Definition:

There isn't much that's dangerous about Brush with Danger, but like all Minute to Win It games it can get tricky. Run a toothbrush down a line of dental floss and land it into a toothbrush holder. All that's missing is the toothpaste.

The Goal

Brush with Danger is played in pairs. Each player holds two lines of dental floss with a toothbrush suspended on top. Manoeuvre the toothbrush into the toothbrush holder which stands between the two players by carefully tilting and wiggling the floss.

Land the toothbrush in its holder in one minute or less and you win.

Equipment Needed

Here's what you need to play the game:

• Several toothbrushes, all the same size and style
• Dental floss, cut into two lengths of 14 feet each
• Toothbrush holder (the kind with individual holes for the brushes, available at any dollar store)
• Table or small podium to stand the toothbrush holder on

How to Play

Before you start the game there's a little bit of setup required. First, mark two fault lines on the floor with masking tape (or use broom handles to set these lines) thirteen feet apart. Place the table or podium in the middle between the two lines. Make sure that the table you use isn't too high.

Before the timer starts, players should stand behind the fault lines, one on each side. Each person should hold one end of a string of dental floss in each hand, so the floss stretches across the playing field and over the toothbrush holder. Place the toothbrush across both strings of floss so that it is touching one of the players' hands.

Start the one-minute timer.

To play, the contestants must carefully move the toothbrush along the floss without touching the toothbrush. When it gets to the center of the playing field, tilt the brush with the floss so that it lands in one of the holes in the toothbrush holder.

The Rules

Keep the following rules in mind when playiing Brush with Danger:

• Players must stand behind the fault lines at all times.
• If the toothbrush drops, it may be replaced with another one but the new brush must be placed in the starting position (touching one person's hand).
• You cannot place the bristles of the toothbrush on the floss at any time.
• The toothbrush must land inside the toothbrush holder to win - if it's simply laying on top of the holder, it does not count.

Tips and Tricks

Practice makes perfect, and this game is no exception. The real trick to Brush with Danger is to keep the two strings of dental floss close enough together to keep the toothbrush from falling. Work slowly but steadily so that the toothbrush moves, but not too quickly. Once you get the brush lined up with the holder, tilt one string of dental floss up to gently slide the toothbrush into the holder.

Variations and Modifications

This game isn't really appropriate for small children, but older kids will enjoy it. You can make it a lot simpler by starting the toothbrush off with the dental floss nestled in the dental floss, and removing the lid from the toothbrush holder to make a much wider opening.

To turn Brush with Danger into a Christmas game, use a peppermint stick or candy cane instead of the toothbrush. If you use a candy cane it'll be tougher because of the difference in weight distribution, however, so you may want to allow a practice run first.