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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Wordplay, Shiritori, and Brain Games (21–30)
A game where you can only use honorific language
The “Polite Speech Only Game” is a simple wordplay idea that two people can enjoy.
The rules are easy: just repeat whatever the other person says, exactly as they said it, but in polite language.
When you actually try it, you’ll stumble, make mistakes, burst out laughing—it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
If any non-polite wording slips out, you’re out immediately.
It’s simple, but it tests your focus and quick reflexes.
You don’t need any props at all—just two voices.
It’s perfect for playing while on the move or during short waits.
Friends, couples, even parents and children can enjoy it, and it will likely bring hearts closer through words.
This is a new kind of word game where the overly polite exchanges become delightfully addictive.
late hand in rock-paper-scissors
A normal rock-paper-scissors game is too easy! In that case, try playing “after-the-fact rock-paper-scissors.” The leader plays as usual by saying “Jan-ken-pon” and showing rock, paper, or scissors.
The participants must then respond after seeing it and beat that hand.
Because you have to instantly recognize what the leader showed and choose the winning hand, it’s trickier than it sounds.
A few people will slip up and lose or end in a tie.
Try turning it into a knockout format or speeding it up to increase the difficulty and have fun!
A Story That Never Fails (to Get Laughs)
Do you have any foolproof, never-fail stories about yourself? The “can’t-miss” stories comedians tell on TV are certainly funny, but amusing episodes that people close to you have actually experienced can be incredibly powerful at livening up a room! That said, there’s no need to get discouraged thinking, “Nothing that funny has ever happened to me.” Simply sharing a never-fail story you heard on TV or at a comedy show—like, “Apparently this happened”—can be a great way to spark conversation.
If you want to get closer to a partner or friends, why not pick up some never-fail stories from shows and the like?
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!
The more people there are, the harder it gets! Finger Catch
The “Finger Catch Game,” which trains your reflexes and lets everyone have fun, is played with everyone standing in a circle.
Put the index finger of your right hand into the open palm of the person to your right, just lightly touching it.
In turn, participants chant, “Ka, ka, ka, catch,” and at the moment someone says “catch,” everyone tries to pull out the finger they had inserted.
At the same time, you must quickly grab the finger that’s been inserted into your own open hand before it escapes.
If you fail to pull your finger out or fail to catch your neighbor’s finger, you’re out.
The last person remaining wins.
The exact timing of saying “catch” is key.
It’s a game that tests concentration, timing, and careful observation of others.
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.
Can you do things like this and that?
Here’s a game you can enjoy with just two people: “Can you do this and that?” In this game, when someone says, “Can you do this and that?”, the participants imitate what was said while simply replying, “Yes, we can do this and that.” The person giving the prompts should start with simple, easy-to-understand actions.
The key is to make them gradually more difficult.
It’s a game that people of all ages—from children to adults—can enjoy, so try taking turns giving prompts and challenge the game with your friends or family!