[For 2 Players] Easy Pen-and-Paper Time-Killing Game
Are you looking for games you can play with just paper and a pen? On rainy days when you can’t go outside or when you have a bit of free time, many people want ideas for two-player games that really get you excited.
From classic territory-claiming games and grid-based games to ones where you play rock-paper-scissors to complete kanji, there are plenty of thrilling games you can enjoy with only paper and a pen! In this article, we’ll introduce competitive paper-and-pen games you can start right away and that are sure to heat up the fun.
Try them out with friends or family!
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Co-op & Party Games (1–10)
Memory Drawing Game
It’s a game where you draw everyday objects you casually see in daily life, relying only on your memory.
It tests various abilities, such as how accurately you remember the shapes of things and how well you can reflect that in a drawing.
You can enjoy it as a head-to-head match to decide whose drawing is more accurate, but it also sounds fun to use both people’s answers to jog more memories and aim for an even more accurate drawing.
In a competitive format, results might depend on each person’s drawing skill, so it might be good to start with geometric tasks like the shapes of Japanese prefectures.
Picture shiritori
A game you can play anytime, anywhere in your spare moments: shiritori.
It’s usually a word game, but let’s spice it up by playing “picture shiritori,” where you pass ideas through drawings.
It’s a hilarious game that tests everyone’s drawing skills.
Whether you can draw a picture that clearly conveys your idea is the key to winning.
One-on-one is fun, but team battles make it even more exciting.
All you need is paper and a pen, which is another plus.
In picture shiritori, you turn the image you want to convey into a drawing and pass it along.
Whether you’re good at drawing or not, everyone can enjoy it—and you might end up with some laugh-out-loud moments.
Co-op & Party Games (11–20)
Russian amidakuji
Get ready for a huge burst of excitement with prepared penalties and rewards! Here are some ideas for a Russian-style amidakuji.
Amidakuji is that lottery game where you draw two or more vertical lines on paper, hide the labels like “win” or “lose” at the ends of the lines, and each person picks a starting point to see where they end up.
This time, let’s try a Russian amidakuji with penalty games prepared.
It’s fun with a big group, but even with just two people you can enjoy the thrill and suspense!
20 Questions Game
Let me introduce the 20 Questions game.
The question master decides on a topic and writes it down on paper.
The respondent can ask up to 20 questions about that topic.
Think carefully so your questions fit within the 20-question limit.
Try to make your questions ones that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” Based on the respondent’s answers, the questioner deduces what the topic is and tries to guess correctly.
It’s a game you can enjoy in short breaks, like during recess or while traveling.
Give it a try!
Shape Transmission Game
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Here’s a shape-transmission game that tests both your ability to communicate and to understand.
The person giving the prompt imagines and decides on a shape they want to convey.
Once it’s decided, the answerer prepares paper and a pen, and draws while listening to the shape the prompter is describing.
As you draw, it’s also important to think about what kind of shape the prompter has in mind.
When you finish the shape exactly as the prompter instructed, it’s time to check the answer.
This is the most exciting moment for both the prompter and the answerer.
Give it a try!
Mirrored Text Challenge
Introducing a mirror-writing challenge game where you flip hiragana and katakana as if they were reflected in a mirror.
First, write the characters normally on paper, then write their reversed versions.
It’s recommended to write with your non-dominant hand.
If you stay calm and don’t rush, your letters will look neat.
Once you get used to it, try adding a time limit to make it more fun.
Try hiragana, katakana, and, for an extra challenge, even kanji!
Number Order Game
Let me introduce a number-order game that exercises your brain and is fun to play.
First, write numbers scattered randomly across a sheet of paper.
I recommend sprinkling the numbers all over at random.
Once you’re done, find the numbers in order starting from 1, and mark them with a circle or tap them, checking them off as you go.
Saying the numbers out loud while you play might make it easier.
You clear the game if you manage to find all the numbers in order to the end.
Finding numbers in sequence among many scattered ones really requires concentration.
It’s best to ask someone else to write the random numbers for you.