5 Best Board Games for Couples: Date Night Guide | McMiLLER

My wife and I are always hunting for new board games, even though our shelves are currently screaming for mercy. For us, games are our go-to date night activity, our favorite way to unwind, and occasionally the reason one of us is upset at said date night.

Over the years, we’ve tried a lot of “couples games,” but these are the ones we keep coming back to!

So if you’re searching for great board games for couples, here are some of my wife and I’s all-time favorite two-player picks.

Let’s dive in.

Overview Best Board Games for Couples

• Top 5 Board Games for Couples
  • 1. Everdell Duo
  • 2. Lacuna
  • 3. Fire In The Hole
  • 4. The Cat Mitt Game
  • 5. Wavelength
• Valentine's Day Favorites
  • 7 Wonders Duel
  • Love Letter

The Best Two Player Games

We like to have games that can go with our mood, therefore these games range in complexity. Sometimes we want to sit down for 4 hours and really get deep into a game but other times we want something quick, easy to setup, and we could do another round in no time!

1. Everdell Duo

Speaking of 4 hour sessions! This cozy game let's you and your player two really choose your adventure. A lot of board games designed for two players only have the "duel" option which is fun but sometimes we want to just nestle up and dare I say work together but amazingly you can choose the type of gameplay you want. There's 3 modes to this game, Campaign mode, Competitive mode, and Coop mode. We usually play the campaign mode, you and your player 2 are duo mayors working to build a better town for your critters. Each Chapter in your campaign has a new goal to accomplish that really mixes up how you strategize and what mechanics to really focus on. This is a worker placement game and a real thinky one so get some themed snacks and get to it!

There is nothing better than a tabletop game with a 30-second setup. Lacuna is essentially Chess’s colorful, chill cousin. It’s an abstract strategy game played on a cloth mat where you place pawns to claim sets of colorful flowers.

It’s super simple but surprisingly deep, perfect for a "cozy game" night that doesn’t require you to spend an hour reading a rulebook. If you like elegant, low stress gameplay, this is the winner!

3. Fire In The Hole

We saw Pirates of the Caribbean and never got over it, so this game really let's you live out your pirate adventure in true board game fashion this time with some twists. In this eye popping pirate game you’ll play cards to fire cannons, steal cannonballs, or turn the ship to sabotage your partner’s lead. 

It’s a brilliant mix of dexterity and strategy, you actually have to aim and throw your felt cannonballs to win. It’s the perfect choice when you want a leveled playing field and a lot of "did you see THAT?!" moments, the pop up ship is so fun to unfold and such a clever game board!

4. The Cat Mitt Game

We have three cats, so a cat-themed game was mandatory. This really is the game for cat lovers! One person wears giant, ridiculous cat mitts and paws at a ball to get treats, while the other rolls "Meow Dice." As soon as those dice match and they shout "MEOW MEOW," they steal the mitts! It’s wild, it’s frantic, and our real cats usually watch us play with a mix of confusion and deep judgment.

5. Wavelength

A game for great minds to think alike! Without really testing your connection it shows how you and your partner think and how aligned you are in your beliefs.

You provide a clue to help your partner find a hidden target on a spectrum (like "Useless" to "Useful").

It’s hilarious when the prompt is "Good to Evil" and your partner gives the clue "Spaghetti" for a 10/10. It’s quick, easy to reset, and always leads to a debate that’ll have you both laughing.

Valentine's Day Board Games

We're for sure playing these this Valentine's Day! 

7 Wonders Duel

Nothing says romance like building competing civilizations! We love the big box version but the duel version is such a treat. I love when great games offer a 2 player only game because it usually saves time on setup and some overcomplicated rules for it just being the two of us (cue Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.). This game is all about resource management that helps you gain points. Also if you're feeling particularly feisty you can go on the offensive and invade the other players civilization!

Lover Letter

A more "on theme" board game. This card game is all about social deduction, your goal is to deliver your love letter to the Princess to win her favor first! In order to win favor you must have the card with the most points by the end of the round and continue until one player has enough favor for the princess! It's a fun medieval themed game for Valentine's Day.

Game Night is Date Night

At the end of the day, couples game night isn’t really about winning (even though we absolutely keep score). It’s about laughing too loud, getting a little competitive, and making a regular night at home something we actually look forward to. For us, having a few (too many) go-to two player games on hand is the easiest way to unplug, reconnect, and add a little playful chaos to date night.

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