12 Great Games for Your Valentine
Valentine’s Day is just a few days away.
So there’s no time to waste in finding something to give your sweetheart.
Of course, if you’re on this board game site, odds are high that you’re looking for something game related.
With that in mind, here are 12 suggestions of fun board games and cards games to play with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day.
1. Love Letter
Of course, the first game on this list is the super popular card game, Love Letter. It’s got “Love” right in the title. While playing as a 2-player game is possible, it’s much more fun with a full 4 players. So grab another couple for a double-date and break out Love Letter.
The game was first published in 2012 and because of its popularity there are now many different versions to choose from. Our favorite is Love Letter: The Hobbit.
See our review of Love Letter: The Hobbit.
2. Splendor
The first dictionary definition for “Splendor” is, “brilliant or gorgeous appearance; magnificence”. And isn’t that what you think of your sweetheart? It’s magnificent being together!
In Splendor, players use colorful gems to collect a variety of cards that generate even more gems as they work up to gain the most victory points. It’s a light and fun set collection game that couples can enjoy playing together.
See our video review of Splendor.
3. Magic Minds
Do you and your sweetheart think alike? Are you an ace when it comes to reading their mind? In Magic Minds you’ll get the chance to find out. It’s a 2-player deduction game where each player secretly chooses a square on their board and then tries to guess the other player’s square before their own is discovered.
It’s quick 2-player game you’ll be drawn to play over and over again.
Watch our video review of Magic Minds.
4. Word on the Street
Word on the street is that you two are madly in love. Ok, so maybe we haven’t heard anything about you specifically, but for those word-loving couples, Word on the Street is a great game to play together.Players compete to get a number of letters off their side of the board by coming up with words that use those letters.
We know it’s categorized as a party game because it’s a great team game. But it’s also great for playing with just two people.
Watch our video review of Word on the Street.
5. Can’t Stop
When you’re lucky in love, you want that feeling to last forever. Both of you wish it would never stop. Well, how about testing how lucky you both really are in Can’t Stop?
In Can’t Stop players press their luck with lots of dice rolling– choosing whether to press on after each roll or not. It’s also a great game to test how risky your sweetheart is. Do they take it slowly or go for broke every time?
Watch Caleb’s video review of Can’t Stop.
6. Lanterns: The Harvest Festival
Wouldn’t you love your wedding day to be a festival of lights? Well, why not take a page out of a Chinese book and go with a game themed around the Lantern Festival.
In Lanterns: The Harvest Festival players place lantern tiles on the lake and watch the colorful festival unfold. They also claim lantern cards along the way which they exchange as sets for victory points. And it’s fun to play with just two people.
Read our review of Lanterns: The Harvest Festival.
7. 10 Days in the Americas
Now that you’re married, it’s time for that wonderful honeymoon! How about a 10-day trip throughout the Americas?
In 10 Days in the Americas players chain together a trip spanning multiple countries. The first to complete their 10-day itinerary is the winner. And don’t worry if you don’t live in the Americas, there are also “10 Days” game for Europe, Africa, and Asia.
See our review of 10 Days in the Americas.
8. Kahuna
Of course, there’s also another way to spend your dream honeymoon – with some tropical island hopping! Or better yet, how about taking control of complete islands?
Kahuna is a 2-player game played over a series of 3 rounds – with scoring taking place at the end of each round. The player controlling the most islands when those moments occur will score points. The player with the highest score after the third round wins the game.
Read our review of Kahuna.
9. Karuba
Well, maybe a direct confrontation over control of tropical islands isn’t what you’d prefer to do with your sweetheart. How about instead you race for treasure in the jungle?
In Karuba, there isn’t direct confrontation on a central board. Instead, each player has their own board on which they place tiles to create paths through the jungle for their adventurers to follow. It’s more of a puzzle game. And the player who creates the most efficient pathways will score the most valuable treasure and win the game.
Watch Trevor’s video review of Karuba.
10. Hive
Once you’re back from your honeymoon, you can start building your own Hive.
Actually, the great 2-player game Hive doesn’t have anything to do building your family hive. Hive is all about outmaneuvering your opponent using various insects to surround their queen bee. The tiles are so durable you can play Hive almost anywhere.
Watch our video review of Hive.
11. 7 Wonders Duel
Don’t get me wrong in listing a game with the name “Duel” in the title. It doesn’t mean you should get in a fight with your sweetheart. Instead, 7 Wonders Duel is a fantastic new card game for 2 players.
Built on the popularity of one of our favorite card games, 7 Wonders Duel uses the same iconography and basic principles of building up your civilization through various types of cards. But the game play is tailored specifically for 2 players.
Like with most 2-player games, it’s going to be a battle between the two of you for victory.
Our full review of 7 Wonders Duel is still on the horizon.
12. Forbidden Island
Rather than end on a dueling note, we’re going to wrap up this list with a fun cooperative game. Rather than competing for victory, in Forbidden Island you and your valentine can work together to beat the game.
You’ll have to work fast because the island is sinking all around you. Get the treasure and get out before the treasure, you and your sweetheart are lost forever.
See our video review of Forbidden Island.
We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with the one you love!
“and then we held hands” is another game I was contemplating for my husband for Valentine’s Day.