"Minute to Win It" Balloon Games: Defying Gravity

Defying Gravity, a Fun "Minute to Win It" Balloon Game for Kids and Adults

Birthday Balloons
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Defying Gravity is the name of a game on the popular television game show, "Minute to Win It." It requires contestants to keep three balloons in the air for one minute. Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? "Minute to Win It" balloon games -- actually, all their games -- can be deceptive that way. In reality, the game is actually quite tough because there are a few other rules that make it challenging. 

Let's take a look at how to play the game and learn a few tricks that can help you master this "Minute to Win It" balloon game.

The Goal

Keep three balloons from touching the floor or straying outside the designated play area.

Equipment Needed

  • Three inflated balloons

How to Play

  • Just before the timer starts, push or throw three balloons into the air. Begin the timer when all three balloons are released.
  • Using any part of your body, keep the balloons from touching the floor. That may sound easy because you can move around, right? But the balloons must also stay within the designated play area while the player is trying to suspend them in the area. On the show, the play area includes all of the stage space within the barriers.
  • All three balloons must remain in play for the full minute to win the game.

The Rules

  • If a balloon strays outside the play area, pops or touches the floor, the game is over. It's easy to lose this one!
  • You may use any part of your body to keep the balloons in play, but they may not rest on your body or be held. That adds another fun element to this game, which could be an ideal amusement at a child's birthday party.

Tips and Tricks for the "Minute to Win It" Balloon Game

  • Try to keep the balloons as high up in the air as you can, so they take longer to float back down to you and take up as much of the minute as possible with as little work on the player's part.
  • Keep an eye on the boundaries of the play area to ensure you don't step outside them.
  • Try to keep the balloons in the air as close together as possible to avoid making heroic moves to save them from hitting the floor. That can also cause you to move outside of the designated area.

More About "Minute to Win It"

This game was based on those in the popular television game show, "Minute to Win It." The show is an international game show franchise, meaning that it is available in other countries. In the U.S., it was hosted by Food Network star, Guy Fieri. The show is no longer on television live. It was revived in 2013 on the Game Show Network when Olympian Apolo Ohno hosted it. There, it ran during 2013 and 2014. It is unclear if the show will return to American markets.