Blind Taste Test Tournament

What it's about

You line up 6-8 versions of the same food — different chips, hot sauces, juices, chocolates — and everyone tastes blind, ranks them, then reveals. The twist: you score points for matching the group's top pick, not just your own preference. Kids love the drama of the reveals, and adults get weirdly competitive about things like generic vs. name-brand ketchup.

Why it works

It levels the playing field completely — a seven-year-old can beat everyone. There's no setup skill required, and the reveal moments create genuine surprise and argument. Food is always a crowd-pleaser that keeps even restless kids engaged.

What to expect

Budget depends on what you're tasting — chips and juice are cheap, fancy chocolates add up fast. Plan for about 90 minutes including shopping and setup. A little messy with small cups and wrappers everywhere, but nothing serious.

How to set it up

1. 01

   Pick a category: chips, hot sauces, juice boxes, chocolates, or plain crackers with different butters. Simpler categories work better with younger kids.

2. 02

   Buy 6-8 options in that category — mix store brands, name brands, and one wildcard.

3. 03

   Prep small sample cups or plates, numbered 1-8, and hide the packaging until the reveal.

4. 04

   Give everyone a score sheet to rank each sample from best to worst.

5. 05

   Do the blind tasting round, then reveal packaging one by one and compare rankings.

6. 06

   Award a point for every sample where someone's ranking matched the family consensus — whoever scores highest wins bragging rights.

Best seasons