Six Uses
Hold up an everyday object and ban its normal use. Now find six other things it could be. This quick game builds creative thinking and gets a lot of laughs.
🎂 Ages 7+👥 3-20 players⏱️ 5-10 minutes🧰 A few everyday objects and a timer
What you need
Equipment: A few everyday objects and a timer. Collect five or six simple objects: a spoon, a sock, an eraser, a fork, a box, a hat. Play alone or in teams of three.
How to play Six Uses
- The host holds up one object and names its normal use. That use is banned.
- Start a 90-second timer.
- Each player or team writes down or calls out six other uses for the object.
- No repeating the normal use, and no repeating a use someone already said.
- When time is up, everyone reads their list out loud.
- If a use is unclear, the player acts it out for five seconds.
- Move on to the next object.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Each sensible use: 1 point. A use nobody else thought of: 2 points. A use that makes the whole group laugh: 1 bonus point.
To finish: After four or five objects, add up the points. Whoever reached six uses for the most objects is the Creativity Champion.
By age
- Ages 7-8: Aim for four uses instead of six and allow two minutes.
- Ages 10+: Ban a whole category, such as "no hats," to push them further.
Variations
- Big group: Teams of three, one object per round, and teams read out uses in turn until one runs out.
- Buga twist: Combine two objects into one invention, like a sock plus a spoon.
Tips for the adult in charge
- Count down the last 10 seconds out loud to add some pressure.
- Accept wild ideas if the player can explain them. That is the whole point.
Safety
Use soft, safe objects with no sharp edges or small parts.
🖨️ Printable object cards
If you do not have the real object, draw a card and imagine it.
- Spoon
- Sock
- Eraser
- Fork
- Cardboard box
- Hat
- Paper cup
- Clothespin
- Towel
- Pencil
- Umbrella
- Shoelace
- Bucket
- Pillow
- Rubber band
- Wooden spoon
- Paper plate
- Scarf
- Toothbrush
- Ruler
More games like this
- 🗿 Group SculptureAges 6+
- 🦁 If I Were an AnimalAges 5+
- 🧹 This Is Not a BroomAges 6+
- 👏 The No-Instrument OrchestraAges 5+
- 🛒 I Went ShoppingAges 6+
- 🔤 Crazy LetterAges 7+
Frequently asked questions
What is the alternative uses game?
It is a classic creativity exercise: you name as many new uses as possible for an ordinary object. Six Uses turns it into a timed party game.
Which objects work best?
Simple, familiar things with an interesting shape: a sock, a paper cup, a clothespin, a hat, a cardboard box or a wooden spoon.