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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Puzzle-Solving, Deduction & Communication Game (11–20)
Insider Game
This is a game played with three roles: Master, Commoners, and Insider.
The Commoners ask questions about a secret topic that only the Master knows.
The Master answers only with “yes” or “no,” and the Commoners use those responses to deduce the topic.
However, the Insider knows the answer from the start and can subtly guide the other Commoners toward it.
If the topic isn’t guessed, everyone loses—so getting it right is a must.
Once the topic is guessed, the game continues: players then try to figure out, based on the discussion so far, who among the Commoners was actually the Insider.
If they identify the Insider, the Master and Commoners win; if the Insider remains hidden, the Insider wins alone.
It’s similar to Werewolf.
The key is how naturally the Insider can blend in with the Commoners.
Sea turtle soup
Also known as lateral thinking puzzles, these quizzes test your ability to organize situations and your knack for sudden insights.
You repeatedly ask the presenter, who reads the story aloud, questions that can be answered with “yes,” “no,” or “irrelevant,” and from there you unravel the truth.
It’s important to gradually narrow down the answer while using your questions to organize the situation, so proceed with a clear awareness of the direction your questions are taking.
Because the stories are perplexing, people unfamiliar with this format may find even asking questions difficult.
In that case, it’s recommended to assist the process with well-timed hints.
Three-Hint Quiz
Here’s a three-hint quiz you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
First, decide on the candy that will be the answer.
Next, come up with three clues—such as what shape the candy is and what it tastes like.
The key is to keep the clues as simple as possible.
It might also be fun to base it on familiar fruits or vegetables.
You could even make it a points-based game and compete with friends to see who gets the most correct answers.
Introducing someone else
Instead of introducing yourself, you introduce what kind of person the other person is.
It’s a simple game that tests how well you understand them, and it can also be a chance to learn how others see you.
If you include memorable episodes you’ve shared with the person you’re introducing, it might help you both feel a stronger bond.
Bringing in aspects of them that only you know could also liven things up—perhaps even making them feel a little embarrassed in a fun way.
Change Janken
A psychological battle called “change janken”: after doing a normal one-on-one rock-paper-scissors, you block your view so you can’t see the hands and then declare things like, “Since you threw rock, I’ll go with paper,” while searching for a winning move.
You can change your hand as you say, or lie—both are allowed.
Carefully watch the other person’s facial expressions and way of speaking to read what they actually threw.
If you play with close friends you’re always with, it might be especially fun in terms of “how well you understand each other’s personalities.”