a resource by
table of contents.
don’t disturb the librarian
P. 2
history class
P. 3
math is a breeze
P. 3
up the scale
P. 4
dodge wad
P. 4
paper drone warfare
P. 5
snack stack
P. 5
extra point
P. 6
can you make it?
P. 6
keep your grades up
P. 7
DON’T DISTURB THE LIBRARIAN
Items needed:
Table
30 used/read paperback books
A “librarian”
Set up
Put the paperbacks in a pile on the floor beside the table. The Librarian sits 10 feet
away with his/her back to the table reading a book.
Instructions
When you’re in the library, you must be absolutely silent. Stack the 30 paperback novels one on top of another in a tower in 60 seconds or less. If you fail to complete the
tower, or if you make too much noise and alert the librarian, you might find yourself in
detention!
Spiritual application
Reverence in church. Just as we are required to be quiet in the library, we need to be
respectful and attentive during worship services.
p. 2
MINUTE TO WIN
IT : SCHOOL EDITION
HISTORY CLASS
Items needed
6 printed photos of US presidents
(Suggestion: Jefferson, Jackson, Grant, Garfield, Truman, and Nixon)
Set up
Lay the six photos on a table face down.
Instructions
You should never, ever ask your classmates for help on a history exam, but in this exercise, we’ll make an exception. Flash each one of the presidential faces at the audience,
and with their guidance, set the photos back on the table, face down, in chronological
order. You have 60 seconds to complete the challenge. Better hope your classmates
have studied; you’re going to need them!
Spiritual application
Trust; choosing friends wisely.
MATH IS A BREEZE
Items needed
Four cones
Four sets of flashcards
Set up
Stack one set of flashcards on each cone.
Instructions
Do you think math is a breeze? In this game, you need to prove it by blowing all but
the bottom flashcard off one of the four stacks set on the cones. If you leave just one
card on one cone in 60 seconds or less, and you pass the test. Fail, and you can
subtract any prizes from your future.
Spiritual application
Letting God strip away the things of Earth until only he remains.
UP THE SCALE
Items needed
Eight bells that, when played in the right order, form a major scale.
Set up
Set the eight bells on a table in random order.
Instructions
Before you can play a symphony, you have to learn your scales. The bells before you
form a major scale. Ring the bells as often as you need to put them in the right order,
from the bottom of the scale to the top. Complete this challenge in 60 seconds or less
and you may prove to be an upscale talent. Fail, and your ears will ring with failure.
Spiritual application
Putting our priorities in order.
DODGE WAD
Items needed
A bucket full of paper wads
A spry and wily adult volunteer
Instructions
It takes skill and precision to become a dodgeball master, which is why great dodgeball
players often hone their skills in the classroom with paperwads. In this challenge, you
will have 60 seconds to eliminate a single dodgeball opponent. Score a hit without your
opponent catching your paperwad, and you win the challenge.
Note
The adult volunteer can dress in a ridiculous dodgeball uniform if desired. The volunteer can dodge or catch the paperwads, but the student player cannot be eliminated if
a paperwad is caught. If the volunteer swats a paperwad away rather than catching it,
they are eliminated. They may tip one in the air and catch it without being eliminated,
but once that paperwad hits the ground, it’s over.
Spiritual Application
Spiritual warfare, dodging the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6, Armor of
God.
p.
4
MINUTE TO WIN
IT: SCHOOL EDITION
PAPER DRONE WARFARE
Items needed
20-30 paper airplanes of all kinds
A small trash basket
Set up
Set the trash bucket 15-20 feet from the airplanes and the “take off” point.
Instructions
The aeronautical engineers of today learned their craft in the math and science classrooms of yesteryear - throwing paper airplanes at one another. In this challenge, you
will prove whether or not you have the right stuff by successfully landing five aircraft in
the wastebasket. Fail to complete this challenge in 60 seconds, and instead of drone
pilot, you’ll be peeling potatoes in the mess hall.
Spiritual Application
God will help us to soar like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31)
Keep Your Grades Up
SNACK STACK
Items needed
5 Little Debbies (Zebra Cakes are best)
Instructions
It’s almost lunch time, and you have Little Debbie on your mind. Stack five Little Debbies on your forehead in a tower, without dropping or tipping them over. Complete this
challenge in 60 seconds or less, and you’ll be a happy snacker. Fail, and you’ll kiss
those Little Debbies goodbye.
Spiritual Lesson
Building our lives on a firm foundation.
EXTRA POINT
Items needed
Paper footballs
Table
Three volunteers
Three sets of goggles
Set up
Prepare the traditional triangle-shaped paper footballs in advance. Use one of your volunteers to be the “goal posts,” and the other two to be the referees who will determine if
kicks are good or not.
Instructions
Football has long been a school past time, on the field and in the classroom. Your task
is to kick four extra points using the paper footballs. Complete this challenge in 60 seconds or less, and you’ll be a football hero.
Spiritual lesson
Keeping our eyes on the prize.
CAN YOU MAKE IT?
Items needed
Lunch tray
Cones
Six empty Coke cans
Table
Garbage can
Adult volunteers
Set up
Stack the Coke cans in 3 stacks, 2 cans high, on a lunch tray. Set the tray on the table,
30 feet from the garbage can. When the game begins, have your volunteers cross the
stage from the garbage can to the table, creating moving obstacles for the contestant.
Instructions
There’s nothing worse than dropping a tray of food in the lunch room. In this challenge,
you must transport the tray of cans to the garbage, carrying the tray with one
hand. Fail to complete this challenge in 60 seconds or less, and tomorrow,
p. 6
you eat the mystery meat.
MINUTE TO WIN
IT : SCHOOL EDITION
KEEP YOUR GRADES UP
Items needed
Four inflated balloons
Instructions
It takes intelligence, dedication, and an ability to juggle many tasks to get straight A’s.
In this challenge, you won’t be keeping your grades up, but you will have to keep four
balloons aloft. Fail to keep the balloons airborne for 60 seconds, and you’ll repeat the
first grade!
Spiritual lesson
Priorities, managing our time.