How to Host a Screen-Free Family Game Night with Silly Monkey and Make Funny Faces

A family game night is one of the simplest ways to unplug, laugh together, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re wrangling toddlers or school-age kids, the key is choosing activities that are easy to learn, keep everyone engaged, and don’t rely on screens. Two crowd-pleasers are a silly monkey card game and a make funny faces game—both can be adapted from toys you may already have at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up a game night around these two themes using Petit Collage products that encourage matching, creativity, and cooperation. We’ll walk through the rules, setup, and variations so you can tailor the fun to your family’s age range and energy level.

Setting the Stage for a Successful Game Night

Start by choosing a time when everyone is relatively rested—right after dinner works well. Clear the table or floor space and dim the lights a bit to create a cozy atmosphere. Have simple snacks (like popcorn or fruit) ready so hunger doesn’t interrupt play. Decide on a few ground rules: take turns, no whining, and everyone gets to choose at least one round. This keeps the mood positive and inclusive.

For a game night that includes both a silly monkey card game and a make funny faces game, you’ll want to have small tokens or stickers for winning rounds—nothing competitive, just fun. The goal is laughter, not winning. If you have a mix of ages, pair older kids with younger ones or use cooperative versions of the games.

• Keep rounds short (5–10 minutes) to hold attention spans.
• Let kids help decorate the play area with streamers or homemade signs for extra excitement.

Playing the Silly Monkey Card Game with the Petit Match-up Wooden Twist Toy

The silly monkey card game is all about matching goofy expressions and actions. You can create your own version using the Petit Match-up Wooden Twist Toy. This toy features wooden discs that twist to reveal different animals and patterns—perfect for a memory or matching challenge. To play, lay out several discs face-down and have players take turns flipping two at a time to find matching monkey faces. When a match is found, the player makes a silly monkey sound or pose.

To ramp up the silliness, add a rule: after every match, the player must imitate the monkey face on the disc. The Petit Match-up Wooden Twist Toy is sturdy and portable, so you can even move the game to the floor or a low table. Because it’s made of wood, it withstands excited little hands. If you don’t have the toy, you can draw simple monkey faces on cardboard circles—but the wooden version adds a satisfying tactile feel.

• For older kids, time the rounds and see who can find the most matches in 60 seconds.
• Younger toddlers can simply twist the discs and name the animal without the matching pressure.

Creating a Make Funny Faces Game with Creative Tools

The make funny faces game is a drawing and guessing activity that sparks creativity. Hand each player a piece of paper and a set of drawing tools—like the Animal Pals My Stationery Set, which includes animal-shaped pencils, a ruler, and stickers. Players take turns drawing a funny face (exaggerated nose, giant ears, silly hair) while others guess the emotion or character. For a twist, use a timer and have everyone draw the same silly face prompt, then compare results.

You can also turn this into a cooperative puzzle game. Use the Easter Parade Shaped Floor Puzzle as a base: have each player add one piece to the puzzle while making a funny face. The challenge is to complete the puzzle without laughing—almost impossible! This combines fine motor skills with social bonding. The Animal Pals My Stationery Set is great because it comes in a portable case, so cleanup is quick.

• If you have non-writers, use pre-printed face templates and have kids add stickers or draw one feature.
• Save the funniest faces to display on the fridge as a game-night trophy.

Mixing in More Screen-Free Family Fun with Petit Collage Games

Once the silly monkey and funny faces games wind down, extend the evening with other Petit Collage offerings. The Little Travelers Magnetic Play Set is perfect for a quick story-building round: each player picks a magnetic piece and adds to a group story. Or try the Multi-Language Solar System Wooden Tray Puzzle for a cooperative challenge where everyone works together to place the planets. The trick is to keep options open and let kids vote on the next activity.

Having a variety of games prevents boredom and shows kids that screen-free fun can be just as exciting as a tablet. Wooden toys and puzzles are especially durable for repeated use. Remember to rotate games each week so the novelty stays high. A family game night with simple, adaptable activities like these builds connection without pressure.

• Let kids choose the next game after each round to give them ownership.
• End the night with a calm activity like a puzzle or a short story to wind down.

Hosting a family game night doesn’t require elaborate plans or expensive electronics. With a silly monkey matching game using the Petit Match-up Wooden Twist Toy and a make funny faces drawing session using the Animal Pals My Stationery Set, you’ll have all the ingredients for laughter and togetherness. Add a cooperative puzzle for a grand finale, and you’ve created a screen-free tradition your kids will ask for again and again.