Minute to Win It
Quirky contests make game show fun for families.
Parents say
Based on 6 reviews
Kids say
Based on 17 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Minute to Win It focuses on individual competition, simple games with everyday objects, and good, clean fun. In other words, it's tailor-made for families and manages to entertain viewers of all ages. The host encourages viewers to visit the show's website for the details on the challenges, but this is one case where self promotion is a welcome addition since it encourages families to stage their own game nights with the tasks from the show.
Community Reviews
Scam
Report this review
your show is fun
Report this review
What's the Story?
MINUTE TO WIN IT is a game show that challenges contestants to complete 10 deceivingly simple tasks with ordinary household items, each in under a minute. Each successful attempt moves the player up a ladder of increasing cash prizes toward a possible grand prize of a million dollars. Typical challenges include emptying a box of facial tissues by removing them one by one, rolling marbles to topple an upright pencil, and stacking golf balls on top of each other.
Is It Any Good?
Rarely do game shows span the age divide well enough to entertain all family members across the board, but that's the very challenge that Minute to Win It manages to overcome with its squeaky-clean content and easily replicated competitions, which families are sure to want to try themselves. (Lucky for us, the show's website has directions for more than 60 of the challenges.) These contestants aren't Ivy League scholars or extreme thrill seekers; they're average people attempting to master mundane tasks with tools like plastic cups, balloons, and a roll of toilet paper.
The challenges test the players' focus, rattle their nerves, and, oh yeah, make them look ridiculous along the way. All things considered, that's good for buckets of laughs, but it also relates to some social issues (when laughing at someone's expense turns to bullying, for instance) that families can discuss afterward.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about jokes. What makes a joke funny? Are jokes any more or less humorous when they're done at the expense of a person's feelings? How does that person's reaction to the joke change the tone of it?
Kids: Have you ever been the unsuspecting center of attention? How did it feel? How can people capitalize on this feeling to bully someone? Could it be as damaging as a physical threat would be? Why or why not?
How does this show compare to other game shows you've seen? Do you think the challenges are fair? How might some contestants have an advantage in certain tasks over others? Do you think the players' efforts are worth the cash prizes they win as much as in a knowledge- or danger-based show? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 14, 2010
- Cast: Guy Fieri
- Networks: GSN, NBC
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Bingo America
Classic game inspires family-friendly show.
-
Cash Cab
Mobile game show drives trivia buffs wild.
-
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Kids know more than grown-ups in clever game show.
For kids who love games
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate