Psychologists Say This Classic Card Game Can Bring You Closer To Your Partner

Created by renowned relationship psychotherapist Esther Perel, this is the game for couples that really want to go deep, says Giolitti-Wright. “It fosters vulnerability, understanding, and emotional intimacy.” There aren’t any 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…”

Read more: 32 Indoor Date Ideas

Couples looking to engage in more intimate discussions while building sexual tension will enjoy getting through Tease’s deck. The game’s 120 cards are broken into three categories: ‘Him’, ‘Her’, and ‘Connect’. Connect cards are conversation starters, while Him or Her cards are spicy prompts like, ‘Spell something raunchy on your partner’s body with your tongue and have them guess what it is.’ Each partner takes turns alternating between the Connect and Him or Her cards.

If you want to skip the conversation and get straight to the action, a set of naughty dice is perfect for instantly heating up date night. This set of three dice pairs a sex position with a location to help kick things into gear. You can use the dice to play just one round, or get adventurous and see how many pairings you can get through.

While this game is from the What Do You Meme? brand, it’s not a competition for who can dish out the funniest caption card for the designated photo. Instead, the game requires you to answer questions or complete an action from four different types of cards: ice breaker, deep, deeper, and activity. Since the questions vary in depth, Giolitti-Wright recommends this game for both new and long-term couples who want to enhance communication. You can draw from cards with more lighthearted asks like, “What’s one thing you can’t live without?” to deeper thought-provoking prompts like, “What’s the one thing you worry about the most?”

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. You can play for as little or as long as you like and—since dares change from game to game—as many times as you’d like, too.

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 the perfect opportunity to talk, have fun, and put your vocab skills to the test.

Our Moments has a cult-following from couples who swear this game has helped them intentionally carve out time to talk to one another. “A simple card-based conversation game with insightful and thought-provoking questions, it’s designed to help couples learn more about each other and strengthen their bond,” says Giolitti-Wright. FYI: There’s no naughty prompts—instead, the deck is filled with questions that may inspire change or reflection, like ‘Are you living your life purpose or still searching?’ or ‘How will relationships between men and women change in the next 25 years?’ Talking through the answers to those questions can provide more insight into your partner or where the relationship is heading.

While most games for two players require them to compete against each other, Codenames Duet requires you to work with your partner. The objective is to identify the names of secret agents using clues from the other person with the hope that, by working together, you’ll identify the names of all 15 secret agents. It’s a great game for enhancing communication and teamwork, Hargon says.

Giolitti-Wright recommends this card game because “it encourages meaningful discussions across five key relationship areas: family, intimacy, couple dynamics, past and future, and personal beliefs,” she says. It’s a great option for couples who may be thinking about taking their relationship to the next level, since there’s even questions that dive into future family dynamics, like “Would you give your child more or less freedom than you had growing up?”

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.

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 dice 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~. It’s a great choice for couples still in the early stages of their relationship, since it’s a light and fun option sure to spark some healthy competition.

The scratch-off feature in this book gives it a gamified vibe, making it perfect for tackling new experiences with your partner. Each page is filled with a mystery date idea that’s only revealed once scratched, and when that happens, you have to complete it—no complaints. “It encourages spontaneity, teamwork, and shared experiences that break routine and bring excitement back into the relationship,” Giolitti-Wright says.

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.) You can opt to make it naughty by engaging in some rounds completely naked (or oiled up if you’re both up for challenge)—just make sure your partner’s on the same page.

This viral card game has become a cult-favorite over the past few years, so there are several expansion packs available, including a couples’ edition. Each game is filled with prompts that inspire reflection on your time together, future goals, and more divided into three categories: Perception (Level 1), Connection (Level 2), and Reflection (Level 3). Levels get increasingly deeper, but each one can teach you something new about your partner, from how they really felt on your first date to what their intentions for your relationship are.

Play a game of Jenga with a twist, Hargons says. You can write down specific rules or even truth or dare questions on each block. But, you can also buy a version of the game like this one with frisky, pre-written sensual tasks, if you don’t feel like making up prompts of your own.

You can never go wrong with a game of Uno. This version of the classic card game comes with 16 dares in three categories—Family (lighthearted), Show-Off (dramatic, e.g. sing a song), and Daredevil (for the more venturesome, e.g. stand on one foot until your next turn). You can have a long-lasting one-on-one game, or invite another couple over for a fun double date.

Another popular game that can work for a one-on-one night or a couples’ date night 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 ‘Never Have I Ever’ ideas. Since this game is more light-hearted than others on this list, it’s a great choice for couples still in the honeymoon phase or those who haven’t defined their relationship yet and want to learn more about each other without getting too deep or serious.

Burrets recommends this game for couples trying to do the difficult work of managing a household or family together. “This ‘game’ helps couples become aware of any imbalances in the division of labor, and offers them a strategy to address them,” she says. It works using a set of cards that visually lays out what household tasks each partner is responsible for in a given week.

At the end of the week, partners get together to check-in and reset. To make it more fun, Burrets recommends turning these weekly check-ins into mini celebrations. “After a successful week where both partners feel they’ve contributed fairly to the workload and mental load, reward yourselves with a date night,” she says. “You can take turns choosing the date night, or even put date night ideas on popsicle sticks and pull them out as a surprise to you both.”

While video games get a bad rap, playing video games together can be a fun and meaningful way for couples to connect. “If it encourages teamwork, gaming can [also] help build communication and problem-solving skills,” Burrets says.

Fitness commerce editor Nicolette Accardi regularly uses her Nintendo Switch to find fun games she can play with her partner: “One game my boyfriend and I regularly go back to is Mario Kart—the competitive battles allow us to connect in a playful way that isn’t your typical romantic dinner, which can get boring after a while.” Other Nintendo Switch games that encourage friendly competition between couples include Just Dance 2025 and Nintendo Switch Sports. Just make sure you supplement your gaming with real-world experiences, and that gaming isn’t being used as a way to avoid real-life issues, Burrets says.