These Twists On Classic Games Will Add Some Spice To Your Next Date Night

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While romantic date nights out have their time and place, sometimes, you're in the mood for something a bit more low-key. Yes, I'm talking about a date night in. The key to a good at-home date night, though, is creativity—and that's where a fun, romantic game might come in.

When you hear the words "games for couples," you might imagine strip poker, or a dirty advent calendar. But contrary to popular belief, not all couple games need to lead to sex. (Although they can get steamy, if you want...) There are plenty of romantic, PG-13 options that can help bring you and your partner closer together, or at least make for an interesting date night.

"Games trigger novelty, which can help you avoid a relationship rut," says Maggie Dancel, PsyD, a couples therapist who hosts the podcast Full Disclosure. Plus, playing games with your partner can be a fun way to learn more about each other.

You might opt to get deep with card games like We're Not Really Strangers, or keep it casual with Uno Dare. You can also heat things up with a hot version of Jenga or Adult Loaded Questions. Not to mention, you can always count on couples quizzes to discover more about your relationship. Regardless of the kinds of games you like to play, there's something out there for every couple (you too, video game lovers!).

Meet the expert: Maggie Dancel, PsyD, is a couples therapist who hosts the podcast Full Disclosure.

Ready to see your options? Read on for a list of 33 must-try games for your next romantic night in.

1. One Word, One Answer

If you want to go down memory lane, this is the game for you. Dancel says that, in couples therapy, she often asks couples how they met to remind them why they fell in love. Remembering the good times can not only remind you of why you made your person your person, but also “build connection and increase fondness for one another.”

To play One Word, One Answer, start with a word, any word. The other partner replies with another word that helps build on the sentence. The goal? Use the words and answers to tell your love story. Awww.

2. The Dating Divas

The Dating Divas are another one of Dancel's go-to game sites. The Dating Divas will send you a whole box of stuff you can do with your partner, as well as date ideas that come from all around the world. For example, their France box contains recipes to create your own Parisian picnic, French love notes to share with your partner, and more.

3. Sushi Go Card Game

For a laid-back game that's fun, entertaining, and a bit competitive, consider this popular card game. Not only does it go super fast, but it's easy to learn. The goal is simple: Collect as many cards as you can to create your "sushi meal." The player with the most points wins.

Bonus: The game pairs perfectly with takeout.

4. 36 Questions

These 36 questions were first published in a 1997 study. Six months later, two of the participants were married. Since then, the questions have been rumored to make people fall in love. A new question for couples: Can it make you fall more in love? The questions start light, then get a little more ~intense~.

5. 20 Questions

Learn about your partner’s favorite pop culture figures (or favorite anything). One person thinks of a famous person, and the other asks 20 "yes or no" questions to guess who it is.

6. Swap Blackout Poems

Do you have an artsy partner? Or do you ever wish you could get a chance to show off your creative side? Maybe you just want to pretend to be living inside a Shakespearean sonnet for a bit? No shame. Try making an erasure poem from a magazine article or a page of a book. All you have to do is use a Sharpie to black out (aka, erase) any words you don’t want in your poem.

7. Dare Duel

In Dare Duel, you take turns drawing cards and selecting words or phrases to create fun and romantic dares. Once you've created a dare, battle it out to see who will rise to the challenge. Because there are hundreds of different words and phrases to choose from, the combinations are almost endless, making every game unique.

8. The Gottman Institute Quiz

How well do you know your partner? It’s a question that the Gottman Institute is qualified to answer. The institute was founded by Dr. John and Julie Gottman, pioneers in the study of human sexuality. Combined, they’ve published over 200 academic articles on the subject and almost 50 books. Take their quiz to see if you really know everything about your partner.

9. Stare Off

This one's simple. To play, look into your partner’s eyes without blinking for as long as you can. Often, this leads to kissing, maybe ~more~. Play anywhere, any time.

10. Adult Loaded Questions Game

With 308 questions, how could you *not* learn something new about your partner? While there's no “winner” of the game, the lighthearted—and sometimes sexy—questions are sure to make for a good time.

11. Exploding Kittens

Do you happen to love kittens, laser beams, and goats? What about fast-moving card games? Yeah, same. Be sure to check out their NSFW edition card deck, too.

12. Copy Cat Movie

Want to mix up your movie night? Put on a rom-com or one of your other fave films, and act out a scene. While it can be something steamy, you can also just reenact your best "I'm Flying" scene from the prow of the Titanic (or, you know, your bed).

13. The Sing-Along Challenge

Start singing a song, then challenge your partner to continue with another song based on the last word you sang. It doesn't matter if you have a good singing voice! Not hitting every note just gives you something more to laugh about. Plus, this can offer great inspo for your next karaoke night.

14. The Couples Game That's Actually Fun

Just as the name promises, this game is a guaranteed good time. A variation on the Newlywed Game, you'll have loads of fun answering questions like, "Which movie reminds you of our story?" and "What would our celebrity couple name be?" You can also adjust the game's rules to play with another couple, in case you're hosting a double date.

15. Nexci Scrimish Card Game

A beloved card game, Scrimish is classic and fun. Each deck has 25 red and 25 blue cards. Work as quickly as you can to reveal your partner's crown card. If you can keep up and do it first, you win! The lightning-quick rounds help create a fun sense of competition between you and your partner.

16. Origami Challenge

If you’re looking for a way to do something creative together, origami can be a great pastime. No worries if you’re not already an origami expert: There are plenty of videos on YouTube that will walk you through how to get started. Once you get the hang of it, turn the activity into a fun game by making it a timed challenge.

17. Marriage.com Quiz

Marriage.com has pages and pages of quizzes to take with, or about, your partner. What is your couple personality, for example? Find out for free on their website.

18. Scrabble, But With a Twist

Bored of normal Scrabble? Try playing it with this twist. The person who completes a word first asks the other person to choose truth or dare. It’s is the perfect opportunity to talk, have fun, and put your vocab skills to the test.

19. Off Topic Adult Party Game

Get to know what’s on your partner’s mind with this adult party game. Draw a card to set the topics, and roll the die to set the letter that your responses must begin with. Flip the sand timer, and you're off! Warning: Your answers might get a little ~off topic~.

20. Quiz Each Other

This quiz is designed to be played with your partner. You can remember how you met, and what you always like to do together. If you want to get creative, you can always extend the game by creating your own questions at the end.

21. Twister

Just because you’re all grown up doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with Twister. In fact, it might be a little more fun now. (Wink, wink.)

22. Yes or No

This game is similar to two truths and a lie, but better. You can play with your favorite alcoholic drink or your favorite flavor of La Croix. You and your partner take turns asking each other questions. Taking two sips of your drink means "yes," and one sip says "no."

23. Karaoke

No worries if you don’t own a karaoke machine. If you want to enjoy singing with your partner, you can simply download a karaoke app on your laptop or search up your favorite songs on YouTube and enjoy belting out your favorite hits. Try Karafun, which is free to download and gives you access to their library of over 28,000 karaoke videos.

24. Guess The Movie

This is one of the easiest games that you can make yourself. Each of you creates a PowerPoint with screenshots from your favorite movies, then guess away! You might find your next flick for movie night.

25. We're Not Really Strangers

This viral card game has become a cult favorite over the past few years. There are several expansion packs available, too: the relationship edition pack is literally designed for a romantic, intimate game night with your S.O.

26. Jenga

Play a game of Jenga with a twist. You can write down specific rules or even truth or dare questions on each block. You can also buy a version of the game like this one with pre-written ideas, if the thought of making up prompts of your own feels too lofty.

27. Uno

You can never go wrong with a game of Uno. This version of the game comes with 16 dares in each category. You can have a long-lasting one-on-one game, or invite over some friends to join in.

28. Take the 16 Personalities Quiz

Maybe you've heard people describe themselves as INFJs or ENTPs, but had no idea what they were talking about. Those letters are basically a description of one's Myers-Briggs personality type, and there are 16 different possible combinations. See where you and your partner are compatible by taking the quiz and talking through the results. You never know how it might improve your communication or basic understanding of one another.

29. Game That Song

If you like the idea of playing "Name That Tune," you will love this game. All you have to do is pose a question, play a song, and vote the winner. Easy, right?

30. Never Have I Ever

Another popular game that can work for a one-on-one night or a party is Never Have I Ever. This version comes with 88 questions and five blank cards so you and your partner can get creative. Or, turn the heat up with these ideas.

31. Two Truths And A Lie

See how well your partner really knows you by starting up a game of Two Truths And A Lie. You can try to trick each other by changing the slightest details to see who will catch on. It's a great way to get to know each other, especially if your relationship is in the early stages.

32. Where Should We Begin?

Created by renowned relationship psychotherapist Esther Perel, this is the game for couples that really want to go deep. There are winners, or losers: just take turns exchanging prompts with answers you've likely never delved into before, like "Something that I grew up thinking was normal but isn't is..." or "A text message I fantasize about sending is..."

33. Video Games

Yes, playing video games can be romantic, too. It's a great excuse to channel your competitive side while snuggling up with your partner. You can use anything from your partner's Xbox to your Nintendo Switch. Either way, the options are pretty much endless.

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