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)
Shiritori Association Game
https://www.tiktok.com/@nanka_omo/video/7311276823864806663A brain-teasing, everyone-can-enjoy shiritori association game where you play as a cat and slip in “being cutesy/affectionate” and “association” between turns, imagining and saying words as you go.
When it’s your turn, think quickly and say a word with good tempo to keep the chain going.
If you fall behind the rhythm or say something that doesn’t fit the association, you’re out.
The more players, the livelier it gets.
Keep a gentle expression as you aim to clear the game!
Imitation shiritori
Participants face each other and stand on one leg.
Decide the order with rock-paper-scissors or similar, and the first person starts the word chain game (shiritori).
The basic rule of linking words stays the same, but after saying a word, you have to do an impression that matches it.
For example, if you say “gorilla,” you might pound your chest with your fists.
Everyone else copies the impression, and the shiritori continues.
It might sound easy, but you must stay on one leg the entire time.
If you lose your balance or can’t continue the word chain, you lose.
Word Play, Shiritori, and Brain Games (31–40)
Guess the person game
A recommended guessing game for deepening communication is one where participants get lively conversation going and make new discoveries about each other.
The person posing the question should first choose a very well-known person as the subject.
The respondents ask the questioner about what kind of person it might be while imagining the answer, and the questioner should reply only with “yes” or “no.” If it’s too difficult, it’s also helpful to give simple hints, such as the person’s gender or a basic characteristic.
Set a time limit, and try it as individual or team play, adjusting to the ages of the group.
Memory Game
Let me introduce a memory game where your memory really matters.
While clapping your hands, first repeat the word the previous person said, then say a new word you want to add.
As the game progresses, the list of words you have to remember keeps growing.
Plus, because you also have to come up with your own word to connect, you might start to feel pressured.
Try to keep calm and careful, and enjoy beating the game.
It’s also great fun with a larger group.
Lip-sync song guessing game
The lip-sync song guessing game is something even people who love listening to music but aren’t confident singing can enjoy, and it works well at workplaces or schools.
The presenter picks a song, then lip-syncs it—paying close attention to intonation and rhythm—without making any sound.
The guessers carefully watch the presenter’s mouth and facial expressions to figure out what song it is.
At first, it’s best to choose familiar songs that everyone knows.
Once everyone gets the hang of it, you can make the game more exciting by shortening the sung sections or speeding up the delivery.
Fingerplays, hand play, and movement games (1–10)
Finger magic
For magic tricks that make it look like your finger has come off, the key is how convincing you can make it look! Even though you know it’s impossible for it to actually come off, smooth, natural movements can still make your heart skip a beat.
Flexibility in your fingers is also important for finger tricks.
Movements like crossing your fingers or bending your pinky far backward aren’t used in everyday life, so you might find they barely move when you try.
These are tricks you can use at get-togethers or parties, so work on your flexibility and practice!
Myanmar Game
Let’s play the hilarious “Myanmar Game,” a fun challenge that will have you stifling laughter.
Try saying “Myanmar.” It’s surprisingly hard to pronounce, right? In this game, two players take turns saying a tricky word like that.
Each turn, the number of times you have to say the word increases.
As you repeat “Myanmar, Myanmar,” your tongue gets more and more tangled, which is hilarious for both the speaker and the listener.
It’s a high-energy game that really heats up, and you’ll be impressed if someone can say it smoothly.
Give the Myanmar Game a try when you have a little free time!
