It can be challenging to find the right form of entertainment when you are going on a double date with friends. We’ve found that introducing a board game to a double date typically encourages a lot of conversation, creates good memories, and is an easy activity that can be repeated.
So we decided to put together a list of board games that are best for double dates. We made sure each game is highly rated, easy to play, and doesn’t cause anyone to get removed from the game too early (that’s never fun). To start us off, lets take a look at our Top 5.
The Top 5 Board Games for Double Dates
1. Ticket To Ride
In Ticket to Ride, players collect train cards that allow them to establish railroads between different cities. You earn points by connecting cities and the further apart the are, the more valuable they will be. The player with the highest amount of points wins the game!
This cross-country adventure game works with the home speaker system, Alexa. When playing with Alexa, a player only needs to say “Alexa, launch Ticket to Ride.” Alexa takes the players on a guided tutorial from setting the game up to the end of the game. So, you don’t have to sit and read the rules! It even allows players to play against Alexa.
Ticket to Ride is great for 2 to 6 players and since Alexa can guide you through the rules, it will help get you to the fun part of the game. It also actively encourages conversation which makes it a fun date night game.
2. King of Tokyo
King of Tokyo is a fun and fast-paced game for up to 5 players. You can play as different monsters, giant robots, and large alien-like creatures in an attempt to become the King of Tokyo.
On your turn, you roll six dice, which determine if you collect points, cause destruction, gain energy, or get some health back. In 3 dice throws, you choose to either keep or discard each die to combine various actions. The different combinations will allow you to either get the most points to claim Tokyo or knock out the other players to win.
We like King of Tokyo for double dates because it allows you to be competitive with each other but it’s still light hearted enough that it won’t cause anyone to get frustrated. It’s also fun to get to be a gigantic robot or a giant alien.
3. Forbidden Island
Forbidden Island is a collaborative card game by Gamewright. Strategic teamwork is crucial to play and win the game. It’s a race to the end because you and your teammates must take risks to find the lost treasures before the forbidden island sinks! It becomes a thrilling do-or-die adventure for the team to make it all the way through to the end!
Four items are considered the game’s lost treasures. They are the Earth Stone, the Statue of the Wind, the Crystal of Fire, and the Ocean’s Chalice. The members of each team must cooperate to achieve the goals of the game. The goals are to find the lost treasures before the Island sinks beneath their feet!
Forbidden Island allows for up to 4 players so it’s perfect for a double date. It requires a lot of communication as you must work together to collect the treasures.
4. Splendor
Splendor is a Renaissance Era game in which you are a merchant looking to acquire as many gems as possible so you can trade up for more expensive jewelry and gain the attention of the nobles.
If a player can attract these wealthy patrons, they’ll have an advantage over the other players such as permanent gems to use each round or prestige points. The first player to reach 15 prestige points, wins.
If you decide to play Splendor on a double date, make sure to grab a glass of win and cheese plate to really complete the night. It’s an easy and quick game to play so you can expect to play multiple rounds if you enjoy it.
If you want to learn more, check out our full review of Splendor.
5. Coconuts
Coconuts is a simple game for 2 to 4 players. It’s often a hit with a variety of age groups from young to old.
Players catapult coconuts from a monkey that’s facing them to cups arranged on a game board. If they can make it into a cup of their own, they can add it to their stack. Making it into one of their opponents’ cups means they can also use it in their stack.
You can force restriction on other players by playing a Monkey King Magic card such as shooting blindfolded or taking long shots. The first player that stacks a pyramid of six cups on his or her board wins the game!
Coconuts is great for double dates because it creates a lot of laughs and is more of a physical activity to get people up and moving.
How to Plan a Game Night for a Double Dates
Planning a double date doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just friends getting together with significant others and doing something fun. Something as simple as just going over to the other couple’s house can be acceptable, too. With the Coronavirus pandemic, most people want to avoid public places anyway. Here are some things to consider when you plan your game night.
- Pick a place where there isn’t going to be a lot of distractions to keep players focused on the game.
- If you play at someone’s home, consider turning on some music in the background. Avoid turning on the TV so players aren’t looking away from the game.
- Grab some drinks that are fitting to the game you are playing. If you are an adult and choose to have some alcoholic beverages, consider having something light if the game lasts a long time.
- For snacks, don’t pick anything too greasy or that can spill easily. Make sure to have some napkins ready to go as well.
- Make sure your seats are comfortable. No one likes siting for several hours and their backs hurting afterwards.
Other Great Board Games for Double Dates
Telestrations
Telestrations is a game full of fun for up to 8 players. All you need to play is a sense of humor and kindergartener drawing abilities.
It will get a lot of laughs on a double date.
Catan
Catan is a fun game that involves some strategizing and luck. It’s great for date nights because it’s easy to play, creates a lot of conversation, and typically lasts at least an hour.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a medieval era game inspired by the historic city of the same name. You can play with up to 5 players and it’s a fairly easy going game but has a lot of strategy when it comes to scoring points.
Villainous
Villainous is a fun game with classic Disney villains as main characters in the game. Your goal is to defeat the hero of your Disney villain. It’s great for up to 6 players if you have a third couple for your game night.
Codenames
Codenames is a word guessing game. One player gives the other a short clue to help the other agents guess the right words. If you get it wrong, you could lose your turn or even lose the game entirely.
Blokus
Blokus is a strategy game for 4 Players where you place pieces on the game board. It’s a very casual game so it can be good for a low key date night.
Pandemic
In Pandemic players collaborate to eradicate the illnesses that are continuously spreading. It’s everyone versus the board so you either win together or lose together.
Sushi Go!
Sushi Go is a “pick and pass” card game and the point of the game is to have the best combination of sushi dishes. The player with the most points is the sushi master and wins the game.
Azul
Azul is a game where players claim tiles and place them on their individual boards. It’s fairly competitive and god for up to five players.
Hanabi
Hanabi is a card game with a twist! Players receive five cards each. They don’t look at their own cards but rather their opponents’ cards. They share and remember the information to play the cards in the proper launch sequence. It’s a challenging game and is good for creating conversation.