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)
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.
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!
Word Play, Shiritori, and Brain Games (31–40)
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.
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!
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?
Fingerplays, hand play, and movement games (1–10)
Beef Tongue Game
How about trying a “Gyutan Game,” where you take turns exchanging words with your partner and keep going without making a mistake? It works with a large group, but playing with just two people might actually be the hardest.
It’s a brain-teasing game filled with keywords and clapping.
The person who says the word “gyū” in “gyūtan” is the owner of that turn.
The owner changes every time, and claps are added alternately.
As the number of repetitions increases, the clapping also increases, throwing your brain into chaos.
You have to instantly switch turns and count the number of claps at the same time, so it requires concentration.
It’s a recommended game you can play in spare moments without any equipment.
Finger Catch
Finger Catch: Catch your partner’s finger with one hand while escaping your own hand with the other.
Make a tube with one hand by curling it into a circle, and raise the index finger on your other hand.
Once you’ve placed your index finger into your partner’s tube, you’re set.
When someone says “Catch,” both players try to grab the other’s finger and pull their own finger out at the same time.
Adding feints is recommended, such as saying different words like “cat” or “cap,” or dragging out “ca, ca” without saying the full word right away.
Take turns calling out “Catch.” You win if you successfully catch your partner’s finger while escaping with your own.