Where fun, wellness, and physical activity collide.
Unplug and Play
A weekly drop-in program created for students, by students. Unplug & Play brings the fun and familiarity of game night to campus with classic favorites, life-sized games, creative activities, physical challenges, music, free popcorn and opportunities to connect.
On This Page
FAQ'S:
Unplug & Play is a flexible, drop-in program with rotating games, challenges and creative activities for all experience levels. Come on your own or bring friends, stay as long as you like, and choose how you want to participate.
Activities may include:
- Life-sized games like Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Chess & Checkers and cornhole
- Classic and tabletop games including chess, checkers, Yahtzee, card games and table tennis
- Creative activities such as coloring, seasonal crafts and themed projects
- The Challenge Drop, featuring rotating challenges that may test creativity, strategy, coordination, memory, teamwork and more
- HardCORE Challenge, featuring push-ups, pull-ups, planks and dead hangs at every Unplug & Play
UB students gather around a giant chessboard during Unplug & Play.
You do not have to play a game or complete a challenge to participate. Stop by to meet friends, listen to music, enjoy free popcorn, take a break from screens, or simply relax and watch the action.
There is no registration required. Games, challenges and activities are available on a first come, first served basis. Recreation staff can help you get started, explain featured activities and record HardCORE Challenge results.
Before leaving, return any games or supplies you use and leave your area ready for the next participant.
Games, activities and supplies may vary by event.
Two UB students playing table tennis during Unplug & Play.
A UB student completes a pull-up during the HardCORE Challenge.
UB students carefully remove a block from a giant orange Jenga tower during Unplug & Play.
- Day: Friday
- Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Broadview Arena Foyer
- Program format: Drop-in
- Registration: Not required
- Availability: First-come, first-served
- Participation: UB students and REC Members
Hours and dates may change during university breaks, holidays, special events or facility closures. Visit the UB Events Calendar for the most current schedule.
- August 28
- September 4
- September 11
- September 18
- October 2
- October 9
- October 16
- October 23 - Halloween Themed w/ Spookay Bouquets
- November 6
- November 13
- November 20
Unplug & Play is open to all UB students and REC Members with a valid UB Recreation membership during scheduled program hours.
A valid UB ID or Recreation membership card is required for entry.
There is no advance registration. Games, activities and shared supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Unplug & Play takes place throughout the Broadview Arena Foyer, directly outside the Fitness Center (Room 175).
Look for Unplug & Play signs, activity tables and Recreation staff throughout the foyer.
Our REC Programming is built on shared respect. Every participant plays a part in creating a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment.
Participants help by:
- Treating participants and Recreation staff with kindness and respect.
- Using games, supplies and shared equipment as intended.
- Following staff instructions when participating in HardCORE Challenge or The Challenge Drop.
- Returning games and activity supplies to their designated locations after use.
- Sharing popular games so everyone has an opportunity to participate.
- Waiting patiently when a game or challenge is already in use.
- Keeping game pieces, challenge materials and equipment within the designated program area.
- Keeping entrances, walkways and Fitness Center access points clear.
- Cleaning up popcorn, activity materials and personal trash before leaving.
- Keeping personal belongings with them throughout their visit.
- Reporting missing pieces, damaged equipment, spills or safety concerns to a staff member.
- Following posted facility policies and directions from Recreation staff.
Unplug & Play is intended to be inclusive and low-pressure. Harassment, discrimination, unsafe behavior and intentionally disruptive conduct are not permitted.
HardCORE Challenge equipment should only be used as directed by Recreation staff. Participants should stop and speak with a staff member if they feel uncomfortable or need an activity modification.
UB Recreation is not responsible for lost, stolen or unattended personal belongings.
Can't find the answer you're looking for? We're here to help! Submit your question through our Contact Form, and a member of the UB Recreation team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Before You Arrive
UB students and REC Members with a valid UB Recreation membership during scheduled program hours.
A valid UB ID or Recreation membership card is required for entry.
No. Unplug & Play is a drop-in program. Registration is not required. Games, challenges and activities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
No. Games, activities, shared supplies and popcorn are provided at no additional cost to your Recreation membership.
Throughout the Broadview Arena Foyer on UB’s North Campus. The program is set up directly outside the Fitness Center.
During the fall and spring semesters, Unplug & Play is generally offered every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Special summer events may be offered through Late-Nights in July.
Bring your UB ID, but there is no need to bring games, equipment or activity supplies. UB Recreation provides the materials offered during the event.
Bring a friend, come on your own or stop by with a group. No special clothing is required for general Unplug & Play activities.
If you plan to participate in HardCORE Challenge, consider wearing clothing and footwear that allow you to move comfortably.
No. Activities are designed for a variety of experience levels and don’t require specific athletic or gaming skills.
If you’re unfamiliar with a game or challenge, ask a Recreation staff member for help getting started.
During Your Visit
Stay for as little or as long as you’d like during scheduled program hours. You may arrive and leave whenever it fits your evening.
Depending on the event, you may be able to:
- Play giant Jenga, Connect 4 or cornhole
- Join a chess or checkers game
- Play table tennis
- Play Yahtzee or card games
- Complete a creative activity
- Participate in HardCORE Challenge
- Try The Challenge Drop
- Listen to music
- Enjoy free popcorn
- Spend time with friends
- Meet other participants
Activities may change from week to week.
No. All games and challenges are optional.
You’re welcome to socialize, watch an activity, encourage a friend, listen to music or simply spend time in the program area.
Absolutely. Some participants arrive with friends, while others stop by on their own.
You can join an available activity, ask someone to play or speak with a Recreation staff member if you’d like help getting involved.
Choose another available activity or wait until the game becomes available. Participants are encouraged to share games and give others an opportunity to play.
Recreation staff may help organize turns when an activity is especially popular.
Yes. HardCORE Challenge is a regular part of every Unplug & Play event.
The featured physical challenge rotates between push-ups, pull-ups, planks and dead hangs. Recreation staff provide the equipment, explain proper form and record participants’ results.
Yes. Free popcorn is offered during Unplug & Play while supplies last. (Sometimes we have snowcones, too!)
Facility Amenities
The program setup may include:
- Life-sized games
- Tabletop and card games
- Table tennis
- Coloring pages and creative supplies
- HardCORE Challenge equipment
- The Challenge Drop
- Activity tables
- Music
- Free popcorn
- Seasonal or featured activities
- Support from Recreation staff
Available equipment and activities may vary by event.
Yes. The program takes place indoors throughout the Broadview Arena Foyer.
Yes. The foyer includes gathering areas and activity tables used for games and socializing. The setup and amount of available seating may vary depending on attendance and other events taking place in Broadview Arena.
Seating and activity spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. UB Wi-Fi is available throughout Broadview Arena.
Participants who have questions about accessibility or need an accommodation should contact Jenifer Kern or Frank Chen before their visit.
Policies & Etiquette
The program encourages participants to step away from technology and connect through games, challenges and conversation. Personal devices are not formally prohibited.
No. Games, tables and activity areas cannot be held or reserved. All activities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. Groups are welcome to attend, but games and activity areas cannot be reserved for private use.
Large groups may need to divide into smaller activities depending on available space and equipment.
No. Games, supplies, HardCORE Challenge equipment, Challenge Drop materials and other shared items must remain within the designated Unplug & Play area unless a Recreation staff member gives permission.
Please keep your belongings with you at all times or secure them in a locker in the Locker Room. UB Recreation is not responsible for lost, stolen or unattended belongings.
Jenifer Kern
Associate Director for Strategic Planning & Engagement
Recreation
Frank Chen
Assistant Director for Operations & Planning
Recreation