Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
I’m going to introduce games that can be played using only conversation, without any props.
There are times—like during school breaks or in the car—when you want to play but don’t have any tools or can’t move around freely, right?
In those moments, wouldn’t it be nice to have games you can play just by talking?
In this article, we’ve gathered popular conversation-based games you can enjoy simply by talking, singing, or answering prompts!
Use them when you want to have fun with friends, teammates, or your partner, or when you need to kill time while waiting—whenever you’re in a pinch.
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Shiritori, Wordplay, and Brain-Teasing Conversation Games (11–20)
Shiritori Conversation Game
It’s a game where you add a shiritori element to everyday conversation to see if you can keep the rules and still talk smoothly.
The fun part is that adding a thinking component makes an ordinary conversation just a bit awkward.
The standard approach is to attach a preface that starts with the last letter of the previous person’s word to what you want to say, and the game tests how well you can connect it.
How many suitable words you know—and how quickly you can recall them—seems to be the key.
Favorite-things shiritori
A game where you play shiritori while taking turns telling each other what you like about the other person.
It’s a playful way to express feelings for a friend or partner that you might normally be too shy to say.
First, choose one character from the Japanese syllabary, then play shiritori while also sharing something you like.
It’s also fun to set a rule that if you get embarrassed or start laughing, you get a penalty.
When playing one-on-one, you alternate turns, making it perfect for deepening a couple’s bond.
Even if you can’t meet in person, try this game to reaffirm each other’s love or friendship.
Number guessing game
With a signal, a number is announced, and at the same time participants either stand or sit; if the announced number matches the number of people standing, that person wins.
You can enjoy the psychological element of scanning the surroundings, predicting everyone’s actions, and choosing which number to call.
A key point is that everyone does light jumps while waiting for the signal—by keeping bodies in constant light motion, it becomes harder to predict actions.
If the number doesn’t match, the turn immediately passes to the next person, giving everyone winning chances at a good pace—another factor that boosts excitement.
10-times quiz game
It’s a game where you first have someone repeat the same word ten times, then you give them a quiz and have them answer it.
By making them repeat the word, it’s an easy-to-understand trick that nudges their quiz answer in the wrong direction.
When you’re suddenly required to produce words quickly, you can make a mistake even if you realize it’s a trick.
You need the ability to calmly switch your thinking and retrieve the right word, and it’s a game where people who are good at it and those who aren’t are clearly divided.
So it seems like a game where you can enjoy both coming up with the questions and observing how people think.
No-Character Allowed! Shiritori
Shiritori is a classic time-killer that people of all ages can enjoy.
It’s a game that can drag on endlessly as you wonder how long it will continue and when it will end, but adding just one rule can make it much harder and more exciting.
This “forbidden-length shiritori” is a version where you set a restriction on word length—specifically, a number of characters that answers must not have.
For example, if “three characters are forbidden,” then words like “ringo” (apple) or “gorira” (gorilla) can’t be used.
Aside from that, it’s regular shiritori, but this rule makes it surprisingly tricky, and many players get tripped up and end up out.
Puzzle-solving & deduction and communication game (1–10)
Majority Game
It’s a game where you pose a either-or question to everyone—one that’s likely to split opinions—and see whether your own answer ends up in the majority.
Through the questions, you can learn about each person’s way of thinking and behavior patterns, making it a great conversation starter.
For those who end up in the minority, you can assign a penalty: either have them do a small forfeit after each question, or tally points and decide the loser at the end—both approaches work well.
You can also spice things up by adding rules, like giving players time to persuade others to choose their option, which can create a different kind of excitement.
A game divided by Christmas
Here’s a party game that’s sure to liven things up, perfect for Christmas: the “Break Up ‘Christmas’” game.
The rules are simple: take the word “Christmas” and split it at any point you like, then pass it to the next person.
The person who receives it continues saying the word “Christmas” starting from where the previous player split it.
Keep the rhythm, think about where the previous person cut the word, and as you pass it on, decide where you’ll split it next.
It’s also fun to play using other words.
Try coming up with your own original words and give it a go!
