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)
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.
Arithmetic game with both hands
It’s a game where even simple arithmetic suddenly feels difficult when you have to form the numbers with your fingers at the same time.
Start with small addition problems that you can count on one hand: while forming each of the two given numbers with both hands, say the answer out loud.
Coordinating hand movements and speech is trickier than you’d expect, and it really tests your ability to focus on both at once.
Once you’re comfortable with addition, try subtraction and multiplication to make the answers more complex and engage your brain even more.
pulling sumo (hiki-zumō); a style of sumo that involves pulling techniques
Allow us to introduce the idea of “Hiki-sumo,” a game that blends nostalgia with heated mind games.
Two players stand on one leg while shaking hands, then try to pull each other off balance.
The rules are simple: if your other foot touches the floor, you lose.
Yet subtle control of strength, timing, and small feints can decide the match.
Even with size differences, you can win by cleverly shifting your center of gravity, giving everyone a chance for an upset.
It’s quick to play, requires no equipment, and can start anywhere with a little space.
Recommended for those who want an active game where laughter and seriousness mix.
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.
shadow puppets
This is an activity where you adjust shadows with hand angles and finger shapes to create various forms—objects, animals, and more.
It works not only as a quiz where people guess what the shadow depicts, but also as a cooperative challenge where you pick a theme and figure out together how to recreate it.
It’s also important to determine which part of the hand represents which feature, so observe the shadow closely and keep refining the perfect hand angles.
While the classic approach is to use both hands by yourself, teaming up with another person might let you create entirely new shapes.