Simple Old-fashioned Adventurous Roleplaying (SOAR)

I don't have a lot of (any) background in pen and paper RPG and I know players are used to and accept die rolls but how about spicing it up a bit, like the Wii did for video games? Or at least list it in the rules as an alternative?

For instance, have an actual puzzle or test that must be completed within a certain amount of time? Handicap would change the amount of time allotted to complete the task.

Test could be anything and again made up by the GM based on the skills of the actual players.

Hook 20 paper clips together
Complete a sheet of 25 single digit multiplication problems
Untie, remove, put back on, and tie your shoes

I think you get the idea. The players would need to actually have some skill, dexterity, physical capability, inteligence, ect.

The downsides I see could be the downtime or theme.

For downtime the RPG could be made to continue while the skill check is occuring. This could even add a real-time element to the game such as, finish the puzzle before X rounds of combat?

With theme the puzzles could always be made more interesting by the GM and the players. The GM could preprint a tablet with symbols to match for a code breaking skill check. A knotted rope for a lockpick to untangle before time runs out, ect.

Being that pen and paper RPG is mostly left up to the narrator and the players creativity/imagination I think it would be a really fun way to interact and play the game.

'Hey, remember the time Jared tried to 'disarm the bomb' [drink a shaken pop can without letting any spill] and it shot all over the place!'

'Or when Pam had to 'gain access to the vault' [complete a simple puzzle] 'before the gaurds showed up' [before Kyle (the GM) could run around the table 5 times] and he totally tripped over John's bag and got a bloody nose! Maybe they should have hired better guards!'

Good times...!