Family Game Night: 8 Plus-Plus Challenges for the Whole Family
Family game night is one of the easiest ways to slow down, reconnect, and spark a little creativity at home—no screens required. Kids get a chance to practice communication, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. Parents get a break from the usual routine and a front-row seat to their kids’ imaginations.
But if your typical lineup of Monopoly, Clue, or charades has lost its spark, it’s time for something fresh.
Enter Plus-Plus.
Designed for hands of all sizes, Plus-Plus lets kids and “kidults” turn ideas into colorful builds, quick puzzles, and smart challenges—together. It’s the perfect way to mix play, learning, and teamwork into a game night without feeling like a lesson.
Ready to shake things up with hands-on games the whole family will actually look forward to?
Here are eight creative Plus-Plus challenges to inspire your next family game night.
1. 3D Guess the Build Game
Take Pictionary off the page and into 3D by creating colorful builds that keep your family guessing. With Plus-Plus at your fingertips, you can form an umbrella, frog, rocketship, train, or almost any prompt you can think of! First, set two teams and have each team write build ideas for the other. Then, have each team take turns picking a paper, setting a timer, and testing your family’s communication and strategic thinking skills all in one fun game.
2. Mini Bowling
Kids love turning everyday spaces into something magical. Mini bowling transforms any tabletop into a build-it-yourself arcade—letting kids engineer the game and play it.
Turn any dining table or living room floor into your own bowling alley by building miniature Plus-Plus pins of any shape and design. Maybe you want to knock down little robots, monsters, or other creatures of any kind. Or use Plus-Plus BIG pieces, made for little hands, to set up targets that are easy to hit and reconstruct after each turn.
Once you build your game, divide into teams or play against each other to see which family member takes home the Plus-Plus bowling trophy (which you can also build!)
3. Puzzle by Number U.S. Map
Turn game night into a fun, hands-on geography lesson. Puzzle by Number U.S. Map gives kids a visual way to explore states, regions, and landmarks while working together toward a bigger picture.
Challenge kids to name states, capitals, and fun regional facts as they construct the country with our handy color-coded guide. Also, take this opportunity to share stories about your own travels, explore U.S. history, and even plan future family trips to different states.
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4. Speed animal builds
If your kids thrive on friendly competition, they’ll love this fast-paced building challenge. It’s the perfect mix of creativity, quick thinking, and pure silliness.
Pick a specific animal—like your family pet!—or a theme like ocean, jungle, or farm, and challenge everyone to bring their own interpretations to life.
Looking for inspiration? Check out our ready-made 2D and 3D Animal Puzzles, including glow-in-the-dark axolotls and magical unicorns.
Or use this quick tutorial to make a Plus-Plus cow with just four pieces. (We even put Plus-Plus CEO Ryan Hamilton to the test to see how many cows he can make in one minute!)
Also, remember that these builds don’t have to be realistic. Put a silly spin on this game by inviting kids to make the funniest, wackiest, or most out-of-this-world versions of their favorite animals.
Get inspired by these Plus-Plus 3D Animal Puzzle builds →
5. Make your own coaster
For kids who love art projects or making things they can actually use, this challenge is a favorite. It blends creativity with real-life function and gives them something to show off long after game night ends.
Encourage kids to combine eye-catching colors and patterns into handy coasters for holding their favorite drinks. They can even customize each coaster with their initials or build seasonal coasters for family dinners during the holiday season. It is a fun and easy way for kids to create functional art, all while keeping the house clean!
6. Dice building
Kids love the feeling of inventing something “official.” Building their own dice turns them into mini game designers—empowering them to customize rules, colors, and gameplay.
Craft dice for new games you dream up or classic games you already love playing. If Twister is a go-to in your home, challenge kids to make dice with different colors on each side. Or invite them to experiment with different shapes and patterns to devise their own four- or six-sided dice.
This challenge often sparks even more creativity—like personalized tokens for Monopoly, tile holders for Scrabble, or completely original game pieces that bring new ideas to life.
7. Spinning tops
This challenge is perfect for curious kids who like to figure out how things work. Spinning tops offer a hands-on way to explore balance, symmetry, color, and motion—all while competing for the longest spin.
Build a collection of spinning tops in different shapes, colors, and patterns. Test your creations by setting them loose at the same time and seeing whose top spins the longest. As you problem-solve together, you’ll find new ways to express your creativity and experiment with engineering concepts like rotational energy, balance, and gravity without it ever feeling like a lesson.
8. Your own Plus-Plus game!
Every great game starts with an idea—and kids have plenty of them. This challenge invites them to step into the role of game-maker and turn imagination into something the whole family can play.
Maybe you have a budding puzzle builder in the family or a kid who loves exploring STEM concepts like coding, patterns, or logic. Encourage them to dream up their own rules and mechanics.
Start with a ready-made set like the Plus-Plus Inspired series or Learn to Build - Robots kit, or build something completely new using custom color mixes, bulk bags, or big tubs.
By brainstorming together, you might discover a new family classic that you can play for years to come!
Reimagine family game night with Plus-Plus
There’s a whole world of creative possibilities beyond traditional board and tabletop games. To plan your next family game night, explore outside of your usual picks and embark on new, inspiring adventures with Plus-Plus.
Challenge your kids to make speedy, clever, and never-before-seen builds that stretch their imagination and test their problem-solving skills. Work together to design collaborative creations or even reimagine your favorite games in new ways. Outside of your regular routine, you can also start your own STEM night or use Plus-Plus travel kits to bring your games on the go.
With Plus-Plus in hand, you have the tools to enjoy unforgettable game nights full of laughs, learning experiences, and lasting memories.
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