Minute to Win It Games are one of my favorite activities to use during classroom parties for several reasons. First, these games can be played alone or in groups. You can spread them throughout the day or play them all at once. Additionally, minute to win it games are fast, affordable, and easy to set up. Last, using the word games brings instant excitement and engagement. Read on to give Valentine Minute to Win It Games a try in your classroom.
Ring Around the Roses
Fake roses in a vase or weighted balloon holder from Dollar Tree work perfectly for these Valentine minute to win it games. Grab some glow stick necklaces or pipe cleaners to make rings, and you’re ready to play. Students race to toss three rings around the roses before the minute ends.
Heart-a-Stack
All this game requires is some candy hearts! When the game starts, students will work independently or together to stack them and build towers. When time is up, the play/group with the tallest tower wins.
Soaring Hearts
Foam hearts and cups make perfect supplies for Valentine’s Day minute to win it games. Place the cup at one of the tables or have a student hold the cup while another student tosses the hearts. Set a number of hearts to be caught in the minute, and you’re ready to play!
Broken Hearts
Each player or team is given a set of heart pieces to play. These pieces can be made from construction paper, cardstock, or foam. Grab some scissors and start cutting! The goal of this game is to fix all of the broken hearts before the minute is up.
Heart Transplant
Heart Transplant needs candy hearts, plates/bowls/cups, and tweezers. Students will use the tweezers to move the hearts from one bowl to another. Who can move all of their hearts before the time is up?
Wrapped Up in Love
This game is guaranteed to bring on the giggles. Give each team a roll of streamers. Set a time for one minute and race to see who can wrap their teammate, using all of their streamers before time is up!
Conversation Heart Stand-Up
This game is easy and for all ages. Candy hearts are the only thing needed to play. Set the timer to one minute, and then players rush to stand up candy hearts on their sides. Add a challenge by only allowing them to use one hand.
Straight To My Heart
Grab a box with a heart opening, or cut a heart to make your own. Create paper airplanes or use Q-tips or popsicle sticks to make arrows. Throw the planes/arrows and try to get them through the hole.
Bouncing Hearts
Grab a heart-shaped bowl and bouncy balls to play! In one minute, race to see who can bounce the most balls into the bowls. This game can also be played using a box with a heart cut out.
Fill My Heart
Valentine-themed minute-to-win-it games are an excellent opportunity to integrate math and practice subitizing. Grab these heart dice strips for free below. Roll a die and use candy hearts or another Valentine-themed manipulative to cover each space. Try to cover each space before the minute is up.
Candy Corn Stick-Up
Played similarly to Heart Stand Up, students work to balance the candy corn on their bottoms and stick up.
Heart Toss
Grab this bean bag toss game or make your own to play Heart Toss. Put together paper hearts or use Valentine-colored plates with different values for a do-it-yourself game. Toss beanbags or make Cupid’s arrows to toss. Keep track of points earned during the minute and add them up to see who has the highest score to win.
Hearts Afloat
Balloons are a class favorite. Students will work as a team during Hearts Afloat. Each pair or triad gets one balloon. The game’s goal is to keep the balloon afloat and not let it touch the ground.
Heart Drop
A cup, jar, or frosting container will work to play Heart Drop. In one minute, race to see who can drop the most candy hearts or Valentine-themed manipulatives into the container.
Let’s Play!
To help run Valentine Minute to Win It Games in your classroom, I have created a slideshow. Use PowerPoint or Google Slides to display the slide for each game. A timer is built-in, allowing you to enjoy the games and keep things running smoothly.
I look forward to our minute-to-win-it games each year, and Valentine Minute to Win It Games are no exception. I am always looking for new ideas and changing things up. What is your favorite Valentine Minute to Win It game?
