Candy Cane Minute to Win It Games
If there’s one thing that screams Christmas fun, it’s candy canes! These red-and-white striped treats aren’t just delicious, they’re the ultimate game prop for your next holiday party. Whether you’re planning a classroom celebration, a family game night, or an office Christmas competition, Candy Cane Minute to Win It Games bring the laughter, chaos, and friendly rivalry we all secretly love during the holidays.
The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment. Just grab a few packs of candy canes (buy extras, some will break, and a few may mysteriously “disappear”), set a one-minute timer, and get ready for some peppermint-powered fun!
What Are Minute to Win It Games?
If you’ve never played “Minute to Win It” games before, here’s the quick scoop:
They’re fast, silly challenges where players have just 60 seconds to complete a task using everyday items. You can play individually or in teams, and the goal is to rack up points or win bragging rights.
They’re quick to set up, easy to play, and perfect for keeping everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, laughing together.
And since it’s Christmas, we’re giving these games a festive twist with candy canes, peppermints, and red-and-white props that fit right into the holiday theme.
How to Host a Candy Cane Minute to Win It Party
Before diving into the games, here are a few quick tips to make your event run smoothly:
1. Gather Supplies
Stock up on:
- Candy canes (mini and regular sizes)
- Peppermint candies
- Red-and-white straws
- Plastic cups
- Spoons, bowls, and plates
- A timer (or use a phone)
- Score sheets
2. Split Into Teams or Play Solo
For larger groups, divide everyone into teams. Give each team a festive Christmas name like Jolly Elves, Candy Crushers, or Santa’s Helpers.
3. Set the Timer
Every game lasts one minute. You can play one at a time (great for cheering and laughter) or set up multiple stations for rotation-style play.
4. Keep Score
Award 1 point for completing the challenge, and bonus points for style, teamwork, or pure holiday spirit!
5. Add Treats or Prizes
Winners can get candy canes, small gifts, or printable certificates like “Candy Cane Champion” or “Minute-to-Win-It Master.”
The Best Candy Cane Minute to Win It Games
Now for the fun part! Here are 19 unique and festive candy cane–themed games that will make your Christmas party unforgettable.
Each one uses simple items, lots of laughter, and a big dose of peppermint cheer.
1. Candy Cane Hook Relay
What You Need: Candy canes (one for each player), a bowl of candy canes in the middle, and a second empty bowl.
How to Play:
Players must hold one candy cane in their mouth, hook other candy canes from the pile, and transfer as many as they can to the empty bowl, hands-free!
Goal: Move the most candy canes in 60 seconds.
Tip: This one’s hilarious for all ages and guaranteed to bring giggles (especially when the candy canes keep slipping off).
2. Candy Cane Pick-Up
What You Need: One pair of chopsticks, mini candy canes, and a small bowl.
How to Play:
Using only the chopsticks, players race to pick up as many mini candy canes as possible and drop them into their bowl before the minute is up.
Variation: Use tongs for little kids or make it harder for adults by using slippery plastic chopsticks!
3. Peppermint Stack Attack
What You Need: Peppermint candies (about 20 per player) and a flat surface.
How to Play:
Stack the candies as high as you can, but don’t let them fall! Whoever has the tallest standing tower at the end of 60 seconds wins.
Twist: Use a candy cane as the “base” of your stack for extra challenge.
4. Candy Cane Treasure Hunt
What You Need: Candy canes hidden around the room or tree.
How to Play:
Players have one minute to find and collect as many candy canes as they can.
Make It Fun: Hide some fake “duds” like red-and-white straws to trick them, those don’t count!
For Kids: Perfect for classroom parties or family gatherings.
5. Candy Cane Blow Race
What You Need: Mini candy canes, straws, and a smooth table.
How to Play:
Using only the straw, players blow a candy cane from one end of the table to the other, no hands allowed!
Variation: Have two players race side by side for extra excitement.
6. Peppermint Toss
What You Need: A few plastic cups (labeled with point values) and wrapped peppermint candies.
How to Play:
Players toss the candies into the cups to score points. Highest total wins!
Tip: Add a festive challenge, blindfold the player or make them toss under their leg!
7. Candy Cane Drop
What You Need: A chair, a cup on the floor, and candy canes.
How to Play:
Players stand on the chair and hold a candy cane at nose level. Drop it and try to land it hook first into the cup below.
Goal: Land the most candy canes in one minute.
Bonus Laughs: The wobbling candy canes almost never drop the way you want, it’s hilarious to watch!
8. Hanging with My Canes
What You Need: A piece of string (hung between two chairs) and candy canes.
How to Play:
Players use another candy cane to hook and hang as many as possible onto the string before time runs out.
Twist: Try hanging them using your non-dominant hand!
9. Candy Cane Fishing
What You Need: A candy cane “fishing rod” (tape a candy cane to a string and stick), and a bowl full of candy canes.
How to Play:
Use the hook end to “fish” candy canes out of the bowl. Whoever collects the most in a minute wins!
Variation: Make it harder with smaller candy canes or tie the string higher up.
10. Candy Cane Scoop
What You Need: Two bowls, a spoon, and candy canes.
How to Play:
With one hand behind their back, players scoop candy canes from one bowl to another, using only the spoon held in their mouth!
Tip: Use mini candy canes for kids and full-size ones for adults.
11. Candy Cane Balance Challenge
What You Need: One candy cane per player.
How to Play:
Balance the candy cane on your nose, forehead, or finger for as long as possible. When it falls, you’re out.
Variation: Have multiple people go at once, last one standing wins!
Great For: Family game night or office parties (where people are already silly enough to try this).
12. Candy Cane Build-A-Tower
What You Need: Mini candy canes, marshmallows, and toothpicks.
How to Play:
Players have one minute to build the tallest freestanding structure using candy canes and marshmallows.
Twist: Add a peppermint candy on top for bonus points!
STEM Bonus: This one’s secretly a fun engineering challenge for kids.
13. Candy Cane Wrapping Relay
What You Need: Candy canes, wrapping paper, tape, and ribbon.
How to Play:
Each player must wrap one candy cane (complete with tape and bow) in under a minute.
Winner: Fastest, neatest wrap job wins!
Variation: Blindfolded wrapping for an extra laugh.
14. Candy Cane Slide
What You Need: Long table or floor space, tape to mark start and finish lines, and candy canes.
How to Play:
Slide the candy cane across the surface, whoever gets closest to the finish line without going over wins.
Tip: This one’s perfect for kids and adults competing together!
15. Santa’s Candy Cane Race
What You Need: A spoon, a bowl of mini candy canes, and a Santa hat.
How to Play:
Place the candy canes in the bowl at one end of the room. Using only the spoon (held in your mouth), players race to transport as many candy canes as they can to the other side of the room in one minute, all while wearing the Santa hat.
Bonus Rule: If the hat falls off, the player has to start over!
16. Peppermint Pick & Sort
What You Need: A bowl filled with red and white candies (like M&Ms or jelly beans), chopsticks, and two empty bowls.
How to Play:
Using only the chopsticks, players must sort the candies into two separate bowls, one for red and one for white. The trick? You only have one minute to do it!
Goal: The player who sorts the most correctly wins.
Variation: Make it harder by using smaller candies or having players use their non-dominant hand!
17. Candy Cane Sort
What You Need: A big mixed pile of different candy canes, think traditional peppermint, fruity, rainbow, plus several empty bowls.
How to Play:
Players must sort the candy canes into groups by type or color as fast as they can within one minute.
Twist: Blindfold the player and have their teammate call out instructions like “Peppermint goes left! Fruity goes right!” It’s total chaos, and absolutely hilarious.
Pro Tip: Perfect for team-based games and lots of laughter.
18. Candy Cane Catapult
What You Need: Plastic spoons, mini candy canes, and cups or small bowls placed a few feet away.
How to Play:
Set up the spoon like a mini catapult on the table edge. Players must launch mini candy canes into the cups, as many as possible in one minute!
Scoring: Each successful landing earns one point.
Variation: For older kids or adults, make the targets smaller or farther away.
Why It’s Great: It’s a fun mix of aim, skill, and luck, and when candy canes go flying across the room, everyone ends up laughing.
19. Candy Cane Scoop & Stack
What You Need: A spoon, a bowl of mini candy canes, and a few marshmallows.
How to Play:
Using only one hand, players must scoop up candy canes and stack them on top of each other (using the curved ends to balance). If they fall, start again!
Goal: Build the tallest tower in one minute without it collapsing.
Variation: For an extra challenge, make players use their non-dominant hand or balance on one foot while stacking.
Tip: Great for kids and adults, it’s harder than it looks!
Candy Cane–Themed Props & Variations
If you want to mix things up or you’ve run out of candy canes (it happens fast), here are a few ways to keep the peppermint spirit going:
- Use red-and-white straws for younger kids, less sticky and less breakable.
- Peppermint patties or Hershey’s Kisses can replace candy canes for tossing games.
- Mini marshmallows work great for stacking or scooping challenges.
- Add Christmas music and pause it at random times for a freeze-style bonus round!
Hosting Tips for a Smooth (and Hilarious) Game Night
Plan Ahead
Make a quick list of the supplies for each game and set them up at separate stations. This helps when you’re hosting a large group, everyone can rotate between games and no one gets bored waiting.
Include All Ages
Create “easy,” “medium,” and “hard” levels so kids, teens, and adults can all join in.
- Easy: Blow races, treasure hunt, candy scoop
- Medium: Hook relay, stack attack, peppermint toss
- Hard: Candy cane drop, balance challenge, build-a-tower
Make It Competitive (But Fun!)
Keep score with printable scorecards or a whiteboard. Offer small prizes like:
- Candy cane–themed treats
- Christmas socks or mugs
- “Winner” stickers or certificates
You can even award silly titles like:
- Peppermint Pro
- Candy Cane Hook Master
- Holiday Hilarity Hero
Capture the Fun
Don’t forget to take photos! These games are full of funny facial expressions and unexpected moments, perfect for Christmas cards or a slideshow during dessert.
Combine It with a Candy Cane Snack Bar
After all the laughter and chaos, let everyone cool down with a Candy Cane Snack Bar!
Ideas include:
- Candy cane–crushed popcorn
- Peppermint hot chocolate
- Candy cane cookies or brownies
- Mini marshmallow skewers with peppermint drizzle
- Any white and red foods laid out in a striped pattern.
Candy Cane Minute to Win It Games are the perfect mix of laughter, competition, and festive chaos. They work for school events, family Christmas Eve gatherings, office parties, or even virtual celebrations with friends and relatives across the miles.
You don’t need a lot of prep, just a handful of candy canes, a timer, and your best holiday spirit.
So go ahead, turn on the Christmas tunes, pour a mug of hot cocoa, and see who’s got the fastest hook, the steadiest hand, or the wildest laugh in your group.
