Why should couples play games together. How can games improve intimacy and communication. What are the best board games for couples to play at home. Which drinking games can spice up date night. How can role-playing games enhance a relationship.

The Power of Play in Relationships: Why Couples Should Embrace Games

Incorporating play into your relationship can have a profound impact on intimacy and connection. AASECT-certified sex therapist De-Andrea Blaylock-Johnson, LCSW, CST, emphasizes the often-underestimated power of play within relationships. As adults, we tend to take ourselves too seriously, overlooking the benefits of imagination and playfulness.

Licensed psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist Megan Fleming, Ph.D., points out that adults often don’t give themselves enough space to play. The structure provided by various games, whether romantic, kinky, or somewhere in between, offers couples a chance to explore new territories they might not have considered otherwise.

How does playing games benefit couples? Games create a safe environment for curiosity and exploration. They provide guidance and direction, encouraging partners to try things they may not have thought of on their own. This structured approach to play can lead to enhanced communication, increased intimacy, and a deeper understanding of each other’s desires and boundaries.

Board and Card Games for Couples: Bringing Fun Home

Board and card games offer an excellent opportunity for couples to engage in playful activities at home. These games range from conversation starters to more intimate explorations, providing a variety of options to suit different comfort levels and interests.

1. Use Your Mouth

Recommended by Blaylock-Johnson, Use Your Mouth is a card game created by sexologist Shamyra Howard. It consists of conversation starter cards, making it ideal for couples looking to explore new topics and ask questions they might not typically consider. How can this game improve communication? By prompting discussions on unexpected subjects, it encourages partners to share thoughts and feelings they might not otherwise express.

2. Twister

For those seeking a more physical and playful experience, Blaylock-Johnson suggests revisiting the classic game Twister. This nostalgic favorite is guaranteed to get your bodies intertwined and help you stay present in the moment. Why is mindfulness important in relationships? Being fully present with your partner can strengthen your connection and increase overall relationship satisfaction.

3. Monogamy

Fleming recommends the bestselling Monogamy Adult Board Game for couples. With over 400 ideas for inspiration, this game is an excellent tool for breaking out of a sexual rut. How does Monogamy help couples? It provides a structured yet fun way to explore new intimate experiences and fantasies, potentially reigniting passion in long-term relationships.

4. Fog of Love

Fog of Love is a unique two-person board game that challenges couples to navigate a fictional relationship. Players create characters who fall in love and must work together to keep the relationship strong. Throughout the game, couples face various scenarios requiring communication, compromise, and decision-making. How does this game reflect real-life relationships? By simulating relationship challenges in a playful context, it can help couples practice problem-solving skills applicable to their own partnership.

5. 52 Weeks of Sexploration

This deck of cards, recommended by Fleming, offers a balanced mix of romantic and raunchy tasks for couples to explore throughout the year. The Sexploration Vouchers deck is divided equally between cute, romantic activities and more daring, intimate challenges. How can this game maintain excitement in a long-term relationship? By providing a variety of activities spanning an entire year, it encourages consistent effort in keeping the relationship fresh and exciting.

Drinking Games for Couples: Adding Spice to Date Night

Drinking games can add an element of excitement and spontaneity to date nights. However, it’s important to approach these games responsibly and ensure both partners are comfortable with alcohol consumption.

1. Kinky Confessions

Fleming recommends Kinky Confessions, a game that combines elements of Truth or Dare and Would You Rather. Playable with up to five friends or just as a couple, each card presents a “would you rather” prompt. If a player chooses not to answer, they must take a drink. How can this game be adapted for non-drinkers? The “forfeit” can be replaced with any agreed-upon action, making it versatile for all couples.

2. 20 Questions with a Twist

This variation on the classic 20 Questions game involves asking your partner questions about yourself rather than about them. For example, “What was the name of my high school?” If they answer correctly, you take a sip; if they’re wrong, they drink. How does this game enhance intimacy? It encourages partners to recall details about each other, potentially leading to conversations about shared memories and experiences.

3. Beer Pong with a Romantic Twist

For beer pong enthusiasts, this classic game can be adapted for couples by adding truth-or-dare-type questions or tasks under each cup. Arrange cups in a pyramid shape on either end of a table and place pieces of paper with prompts under each cup. When a ball lands in a cup, the opposing partner must complete the task or answer the question hidden beneath. How does this add excitement to the traditional game? By incorporating intimate or playful challenges, it transforms a simple drinking game into an opportunity for connection and exploration.

Role-Playing Games for Couples: Exploring Fantasies Safely

Role-playing games offer couples a unique opportunity to explore fantasies and scenarios in a safe, controlled environment. These games can range from lighthearted and fun to more intense and intimate, depending on the couple’s preferences.

1. Fantasy Scenario Cards

Create or purchase a set of cards describing various fantasy scenarios. Take turns drawing cards and acting out the scenes together. How can this game help couples discover new interests? By presenting a wide range of scenarios, partners may uncover desires or preferences they hadn’t previously considered.

2. Character Creation Workshop

Spend an evening creating detailed characters for each other to portray. Include backstories, personalities, and specific quirks. Then, engage in a role-play scenario where these characters meet and interact. How does this exercise foster creativity in relationships? It encourages partners to think outside their usual dynamics, potentially leading to new insights about each other and their relationship.

Communication-Focused Games: Strengthening Your Bond

Games that prioritize communication can significantly enhance a couple’s ability to express themselves and understand each other better. These games often involve deep conversations and active listening skills.

1. The Gottman Card Decks App

Developed by relationship experts John and Julie Gottman, this free app offers various decks of cards with questions and prompts designed to improve couple communication. How can this app be integrated into daily life? Couples can make it a habit to answer one question each day, gradually building a stronger foundation of understanding and intimacy.

2. Emotional Intelligence Challenge

Create a game where partners take turns describing complex emotional states without using obvious words. The other partner must guess the emotion being described. How does this game improve emotional intelligence? By encouraging partners to articulate and identify nuanced emotions, it can lead to better emotional understanding and support within the relationship.

Adventure and Exploration Games: Creating Shared Experiences

Games that involve adventure and exploration can help couples create memorable shared experiences, even without leaving home. These games often incorporate elements of problem-solving and teamwork.

1. Escape Room in a Box

Purchase or create your own escape room experience that can be played at home. Work together to solve puzzles and “escape” within a set time limit. How does this game strengthen teamwork? By facing challenges together, couples can improve their problem-solving skills and learn to complement each other’s strengths.

2. Virtual World Exploration

Use virtual reality technology or online platforms to explore new worlds together. Take turns guiding each other through different environments or completing quests as a team. How can virtual experiences enhance real-world relationships? Sharing novel experiences, even in a virtual setting, can create lasting memories and inside jokes that strengthen the bond between partners.

Customizing Games for Your Relationship

While pre-made games can be excellent starting points, customizing games to fit your specific relationship can make the experience even more meaningful and enjoyable.

1. Personalized Trivia

Create a trivia game focused on your relationship history, shared interests, and individual quirks. Include questions about memorable dates, inside jokes, and future aspirations. How does personalization enhance the gaming experience? By incorporating elements unique to your relationship, the game becomes a celebration of your shared history and connection.

2. Bucket List Challenge

Develop a game around your shared bucket list. Create cards representing different experiences or goals, then randomly select and plan how to achieve them together. How can this game inspire long-term relationship growth? By actively working towards shared dreams and aspirations, couples can maintain a sense of excitement and purpose in their relationship.

Incorporating games into your relationship can have numerous benefits, from improving communication and intimacy to creating lasting memories. By exploring different types of games and customizing them to fit your unique partnership, you can keep the spark alive and continue growing together. Remember, the key is to approach these activities with an open mind, a sense of humor, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re solving puzzles, exploring fantasies, or simply laughing together over a board game, the shared experience of play can strengthen your bond and deepen your connection.