Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun two-player games recommended that you can play using conversation only

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

All you need are your voices! Here are two-player games you can play using conversation alone.

We’ve gathered games you can enjoy with a friend, a partner, or a parent and child—any time there are two of you.

No props required, so they’re perfect for spare moments or even during a call! From classics like word-chain games to language-based challenges that make you think a little, there’s plenty to choose from.

If the two of you take your time and enjoy these conversation-only games, you’re sure to grow closer! Pick your favorites and give them a try!

Shiritori, wordplay, and language-related (21–30)

Infinite Shiritori

@hannariz.haru
Only people with a really good memory can do this, lol.#Hannaries translation Translation
♬ Original song – Hannaries – Hannaries

This is a game of shiritori—where you take the last character of a word and connect it to a new word—that adds a memory element.

Instead of just saying the next word, you also line up all the words that have been said so far and then add the next one.

As the turns progress, it gets harder because you have to recall the sequence of how you got to the current word.

If you keep the turns moving to a rhythm, the difficulty increases but the rhythm helps you remember, so that pattern is recommended.

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Tongue Twister Showdown

[Hard] Tongue Twister Showdown!!

Tongue Twister Showdown

When it comes to games that get everyone excited without using any props, tongue-twister battles are a classic.

Gather a variety of fun tongue twisters and face off.

You can present one prompt at a time and decide rankings each round, or set multiple prompts with different difficulty levels and see who lasts the longest.

It’s a good idea to write the prompts on a whiteboard.

Since tongue twisters are tough at first glance, consider adding practice time and other tweaks so everyone can enjoy the game.

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Shiritori Association Game

https://www.tiktok.com/@nanka_omo/video/7311276823864806663

A brain-teasing, everyone-can-enjoy shiritori association game where you play as a cat and slip in “being cutesy/affectionate” and “association” between turns, imagining and saying words as you go.

When it’s your turn, think quickly and say a word with good tempo to keep the chain going.

If you fall behind the rhythm or say something that doesn’t fit the association, you’re out.

The more players, the livelier it gets.

Keep a gentle expression as you aim to clear the game!

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Onomatopoeia Game

@user92800579326613
We played an onomatopoeia game and it was way too funny lol
♬ original sound – Justistar / Justistar Fan – Justistar / Justistar Fan

Word association is a game you can jump into and enjoy right away.

It gets even more fun if you turn it into an onomatopoeia game where you answer with sound effects for whatever comes to mind.

For example, if the previous person says “train,” you could reply with “clackety-clack.” Another tip is to keep giving the prompt “computer” repeatedly before switching to a different prompt.

Suddenly changing the prompt creates a sense of urgency in the answers.

There’s also a tense, exciting anticipation about when the prompt will change or when someone will change it.

Liven things up with unique prompts and onomatopoeia!

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Action and experiential games (1–10)

Lyrics hijacking game

Lyrics Hijacking Game - Part 1 #shorts

Lyrics hijacking game

It’s a game where you focus on the words used in your opponent’s song lyrics, then start singing a different song that uses the same word, effectively “taking over,” and you keep repeating that flow.

To take over smoothly, your knowledge of songs and lyrics is really put to the test.

If the song being sung is one you know and you remember the lyrics that follow, you’ll likely be able to take over at just the right moment.

You can enjoy it with various rules—like aiming to keep the rally going smoothly or choosing songs that your opponent can’t connect to.

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[Hand Play] Mochitsuki (Rice Cake Pounding)

Mochitsuki hand game – a slightly challenging hand play for two to enjoy – #play #childcare #nurseryTeacher #children #atHomePlay #handPlay #handPlaySong #games #NewYear #January #December #indoors #preschoolers #video

[Hand Play] Mochitsuki (Rice Cake Pounding)

This is a fun hand-play game for two, performed to a song themed around mochi pounding, where you move your hands rhythmically in sync with the music.

One person keeps a slow, vertical clap to mark the beat, while the other fits various movements into the gaps between those claps.

You clap above and below the keeping-beat hands, slip your hands through the space, and so on—testing your sense of rhythm and speed.

Because it’s simple, you can enjoy lots of variations, like switching roles or gradually increasing the song’s tempo.

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I love you game

We tried the “You absolutely must not get embarrassed— I love you!” game! [Heart-throbbing]

I love you game

A simple game where you just tell the other person “I love you.” Your facial expressions and tone of voice influence their reaction, and the rule that you lose if you laugh leads to unexpected excitement.

It’s a heartwarming activity that friends, couples, and parents and children can all enjoy.

It’s easy to play in your spare time, so it works great over video calls too.

It might even become a chance to deepen your bond.

Why not enjoy a little psychological battle while expressing how you feel about each other? It’s sure to become a wonderful memory.

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