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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- A card game for two players
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- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Recommended for couples and married partners! A roundup of board games for two
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
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- [Recommended for middle schoolers] Love psychology tests that couples can do to get excited
Games using paper, pens, and tools (1–10)
Reverse Playback Challenge
The reverse playback challenge, which uses your smartphone’s features, is a game where funny, unexpected phrases pop up and make you chuckle.
Press your phone’s record button and start with a normal self-introduction like, “Hello, I’m ____.” Then play it in reverse and memorize the reversed order of sounds and pronunciation.
Next, record yourself saying the reversed version of your introduction, and when you play that recording in reverse, it should turn back into a normal self-introduction.
The trick is that the reversed speech doesn’t form proper words or sentences, making it hard to memorize and say.
You can also make it more fun by adding rules, like whoever gets closest to a normal self-introduction wins.
Dictation Rock-Paper-Scissors
Here’s an idea for a writing-based rock-paper-scissors game you can play during rainy-day breaks or in spare moments.
Normally, with rock-paper-scissors, you battle by showing rock, scissors, or paper with your hands.
This time, you’ll complete a kanji while playing.
First, choose a theme kanji, then play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner writes one stroke of the theme kanji on paper.
Repeat this, and the first person to complete the kanji wins!
Personality test
Understand your own psychology! Here are some ideas for psychology tests.
Many psychology tests include playful elements, don’t they? This time, let’s try a psychology test that helps you get to know yourself using just paper and a pen.
Draw six boxes on a sheet of paper and number them in order—once that’s done, you’re ready! Simply write your answers to the questions in each box, and you’ll gain a clearer picture of yourself.
Through these psychology tests, it seems like a great opportunity to learn more about your own personality and your friends’ character as well.
Trump
Playing cards are easy to carry and are one of the best ways to pass the time.
They’re simple for anyone—from kids to adults—to play, and there are plenty of games for two or more people, like Old Maid, Concentration, and President, each offering a different kind of fun.
If you want a quick game, Speed is recommended, and if you get bored, you can immediately switch to something else.
Because many card games involve planning and strategy, they can also be an effective workout for the brain.
Watermelon Game
There’s a two-player mode for the simple yet endlessly replayable Suika Game.
The basic rule stays the same—merge fruits to create bigger ones and ultimately aim for a watermelon—and in addition to the original, there are two modes.
One is a Time Limit mode where you compete to see how high a score you can achieve in five minutes.
The time limit makes for a more heated battle.
The other is a versus mode where you drop fruits into your opponent’s box, and the first to make the other player hit game over wins.
It’s a two-player game that people of all ages, from kids to adults, can enjoy.
Jenga
Jenga is a classic party game.
Many of you have probably played it, right? You pull out one wooden block from the stacked tower and place it on top, and the person who causes the tower to fall in the process loses.
When removing a block, you must use one hand; using both hands is not allowed.
Besides the standard version, there are many types of Jenga on sale, including jumbo-sized and character-themed versions.
A head-to-head match between two players could really heat up.
It might be fun to prepare a penalty game as well.
Two-Person One-Character Composition
Here’s an idea for a unique game that makes laughter bubble up bit by bit: a two-person, one-character-at-a-time composition game.
All you need is to draw a 3×3 grid on a sheet of paper, and you’re ready to go.
Each player adds one character in turn to build a composition together.
Play it with someone who shares your sense of humor or with close friends and family—you’ll be laughing before you know it! The unexpected twists and turns are part of what makes this game so fun.
It’s a charming game that seems perfect for honing your sense of humor.