30+ Best Date Night Games for Couples

PDF download Download Article
Make the most of your date night with these games & activities
PDF download Download Article

You can't go wrong with the classic dinner and a movie, but if you really want to make date night unforgettable, invite your date to play an exciting board game or card game. There are plenty of games you can play on date night to keep things fresh and entertaining, from a fun board game , like Hive, to an exhilarating card game , like Uno, and in this article, we get into it all. With the help of various board game experts and dating coaches, we walk you through the best date night games for couples. Read on for more!

Date Night Games for Couples

According to dating coach John Keegan, asking questions and guessing things about people through observations is a great way to get to know them. These fun question-based games are a great way to do just that:

  • The Couples Game That’s Actually Fun
  • We’re Not Really Strangers
  • Never Have I Ever
  • Let’s Get Closer
Section 1 of 4:

Board Games for Date Night

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hive is a two-player, chess-esque board game that utilizes geometry and strategy. Players must determine which tiles to place and move on a board to surround the opponent’s queen bee tile. If one player surrounds an opponent’s queen bee tile with their tiles, they win. This focus-heavy, strategy-based game lets you see how your partner solves problems and comes up with their own strategies. [1]
    • Duration: 30 minutes
    • There’s a portable, compact version of Hive that you can play on the go, making it great for date nights.
    • Each tile has a bug with a unique ability that shapes how it moves and how you can utilize it, adding to the strategic element of the game.
    • The durable hexagonal pieces mean you don’t need a traditional board, just a flat surface. The pieces also won’t get damaged if you spill your drink or have greasy fingers, making Hive a great choice for a night out at a bar.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Our Family Plays Games is a board game business with a mission to promote growth and awareness of the modern board-game community.

    Jess Hamlet is a Board, Card, and Dice Game Expert and owner of Village Meeple, Springfield, Missouri’s first board game cafe.

    John Keegan is a Dating Coach with over 15 years of experience helping people find love using his dating, attraction, and social dynamics expertise.

    Sven Loss is a Relationship Coach who specializes in helping others with relationship and behavioral issues.

    Christa Innis is a dynamic entrepreneur, content creator, and social media strategist known for her engaging storytelling, expertise in event planning, and dedication to building supportive communities.

  2. 2
    Patchwork Board game expert Starla Fitch of Our Family Plays Games says Patchwork is a relaxing, enjoyable game for couples. [2] Patchwork is a board game where you use patch pieces to make a quilt that has more valuable pieces than your opponent's. As you craft your quilt, you earn points in the form of buttons. So, not only do you get to put together a beautiful quilt, but you get rewarded for doing so! [3]
    • Duration: 15-30 minutes
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    That’s Pretty Clever! That’s Pretty Clever! (aka Ganz Schön ) is a fun, simple dice- and puzzle-based game that’s nonstop action. You only need 1-4 players, and everyone is against each other. If you’re looking for a game that’ll keep you highly engaged on date night, this is the one for you.​​ [4]
    • Duration: 30 minutes
  4. 4
    Onitama Onitama combines the move-and-capture aspect of chess with the unpredictable nature of cards for a fun, strategic game that gets everyone’s minds moving. The objective is to move 5 pieces across the board to capture your opponent’s Master pawn by using moves determined by cards and strategic piece placement. It’s perfect for those nights when you and your partner want to stimulate your brains with a little friendly competition! [5]
    • Duration: 10-20 minutes
  5. 5
    The Duke The Duke is a two-player game where opponents try to capture one another’s Duke by traveling across a gridded board, similar to a chessboard. Like chess, The Duke is a game that’s about strategy and focused thinking, which allows you to see how well your partner forms focused strategies when they’re in competitive situations (and vice versa). [6]
    • Duration: 10-15 minutes
  6. 6
    …And Then We Held Hands …And Then We Held Hands is a game where you and your partner are each dealt a certain number of cards based on different emotions. As you play, your objective is to use the emotion-based cards to fix a hypothetically broken relationship. This gives you the opportunity to see what your partner’s emotional values are, what your own emotional values are, and how they mesh, making it great for couples looking to go deep. [7]
    • Duration: 30-45 minutes
  7. 7
    Azul Azul is a tile-laying board game where each player must use the tiles to build an impressive mosaic that garners them points. The tiles are laid in quick succession, making Azul a fast-paced game that lets you go back and forth with your opponent and host a perfectly exciting date night. [8]
  8. 8
    EXIT EXIT is an escape room-style board game where you solve logic puzzles to determine where the exit is. From cutting the pamphlets to studying every little detail of the included puzzles, the EXIT game is a great option if you’re looking for a game that will take a good chunk of time while keeping you and your partner engaged all the way through. [9]
    • Duration: 1-2 hours
  9. 9
    Scrabble Scrabble is a fun, simple board game where you use lettered tiles to form words. As you form words, you rack up points, with the goal being to outscore your opponent. It’s a low-stakes, mentally stimulating board game that’s perfect if you and your boo are some Chatty Cathys (or just really into words). [10]
    • Duration: 1 hour
  10. 10
    The Couples Game That’s Actually Fun The Couples Game That’s Actually Fun is a board game where you answer a series of questions on a whiteboard to have some lighthearted fun with your partner. The questions are divided into 3 types: Match cards, Best cards, and Me and You. Each type of card allows you to learn a bit more about each other, from which memories you value together to how you’d draw your partner if only given a dry-erase marker. [11]
    • Duration: 30 minutes
    11. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Card Games for Date Night

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    We’re Not Really Strangers We’re Not Really Strangers is a popular question-based couples card game that’s intended to be as playful as it is intimate. The questions included in the deck give you the opportunity to get deep and reflective with your partner while keeping things lighthearted. [12]
    • Duration: Flexible (30 minutes-several hours)
    • If you’re looking to strengthen your connection with a new partner, this is the game for you, as it works its way up from icebreakers to deep reflection.
  2. 2
    The Fox in the Forest The Fox in the Forest is a card-based game where players compete to score a set amount of points before their opponent. You play tricks with the goal of winning as many as possible without going over a certain number of points. It’s a quick, strategy-based game for a night in, so go with The Fox in The Forest if you want to keep things relaxed. [13]
    • Duration: 15-30 minutes
    • Want to learn how to play The Fox in the Forest? Check out this guide here .
  3. 3
    Uno Uno is a popular card-stacking game where the goal is to empty your deck quicker than your opponent(s). Whether it’s just you and your partner or you’re on a double date, Uno is great for cutting the small talk and getting straight to action. [14] The deck is peppered with draw 4 cards, skips, reverses, and all types of other game-changers, making it a great option for those nights when you need some chaotic excitement. [15]
    • Duration: 10-20 minutes
    • Uno lets you see how your partner strategizes with the cards they’re dealt.
  4. 4
    Jaipur Jaipur is a card-based game where you compete with your opponent to gain more goods than they do, with the goal of becoming the Maharaja’s personal trader. You use the deck’s cards to form the market, then strategically buy and sell goods in the form of cards. Turns alternate, with the quick, cunning nature of the game allowing you to see how your partner thinks on their feet (and vice versa). [16]
    • Duration: 30 minutes
  5. 5
    Red7 Red7 is a color and number-based card game where value is determined by the colors of the rainbow and the numbers each card has. Like Uno, each player starts with 7 cards, working to gain the most high-value cards or the most cards for the current game rule (which is determined by the color of the top card in the discard pile). If you’re looking for an exciting game that’s more niche than games like Uno, go with Red7.
    • Duration: 5-30 minutes
  6. 6
    Where Should We Begin? Where Should We Begin? is a relationship-based card game inspired by relationship psychologist Esther Perel's podcast of the same name. [17] The game uses prompts and die rolls to get players to divulge personal stories. When played with 2 people, it gives both of you the chance to share playful, exciting, heartwarming, and intimate stories. Not only does this switch up the usual date-night talk, but it also helps spice things up, making it perfect for a night in or a night out. [18]
    • Duration: 45 minutes
  7. 7
    Let’s Get Closer Let’s Get Closer is a conversation-sparking card game that’s useful for getting to know your partner. The cards included in the deck are split into three levels: Close, Closer, and Closest. As the levels increase, the questions become more personal and intimate, gradually encouraging you two to open up. There are even wild cards thrown in that help soften any potential awkwardness! [19]
    • Duration: Flexible
    • The wild cards include fun, playful prompts like “Draw each other’s portraits.”
  8. 8
    Let’s Get Deep: Questions for Couples This couple-based card game is perfect if you’re looking for an opportunity to get deep with your partner. Let’s Get Deep: Questions for Couples is divided into three intimacy levels: Icebreaker, Deep, and Deeper, so choose which one works best for your relationship, alternate between who’s asking and answering, and take the opportunity to learn more about your partner! [20]
    • Duration: Flexible
  9. 9
    The Mind The Mind is a card game where you and your partner must play numbered cards in the correct rising order (1-2, 2-3, etc.) without communicating with your partner. The goal is to empty your hands to complete the levels in the deck, which go up to 100. It’s an exciting, mind-based game that lets you test your connection without communicating, making it a fun game for couples that are getting to know each other more deeply. [21]
    • Duration: 20 minutes
    10. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Public Activities for Date Night

PDF download Download Article
  1. Cornhole is a great way to encourage friendly competition in your relationship, making it a good choice for couples who are just starting to get comfortable with each other and for those who have been together for years. It’s a simple summertime game that’s easy to set up, too. All you have to do is set some boards 27 feet across from each other, grab some cornhole bags , and start tossing!
  2. 2
    Bowling Bowling is the perfect date night game if you’re looking for a blend of conversation and action. As the pins reset and you wait for the balls to return, you and your partner can engage in casual conversation, but once the ball’s back and it’s time to roll, you can get serious and show off your striking skills.
    • Duration: 20-30 minutes
    • The balance between conversation and action makes bowling a great date night game for all stages of a relationship!
    • If there’s ever a lull in conversation or you don’t have any new questions, focus on the game. It can help build some lighthearted tension and competition.
  3. 3
    Billiards Billiards (also known as pool) is a more intimate game, making it great for those date nights where you want to do a lot of talking. When you’re getting to know someone, a game of billiards gives you the chance to chat while you compete. Throw in a few flirty quips and help your partner if they’re struggling, and you’re golden!
    • Duration: 10-30 minutes
    • There are plenty of different versions of billiards you can play, too, so switch it up if things start to slow down.
  4. 4
    Darts If you’re out at a bar and need a fun, casual game to play, look for a dart board and get ready to throw . Darts give you the chance to be competitive, and when you’re drunk, they make for a night out filled with laughter and darts anywhere but the board (and fortunately, these days, many bars only have plastic darts to prevent injury!). It’s the perfect game for new (and old) couples who are trying to have fun during a casual night out.
    • Duration: 10-40 minutes
    • There are plenty of different types of dart games you can play, too, like 501, Cricket, and Around the Clock
  5. 5
    Mini Golf Mini golf is a great date night game if you’re looking for a balance between conversation and competition. In between strokes, you two can talk about whatever comes to mind. But once you get to the green, it’s showtime. This game will allow you to get a glimpse of your partner’s competitive side and what they’re willing to do to win, giving you the chance to experience each other in a different light.
    • Duration: 30-60 minutes
  6. 6
    Disc Golf Looking to enjoy the outdoors with your partner? Try out disc golf! It gives you and your partner the chance to exercise while you compete with one another. It also stimulates both of your brains, as you have to figure out what the best angles and speeds are for throwing the disc inside the goal. [23]
    • Duration: 1-3 hours
  7. 7
    Arcade Arcades are fun, casual opportunities to get to know how your partner reacts to challenges in various situations. How do they get when they’re kicking your butt in ski ball? Are they a sore loser or a good sport when you cream them in air hockey? As light as the situation is, arcades let you have fun while seeing your partner in a different light, making it great for a date night! [24]
  8. 8
    Escape Rooms Escape rooms are fun challenges where you must use hints around the room to escape, giving you and your partner the chance to put your heads together and figure out how to get out. It’s a great way to see how you and your partner work together, it doesn’t matter if you’re on a third date or your thirtieth year! [25]
    • Duration: 45-90 minutes. Varies depending on the escape room.
  9. 9
    Roller Skating Roller skating is a year-round activity that lets you show off in front of your partner if you’re skilled in the rink. If they’re also good with skates, you can show off tricks and dance moves for one another, making it a great date idea if you’re looking for a fun, low-stakes night out.
  10. 10
    Ice Skating Ice skating is a fun wintertime activity that could be great for you and your partner. Whether you two are just getting to know each other or have been together for years, ice skating gives you a chance to let loose on the ice, gliding (or falling) with your partner right by your side. It’s the perfect mix of exercise and fun for times when it’s too cold to do anything else outside, even if you aren’t the type to don the skates.
    11. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Other Date Night Games

PDF download Download Article
  1. 21 Questions helps you get to know the person you’re dating by having one person ask the other 21 questions that must be answered honestly. The questions tend to start lightheartedly before ramping up to romantic, deep, and intimate, allowing for a slow burn between you and your partner. It can be used to start a conversation, build your relationship, and learn more about your partner.
  2. 2
    Dungeons & Dragons Board, card, and dice game expert Jess Hamlet says, “D&D is a unique way to get to know people that you don’t know.” Campaigns tend to be low-pressure and low-stakes, but still a good time. Since you’re roleplaying, it also gives you the chance to re-create yourself and be who you want to be, making it easier to socialize with new people. [26]
    • In Dungeons & Dragons , players tend to be open-minded about you, your choices, and your characters, giving you the chance to build new relationships fairly easily.
  3. 3
    Jenga Jenga is a fun, exciting game where you and a partner compete to pull as many blocks out of a tower without making it fall. While classic Jenga is fun already, you can really spice things up by personalizing your Jenga blocks and making them specific to your relationship. For example, write a challenge to remake one of your favorite relationship moments on one of the blocks to bring back some good memories. [27]
  4. 4
    Would You Rather Would You Rather is a simple game where you ask the opposing player an ultimatum. These ultimatums are typically fun and lightly flirty, but can range depending on the type of relationship you two have. According to relationship coach Sven Loss, question-based games like Would You Rather help couples become familiar with each other, making it a great game if you’re in the early stages of dating. [28]
    • Example: “Would you rather give up kissing or give up every type of sauce?”
    • Example: “Would you rather travel 15 years into the future or 15 years into the past?”
  5. Never Have I Ever is an icebreaker game that allows you to know more about the person you’re dating, making it perfect for those early stages of dating. Everyone starts with five fingers up, alternating between who proposes the prompt. When it’s your turn, say something that you’ve never done that you suspect your partner has. The first one to put all of their fingers down loses!
    • Example: “Never have I ever blown up my favorite celebrity’s DMs.”
    • Example: “Never have I ever stalked a crush on Instagram.”
    • Keegan says asking questions and guessing things about people through observations is a great way to get to know them. [29]
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Are there any other two-player games we can play?
    Jim Dahl
    Game Expert
    Jim Dahl is a game expert and the founder of Triple S Games based in Salt Lake City, Utah. With over 11 years of experience, Jim runs the Triple S Games YouTube channel, known for creating concise, how-to explainer videos that provide the rules of a wide variety of different games. Their videos include board games, card games, and video games, and have been translated into 11 different languages. Triple S Games has also designed and released a few of their own games and offer a variety of chess board variations as well.
    Jim Dahl
    Game Expert
    Expert Answer
    There's also trading card games like Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, or Pokémon, but it's kind of niche. If you want something more abstract strategy, Abalone is great, you use marbles to push your opponent’s pieces off the board. If you want a deeper strategy, there’s Gops, also called the Game of Pure Strategy, where you play cards head-to-head for points.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      35 of the Best Two-Player Games for Couples or Friends
      The 30 Funniest Board Games for Your Next Gathering
      The 50 Best Two-Player Board Games You Can Play with Anyone
      40+ Best Party Games for Adults to Keep the Fun Going
      The 25 Best (and Spiciest) Drinking Games to Play as a Couple
      50+ Fun & Spontaneous Last-Minute Date Activities
      50 of the Best Games to Play with Seniors and Elderly People
      The Best Card Games to Try with Only 2 Players
      27 Co-Op Video Games for Couples
      50+ Conversation, Board, and Video Games to Play with Your Girlfriend
      17 Drinking Games for Just 2 Players
      Good Weeknight Date Ideas
      20+ Fun & Easy Games to Play With Your Boyfriend When Bored
      17+ Fun & Easy Late Night Date Ideas
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/-DvlVdeCPt4?si=Rr3zxH-QUYpQZcUv
      2. ↑ Our Family Plays Games. Board Game Experts. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/9BmxjEanvOg?si=zqaMAh7nFJMqSriW&t=7
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/mNjQOJ0jkE0?si=juTN5JNwau1xsnhH&t=14
      5. ↑ https://www.arcanewonders.com/eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Onitama-Rulebook.pdf
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/msWtSzLxcaE?si=j5FgGLG1Qq4-eCm_&t=45
      7. ↑ https://theboardgameshow.com/2016/07/18/game-review-and-then-we-held-hands/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/dXuucWGrFMQ?si=-F5vdZPsdhncpnCh&t=6
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/UGUqD19bg0U?si=R6E5AZdlYMzbkpDA&t=11
      1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/sports/Scrabble
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/qZ3o2RfczSw?si=SyTDlpSksYH19hKN&t=26
      3. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/relationship-games
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/wd8H0epJy9I?si=tbL-iLAjGqiRkXku&t=36
      5. ↑ Jim Dahl. Game Expert. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://www.unorules.com
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/ewr6uNYlZRk?si=yxDRiGdw9rSppQZe&t=2
      8. ↑ https://game.estherperel.com/products/where-should-we-begin-a-game-of-stories-2nd-edition?srsltid=AfmBOopj0_IivX2H-upI1MM1PVA0O4BWQKu4n1roh0kt4c-xvYmkqImW
      9. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/relationship-games
      10. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/relationship-games
      11. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/relationship-games
      12. ↑ https://youtu.be/uXl8MC0GMYE?si=9CJpGeuoi0bM2m_J&t=111
      13. ↑ Christa Innis. Event Planner. Expert Interview
      14. ↑ https://adventuremomblog.com/35-fun-adventurous-date-ideas/
      15. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/first-date-ideas
      16. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/first-date-ideas
      17. ↑ Jess Hamlet. Board, Card, and Dice Game Expert. Expert Interview
      18. ↑ https://chrisandmicaela.com/blog/best-two-player-board-games-date-night
      19. ↑ Sven Loss. Relationship Coach. Expert Interview
      20. ↑ John Keegan. Dating Coach. Expert Interview

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 59 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement