Games for couples

Scratch cards and coupons for a quick, cheeky surprise

Kheper Games makes most of the small, pocket-sized games here. With the Let's F*ck scratch tickets or Oral Sex Scratch and Win, you scratch a panel and reveal a task. Nobody knows what's coming, which is half the fun. A round takes minutes, so they suit couples who want a spark rather than a whole evening of rules.

The honest downside is that a scratched ticket is used up. Think of them as a one-off treat or a playful gift, not a game you'll bring out every month.

Coupons work differently. You hand over a booklet, and your partner redeems each voucher whenever they like. That makes them lovely for anniversaries, Valentine's Day or couples living apart. They only work if the person receiving them actually cashes them in, so a shy partner may need a nudge.

Dice, cards and gift boxes

Sex dice are the easiest place to start. One die names an action and the other a body area. There's nothing to read and nothing to explain. After a few evenings the combinations start to repeat, though, and that's where card games win. Decks offer far more variety, and many are sorted by intensity so you can build up slowly.

Secretplay goes a step further with boxes like the Pleasures Box for Couples, which pairs dice with a feather pen and a small vibrating bullet. Everything is ready in one package, which makes it an easy present. If you already own a drawer full of toys, you're paying for extras you may not need. Wash the bullet with soap and water after use and cover it with a new condom if you share it, as NHS 111 Wales advises.

Massage Time, also by Secretplay, is a softer option built around touch. It's ideal for couples who want to slow down. Anyone hoping for something daring might find it tame, and our foreplay games sit somewhere in between.

Board games for a long evening in

The Monogamy game is the classic here. You move around a board through increasingly intimate levels, mixing conversation, flirting and tasks, and a full game easily fills an evening. It's best for settled couples who enjoy anticipation. You do need to read the rules first and set aside proper time.

Diverty Sex, a Spanish brand, offers a wide mix of board and dice formats. Check the language on the product page, as some games are printed in Spanish or several languages. For male couples, Pride's erotic game for boys is written with two men in mind rather than adapted from a heterosexual version.

Planning a night with friends instead? Couples games are designed for two, so party games are the better choice for a group.