Indoor Games Featuring Pretend Play

Active Imagination

Take the kids on a walk through the forest without leaving the living room. For each prompt, demonstrate a movement while you tell the story out loud. For example:

• You are walking down a path in a forest (walk in place).
• You see a deer leap across the path (leap!).
• You chase after the deer (run in place).
• But you trip on a branch and fall (slowly fall in place).
• You roll down a hill (roll around on the floor).

You can take this in any direction you want and make it last as long as you need to!

Grow, Little Seed, Grow!

In this scenario, you’re going to “plant” your kiddo and watch them grow. Your steps could include:

• Have your child curl up in a little ball on the floor. If they’re small enough, you can carry them to the spot.
• Declare you are a gardener, and you are planting the rarest seed.
• Tickle their back while you say, “Water, water, water!”
• Lightly tap their back while you say, “Sun beats down, sun beats down!”
• Now the seed can start to unfurl. “Oh, the seed is reaching through the soil!”
• As your child slowly comes to standing, at each stage say things like, “Oh, the leaves are unfurling!” and “Look, there’s a flower on the top.”
• Finally, have your child stretch to the sun.

You can end it there, or you can go and pick the flower, having the kiddos collapse in a giggling heap as you “chop” at their heels.

Animal Antics

Can your kiddo waddle like a walrus? Walk like a penguin? Gallop like a horse? Call out animal names and watch as your child imitates the creature’s antics.

Dress-Up Challenge

Raid the dress-up bin or pile all your best costumes together. Then call out open-ended prompts your kids can respond to with their clothing choices. Dress up as someone who helps others. Dress up as someone who builds things. Dress up as a hero. Have kids race against each other or set a timer for singletons as they take on this best-dressed challenge.

Indoor Games That Get Physical

The Alphabet Workout

This one takes a bit more prep, but it’s super easy to learn and guaranteed to burn off energy in no time. First, you need to associate a specific exercise with letters of the alphabet (example: A, 5 burpees, B, 10 jumping jacks, C, 10 jumps in place). You can repeat exercises, so you don’t have to come up with 26 new ones! You can also find a pre-made one, like this one from Leash Your Fitness.

Next, you take turns doing the exercises based on your name. Adjust to kids’ ages and fitness levels. For example, you can do middle and last names if the kids need more. Or choose random words. Your heart will be pumping in no time (It makes a great break from work for adults, too.).

Pool Noodle Jousting

Okay, we’ll admit this one could be a recipe for trouble among certain siblings, but it’s ever so easy and ever so fun! Just be sure to establish rules like no hitting faces, body parts, etc. All you need are two pool noodles. If the kids are small, you can cut a pool noodle in half. Arm each child (or yourself and a child) and joust away.

No noodles? You can get a set of two 52″ long noodles for $24.99 on Amazon right now.

Related: 21 Easy Play Ideas for Kids (Whether You Have 5, 15 or 30 Minutes)

At-Home Obstacle Course

Indoor games get an activity boost with this obstacle-filled option. Use all the cardboard delivery boxes in your basement or pile pillows together. Then have your ninja warriors test their skills on the course that gives them a legit reason to climb the furniture.

Family Wrestling Match

This simple activity pits your kiddo against mom or dad in a battle of physical strength. To play, create a circle using painter’s tape or something that will easily peel off your floors. Make sure it’s big enough to move around in. Plant yourself firmly in the middle before motioning to your sidekick Matrix-style to try and wrestle you out of the circle. Set a timer for each round, or keep it going until you finally get pushed out.

Dance Party

Host an indoor dance party with a game-filled twist. Turn on your kid’s favorite tunes, and dance follow the leader style. The leader twirls, whirls, and swirls around the room while everyone else follows.

Indoor Games That Use Balloons

Bat the Balloon

Fill a balloon, toss it into the air and count how many pats your child can bat the balloon before it falls to the ground. Add another balloon to make the game more challenging.

Balloon Ball

All it takes to play balloon volleyball, baseball, basketball, or hockey is hot air (to blow up the balloons!) and a little ingenuity. Use trash cans on opposite sides of the room as baskets and a simple painter’s tape line to divide the room for a volleyball net. For hockey and baseball, use pool noodles to bat balloons in the air or on the ground.

Balloon Challenge

Blow up as many balloons as you can, and divide them up so roughly half are inside a painter’s tape-made circle and half are outside of it. Then free the kids, challenging one to get as many balloons into the circle while inviting the other to keep out as many as possible. It’s a Ying/Yang situation that’ll wear them out faster than you can say, “nap time!”

Active Indoor Games for Kids

Mirror Mirror

Take follow the leader to a whole new level. Pretend your child is a mirror and have them imitate your movements—reflection style. Reverse the course and give them a chance to play the role of leader as you mirror them.

Family Freeze

Are you looking for games for kids that don’t require materials, cards, boards or anything else? Try a quick game of freeze. Let the kids run, dance, twirl or move to their beat. Yell, “freeze,” and watch them suddenly turn into statues.

Musical Chairs

Don’t count out the games you played as a child. Set up chairs in your playroom, turn on the tunes, and play a game of musical chairs.

Indoor Hopscotch

A long stretch of wood or tile flooring is all your little ones need to play indoor hopscotch. Lay out the game using painters or washi tape so it won’t stick to your floors. Then off they go, tossing and hopping down the alley until they reach 10. Get more on this sweet idea over at Toddler Approved.

Pillowcase Race

Who doesn’t need an excuse to change the bedsheets? Have the kids stuff themselves into their pillowcases, then send them off down a carpeted hallway or across a room with a rug toward an imaginary finish line. Add in obstacles to make it more challenging and to keep the fun rolling.

Potato Relay

To play this silly game, all you need are buckets, potatoes and kids with a good sense of humor. Set the buckets up at one side of the room. Next, ask each child to carry a potato between their legs (no hands allowed) across the room and plop it in the bucket before turning and running back to tag the next player in line.

Indoor Bowling

Put your plastic dixie-cup collection to use. Line them up bowling pin-style and use a soft, squishy ball to bowl!

Flip Cup Fun

This simple game is a total energy burn. To play, grab 20 paper or plastic cups from the cupboards and scatter them around the room—10 facing up and 10 facing down. Divide your crew into the Up Team and the Down Team before setting a five-minute timer. Once the timer is set, send the teams off to flip cups in their direction (up for Up Team, down for Down Team).

Indoor Games for Kids That Like Color

Paint Race

Who can paint a portrait, landscape or still life the fastest? Choose a subject, hand out the canvases and race to see who can paint their masterpiece the fastest.

Rainbow Race

Add science to your indoor games for youth! Preschoolers and younger kiddos will get a kick out of this fun-filled full “STEAM” -ahead game. Drip a few drops of food coloring into water and freeze colorful cubes. When the ice is ready, place different colors on one side of a piece of poster board paper and race the cubes to see which one melts the fastest—and wins!

Color Wheel Magic

Preschoolers will dig this simple game you can make with construction paper. Place colored papers around on the ground cakewalk style and turn on some music. Then start your crew out around the circle. Whatever color they’re on when the music stops becomes their challenge color, and they need to race through the house to find an object in that color. The first one back to the circle wins!

Color Match

Choose a few colorful old socks; fill each sock with dry rice, beans, or something similar, and tie the ends together. Place sheets of paper on the floor—with one for each color of the sock. Your child can toss the homemade bean bag onto the corresponding color of paper.

Icy Building Blocks

No blocks? No problem! Freeze colorful cubes of ice and use them to build skyscrapers in your kitchen. Have a parent-child contest to see who can build the highest tower—without toppling the freezing blocks.

Low-Key Indoor Activities

Storybook Show

Combine two favorite activities into one when you help your kids get their favorite book ready for its stage debut. Think out costumes and dialogue as you prepare them to act out their favorite book for the most approving audience around—you and your parenting partner! It’ll be standing ovations and encore applauses when they’re done.

Related: 14 Low-Key Games to Play with Grandparents

Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Make your kids’ day with this simple activity that you can play virtually anywhere. Write a list of random items your kids can find around the house. Then, send them off with your phone to find and snap pictures of each of the items. Make the list as long or as short as you like and change it every time you play.

Color Hunt

Stage a rainbow-filled scavenger hunt at home. Give your child pieces of colorful construction paper and ask them to find something around the house that matches each one.

When I was pregnant with my second child, I honestly thought I was giving my son the best. gift. ever. It wasn’t until I watched him transform into the gorgon over a Glow Worm that he’d given up years earlier that I realized it might be a few decades before they truly start to appreciate each other. So in the meantime, I’ve found a close substitute for true love and affection: laughter and mischief. Keep reading for my favorite games to play with siblings to foster a united, (mostly) happy front that I’m banking on to pay out in close-knit kids. One day. Maybe.

The Game: Mean Mommy

How to Play: This is a little like Mother May I, but you’re playing the role of Mean Mommy, who says “no” in her grumpiest voice and meanest face to everything the kids ask for. You won’t be able to go two rounds without your kids dissolving into laughter and strategizing together for something to ask that you’ll actually say yes to. The more absurd the things you say no to—like them brushing their teeth or picking up toys from the floor—the better.

Why You’ll Love It: This game doesn’t score you any time off the clock, but it does let you sit still for a few minutes while they’re cracking up with one another. And let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels really good to make a grumpy face and say no to things.

The Game: Rescue

How to Play: In each round, one or more kids play the role of rescuer, and one must be rescued. The fun here is that the rescuer gets to tell the one to be rescued just what kind of a pickle he or she’s in. When my son was in his shark stage, I found my 3-year-old (the victim) in an empty bathtub, covered in paper plates. My son’s scenario? He had to rescue the younger one from a shark-feeding frenzy. The paper plates were the sharks. The rescue was better than any scene from Sharknado.

Why You’ll Love It: This one gets a little risky since the basis of the game is that one child has to tell another one what to do—an obvious red flag. But as long as they take turns, it works out beautifully. The other risk is that the rescue scenarios can get a little treacherous. I played this with my own brother as a child and my mom found me lying in a ditch, pretending to be being attacked by buzzards. Just keep an eye on the game, is all I’m saying.

The Game: Dizzy Simon Says

How to Play: This game to play with siblings will definitely buy you some peace and quiet, but it’s so funny that you may want to stick around to watch. Nothing complicated here. It’s just Simon Says, but the kids who aren’t the leader have to close their eyes and spin around 20 times before trying to follow the leader.

Why You’ll Love It: It will remind you of that friend in college who ended up coming home with one shoe missing.

The Game: Photo Scavenger Hunt

How to Play: If you’re willing to hand over a phone, iPad, or digital camera, this game will pay out in literally hours of time to get things done on your own, while the kids play. You have to set it up, but all you do is number 1-10 on 10 pieces of paper, and place them around the yard or house. Take an up-close picture of each location, then have them flip through the photos to find each clue. When they’ve collected all 10 clues, reward them with a prize. Marshmallows work well at my house.

Why You’ll Love It: When you get good at this game you start to place each clue in the furthest opposite corners of your property to increase the amount of ground they have to cover to pick each clue up. Wear. Them. Out. But head’s up—younger ones can get left behind on this, so be sure to give them the special job of holding the phone so the older ones have to wait on them before moving on to the next clue.

The Game: On Top of Spaghetti

How to Play: Perfect for a rainy day, this classic song can save your afternoon. Teach them to sing “On Top of Spaghetti” and role-play being the meatball. For real. They love rolling with a sneeze right out the door, landing in the bushes, then turning to mush.

Why You’ll Love It: Piles of pillows make epic piles of spaghetti. They can do it together, and they burn off some energy, to boot.

The Game: Restaurant

How to Play: Isn’t it weird that they like taking orders from “strangers,” but if you were to ask them to get you a cup of water on a random Tuesday they’d all of a sudden have broken legs? But I digress. With this one, your first step is to get them to each make a menu for their restaurant. They can cut pictures out of magazines, or draw them onto construction paper. Let them make play money. Then, they get to take turns being the server while the other is the customer.

Why You’ll Love It: Lay the law down early that the only food product they’ll be working with are bowls of water, and the worst that can happen is you end up mopping the floor.

The Game: Shadow Tracing

How to Play: Outside, have one child strike a funny pose while the other traces their shadow.

Why You’ll Love It: Anytime one child is still and quiet, the other is usually pretty happy, too. You’re welcome.

The Game: The Great Outdoors

How to Play: Set up a tent, then tell them that they’re going camping. Seriously. They get really into it. If yours need some prompting, suggest they gather sticks and rocks to build a fire pit, give them peanut butter and birdseed and string, and have them decorate pine cones to tie into the trees nearby. Let them paint the trunks of the trees around the campsite with non-toxic paint.

Why You’ll Love It: They’ll get messy, yes, but this is the kind of game to play with siblings that knows no end. I’ve seen mine turn a “camping” day into role-playing, fort building, and treasure hunting.

The Game: Favorite Movie Mash-Up

How to Play: Who needs to pick just one movie to act out? In this game to play with siblings, each child picks a favorite character from a movie and they have to come up with a plot for a new movie, using the characters each has picked.

Why You’ll Love It: It gets really weird. Funny-weird, not creepy weird, but still. The last time mine played this we had Pocahontas battling Elsa over who had the best “nature powers.” Honestly, some of the scenes they’ve come up with have beaten the last couple of series I’ve tried on Netflix.

The Game: Ye Old Cardboard Box

How to Play: Give them a box. Walk away.

Why You’ll Love It: Nothing holds more potential than a cardboard box. Go crazy and throw some aluminum foil and markers on the ground before you leave, if you want. It’s not like we’ll think your kids are high-maintenance or anything but . . .

I hope you find a few minutes of peace while your children play these games without too many battles.

Play Ideas for Kids Age 2-4

Notoriously known for having zero attention span, toddlers can lose interest quickly, so filling 20 minutes with engaging activities isn’t always easy. These quick-fix ideas help turn any idle time into a burst of fun.

1. Play I-Spy. This classic game stands the test of time and helps toddlers better understand their surroundings. It’s also easily adaptable, requires no materials, and takes almost no time to complete. Put a twist on the same old game and set up your “I Spy” with a theme. Pick a letter (all things that begin with “B”), a color (only purple objects), or any other focus that your kiddo can dream up.

4. Play Follow the Leader. Get creative with this old-school favorite. Choose a theme (such as acting like animals or moving like snowflakes), create super-silly walks, or explore outside with a follow-the-leader nature walk.

Ideas for Ages 4-6

Preschoolers are curious, and their imagination is always running at warp speed. It’s a great time to introduce play ideas that activate their love of make-believe. Unchanged: Preschoolers are curious, and their imagination is always running at warp speed. It’s a great time to introduce play ideas that activate their love of make-believe.

4. Act out a book. While reading a book together is always a good idea, acting one out could be even more fun. If your toddler has a favorite book they’re obsessed with, dig into the dress-up box and have them try to act out a live-action version.

5. Have your little one stay in character when you play a quick game of animal charades. No prep is necessary for this easy guessing game. Just pick your favorite animal and go for it. With each successful guess, trade places and start again. Ee-i-ee-i-o!

6. Create a card for a loved one. Surprise a friend or relative with a homemade card from you and your toddler. They’ll have fun stamping, coloring, and creating a fun design, and the recipient will be thrilled with the surprise mail.

Play Ideas for Kids Ages 6-8

It’s no surprise that recess is this group’s favorite time of day. Grade school kids need to run and unleash energy, so killing 20 minutes is easy when you have open space to move. Here are some fun activities to keep moving and even a few for when they need to sit still.

7. Play freeze tag. The person who is “it” tries to tag the others. Once you’ve been tagged, you have to stand (frozen in the position you were in when you were tagged) until another “untagged” person can tag you to free you.

8. Create a Scavenger Hunt. Whether you pull a pre-organized list off the internet or create your own, enjoy watching your grade-schooler expend some serious energy while hunting for one item after another.

9. Play a minute to win it game. This age set loves a timer and since every phone has one you can break out a minute to win it game just about anywhere. From ball drop to sponge run, we’ve got a full list of games that take 60 seconds or less and are sure to make time fly.

10. Have fun with jokes. Laughter really is the best medicine. Telling jokes is an instant mood booster, so whether you’re stuck in traffic or waiting in the orthodontist’s office, tap into some of our favorite belly-laughing jokes. We even have a best-of-summer roundup!

Play Ideas for Kids Ages 10-12

Avoid the dreaded “I’m bored” phrase by suggesting one of these activities to your soon-to-be middle schoolers.

12. Conversation starters. Jumping into a good discussion with tweens isn’t always seamless, but these conversation starters can help. Try using this one right before dinner—If you could make any vegetable against the law, which would it be? Just be ready for their answer!

13. Play “Exquisite Corpse,” where you create a story together. Decide on a theme and have the first person write a phrase or sentence. The next person continues the story by writing the next sentence or phrase, using the last word or phrase from the previous person’s contribution. Continue taking turns until you have a complete story.

14. Learn a magic trick. Start with the simple paper-clip trick and keep moving through this entire list of tricks. 

15. Play Name that Tune—and let them pick the music! It’s a great way to get your kiddo to talk more about what they’re into and for you to add some variety to your playlist.

The Best Ideas for Teens

Trying to get your teen to put down their phone and engage in conversation is like trying to teach a cat to swim – it’s not impossible, but it sure feels like it sometimes! The good news is, once you do, they’re happy you did it and more likely to form healthy habits around screen usage.

15. Play a game of “20 Questions”. Get more insight into your teen’s mind and thought process with this classic game you can play anywhere, anytime. It also fosters strategic thinking and is a game of deduction and logic that will be very satisfying for your ever-growing tween.

16. Play Wordle or do a mini crossword. Want to engage and still use the phone? We suggest pairing up to solve everyone’s favorite word puzzles.

17. Boost their confidence. Sometimes just letting them know you’re proud of them can lead to the best discussions. Here are 30 positive things to say to your favorite almost-teen when they don’t feel like talking.

18. Trivia for Tweens and Teens. From who is the half-blooded prince to who is the oldest gamer on YouTube, we’ve rounded up some of the most intriguing trivia questions for teens (and tweens) that are guaranteed to keep them entertained.

Even five minutes can make a difference in a child’s emotional well-being. But as Randy McCoy, VP of Product & Curriculum for The Little Gym, reminds us, how long you play is less important than how often. “It’s not necessarily the ‘duration of play’ but the ‘frequency of play’ that matters most,” Mccoy says. “If a parent can give their child their undivided attention and play with them just five minutes a day, every day, they’re on the right track.”

The good news is, there are lots of ways to play that take next to no prep. Read on for 21 easy ideas to play with your kids, whether you have five minutes, fifteen, or more.

8 Super Fast 5-Minute Games

When you have a few minutes, whether it's before school or after dinner, parent like a pro with these little-to-no-prep basics you can use just about anywhere.

Try out "Would You Rather?" kid edition.  Spend a fun five minutes taking turns asking questions like, "Would you rather never eat ice cream again or get a trampoline?" or "Ride a dinosaur for 20 miles or an elephant for an hour?" The sillier the better. This also makes a great road trip game.

Make a dictionary dash. Grab a dictionary and choose a word at random. Read it out loud and have the kids guess what it means. If they can read, they can take turns finding words and trying to stump you.

Tickle your sidekick’s funny bone. Whip out brain busters or riddles that will make them laugh. Luckily you don’t need Comedy Central writers for this one. We think your goofballs will get a kick out of our ultimate list of jokes for kids.

A few rounds of “We’re going on a picnic” alphabet style will entertain the tot lot. The first player up says, “I’m going on a picnic,” then adds a tasty packable to the phrase, like an apple, apricot or avocado. Stick with ABC-order, or focus on just one letter for each round.

Play 20 questions. Have your kids guess what you're thinking of, and keep it simple, like something you can see from where you're standing.

Related: 15 Awesome Activities That Take 10 Minutes (or Less)

Play a classic game of Rock, Paper, Scissors—Japanese style. It’s called Janken. Start by saying “saisho wa guu.” Then “janken pon” as you pump, before throwing on “pon.” The winning combos are still the same in this timeless, quick game you can play at home or on the go.

Turn yourself into a living “spot the difference” puzzle. Start with a slow model turn, then disappear and make a quick change out of sight. When you come back, your cutie’s got to spot what’s different. Did you take off a cap? Put on a scarf? Untie a shoe? Keep it easy for the tots, and kick it up a notch for older kiddos (only one earring!). Then let them have a turn trying to stump you.

Try out a sequencing game when the wanderlust takes hold. Name a person, place, and object, all starting with the same letter of the alphabet, then string them together like kids lining up for the school bus. “Alice from Australia loves alligators!” See how far you can get in a short amount of time.

6 Mini-Games That Take 15 Minutes

For parents, playing with our kids allows us to step out of all those daily parental duties and, as McCoy explains, build friendship between parent and child. “When you play with your kids,” he says, “it provides an opportunity for you to interact with them on a different level. For a special moment, you step out of the ‘parent’ role and step into a playmate role.”

Take a break from your to-do list and try one of these 15-minute play breaks that will thrill the kids and relax you, too. 

Post-It style. A stack of Post-It notes and a pen are all it takes to play this short-and-sweet variation of the classic guessing game for parties. Choose someone to be "it." Write on the Post-It note the name of a character from a book, movie, or show that your kid will recognize—it can be a famous person, someone they know or a fictional character. Stick the note to their forehead, without letting them see what you wrote. Now take turns going around the room giving "it" clues to help them guess who is on their head. 

Curl up with a good book. Putting out a basket of books in a central location motivates the kids to take a look through the pages when they’ve got time to spare. Add in a sweet bookmark that keeps track of time to make it count.

Give them their daily feels. Keep your favorite sensory bin fillers on hand (like cotton balls and dry beans), along with trinkets to bury and cups for spilling and filling. When you’ve got a short window, pull out the bin, fill ‘er up, and watch your kids dig and drizzle until it’s time to go.

Set up a quick cotton ball and straw race. Perfect for the kitchen table before lunch is served. Have siblings challenge each other for the pole position on a straightaway down the center of the table, or set up a simple obstacle course using cups that the kiddos have to work around. Ready, set, go before you go!

Related: 10 Quiet-Time Activities Kids Will Actually Enjoy

Give a penny for their thoughts when they write in a journal. Setting aside a short amount of time to write (each day!) is a great way to encourage your amateur author’s creativity. Use silly or thought-provoking prompts to get them thinking, like, “The first time I tried ...” or “When I get to be principal, I’ll …” or even “The craziest thing that happened today…” Write on, brother!

Give up the charade. Have your little monkey stay in character when you play a quick game of animal charades. No prep is necessary for this easy guessing game. Just pick your favorite animal and go for it! With each successful guess, trade places and start again. Ee-i-ee-i-o!

4 Power Half-Hour Ideas 

Whether your aim is active playtime or quiet(er) crafting time, filling a cool 30 minutes with your kids is easier than you think. It may take a bit of planning, but once the prep is done, it’s a sit-back-and-relax situation that’s well worth the time upfront.

All things LEGO. If LEGO was the first thing that popped into your head, then we’re right there with you. They’re the forever fallback for a reason, but to hit that half-hour sweet spot, try throwing a LEGO challenge into the mix: building a car that can also work underwater, or constructing a tower that’s at least 24 inches tall. Then let your master-builder go to work.

Spin them right round. Ana at Babble Dabble Do has a new way to play with Perler beads. She puts them to work teaching science and playing tricks when these melted beauties become spinning tops. It’s just the right amount of make-and-play to fill a brief window in your busy day.

One for the movers and shakers. Print out (and laminate them if you’re feeling bold) The Alerting Activity Game, designed by Training Happy Hearts. Keep the deck on hand to stack the odds in your favor when the kids need something to do. With simple activities like “jump up and down ten times” or “pretend to be a volcano,” it’s packed with energy-burning activities that kids can run through on their own or with you!

Bring the outside in and paint it. If snow isn't covering your yard, go for a hunt for leaves, evergreen boughs, and sticks. Then take your findings to the craft table to fancy them up with paint. Acrylics work great for this project.

3 Super 60-Minute Sessions

For activities that span the hour, the two-step Make & Play approach works well. You may want to do a little prep the day before to make it easier, like putting crafting necessities into one small bin that you can pull out to surprise the kids. 

Wage war. Ah, the classic card game that is so simple to learn and so hard to win. It is possible that a game of war can take longer than one hour, but it rarely takes less. You do two card battles with the highest card the winner until one person has all the cards. Get the complete rules here. 

Create a catapult. Little Bins for Little Hands has an awesome tutorial, using craft sticks and other office supplies you’re sure to have around the house. Once it’s built, set up target practice plates before letting the marshmallows fly.

Put on a show. Puppets never get old; they’re easy to make with an old sock, brown paper lunch bag or even familiar characters glued to craft sticks. Whatever method you choose, spend time creating and playing with puppets when you’ve got an hour or more to spare. Be sure to stock the craft bin with all kinds of googly eyes, buttons, yarn and doo-dads to help bring the puppets to life. Then find an old sheet or use a baby’s blanket draped over the table to create a stage. Bravo!

Wishing Well

Similar to Treasure Dive, Wishing Well sends players on a search for coins at the bottom of the pool. This version, however, involves lining participants up shoulder-to-shoulder with their backs to the pool while someone throws a handful of loose coins into the water. The players then dive into the pool to collect the coins before they land on the bottom. Let the players keep their coins as a prize, or collect them all and toss them again.

Popsicle

If you’ve ever played freeze tag on dry land, this is exactly that, only in the shallow end of the pool. Start with one person as “it,” and have him or her tag the other players, who are swimming. When tagged, a player must stand frozen like a popsicle until another un-tagged player can thaw him out by swimming underwater between his legs. Just be sure to change the “it” person every so often to avoid having pouty kiddos in the pool.

Treasure Dive

Who needs fancy dive sticks or expensive torpedoes when you’ve got a public pool and a kid with goggles? Just in case you’re a little afraid of what Junior might find, take a handful of coins and toss them in the water to focus his search.

Funny Hair Competition

You know you’ve done it. If you’ve ever had hair longer than shoulder-length, you’ve done the George Washington (emerged from underwater with your hair flipped down over your face, then rolled it back over your head for a stylin’ Colonial-era ‘do). Other classics include the dinosaur (spiked hair), Princess Leia (dueling buns), and the sweet roll (spiraled over the entire head).

Submarine Races

Racers become human submarines as they race underwater to see who can get the farthest without emerging for air. The key to a successful submariner is a strong start, followed by efficient flutter kicks. Some have been known to dive deep early so as not to lose momentum on the surface mid-pool.

Underwater Tea Party

Goggles come in handy here. In an underwater tea party, two players must sink to the bottom of the pool where they sit criss-cross-applesauce and partake in a fancy tea fit for a queen. Pouring from imaginary teapots, stirring imaginary cups of tea, offering each other lumps of sugar, and passing trays of finger foods and sweets are par for the course.

Sharks & Minnows

While there’s debate as to the proper starting position of the minnows (in the water or out of the water on the far side of the pool), and variation exists on the proper call to action by the shark (“Sharks and minnows, one, two, three. Fishies, fishes, come to me!” versus “Fiiiishies! Come out and plaaay!”), There’s no debate that this classic swimming pool game will entertain our children’s children for summers to come. Could there be anything more thrilling than narrowly escaping the touch of the treacherous shark?

Octopus

The goal is to be the last swimmer unattached to the human chain of “outed” participants. The octopus begins with one player who tags another player, who then must link arms with the other (hence the growing octopus). As the octopus grows and the number of unlinked players diminishes, it gets trickier and trickier to evade the “tentacle” of players in the pool.

Atomic Whirlpool

Part pool game, part magic trick, this game involves a line of kids inside the pool but along the edge (in the shallow end). Have them walk, then jog, then race as fast as they can—still in single file—around the perimeter of the pool and then yell “switch!” When they turn to run in the opposite direction, the current will keep them from running, but certainly, increase the laughter factor. Bonus? Running in the pool will wear. them. out.

Chicken Fight 

We give the namesake of this game two thumbs down, but the pool game is a solid 10 in our book. Be sure to set the bar high when you define the rules of engagement before shouldering up. Chicken fights are played with a minimum of four participants (two “bases” and two “chickens” who each climb onto the other player’s shoulders). A chicken can push, pull, tickle, tackle, and splash the other chicken off its base to dominate as World Chicken Champion (until the next round, anyway).

Pool Pizza

This variation on colors involves one person—the “it” one—being named the chef. Other players pick their favorite pizza topping and group together. When the chef calls out their topping, those players swim to the other side of the pool. If the chef catches you, however, you go straight into the pizza “oven” (the out area, usually on the stairs or along one wall).

Mermaid Splash

Little mermaids take turns swimming with their ankles together, then go underwater and rocket out of the water with their arms in the air (a la Ariel in The Little Mermaid) to see who can jump the highest out of the water.

Slingshot

Who doesn't have a great memory of being catapulted from the water by mom or dad? Turn this classic parent-child bonding (or sibling) sesh into a friendly competition to see who can go the furthest, the highest, or do the coolest trick in the air.

Splash Dance

Choreograph a water ballet to go with one of your favorite songs. Perfect for a solo endeavor or with friends (think synchronized swimming), this pool game is video-record-ready!

Secret Message

Think Telephone but underwater. For this swimming pool game, choose one person to relay the message (usually one or two words). Then the "guesser" goes underwater with the messenger and tries to guess what they're saying. You can make it easier by offering hints like theme, color, category, etc. Kids who don't swim in deep water can participate in this pool game because they can dip their faces in to hear the message. 

F.I.S.H.

Similar to P.I.G. in basketball, the first player in F.I.S.H. is the leader, and the other players must follow exactly what the leader does. Jump from the side, do a certain dive, perform a choreographed pool number—whatever the task, the players must follow it or be given a letter from F.I.S.H. The first player to spell F.I.S.H loses the game.

Belly Flop Competition

Similar to a cannonball competition but without the showmanship mid-flight, the belly flop competition is all about the biggest smack of flesh on water. Who needs a cool flip mid-air when everyone knows you’re going for surface-area-to-contact records?

Categories

With this game, the more swimmers you have, the merrier (but we know of confirmed rounds of Categories involving only two players, so work with what you’ve got). Begin by choosing someone to be “It.” The selected player chooses a category that other players are familiar with (think colors for the small set, or candy bars for the older kids). “It” stands outside of the pool with their back turned from the water, and all other players line up directly underneath it with their hands on the wall, waiting for their selection to be guessed. If it is, the player tries to swim to the other side of the pool without being tagged out.

Cannonball 

Best performed from a springy, 1980s-era diving board, cannonball competitions are similar to dance-offs; each participant tries to “up” the next with their artistic interpretations mid-flight and ultimately, by the size of their splash.

Air Ninja

Adrenaline, meet categories. Starting on the side of the pool in a jump-ready position, count “1,2,3” and then your choice of any animate or inanimate object. Kiddos will leap into the air, strike their pose, and come up for air giggling. Some sure-fire objects they’ll love to imitate are tigers, turtles, and trees, but the more creative you get, the more they’ll beg for more.

Pool Tag Survivor

Choose one player to be “it.” The chosen player then yells out “dolphin,” “froggy,” or “submarine.” Dolphins swim on top of the water, froggies swim in the middle, and submarines swim at the bottom of the pool. Whoever is “it” must close their eyes and try to tag the other players. When a player reaches the other end of the pool, they yell “Survived!” Players who get tagged decide which one is “it” next.

Marco Polo

Forget Marco Polo, who was the first European to reach China. In America, if it’s June, July, or August, Marco (Polo!) is the king of the pool. “Marco” catches other players based on their reply to his call, and there’s no adrenaline-like daring to be the fish out of the water! Like tag, only in water and with your eyes closed, how many hours did you spend playing this easy but exciting pool game as a kid?

1. Alphabet Game

Who says families can only play this popular game on road trips? Adapt this one to your environment, be it a restaurant or the waiting room at the DMV, and get searching. Play it the traditional way, where you start with A and end with Z, or mix it up a bit. Play where the letters have to come at the beginning of the word or have kids compete in a speed trial. You could even play it backward if older kids need a challenge.

2. What’s Missing?

Put the ultimate parent accessory—the diaper bag—to work when you use it for this waiting game that works well in spaces that have a place you can display items from it, like a table or chair. Take out any number of items, lay them out for your kiddo, and give your little detective a few minutes to study them. Then when their eyes are closed, take one away. It’s their job to figure out what’s missing when they open their eyes.

3. Race Ya

Got phone? Then you’ve got all you need to take the kids to the races while they’re waiting. You set the task, they see how fast they can get it done. How many jumping jacks can kids do in 30 seconds? How many times can they turn around? If you’ve got some space, let them run from point A to point B, keeping track of splits. You can even adapt this game for a calmer experience, a good choice for those moments when they’re stuck waiting in a quiet spot like the DMV or the doctor’s office. Pick a category, like Animals or Fruits and see how many they can name in 30 seconds. Endless possibilities make this an easy go-to for kids of any age.

Related: 24 Car Games to Play on Your Next Road Trip

4. Chopsticks

To play this waiting game, kids need to know how to do basic addition. If they can add up to five, they’re set go. Two players or more players can start this tapping game no matter where you’re waiting (in line, at a restaurant, even when you’ve got twenty numbers in front of you at the DMV). Although it’s not too complicated to play, it takes a few rounds to really figure it out and develop your strategy. This illustrated explanation should get your and your mathematicians started.

5. HeadsUp

If you’ve ever stood in line at an amusement park, you’ve probably seen families playing this one. Download the HeadsUp app to your phone and you’ve got a crowd pleaser you can pull out anywhere. With plenty of family-friendly categories to choose from, it’s like playing Headbandz without the blue bands. Sure, you’ll look extra cool holding your phone up to your head, but whatever it takes to keep the kids entertained in long lines, right?

6. Chain Game

A different take on the alphabet game (a.k.a. the license plate game), this game is easy enough that even toddlers can play. Pick a category like Sports or Foods. From there the progression is easy. Players have to come up with a word that fits that category that starts with the last letter of the previous word. So if “swimming” starts off the game, it could be followed by “golf” which then becomes “frisbee.”

7. Play with Cars

Never underestimate the power of an unexpected toy car, especially when it’s a remedy to waiting around with kids. We love this idea of bringing it to the doctor’s office and playing while you wait in the room, from the Busy Toddler. But we’re also willing to bet you can use this one in lots of places. Put the cars through their paces while mom is trying something on in a dressing room or when you’ve got to sit for an oil change.

8. Photo Challenge

Pull out your phone and get scrolling. It’s all you need to help distract the kids, no matter where you’re waiting. How you play is up to you—the possibilities are endless. Let kids take photos of categories you choose (like “take a picture of something red” or “take a picture of a plant”) and then report back to you. Or you can challenge them to scroll through and find specific photos. They can find a photo of their favorite food, their pet, or even a grandparent. If you’ve got more than one kiddo, you can easily turn this game into a head-t0-head competition. And if all else fails, remember, nothing entertains kids more than taking pictures of their own silly faces.

Related: 10 Amazing Airplane Games for Kids

9. Fortunately/Unfortunately

This storytelling game is experiencing a resurgence, but it’s been around for a while. You start with one scenario (make it a fortunate one) and then the person you’re playing with follows it up with a downturn (the unfortunate part of the story). Then you alternate between players to see how long you can keep the story going. Here’s an example to get you started: Fortunately, I got a new pair of shoes. Unfortunately, they weren’t the right size. Fortunately, they fit little brother. The sillier the better.

10. Simon Says

There’s a reason this game has stood the test of time. Kids love it. So why not break it out the next time you’ve got a wait ahead? The only question is—who’s going to play Simon? You or the kids? Remember to pace to the youngest player so everyone can have fun. Then see if you can trip ‘em up with the old “Simon says touch your nose, touch your toes” quick combo.

11. Pack Something Special

While you don’t need Mary Poppins’ magical bag to keep the kids entertained while you wait, it doesn’t hurt to have a few stand-bys on hand for those unexpected moments you’re stuck somewhere. A spare bottle of bubbles is always a hit, just ask any parent who’s ever bought a musical bubble wand at Disney. And you can’t go wrong with a simple writing board (think: Boogie Board or something similar) that’s as easy to erase as it is to pack. If you don’t have one, coloring pages work wonders. Don’t forget game staples like tic-tac-toe, dots, and boxes (you can even play it on your phone), or simple card games that can easily fit in your diaper bag or purse.

Related: 15 Cool Coloring Pages & Worksheets for Kids

If you’re trying to impress a hard-to-please teen, you’re not alone! Luckily, we’ve got just the trick for you—a classic game of Would You Rather. With these 25 thought-provoking Would You Rather questions for teens that strike the perfect balance of surprise and humor, you’ll have your kids hooked in no time. And if you really want to blow their minds, throw in some trivia that they actually care about. Who knows, maybe they’ll even think you’re cool (but let’s not get ahead of ourselves).

How to Play Would You Rather with Teens

This simple yet engaging game involves presenting two hypothetical scenarios and choosing which one you’d rather experience. Not only does it encourage creativity, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, but it also provides a glimpse into the wild ride that is the adolescent brain. So grab some snacks, buckle up, and get ready for some tough choices and hilarious debates.

Related: 38 Trivia Questions for Teens That’ll Get Them Talking

The Best Would You Rather Questions for Teens

Browse through our list and pick and choose the ones you think will work best for your family. You can always come back and try other ones next time!

1. Would you rather be a teacher or have one of your parents as your teacher?

2. Would you rather dance in front of 1000 people or sing in front of 1000 people?

3. Would you rather give up Snapchat or TikTok?

4. Would you rather always be five minutes late or thirty minutes early to every event?

5. Would you rather be a famous athlete or a famous musician?

6. Would you rather be able to talk to ghosts or time travel to the past?

7. Would you rather be able to freeze time or rewind time?

8. Would you rather play in the Super Bowl or perform in the halftime show?

9. Would you rather love the same person forever or never be in love?

10. Would you rather win a million dollars or have the same best friends for the rest of your life?

11. Would you rather be an only child or have ten siblings?

12. Would you rather go back to the past or have the ability to know the future?

13. Would you rather never brush your hair again or never brush your teeth again?

14. Would you rather have a robot that does all your chores or a personal chef who cooks all your meals?

15. Would you rather lose your phone or wake up every morning by 5 am?

16. Would you rather be in the Olympics for snowboarding or diving?

17. Would you rather brush your teeth with soap or drink sour milk?

18. Would you rather be famous or rich?

19. Would you rather be stung by a jellyfish or 50 mosquitos?

20. Would you rather miss prom or miss graduation?

21. Would you rather have a personal chef or a personal stylist?

22. Would you rather live with your parents forever or live on your own starting today?

23. Would you rather win the lottery or live to 120?

24. Would you rather move to an exotic island or a bustling city?

25. Would you rather skip a grade or never have to pay for gas again?

26. Would you rather only ever use emojis to communicate or never use them again?

27. Would you rather have school year-round with breaks every few months or keep summer vacation?

28. Would you rather backpack through Europe or spend two weeks at an all-inclusive resort on a tropical island?

29. Would you rather only have one very close best friend or a group of good acquaintances?

30. Would you rather have a well-paying but boring job or an exciting job that doesn’t pay much?

There you have it—the ultimate list of Would You Rather questions teens will love! Be sure to check out our list of Would You Rather questions for younger kids too.

1. Bear Trap

You’re a bear trap! Lie on the floor with your arms and legs spread out and have your kids tip-toe around you. If anyone gets too close, snap your arms and legs together and catch them in the trap. After a minute, release them back to the forest for another round.

2. I’m Thinking of …

An easier version of 20 questions, this fun guessing game to play with toddlers is perfect when you’re craving some downtime. Use words to describe something you’re thinking of—an animal, place, book, stuffed animal, etc.— without giving away what it is; your kids will guess what you’re thinking of. You can get started with, “I’m thinking of an animal that likes to take naps in the sun and says ‘meow’ when it’s happy.”

3. What’s On My Butt???

What’s funnier to a toddler than talking about butts? According to Hillary Frank’s Weird Parenting Wins, all you have to do is lie on your tummy and have your tot gather a bunch of random objects from around the house (energy burn for the win). Then, have them put one on your bum and ask “What’s on my butt?” Then try to guess what it is. This one’s sure to leave you both in a fit of giggles.

Related: 15 Fun Games for Toddlers (Because You Need to Keep Them Busy)

4. Push the Right Buttons

All you need is a bucket of spare buttons to keep your kid occupied when your energy is zapped after a long day. Ask them to sort the buttons by color and then size or find ones that match. If this excites them and they want to get creative with buttons, you can see more of our favorite button activities here. Note: Your child should be old enough to know not to put buttons in their mouth for this activity. 

5. I-Spy

It’s a classic for a reason! You can play anywhere, including from a horizontal position on the couch. Level up with this easy-to-make DIY I-spy jar (perfect for road trips or bedtime routines, too!), or stick to the old standard: “I spy with my little eye something that is blue.” And off you go!

6. Don’t Wake the Bear

In this version of the game, you’re the bear pretending to be asleep (perfect!), and your toddler has to take turns quietly sneaking up to you to steal a small object, such as a pillow or toy, without waking you. When they do wake the bear, scoop them up, make your best growl, and tickle them up.

7. Build a Nest

Nesting doesn’t have to end with the third trimester—keep it going with this toddler-aged version. Set up a circle of cushions or pillows and get inside. This is your nest, and your kiddo is now a baby chick, a raptor, or anything that hatches. Your job is to cozy up and send them on missions like fetching food or learning to fly in this game you can play while lying down.

8. Hot & Cold

Before you lay down, have your toddler pick their favorite toy or stuffed animal for you to hide. Once you’re settled in on the couch, they can search for the hidden item while you call out “hotter” as they get closer or “colder” if they move farther away. The key to this one is to make it hard enough that you get a long enough rest but not so hard that your little seeker gets discouraged!

9. Laundry Basket(ball)

A laundry basket can signal your least favorite household chore or a way to entertain your kiddo while you rest. Set one down in the middle of the room and encourage your toddler to throw softballs or stuffed animals into the basket. Have them move the basket farther away if it gets too easy. You can also hide a favorite toy or stuffie under a pile of clothes and let your tot “seek” it out or fill the basket with clothes and ask them to sort the laundry by color.

10. Storytelling Game

Encourage imagination and creativity while you catch downtime with a fun, lighthearted Storytelling Game. Start by giving your tot a prompt, such as “Once upon a time, there was a silly monkey who loved to dance.” Then encourage them to continue the story by asking questions like “What did the monkey look like?” or “Where did the monkey like to dance?” Take turns adding to the story, building on what the previous person said.

11. Stargaze from Bed

Whether you want to make your toddler’s bedtime routine more enjoyable or you want to cozy up in their bed for a mid-day rest—it helps if something is interesting to look at on the ceiling. Dim the lights and try stargazing from the bed with these ceiling decals. You can point out different constellations or ask your toddler to find different shapes or patterns in the stars.

Related: 10 Creative Toddler Games That Are Fun & Educational

12. Role Reversal

If you’ve got a tot who wants to be just like mama, let them step into your exhausted shoes. Now you’re a baby who needs to be taken care of. Mini mommy can cover you with a blanket, sing you a lullaby, cuddle you, and pretend to give you a bottle, all while you lie blissfully still on the couch.

13. What’s Up, Doc

Get the imagination juices flowing and let your kiddo play doctor while you play the tired, weary patient who needs to lay down. Break out the pretend medical kit, or if you don’t have one, choose real-life wellness props like thermometers and bandages, then let them be the ones in charge of making you well again. Taking your temperature, listening to your heartbeat, and bandaging your boo-boos should be part of the routine. You can also play veterinarian with stuffed animals.

14. Search and Find

Lie down somewhere comfortable. Say, “I want you to find something that’s square,” “Something with a bell,” or “Something red.” Repeat. Variation: give them a list with little drawings or words of what to find while you close your eyes for a few minutes. Then, of course, they need to put everything back exactly where they found it.

15. Nursery Rhyme Trivia

Ask your toddler questions about their favorite nursery rhymes, such as “What animal did Mary have in ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’?” or “What do the stars do in ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’?” You can also sing a line from a nursery rhyme and ask your toddler to finish the line.

Alphabet Jump

Give your jumping bean something to jump about—letters! We love that this outdoor game from The Imagination Tree combines alphabet awareness with the chance to get those wiggles out. Simply write letters in sidewalk chalk and have your little one hop from one to another as you call them out. And all you need to get started is a set of sidewalk chalk. Read all about it and check out the phonics and math variations over at The Imagination Tree.

Simon Says

Let your toddler be your boss with a few rounds of Simon Says. Toddlers love the chance to be in charge! Then, you can give the commands for a bit. It's silly, active, and engaging—that's why it's an early childhood classic. Plus, it gives little ones a chance to practice following instructions, taking turns, and building listening skills. Simon Says go play!

Float That Boat

We love the Easy Boat Activity from Toddler Approved because it's budget-friendly, and it uses supplies you've already got in the house, like plastic containers, tape, and straws. Kids love it because it offers indoor water fun and the chance to capsize a fleet of tiny ships. Sail down to Toddler Approved to find out how you can set up your own version. Don't miss Kristina's ideas about what to talk about with your little one as you play to turn this game into a toddler-friendly science experiment.

Sing a Song

Whether it's Five Little Monkeys or Ram Sam Sam, toddlers dig a good tune. Plus, rhymes and songs like these are more than just fun. They build toddlers' vocabulary and pre-literacy skills. Find new ones to add to your repertoire at Storyblocks, a site created by Colorado librarians to share rhymes and songs for toddlers and preschoolers.

Super Duper Straw Game

Toddlers go gaga over games that give them a chance to put stuff in a container and then dump it out, so this Oatmeal Container Straw Game from Merriment Designs is bound to be a hit. We love that this game made out of recycled materials packs a big dose of fun on a budget. Round up straws and an empty oats container, then head over to Merriment Designs to find out how to make your own.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

If your toddler is anything like ours, Mama Papa Bubba's DIY Felt Board is bound to be a big hit because it's all about ice cream. Felt ice cream, that is. Little ones can practice fine motor skills and learn about colors as they match each colorful scoop and dot. Plus, when you've had your fill of ice cream, the board makes a perfect background for felt animals or people that can be used for storytelling fun. The possibilities are endless!  Find the step-by-step instructions to create your own felt board at Mama Puppa Bubba.

Yoga Time

Stretch it out and play a game of animal yoga with your little one. You can pick up a set of soft yoga blocks that toddlers can toss up in the air before diving into a downward-facing dog. Or try out these five animal yoga poses and pretend to be stretching tigers and rolling bears.

Make a Match

eeBoo's Life on Earth has everything we look for in a memory game: sturdy pieces, beautiful eye-catching images, and the chance for game-playing fun. If your kiddo isn't quite ready to play a full game, pull out a smaller set of matching cards for mini-memory fun. Plus, talking about the pictures on the cards is a guaranteed vocabulary builder.

Available at amazon.com, $17.99.

Dress Up Time

Try the dress-up challenge: give your toddler a scenario or career, like summertime, rainy day, forest animal friends, sports star, or construction worker, and send them off to create an outfit that meets that challenge. They can use their own clothes or dig things out of the dress-up bin. Then, put on a tune that goes along with the scenario you've picked and put on a fashion show. We guarantee that you'll get lots of fantastic photos out of this game! It's also great to play after dinner to encourage little ones to put on their PJs. Last challenge: bedtime! 

There's Bear!

Most board games are still a little tricky for young toddlers—but Where's Bear from Peaceable Kingdom is just right. Little ones get to play hide-and-seek with little bear, stack the sturdy cardboard blocks, and learn new words as they play.

Available at amazon.com, $22.95.

Obstacle Courses

Toddlers love climbing under, over, and on top of all sorts of things. Obstacle courses let you take that natural climbing instinct and make it a game. Build an indoor obstacle course with painters' tape, making lines for your little one to walk on top of and jump over. Or take the fun outside and challenge them to stay off of the grass in the yard or the wood chips at the playground. Ready for a bonus round? Turn the obstacle course game into follow-the-leader and take turns being the leader. Check out this post for even more obstacle course fun.

Bowl-o-Rama

Even if it's raining cats and dogs, your toddler can play Melissa and Doug's bowling game for hours. The weighted bottoms on the six soft animal pins make them easy to stand up, and the set comes with a carrying case for on-the-go fun and storage. Kiddos will build their gross motor skills and can also practice counting the pins one by one. Strike!

Available at amazon.com, $32.99.

On the Hunt

Kids of all ages love a good scavenger hunt. Send your toddler on a hunt through the house for four red things or two things with wheels. If you have a little more time or an older toddler ready for a challenge, print out a scavenger hunt like these. Good news: they're all free!

Guess Who?

Caught waiting in line or at a restaurant without a stocked bag of goodies? Then pull out the animal guessing game, a game we love because it requires no gear. Think of an animal and ask questions until your game playing buddy guesses it. Does it have legs? Does it live in a tree? Older twos and three-year-olds love this game. When you're playing with younger toddlers, change it to the animal sounds game: make a sound (MOOO!) and have the toddler guess what kind of animal makes that noise. Then switch it up and have them make the sound.

Magnetic Rainbow Busy Box

Your toddler will spend lots of time spelling their name and piecing together words with this Magnetic Rainbow Busy Box from Mama.Papa.Bubba. It can be an art project just to create the box and they'll have endless fun learning and spelling once it's finished.

What’s a minute to win it game?

Simply put, it’s a 60-second game using items typically found around the house. Participants attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute.

How to play

These quick, exciting games are good for parties, of course, but you can also do them with just one or two players! There are three basic ways you can play Minute to Win It Games.

Player vs. timer: In this style, a player races against the clock. They still have just one minute to complete the game and if they do win, you can move on to another game. If they don’t, you can choose to let them try until they do beat the clock or move on to another player.

Player vs. Player: In this version, which works great for small groups, have two people compete against each other (for a minute), and whoever completes the challenge first, wins! This way, you can rotate through your crew at a reasonable pace.

Group Minute to Win It Play: Here’s where you’ll split your group into two teams. Each team decides who goes first, and then those players compete against each other to win! This is fun for teammates too because they’ll be cheering on competitors in each round.

Our Favorite Christmas Minute to Win It Games

1. Christmas Tree Cup Stack
This is a classic Minute to Win It game, but the added challenge of decorating with ornaments. Give the players one minute to stack their cups and place their ornaments—whoever stacks the fastest wins. We recommend you use plastic ornaments for safety and speed.

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2. Candy Cane Connect
Set an empty bowl off to the side and put lots of candy canes on a surface in front of each player. Have each player put a candy cane in their mouth (curl sticking out and plastic still on) and transfer it into the empty bowl. See how many candy canes each team can move in 30 seconds. The player with the most candy canes connected to each other wins!

3. Ornament Roll
Set a starting point and finish line with tape (or a different material) and choose a plastic ornament for each contestant. Have each person use a straw to blow their ornament toward the finish line and whoever crosses it first, wins! If it proves too difficult, try setting a timer for a minute and whoever’s ornament is closest to the finish line at the end, wins.

4. Antler Ring Toss
If you have a set of reindeer antlers lying around, this game will be a blast! Team up in pairs and put the antlers on one team member’s head. The other person will toss inflatable rings (or something similar) onto the antlers. Whoever gets the most rings onto the antlers within a minute, their team wins.

5. Fill Santa’s Beard
Prep a plate of cotton balls or marshmallows and print out a picture of Santa (Make sure he has a big beard!). With a plastic spoon handle in each player’s mouth, they’ll have one minute to fill Santa’s beard with as many cotton balls or marshmallows as possible.

Related: 12 Cool Amazon Alexa Christmas Games & Skills for Kids

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6. Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Toss
Have players stand back from the table with hot chocolate mugs on it. Give players a designated number of mini marshmallows and see how many the team can throw into the mug in one minute.

7. Marshmallow Stacking
Have players stack as many marshmallows as they can in 30 seconds. You can play this game with regular marshmallows or mini.

8. Snowfall
Each player will need a tissue box, pantyhose, and ten white ping pong balls. Put the ping pong balls in each tissue box. Then, tie the boxes around each player. Kids have one minute to shake out (no hands) as many balls as they can. To make this game more festive, try using plastic ornaments.

9. Snow Scoop
Set two bowls side by side. Fill one bowl with cotton balls and leave the other empty. Each team member will put the end of the handle in their mouth and try to get as many cotton balls from the full bowl to the empty bowl in under a minute. Whoever gets the most from one bowl to the other, wins. This game can also be done with marshmallows.

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10. Let It Snow
Each player gets a new box of tissues. On the word “go,” everyone pulls out each tissue one by one and tosses it into the air. The person who empties their box first wins the Christmas minute to win it game.

11. Holiday M&Ms
Fill a plate with M&Ms and set an empty plate next to it. The goal of this game is to use a straw to separate the holiday colors. Traditionally they are green and red, but use any holiday colors you’d like. Use the straw to transfer as many holiday M&Ms as you can in under a minute. The person who sorts the most onto the empty plate wins.

12. Gingerbread Cookie Face
Place a gingerbread cookie (or your favorite holiday cookie) on the child’s forehead. They’ll need to use their facial muscles to move it down their face and into their mouth—without using their hands. What a yummy challenge!