Games for couples: ideas to connect, laugh and get to know each other better

Types of games for couples

• Question games

  For talking about the things that don't come up day to day: memories, plans, quirks, what made you fall for each other. They're the best place to start because all they need is a willingness to listen.

• Challenges

  Small actions, taking turns: a 30-second dance, a compliment in a GPS voice, building a pillow tower against the clock. They break the routine and get you laughing right away.

• Guessing games

  How well do you really know your partner? Their favorite food, their first concert, their silliest fear. You'll be surprised by what you get right… and what you don't.

• “Who's more likely to…?” games

  Each of you secretly votes for which of you would do something: fill the house with plants, dance in the grocery store, stay up talking until 3 a.m. When you match, you get each other without saying a word.

• Drawing games

  One of you draws a word and the other guesses. Being bad at drawing doesn't matter: that's exactly what makes it fun.

• Cooperative games

  Instead of competing, you play on the same team: make up a story one sentence at a time, sync your breathing, guide each other with your eyes closed.

Ideas to play tonight

A few you can do right now, no prep needed:

• No yes, no no

  For 60 seconds, ask your partner questions. If they answer “yes” or “no,” they lose.

• Once upon a time

  Make up a story taking turns, one sentence each, starting with “Once upon a time there was a couple who…”

• Nature documentary

  Narrate what your partner is doing like a wildlife documentary for 30 seconds.

• Same word

  Think of a word that describes the two of you and say it at the same time on three. Did you match?

• Lightning date

  In 60 seconds, plan your next date: the place, the time and one surprise.

• 30-second dance

  Put on a song and dance together for 30 seconds, even if it's terrible.

How to pick a game for couples

• Based on the plan

  A quiet night calls for questions and cooperative games; an evening when you want to laugh calls for challenges and guessing games.

• Based on the intensity

  Start mild and only turn it up if you both feel like it. A game should never push anyone further than they want to go.

• Based on where you are

  If you're not together, pick games that work over video call or on your own phones.

• With an easy way out

  Either of you should be able to skip a challenge without explaining why. That way everyone plays more relaxed.

Between: a game for couples that adapts to both of you

Between brings all of this together in one place. Each of you privately marks what you like, what you might try and what's off the table, and the game only suggests what works for both of you. Your partner never sees what you said no to.

It has Obsidian Roulette (turn-based challenges that heat up little by little, where the boldest levels only unlock if you both confirm), Who Knows Who Best?, Who's More Likely To…?, Draw & Guess, a question of the day, missions to surprise each other during the week and rewards you make up yourselves. Skipping a challenge is always an option and never costs points.