What if the best vacation memories were built… one plank at a time? Between swims, bike rides, or a day at the beach, take the time to come together for an activity that brings all generations together. With their famous wooden blocks, KAPLA® games invite young and old alike to imagine, build, and take on challenges that are as fun as they are creative.
As a family, every build becomes an adventure: you think, test, adjust, and work together… before celebrating the result together. To inspire you, we’ve come up with 10 KAPLA® challenges to tackle as a family. Ready to let your creativity run wild?
1. The Duck
We couldn’t start this series of challenges without a design as simple as it is charming! With its rounded shape and distinctive beak, the duck is perfect for getting started with KAPLA® blocks and learning the principles of balance. A perfect challenge for the youngest kids… but one that’s just as much fun for grown-ups!
Objective: Build an easily recognizable duck with a body, neck, head, and beak.
- Level: Beginner
- Estimated time: 15 to 20 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 4 players
Key steps: Start by building a wide, stable body that will serve as the base for your creation. Next, add a slightly raised neck before finishing with the head and beak. Experiment with layering the slats to suggest wings without making the whole structure too heavy. Take the time to observe your duck from different angles to adjust the proportions.
Bonus challenge: Build a whole family of ducks and imagine them waddling around a pond.
2. The Christmas tree
Even in the middle of summer, a KAPLA® Christmas tree is the perfect addition to your vacation! Thanks to its pyramid shape, it helps children discover the basics of building while developing a sense of symmetry.
Objective: Build a balanced Christmas tree with multiple levels.
- Level: Beginner
- Estimated time: 20 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 4 players
Key steps: Start with a base wide enough to ensure your tree is stable. Gradually reduce the width of each tier to create a slender silhouette. Be sure to center each level to maintain overall balance. Once finished, check that your tree stands perfectly straight before adding the final touches.
Bonus challenge: Create a whole forest by making several Christmas trees of different sizes.
3. The Train
Let's go! This challenge invites the whole family to imagine a journey through vacation landscapes. Locomotive, cars, tracks, train station… everyone can add their own personal touch to tell their story.
Objective: Build a locomotive followed by at least two cars.
- Level: Easy
- Estimated time: 25 to 35 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 5 players
Key steps: First, build the locomotive, giving it a distinct shape, then build the cars separately before lining them up. Be sure to vary the heights so that each piece is easily identifiable. You can also add a smokestack or a driver’s cab to give your train more character. The final result will look even better if all the parts are well-proportioned.
4. The Vacation Castle
Welcome to a world filled with knights, princesses, and dragons! This challenge lets your imagination run wild and gives you the chance to build a real castle where everyone can create their own story.
Objective: Build a castle with several towers and a main entrance.
- Level: Easy
- Estimated time: 30 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 5 players
Key steps: Start by sketching the outline of your castle with a solid foundation. Then build the various towers before connecting them with ramparts. Be sure to maintain good symmetry to give your structure a grand appearance. You can then enhance your creation with an inner courtyard, a monumental gate, or even a drawbridge.
Bonus challenge: Give your castle a name and imagine the stories of the characters who live there.
5. The Dinosaur
Let's head back to prehistoric times! Whether it's a T-Rex, a diplodocus, or a completely imaginary creature, this challenge invites kids and adults alike to play with shapes to bring an impressive animal to life.
Objective: Build a dinosaur with an easily recognizable silhouette.
- Level: Intermediate
- Estimated time: 35 to 45 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 5 players
Key steps: Start by building the body before gradually adding the legs, neck, and tail. Distribute the weight evenly between the front and back so that your dinosaur stays balanced. Take the time to refine the head, as this is the element that will give your creation its personality. Just a few adjustments are often enough to completely transform its appearance.
Bonus challenge: Invent a new species of dinosaur and give it a name.
6. The Sailors' Cabin
After a day at the beach or by a lake, imagine the perfect hideaway for an explorer. A cabin, a small dock, a few accessories… and the adventure can begin.
Objective: Build a cabin with a roof and an entrance.
- Level: Intermediate
- Estimated time: 35 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 5 players
Key steps: First, build the four walls before planning the roof structure. Leave an opening to represent the entrance and add some decorative elements, such as a dock or a deck. Make sure to keep the base stable before adding the upper sections. The more balanced your treehouse is, the more realistic it will look.
Bonus challenge: Add a lighthouse, a boat, or a hidden treasure near your treehouse.
7. The Adventurers' Bridge
Every explorer needs a bridge to cross a river or a canyon! This challenge will test your sense of balance and your teamwork.
Objective: Build a bridge capable of connecting two support points.
- Level: Advanced
- Estimated time: 40 to 50 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 6 players
Key steps: Start by building two sturdy pillars that will support the entire structure. Gradually connect them, making sure to distribute the weight evenly. Regularly test the stability of your bridge before adding the final pieces. Take your time: a few adjustments can make all the difference between a fragile bridge and a true architectural feat.
Bonus challenge: Will your bridge be able to support a small figurine crossing it without collapsing?
8. The Giant Tower
Here's the favorite challenge for record-breakers! The taller your tower gets, the more crucial concentration and precision become.
Objective: Build the tallest tower possible without it falling.
- Level: Advanced
- Estimated time: 45 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 6 players
Key steps: Build a perfectly stable base before gradually adding floors. Check regularly to make sure each level is properly aligned to avoid instability. Build slowly, without trying to gain height too quickly. As the tower grows, every small board becomes important for maintaining its stability.
Bonus Challenge: Measure your tower and try to beat your record before the end of the vacation.
9. The Urban Monument
Why not let your imagination run wild? Recreate a famous landmark or design a completely original architectural masterpiece.
Objective: Build a monument that’s easily recognizable.
- Level: Expert
- Estimated time: 45 to 60 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 6 players
Key Steps: Before you begin, examine the overall outline of the chosen monument to identify its main shapes. Start by building the general structure before gradually adding details. Work methodically, and don’t hesitate to take apart certain parts if you’re not satisfied with the result. The most beautiful structures are often the result of several attempts.
Bonus challenge: Have other family members guess which monument you’ve built without giving them any clues.
10. The Dome
Here's the ultimate challenge! A true balancing act, building the dome requires precision, patience, and teamwork. Once it's finished, it will impress the whole family.
Objective: Build a self-supporting dome that’s as symmetrical as possible.
- Level: Expert
- Estimated time: 60 minutes
- Number of players: 2 to 6 players
Key steps: Start with a perfectly circular base before gradually building up the different rows. Be sure to maintain a symmetrical structure so that the forces are distributed naturally. Each new plank affects the overall balance: proceed with precision and patience. Feel free to work as a team to better observe the structure from all angles.
The ultimate bonus challenge : Will you rise to the challenge of building two domes connected by a passageway or a bridge?
Sunêlia x KAPLA®: A Partnership That Fosters Creativity
At Sunêlia, we believe that the most cherished vacation memories come from moments shared with family. That’s why we’re proud to partner with KAPLA®, the iconic brand of wooden building blocks, to encourage creativity, cooperation, and imagination in children and adults alike. Together, we share the same desire to offer families fun, enriching, and bonding experiences where everyone can create, learn, and have fun. It’s a wonderful way to build, plank by plank, memories that will last long after the vacation is over.