60-second
This Blows
Also called Balloon Cup Blow-Off, Blow the Cups Off
Inflate a balloon and let the air out at a row of cups to blast them off the table. Clear the table in a minute.
- people
- 2–16
- time
- 8 min
- energy
- High
- materials
- Cheap to buy
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Before you start
Stand 15 cups upside down in a row along the table, a hand's width apart. Give each player a new, uninflated balloon.
- 1Blow up the balloon, aim the opening at the cups and release the air to knock them over the edge.
- 2Re-inflate as often as you like. No touching the cups or the table with hands, body or balloon.
- 3A cup counts only when it's off the table.
- 4Clear all 15 within 60 seconds to win, or fewest cups left standing wins.
What to say3
- 1“Blow it up, aim it, let it go!”
- 2“Pshhh! Three cups down! Again!”
- 3“Last cup! It's wobbling — blow it off!”
Host tips3
- Inflating a balloon ten times in a minute leaves people dizzy. Make players stand behind a chair they can hold, and stop anyone who goes red or pale.
- Players release the balloon by accident and it rockets across the room. Tell them to pinch the neck with two hands and keep it close to the cups.
- Thick cups don't move. Foam cups are ideal; test the airflow with your cups before the party.
Variants2
Head to head
Two players start from opposite ends of the same row and race to the middle.
Kids' version
5 cups and a pre-inflated balloon that an adult pinches for them to aim.
Safety3
- Light-headedness from repeated inflating — players should stop if dizzy and should not play if pregnant, asthmatic, or with heart or blood pressure problems.
- Latex allergy: ask first and keep latex-free balloons available.
- One balloon per player, never shared — it goes in their mouth.
Good for
Occasions
ChristmasBirthdayTeam buildingSchoolReunionFiesta
Venues
Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall