Recommended games for two people that you can enjoy without any equipment
When it comes to games you can play without any tools, many of them use words.
Word-based games are great because many can be enjoyed by just two people, making them perfect for friends or couples! In this article, we’ll introduce wordplay and brainy games you can play in pairs without any equipment.
We’ve gathered a variety of games—from classics like Shiritori, the Yamanote Line game, and games where certain words are forbidden, to activities that have trended online and on social media.
There are also plenty of games you can play remotely, so try them out with friends or partners you can’t easily meet in person!
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Finger plays, hand games, and body-movement games (11–20)
Rock-Paper-Scissors Balance Challenge
It’s a game where, depending on the rock-paper-scissors result, each player balances in a specific way, aiming to become more stable than the opponent.
If you win rock-paper-scissors, the basic posture is standing on one leg for 5 seconds.
If you lose, you spin 3 times before taking the one-legged stance, and if it’s a tie, you spin 2 times before the stance.
If you can maintain the one-legged stance, you proceed to the next round of rock-paper-scissors.
The more you lose in a row, the harder it becomes to keep your balance.
A fun twist is that even if you don’t win the rock-paper-scissors, you might still win overall if your sense of balance is good.
Impersonation
How about incorporating impressions—classic as party tricks or quick gags—into your conversation? You can show off an impression you’re good at, get feedback from the other person, and have fun in lots of different ways.
If you care about keeping a good rhythm in the exchange, it’s best to choose a theme with back-and-forth banter; boosting the liveliness of your words can deepen the bond between you two.
As a twist on a staring contest, trying to make the other person laugh could be a fun goal as well.
Try Not to Laugh Game
In this game, you face each other, and whoever laughs first loses.
You can play it in person, of course, or over a video call! You can just stare at each other, pull funny faces, or try out some jokes… Use all kinds of tactics to make the other person laugh! You can make it an instant loss when someone laughs, or compete by counting how many times each person laughs within a time limit.
You might even find that the more you like someone, the easier it is to giggle just from looking at them.
Give it a try with your partner or friends!
Finger games, hand games, and physical (movement) games (21–30)
Pose Matching Game
@maruhi_mitsuko Match the poses game 🦊🍧👼㊙️#Shuhei Uesugi#Sara Shida#2024 Summer Drama#TopSecret Mitsuko-sanEvery Saturday at 10 PMMissed TVer streams: see profile
♪ Original Song – Miss Mitsuko’s Top Secret [Official] NTV Network Saturday Drama 10 – Miss Mitsuko’s Top Secret [Official] NTV Network Saturday Drama 10
If you want to test perfectly in-sync teamwork as a couple, the “Pose Matching Game” is a great pick! It’s super simple to play: once you hear the prompt, both of you strike a fitting pose at the exact same time on the count of three.
Choosing slightly quirky themes like “zombie,” “idol,” or “just woke up” makes it even more fun.
The charm of this game is that it’s exciting whether your poses match—yay!—or don’t—hilarious! Anyone can start right away, and since it gets you moving, it’s perfect for a quick mood boost.
The more in sync you are, the more the energy builds, naturally bringing you closer.
It’s a laugh-filled communication game that’s perfect for couples.
Aiko says bread.
Using the familiar game of rock-paper-scissors, you determine the true winner based on actions taken after the result.
Start with one hand placed on the table; if the round is a tie, lift the hand from the table and clap both hands together.
Aim to clap faster than your opponent while being careful not to raise your hand when the round has a decisive winner.
It’s also fun to add a twist where players who clap too slowly or mistakenly raise their hand receive a penalty—this creates more mind games and makes the game more engaging.