Team building minute to win it games are short, fun team activities that can be completed in under 60 seconds.
Free team-building activities for adults are designed to bring employees together through friendly competition, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Here is a guide on 7 team building minute to win it games and their role in building teamwork in the workplace.
What are Team Building Minute to Win It Games?
Team building minute to win it games are quick, interactive games that encourage teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, and creativity.
They break down barriers between team members and foster camaraderie through lighthearted challenges.
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Background on Team Building Minute to Win It Games
Minute to win it games originated on the NBC game show hosted by Guy Fieri.
They have since become popular team building activities used by organizations to energize teams, improve morale, and bring people together.
The fast-paced, silly nature of the challenges makes them an engaging way to build trust and rapport.
Maximizing Team Building Minute to Win It Games
To get the most out of minute to win it games:
- Explain the rules clearly so there is no confusion.
- Encourage collaboration and communication between teammates.
- Make sure necessary materials are prepared ahead of time.
- Have employees switch up teams between games to interact with new people.
- Keep the atmosphere fun and lighthearted.
When to Use Team Building Minute to Win It Games
These fast-paced games are great for:
- Icebreakers at meetings or training sessions.
- Warm up activities at corporate events.
- Energizing the team after lunch or long meetings.
- Team building during retreats, parties, or staff appreciation events.
The Value of Team Building Minute to Win It Games
Minute to win it games provide value by:
- Bringing people together through shared experiences.
- Encouraging employees to think creatively and strategically.
- Building trust and rapport between team members.
- Energizing and motivating teams.
- Improving communication and collaboration.
- Strengthening problem-solving skills in a fun way.
Features and Benefits of Team Building Minute to Win It Games
Key features and benefits include:
- Simple setup – Easy to organize with household items.
- Quick – Can be completed in under 60 seconds.
- Engaging – Fun, lively challenges that people enjoy.
- Interactive – Require active team participation.
- Encourage bonding – Bring people together through friendly competition.
- Improve morale – Uplifting way to energize and motivate.
- Strengthen skills – Enhance teamwork, creativity, and strategy.
5 Tips for Using Team Building Minute to Win It Games
Here are 5 tips to maximize minute to win it games:
- Match games to goals – Select challenges that align with desired skills.
- Vary group sizes – Mix individual, small teams, and large teams.
- Encourage creativity – Be open to creative solutions and thinking.
- Keep it light – Maintain a fun, positive tone throughout.
- Debrief after – Discuss insights and lessons learned.
For example, use communication-based challenges for improving collaboration. Have employees reflect afterwards on takeaways. We hear this from customers that regularly use of our training course materials.
7 Team Building Minute to Win It Games
Here are step-by-step instructions for 7 fun, fast-paced team-building games:
1. Marshmallow Toss
Needed: Marshmallows, plastic cups.
- Partner team members up and give each pair a marshmallow and cup.
- Partners stand across from each other, 3-5 feet apart.
- Toss marshmallows back and forth, catching each one in the cup.
- The fastest team to complete ten catches wins.
Cost: $5 Time: 60 sec.
Best For: Communication, coordination.
2. Straw Hustle
Needed: Plastic straws, ping pong balls
- Give each player a straw and ball.
- Place balls on the table and use only straws to suck up and transfer to a container.
- Most balls moved in 60 seconds wins.
Cost: $5 Time: 60 sec.
Best For: Creative thinking, problem-solving.
3. Card House
Needed: Deck of cards.
- Divide into teams of 3-5 people.
- Give each team a deck of cards
- Build the tallest free-standing card house in 60 seconds.
Cost: $5 Time: 60 sec.
Best For: Collaboration, communication.
4. Marshmallow Sculpture
Needed: Marshmallows, toothpicks.
- Give teams 3-5 minutes to build the tallest freestanding sculpture using only marshmallows and toothpicks.
- Winning team has the tallest structure that stands on its own.
Cost: $10 Time: 3-5 min.
Best For: Creativity, problem-solving.
5. One-Minute Ball Toss
Needed: Timer, plastic cups, ping pong balls.
- Arrange teams in a circle with plastic cups in the middle.
- Players toss ping pong balls into cups for 60 seconds, alternating turns.
- Team with the most balls in cups at the end wins
Cost: $10 Time: 60 sec
Best For: Teamwork, energy.
6. Sketch Artist
Needed: Paper, pens, timer.
- Have teammates pair up. One is the artist, the other is the describer.
- Describer looks at an image and describes it to the artist to draw in 60 seconds.
- Most accurate drawing wins.
Cost: $5 Time: 60 sec
Best For: Communication, listening.
7. Tower Take Down
Needed: Plastic cups, rubber bands, string, balls.
- Build a pyramid of 10 stacked cups held by rubber bands.
- Teams use string to swing ball and knock down their tower fastest.
- Fastest team to topple tower wins.
Cost: $10 Time: 60-90 sec.
Best For: Strategy, problem solving.
Conclusion
Incorporating team building minute to win it games into meetings and events is an engaging way to build stronger teams through fun, active participation.
With their emphasis on collaboration, communication, creativity and problem-solving, these fast-paced challenges lead to improved teamwork, morale and skills development.
By keeping the games lighthearted and matching them to your goals, minute to win it activities can bring people together, energize your team, and ultimately strengthen your organization.
Alternative training activities for adults include: The Marshmallow Challenge, The Magical Ball, The Marshmallow Challenge For Team Building Workshops, and Minute To Win It.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
