Sometimes you just have to wonder how the people at Minute to Win It ever came up with the ideas for some of these games. High Strung is one of these. Really, who sits around and thinks, "I know! We'll get people to carry raw eggs from one soda bottle to another using... string!"?
The Goal
You've got a loop of thin string and two pop bottles that are several feet apart. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to carry a raw egg from the top of one bottle to the other using the string as your transport system.
Equipment Needed
I recommend you play this game outdoors if possible, because the potential for soda spillage is high. Here's what you'll need to set up and play High Strung:
- Raw eggs
- Two tables
- Two large, full soda bottles (2-liter size)
- A 36-inch length of regular old string, with the ends securely tied together to create a large loop.
- A one minute timer or stop watch
If you're playing the game indoors, I also recommend the largest drop cloth you can find to try and protect your floors. And your furniture. And possibly pets, children, and houseguests too - sode tends to spray far and wide when it's dropped, never mind the eggs.
How to Play
First you'll need to set up the game. Place the two tables 15-feet apart and place one soda bottle on top of each one. Remove the caps from the pop bottles. Place the eggs in a basket or open carton beside one of the bottles. Place the loop of string near the eggs.
Now you're ready to play the game. Start the one-minute timer. The contestant must pick up an egg and place it on top of the soda bottle (using his or her hands). Then, using the loop of string, he or she must pick up the egg (without touching it) and carry it over to the other soda bottle, placing it on top of that bottle.
To lift and carry the egg, place the thumb and index finger of each hand through the opposite ends of the loop of string (you can do this from the top or the bottom of the string, whichever you're more comfortable with). Then place the loop carefully over the egg and use your middle fingers to tighten the width of the loop. Carefully lift the egg and carry it, then place it on the top of the other bottle. When you're sure that the egg is secure, gently loosen the string and remove the loop.
Complete this tricky sequence in under one minute to win the game.
The Rules
The rules for High Strung go a little something like this:
- You may not touch the egg with your hands (or any other part of your body) after placing it on the soda bottle top
- If the egg drops at any point in the game, the player can start again with a fresh egg
- The loop of string must be completely removed from the egg and bottle top in order to win
Tips and Tricks
The real trick to High Strung is to get the tension of the string just right. If it's too loose the egg will fall right through and splat on the floor. If it's too tight, you risk having the egg roll off with similar results. Practice holding the string and working it around the egg before you try carrying anything. Oh, and practice with hard boiled eggs unless you really like cleaning floors.
The blueprint with video instructions for this game can be found at NBC.com.
Many Minute to Win It games involve eggs, and if you put them together you've got a great list of games for an Easter party. This one might be a little tricky for the youngsters, however. Let them attempt it with ping pong balls instead.
