening carefully to the jingle bells inside.

Their goal is to arrange all five boxes in order from 1 bell to 5 bells before the minute is up.

Game 9

Hung With Care

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• 5 candy canes, wrappers left on
• Thin string, about 1 mm wide

How to Set It Up

Tie the string securely between two objects at about eye level with the players. Pull the string tight so it is taut.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Players must balance the candy canes on the taut string using only the very end of the candy cane hook—the short, flat tip at the end of the curved section.

For a candy cane to count, it must remain suspended on the string for at least 3 seconds.

The goal is to successfully hang all five candy canes before the minute is up.

Easier Variation

For an easier version, try allowing players to hang the candy canes from the inside of the curved hook instead of balancing them from the very tip.

I haven’t tested this variation yet, so I don’t know if it makes the challenge too easy to be competitive. If you try it, you may want to test it before your party and adjust the number of candy canes needed to win.

Game 10

Reindeer Nose Dive

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team; you can also play team vs. team

Supplies

• String
• Small to medium red pom-poms
• Vaseline
• Reindeer antler headbands

How to Set It Up

Cut a piece of string for each player. We used pieces about 1 foot long, so the pom-pom hung roughly to chest level when the other end was held in the player’s mouth.

Tie one end of each string securely around a red pom-pom.

Have each player put on a reindeer antler headband and apply a small dab of Vaseline to the tip of their nose.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Players hold the loose end of the string in their mouths and move their heads to swing the red pom-pom upward.

The goal is to get the pom-pom to stick to the Vaseline on their nose before the minute is up.

My Tip

Our reindeer antler headbands started shaking off while we played, so we restarted the game and let everyone hold the antlers on their heads while they tried to catch their Rudolph noses. That worked much better.

Game 11

Christmas Ball

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• 1 sturdy Christmas paper plate per player
• 1 mini shatterproof Christmas ornament per team
• 1 open box per team, such as a shoebox

How to Set It Up

Place the open boxes on one side of a cleared-out room.

Place one mini shatterproof ornament per team on the opposite side of the room. Give each player a sturdy paper plate.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Players use their paper plates to fan their ornaments across the room, trying to guide them into their team’s open box.

The goal is to get the ornament into the box before the minute is up.

Game 12

Game 12

Candy Toss (H2)

Difficulty Level: 1
Players: 2 players per team

Supplies

• Christmas candy
• 2 cups per team
• 2 chairs per team

How to Set It Up

Fill one cup for each team with an equal amount of Christmas candy.

Place two chairs about 3 feet apart, facing each other. Put the cup filled with candy on one chair and an empty cup on the opposite chair.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. One player tosses the Christmas candy to their teammate, who tries to catch it in the empty cup.

If a piece of candy falls on the ground, the player must pick it up and toss it again until their teammate catches it.

When the minute is up, the team with the most candy in their catching cup wins.

Game 13

Christmas Nutstacker

Difficulty Level: 2
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• 5 hex nuts — I used 7/16″-14 hex nuts
• 1 candy cane per player

How to Set It Up

Unwrap the candy cane so the straight end will fit through the center of the hex nuts.

Place the candy cane and five hex nuts on the table in front of each player.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Using the straight end of the candy cane, players pick up the hex nuts one at a time and use the candy cane to build a stack.

The goal is to successfully stack all five hex nuts before the minute is up.

Make It Harder

Have players hold a plate and build their stack on the plate instead of directly on the table.

Game 14

Christmas Straw Race

Difficulty Level: 1
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• 10 pom-poms per team, preferably a different Christmas color for each team
• Paper straws — 1 per player
• Long table
• Tape that is safe for your table surface

How to Set It Up

Place a strip of tape straight across one end of the table to create the finish line.

At the opposite end, place 10 pom-poms for each team and give each player a straw.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Players use their straws to blow their pom-poms down the table and across the finish line.

The goal is to get as many of their 10 pom-poms across the finish line as possible before the minute is up.

My Tips

Give each team a different color of pom-pom. This makes it easy to tell which pom-poms belong to each team and who has the most across the finish line.

We also added a rule after playing: players must stay on their own side of the table. They can move up and down their side, but they can’t go around to another team’s side and get in the way.

Game 15

Christmas Chop-Stack

Christmas Chop-Stack

Difficulty Level: 1
Players: 1 player per team

Supplies

• Paper plates
• Skewers – or skinny wooden dowels
• Christmas pretzels

How to Set It Up

Place an equal number of Christmas pretzels on each player’s plate.

Give each player a skewer.

How to Play

Set the timer for one minute. Players use the skewer or dowel to pick up and stack the Christmas pretzels onto the skewer.

The goal is to get all of the pretzels onto the skewer/dowel before the minute is up.

If players are competing against each other, the first player to complete the challenge wins the round. If no one finishes within one minute, the player who gets the most pretzels onto the skewer finishes highest for that round.

My Tip

We originally tried using chopsticks, but they were too wide for the Christmas pretzels. A skewer worked better. Chopsticks may work if you’re using round pretzels or pretzel twists instead.

That’s it for now! I hope you have enjoyed our Minute To Win It Games for Christmas. I’ll be back next year to add even more Minute to Win It Games to this post. Until then, check out the links below…

More Minute-to-Win-It Games You’ll Enjoy

• Minute To Win It Games
• Fun and Easy Minute to Win It Games
• Over 13 Minute to Win It Games to check out.

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~Melissa – Kid Friendly Things To Do