Perfect for killing time! Games you can play with two people.
When you’re looking for a game for two, wouldn’t it be nice to have simple indoor games you can enjoy without any special equipment? It’s great to have something easy and fun to play when plans get canceled due to sudden rain or when you find a bit of free time.
In this article, we’ve gathered easy-to-start indoor activities for two, focusing on rhythm games and conversation games.
The rules are simple, but each one has surprising depth and will make you want to play again and again!
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Fingerplays and Active Body Games (1–10)
Hand-push sumo
When it comes to physically active games, “hand-pushing sumo” might be the first that comes to mind.
Some of you may remember playing it during school recess as a child.
Its appeal lies in the easy-to-learn rules, and above all, the fact that you can play anywhere without any equipment, making it super easy to start.
Despite its simplicity, with a bit of strategy—like planning your moves or throwing in feints—you can still win even against a heavier opponent, allowing for a fair and enjoyable match.
Just be sure to check your surroundings, whether indoors or outdoors, and take care to avoid injuries.
Gesture Game
The charm of gesture games is that anyone can join in easily, thanks to simple rules and no need for props.
One person expresses something through gestures, and the others try to guess what it is.
It’s perfect for passing the time while waiting or during idle moments, and you can also spice it up by choosing more complex prompts or performing under certain constraints.
If you’re looking to try a new activity, give this game a go—it’s also an excellent communication tool.
Change Janken
Change Janken is a fun game that adds its own rules to regular rock-paper-scissors.
Up to the point where you play rock-paper-scissors as usual, it’s the same, but then you place a board between you so you can’t see your opponent’s hand.
After repeatedly telling each other what hand you’ll throw—or being told by the other— you remove the board and determine the winner.
You can enjoy the psychological battle by saying “I’m going to play paper” and then actually throwing scissors, or by really throwing paper as you said.
As you repeat the game many times, it becomes hard to tell what’s true and what’s a bluff, which is part of the fun.
Back Telephone (a game like “Chinese whispers” played by tracing on someone’s back)
Focus your nerves on your back and take on the game! Here are some ideas for a Back-Telephone game.
In a regular telephone game, once a theme is chosen, the first person passes it on to the next person using words or gestures, and so on, aiming to convey the original theme correctly to the last person.
This time, try conveying it by writing on each other’s backs instead of using words or gestures.
Animals and characters make great themes! Once you get used to it, try increasing the difficulty with sentences or logos—it sounds like it could be a lot of fun!
pulling sumo (hiki-zumō); a style of sumo that involves pulling techniques
Allow us to introduce the idea of “Hiki-sumo,” a game that blends nostalgia with heated mind games.
Two players stand on one leg while shaking hands, then try to pull each other off balance.
The rules are simple: if your other foot touches the floor, you lose.
Yet subtle control of strength, timing, and small feints can decide the match.
Even with size differences, you can win by cleverly shifting your center of gravity, giving everyone a chance for an upset.
It’s quick to play, requires no equipment, and can start anywhere with a little space.
Recommended for those who want an active game where laughter and seriousness mix.
Blindfold telepathy challenge
A heart-pounding telepathy game played blindfolded.
If you want a quick version, just closing your eyes is fine.
Two blindfolded players place their pens on a single point on the paper and draw lines in opposite directions.
If they each make two turns along the way and manage to draw a neat quadrilateral, they succeed.
Since the size of the quadrilateral has to match, it’s hard to succeed unless the two players’ senses are perfectly in sync.
Trying to read your partner’s mind and drawing while guessing “maybe around here” is sure to be thrilling and fun.
Finger Kendo
Finger Kendo: a game you can play using just your fingers—no bamboo swords needed.
First, clasp both hands and face your opponent.
From your clasped hands, stick out both pinkies and hook them together.
Take turns tapping your opponent’s extended finger with your own.
If the linked position breaks, that player loses the round.
The loser then switches to the next finger—the ring finger—and sets up the same way.
The winner keeps using the same finger and taps again.
Repeat this process, and whoever manages to make the opponent break all five fingers up to the thumb first wins.
It’s easy to play, so give it a try when you have some spare time!