We’re always looking for something a little different to do as a family, especially when it comes to birthdays. For my daughter’s birthday this year, we gathered a group of family members and headed to Great Big Game Show at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. We’re the kind of family that plays games during the holidays and is always busting out a new board game, so this was right up our alley. Instead of just watching a game show, we actually became the contestants!

Disclosure: Our Great Big Game Show experience was complimentary. As always, all opinions and experiences shared are our own. See my disclosure policy here.

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Getting Started at Great Big Game Show

We visited the Great Big Game Show location inside Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois. The entrance is near JCPenney and Red Robin, and the west parking lot near Red Robin is one of the easiest places to park. We waited until our whole group arrived before checking in. While you wait, you can spin the wheel, take photos or browse the Great Big Game Show souvenirs.

Once everyone was checked in, we filled out our name tags. And yes, you can get as creative as you want with your game show name! Then came our first surprise. Instead of choosing our own teams, everyone picked a card that randomly assigned us to either the Red Team or Blue Team. I actually loved this because it mixed everyone up and immediately added a little friendly competition.

Our Experience at Great Big Game Show

The Studio

Once we entered the studio, it really did feel like we had stepped onto a game show set. There were bright lights, music, podiums, screens, buzzers and, most importantly, our own live host. Yes, our own host! Our host was fantastic. He was funny, personable and kept everyone engaged throughout the entire experience. He was also great about taking group photos for us, which meant I didn’t have to spend the whole time behind my phone.

One thing that surprised us was how much we moved around. We stayed in the same game show studio for the entire experience, but we definitely did not stay in one spot. Different games utilized different parts of the room, which kept the hour moving and made each round feel different.

What Games Did We Play?

We played so many different types of games that there really was something for everyone in our group, even my tween and teens! Some of our rounds included:

a hilarious drawing game
trivia
a Wheel of Fortune-style challenge
a Plinko-style game
several other quick challenges that had both teams cheering, yelling answers and getting very competitive

And no, not every game was a trivia game! Different games played to different strengths, so everyone had a chance to contribute.

After an hour of battling it out, there was finally a winning team. And they didn’t just announce the winner. Confetti dropped on the winning team! It was such a fun way to end the show and, naturally, gave the winning team bragging rights for the rest of the night.

And, another fun surprise came after the show: everyone in our group received a highlight reel with clips from our game. I loved having something from the experience that everyone could keep and share afterward.

Celebrating a Birthday at Great Big Game Show

We planned our visit as part of my daughter’s birthday, and it ended up being such a fun choice for a group outing. Our host made sure the birthday girl got some extra attention, and everyone even sang Happy Birthday to her during the game.

Was Great Big Game Show Worth It?

For our group, absolutely.

The best indicator? Every single person in our group had a great time. I especially liked that the experience kept changing throughout the hour. We weren’t standing behind the same podium playing trivia the entire time. We moved around the studio, played completely different types of games and had plenty of opportunities to work together, compete and laugh at each other.

I think Great Big Game Show would work especially well for birthdays, extended family outings, friend groups, teen outings, corporate team building or anyone looking for something different to do in the Chicago suburbs.

And yes, our family is already talking about who really deserved to win. In fact, my cousin loved it so much that he’s planning to celebrate his own birthday at Great Big Game Show!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Great Big Game Show last?

Plan on about one hour for the game, plus time for check-in beforehand. Get there about 15 minutes before your scheduled time to fill out waivers if needed.

How many people can play?

Group capacity can vary, so check with Great Big Game Show when booking, especially for larger groups. We had a group of 12 during our visit and it was a great size for the experience.

What if we don’t have a big group?

We had a private game with our group, but if you don’t have enough players to fill a game, no problem! Smaller groups can still play and may be paired with other guests, so you don’t need to gather a huge group to enjoy the experience.

Do you have to be good at trivia?

Definitely not! Trivia was only one type of game we played. Our experience also included drawing, strategy and luck-based games, so different members of our group had their moments to shine.

Is Great Big Game Show good for birthdays?

Absolutely! We celebrated my daughter’s birthday and it was such a unique way to celebrate! We highly recommend it! And if you call to book and let them know it’s your birthday, you are FREE!

Do you play the same games every time?

No. Games rotate, and Great Big Game Show currently advertises more than 17 different mini-games.

Do you get photos or video afterward?

We received a highlight reel after our game, and our host was also wonderful about helping take group photos during our visit.

Where is Great Big Game Show Schaumburg?

E105 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173. It’s inside Woodfield Mall. They also have an Oak Brook location if that’s more convenient.

Where should you park?

The venue recommends the west parking lot near Red Robin.

Nitty Gritty

Website: https://greatbiggameshow.com/
Address: E105 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Parking: Free Woodfield Mall parking. The west lot near Red Robin is recommended.
Pricing and hours: Check the Great Big Game Show website for current pricing and availability