Managing a bunch of naughty kids can be a draining task as their attention span is usually shorter than adults’. Organizing one-minute games for kids is an effective way to entertain your wards and ensure they have a great time. If you are a teacher or a parent, you will need ways to keep them engaged and out of trouble. So games that will take a long time will not work for them. In this post, we bring you a roundup of some fascinating one-minute games that are fun and easy to organize.
29 Exciting One Minute Games For Children
1. Stack it up
A simple stacking game with something we all have in our wallets or purses – coins! What you need: A lot of coins, a flat surface, a timer and space to play Number of players: 5-10 How to play: You can have as many rounds of the game as there are children.
2. Doughnut chew
This is a minute-to-win party game for growing kids and those who have a sweet tooth. What you need: Doughnuts enough for everyone, strings, and space Number of players: 5-10 How to play:
3. Pong scoop
In this game, kids have to use the power of their teeth and not hands to shift ping pong balls from one tray to another. What you need: Two trays, a plastic spoon, 10-12 ping pong balls Number of players: 5-6 How to play:
4. Stack attack
When you have punch cups, you can play this stacking game. It may seem easy at first but, is it? Find out with this 1-minute game for kids. What you need: 36 plastic or paper drinking cups, table, and timer Number of players: 6-12 How to play:
5. Feather breath
No, it is not a breath test you take after eating a bird. Feather breath is a rather challenging game that you could try at parties. What you need: Feathers (preferably a fake, lightweight one), space to play and timer Number of players: 5-10 How to play:
6. Movin’ on up
When you have a lot of drinking cups and time to spare, use them to play a game. Movin’ on up is one such game you can try with the kids at a party. What you need: 39 blue or white cups, one red cup, and a timer Number of players: 5-10 How to play: Can the kids beat the timer?
7. Spaghetti words
Spaghetti is yum when cooked with veggies and tomatoes. When uncooked, it works as an excellent prop for a game called spaghetti words. What you need: A pack or two of spaghetti, a table or a flat surface Number of players: 5-8 How to play:
8. Nutstacker
No, it is not nutcracker. We mean Nutstacker, wherein you stack a set of metal nuts on top of one another, but without touching them by hand. What you need: 10-12 5/8-inch acorn or hexagon metal nuts, a few chopsticks, and a flat surface Number of players: 6-8 How to play:
9. Defy gravity
We cannot defy gravity, but we sure can help keep a few balloons from falling to the ground. This game is ideal for little kids aged six years or less. What you need: Full-blown balloons, space to play, timer Number of players: 5-8 How to play:
10. Cereal box puzzle
Ran out of cereal? Don’t throw the cereal box away. Take a pair of scissors and make a puzzle out of it. What you need: Empty cereal boxes, cut into 16 pieces to make a jigsaw-like puzzle, a table, and timer Number of players: 2-3 How to play:
11. Chopstick moves
This game can help improve a child’s hand-eye coordination. What you need: Chopsticks, plastic or cardboard shapes, number and letters of the alphabet, three bowls Number of players: 5-6 How to play:
12. Marshmallow and toothpick structures
Have marshmallows, a few toothpicks and a bunch of bored kids at home? Here’s one of the simplest one-minute games for children. What you need: A bag of marshmallows, a box of toothpicks Number of players: 6-8 How to play: You can also get kids to build these structures individually.
13. Cookie face
Another fun game that forbids you to use your hands is cookie face. In this, you get to play the game and also eat the cookie! What you need: Oreo cookies Number of players: As many as there are How to play: Sounds like an easy task, but we guarantee it’s not, which makes it all the more fun!
14. Balancing dice
Balancing a bunch of cubes, one on top of the other, is not difficult. But what if you have to balance them on something other than a table? What you need: 10 dices, all of the same size, a Popsicle stick Number of players: 5-8 How to play:
15. Candy or fruit loop bracelets
How do you make boring breakfast cereal fun? Make jewelry of it! What you need: A box of fruit loops, pipe cleaners Number of players: 5-8 How to play:
16. Post it all
This is a game for two and involves a lot of silliness. So yes, your children will love it! What you need: Post-it notes, timer Number of players: 8-12 How to play: Adult supervision is necessary to ensure younger kids do not hurt each other accidentally while trying to stick notes on their partners.
17. The flour game
Imagine a face full of flour, white like a ghost’s! Funny, isn’t it? Play this game and you might have a few funny faces around. What you need: A bag of flour, a candy, butter knife Number of players: 8-12 How to play:
18. Pong tac toe
This is a tricky but fun variant of tic tac toe and is ideal for older kids and teens. What you need: 9 drinking cups and two sets of 9 ping pong balls each, of two different colors Number of players: 6-10 How to play:
19. Suck it up
This game involves a lot of candy and fun. So are you ready to suck it up? What you need: M&Ms, drinking straws, two plates Number of players: 8-10 How to play:
20. Back-to-back stand
A game played by two partners, back-to-back stand aims at interpersonal coordination and agility. What you need: Space to play, timer Number of players: 10-12 How to play:
21. Human ring toss
If your kids have played ring toss at the fair or an amusement park, then this is a game they might want to try. What you need: Hula hoops or pool floats, a lot of space (preferably outdoors) Number of players: 10-12 How to play:
22. Speed obstacle course
This is your classic obstacle course but with a time limit, which means the kids have to move faster. What you need: Pillows, tires, nets and so on to create an obstacle course, timer Number of players: 10-12 How to play:
23. Feed your friend
Hungry kids? Here’s a fun game they might enjoy. What you need: Blindfolds, a bowl of mashed fruit or yogurt or soup Number of players: 8-10 How to play: In the end, you either have a child with his tummy or his face full of food.
24. Stacked apples
Stacking is easy when the chosen object has a flat surface. What if it doesn’t? What you need: 10-15 apples Number of players: 5-8 How to play:
25. Rapid fire
This is not a question/answer game but one where the kids have to throw something rapidly at a target. What you need: 21 empty tin cans, 10 plastic or lightweight balls Number of players: 6-10 How to play:
26. Thread a needle
The simple game develops hand-eye coordination and is ideal for young kids. However, choose blunt needles and supervise the game to prevent any injuries. What you need: Blunt or knitting needles, thread or artificial wool Number of players: 6-10 How to play:
27. Tweeze me
This game needs the child to use an everyday tool, like the tweezers, for scoring some points. What you need: A pair of tweezers or two, tic tacs or candies, two bowls Number of players: 6-10 How to play:
28. Cotton ball goals
Get the children to display their strength by blowing these cotton balls to the destination. What you need: A bag of cotton balls, a table and a few blocks to make a goal post Number of players: 6-10 How to play:
29. Paper toss
When you can’t play basketball, you play paper toss. What you need: Two crumpled paper balls, a bowl or a bin, timer Number of players: 10-12 How to play: