The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy is a perfect inspiration for classroom games, party activities, or Girl Scout meeting games! There are so many aspect of Italy to explore – food, fashion, landmarks, and the varying geography!
Quick Events:
Keep track of the results of each event and create teams! I had 15 players so I created 3 teams of 5, that way everyone got a medal at the end! Suggested point system for each event: 1st place = 5 pts, 2nd place = 3 pts, 3rd place = 1 pt
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Prepare Your Palette – Mangiamo!
Get your group ready to compete in the quick events by learning a little about the regions of Italy and the snacks from those regions. This activity takes longer and does involve a lot of reading, so I’d suggest not making it a competition but a collaborative game instead.
Using food clues, players figure out where each snack comes from. Mountains, coastlines, islands, and history all play a role in why people eat what they eat.
Instructions:
- Read the snack descriptions carefully – Each snack card explains what the food is, but does not tell you where it comes from.
- Study the region descriptions – Look for clues about geography, climate, history, and daily life that might connect to the snack.
- Match the snack to a city and region – Use logic, discussion, and clues to decide where each snack belongs.
- Work together and talk it out – Many answers make more sense when you explain your thinking to others.
Download the full set of instruction, region descriptions, snack descriptions, and answers!
Ski Down the Italian Alps
The Italian Alps stretch across northern Italy, forming a border with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Olympic Skiers are going down the Alps and you can make your own version.
Materials:
- Craft Materials – straws, popsicle sticks, paper, tape
- Lego Minifigure (skier) or similar character
- 3 inch Binder (Alps slopes)
Instructions:
Using a set of provided materials, create skis for the skier. Race the skiers down the binder slope. Record the order the skiers finish (when the figure reaches the bottom).
Gelato Race
Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream, literally meaning “frozen.”
Materials:
- ping pong balls (gelato scoops)
- small spoons
- paper cups (gelato cups)
Instructions:
Set up 10 paper cups per player approximately 6-8 ft away from a start line. Balance a gelato scoop (ping pong ball) on the spoon, walk it down and fill the paper cup. Repeat until all 10 cups are filled – always walking! If a ball drops, pick it up and go back to the start. Record the order each player completes the 10 cups.
Fashion Button Toss
Milan, Italy is globally recognized as a premier fashion capital, forming part of the “Big Four” alongside Paris, New York, and London. What fun inspiration for a Italian game!
Materials:
- Buttons (approx 10 per player)
- 5-10 Fashion Items (e.g., purse, boots, belt, scarf, etc.)
Instructions:
Set up the fashion items about 6 ft away from a throw line and clearly mark a point value for each item. Players toss 10 buttons into the fashion items. Total the points earned from each throw. Bonus 5 points if the player gets one button in each item. Player with the highest total score wins.
Pizza Topping Race
Italian pizza originated in Naples, Italy, during the 18th and early 19th centuries as a fast, affordable, and savory meal for the working class. The wide variety of pizza toppings gives a lot of options for how to play this game.
Materials:
- Large Dice (labeled with each pizza topping and a “nothing” side)
- Paper Pizza Crust
- Paper Pizza Toppings (e.g., pepperoni, cheese, green pepper, sardines, pineapple, etc.)
Instructions:
Each player starts with a paper pizza crust. Take turns rolling the dice and add the ingredient shown to your pizza. If you get a repeat topping, add a bit more or just pass to the next person.
Player who completes the pizza with all five toppings wins. Remaining players continue until there is a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
Use Your Noodle
Italian pasta encompasses hundreds of shapes categorized into long, short, tube, and stuffed varieties. There are more than 300 pasta noodle shapes… don’t worry, you don’t have to learn them all!
Materials:
- variety of short cut pasta noodles (at least 6)
- large bowl
- noodle clues
Download my set of noodle clues for 17 different noodle shapes!
Instructions:
Players read their clues, go to the bowl and pick a noodle they think matches the clue. Bring the clue and noodle to the judge. If it’s correct, move to the next clue. If it’s wrong, go back and try another noodle.
Player who completes all their clues first wins.
To play all five events, download this set of instructions that are ready to print and play your own Italian Olympic games!
^^^ Powerpoint file with all instructions
