1. MINUTE TO WIN IT Brain challenges
Kate Schiavi & Tracy Thomas
Louisville Free Public Library

2. INTRODUCTION Benefits of play and games
What is a Minute to Win it Challenge?
Resources
Planning for the program
Science-related challenges
3…2…1 – You have a minute to win it!

3. challenge! Stack them Up!
Stack 7 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on your forehead and keep them there until the minute is up.

4. Challenge! Defying Gravity
Tap 3 balloons to keep them off the ground for a minute.

5. Benefits of play and games
We Play Here! Bringing the power of play into Children’s libraries.
Children take play seriously
Natural part of childhood
Barriers to play
Play deprivation can be serious!

6. Play is a factor in child development!
Encourages imagination
Emotional control
Social competency
Personal resiliency
Continuing curiosity
Increases sensory perception and skill
Can help with math and reading skills

7. Challenge! Bean on a Straw
Suck 10 beans onto the end of your straw, one at a time, and drop them in the cup at the opposite end of the table.

8. Challenge!
Cotton Bowl
Scoop 10 cotton balls surrounding the bowl into the bowl with a long spoon while blindfolded.

9. What is minute to win it? TV series
Games for home, school, parties, online…why not libraries?
The anatomy of a Challenge
Lively competition
TV series – 2010, 2011 hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri
Game show that put teams through a series of up to 10 challenges to win $1 million
Each challenge increased in difficulty as money amounts for each challenged increased
People started trying these challenges at home, school, parties, etc. It seemed like a great fit for a library program. We first tried it out with teens, but found that younger children were willing to complete as well.
Challenges last for one minute. The instructions are simple. The supplies often involve common household items.
Promote problem-solving, dexterity, teamwork, and focus = brain power!
The challenges involve lively competition. The challenges are fun and participants love to watch others as much as competing themselves.

10. resources
Minute to Win It website:
Pinterest boards
YouTube
Minute to Win It kit
Click on games for a complete listing of games & instructions
Videos (these all have ads)
Search for board on Pinterest – lots to offer!
YouTube: videos of challenges
Kit: if you have multiple branches in yours system, consider creating a kit that can travel to all the branches with the supplies and instructions (show example of kit)

11. Planning for the program
Length of program
Look at your space
Age appropriateness
Format
Length – The games only take a minute, but there will be some set up time so build that in.
Space - some challenges involve a lot of space. There might be running, jumping, etc. so take that into account
Age - don’t pick anything too complicated for the younger ones (keep in mind developmental appropriateness). Most school-age – teen patrons will be interested in this, but make sure the challenges fit the audience.
Format –
With larger groups, it is best to set up all the challenges in stations and let them rotate through the stations on their own (use the scorecard below)
For smaller groups, you might choose to do one challenge at a time, letting everyone participate at the same time.
Make sure you include at the beginning of the program and explanation on how to do each challenge

12. Planning for the program
Supplies
Theme
Prizes
Try the challenges
Supplies - Pay attention to the supplies needed for the challenge. Most of the supplies can be found around the home or purchased rather cheaply (check out the dollar store!) Messy challenges are fun, but might not be appropriate for your setting. Consider outside challenges if the weather is nice.
Theme - Do you want to pick games that fit with a particular theme? Examples: science
Prizes – Do you want to offer prizes? Offer a Minute to Win It tournament with a champion? Think about scale? How big? How small?
Try the challenge - This will help you determine if they are too hard, too easy, don’t work, etc.

13. Challenge! Floatacious
In a big bowl of water, balance 5 empty soda cans on top of a plastic plate. The cans must stay stacked for at least 3 seconds.

14. Challenge! Separation Anxiety
Separate 50 pieces of candy into five separate containers in a set color order.

15. Challenge!
CD Dominoes
Stand 20 empty CD cases on a table in a horseshoe formation. Set them off using a domino effect so that the final case falls off the table.

16. Challenge!
Nose Dive
Transfer 10 cotton balls, one at a time, from one bowl to another using only your nose, covered in Vaseline.

17. Challenge!
A Bit Dicey
Balance six dice on a popsicle held in your mouth and balance them there until the minute is up.

18. Challenge!
Bobblehead
With a pedometer attached to your forehead, move your head around and try to record 125 steps in one minute.

19. Let the games begin!

20. Let the games begin!

21. Let the games begin!

22. Let the games begin!