9 Playful Texting Games To Try With Your Partner

Technology means distance doesn't have to stop a relationship from feeling vibrant and fulfilling, but that doesn't mean you can coast without any creativity to keep things interesting. Texting games help preserve the playful energy every relationship needs, though it's not always easy to come up with fresh ideas within the confines of a text thread. If you've hit a creative wall and want to add some spark, try one of these texting games the next time you message your partner.

1. 20 Questions

This timeless game relies purely on questions, and it actually gets more interesting when neither of you can give anything away through a quick response or facial expression.

You can customize the text version by choosing a theme like "my favorite book" or "the first artist I saw live," which helps you learn more about each other along the way. Playing after dark? Pick a spicier category like "sex position" or "fetish" for a more charged exchange.

Related: Over 101 sex positions to try and a further 114 couples quiz questions

Also: 69 dirty questions to ask your partner.

2. Sexy Storytime

This flirty game might work better over email or Facebook messaging, though it really depends on how elaborate you want to get.

That said, if this is new territory for you, starting over text is a good way to test the waters. Since long-distance couples can't always connect face-to-face, you and your partner can trade sexy stories describing exactly what you'd do together if you were in the same room. Kick it off with something like, "If you were here right now, we would be sharing a bottle of champagne in a warm bubble bath."

Toss in a photo of the bath scene with a little skin for extra visual detail. Ask what he'd want to do next and keep trading sexual fantasies from there. Beyond the fun in the moment, this can surface new ideas to try in bed and even improve your sexual compatibility once you're reunited.

3. Guess What I'm Wearing

Depending on your mood, this game can go sweet or sexy. In the sweet version, describe your cute work outfit or cozy loungewear, or test how well he knows your style by guessing what you'd wear to the gym or a party. In the naughtier version, challenge him to guess your entire outfit, underwear included.

Or take it further: text him while wearing a sexy new nightie (tips on choosing the perfect lingerie) or nothing at all. Whoever guesses correctly gets a photo as proof. This works best done piece by piece, building a bit of teasing suspense along the way.

Related: How to send a sexy selfie.

Since most men aren't exactly fashion experts, throw in a few hints to help — something like "I wore it on our first date" or "it's the same color as my eyes." For outfit inspiration, check out this guide on how to dress sexy along with our tips on how to be hot.

4. Kill-Bang-Marry

This flirty classic can actually reveal a lot: one person names three celebrities, and the other decides who to kill, who to "bang," and who to marry. It might spark a little jealousy, but treat K-B-M as a window into what he's genuinely drawn to.

Learn: How to deal with jealousy.

For instance, if he consistently picks "bang" for celebrities known for their bad-girl energy, you might lean into that same vibe the next time you want to turn him on.

More: 9 turn ons for guys.

Give it an intellectual twist by moving beyond pop culture into politicians, authors, artists, or scientists. Example: Einstein, Isaac Newton, or Charles Darwin?

5. Never Have I Ever

It sounds like an odd fit for texting, but Never Have I Ever is essentially a question-and-answer game already. Traditionally, each player starts with five fingers raised, and someone kicks things off with "Never have I ever…" followed by something they haven't done.

Say the first player says "Never have I ever given a blow job" — anyone who has done that puts down a finger. Whoever runs out of fingers first loses.

To keep the mystery alive over text, one person proposes "Never have I ever done xyz…" and the other simply replies with "Five fingers" or however many they currently have up. You can also send photo replies via text or Snapchat showing your remaining fingers.

We've put together a list of 51 dirty never have I ever questions to get you started.

6. Lyric Loving

If music is a shared passion, test each other with a Guess the Lyric game over text. It's especially fun in newer relationships where you're still discovering each other's taste, though even longtime couples can spice it up by trying to communicate using only song lyrics once you've both gotten good at it.

This game opens up more creative conversation and builds mental links that make certain songs remind him of you every time he hears them. This sex songs playlist is a great source of inspiration.

7. Roleplay

This game doesn't have to get explicit, though it certainly can if you're both in the mood! Try sprinkling in some of these filthy dirty text messages.

Roleplay can also just mean stepping into a different persona to show off a playful, unexpected side of yourself. It doesn't need to be based on a real person, either.

For example, play a catty, gold-digging Beverly Hills housewife while he plays your doting, wealthy husband. Bonus points for dressing the part and sending pictures to really commit to the bit.

Another sweet spin on roleplay texting is imagining yourselves as a couple further down the road. Talk about shared fantasies or how much you're loving some future accomplishment, whatever gets him picturing a future with you. It's also a subtle way to check whether you're aligned on where things are headed.

Here's 43 red-hot erotic role play ideas to get you thinking.

8. Guess The Body Part

The human body manages to be sexy, strange, and a little gross all at once, which makes "Guess the Body Part" one of the more unpredictable texting games. It sounds like it should be obvious, but a well-angled photo can easily obscure things.

Extreme close-ups keep the guessing game alive, or crop the photo so key context is missing. On Snapchat, setting a 1-3 second timer forces a quick glance only, ramping up both the difficulty and the fun.

Bonus points for choosing one of these sensitive erogenous zones.

9. Scavenger Hunt

This game leans heavily on photos and works best when one or both of you is out and about.

For instance, if he's running grocery errands, text him a challenge like "find my favorite cereal" or "find the cheapest item in the store." Since this can get time-consuming or tricky, try a more abstract spin instead, like asking him to "find something that reminds you of me" or "find an object that matches your mood."

This turns ordinary errands into something more entertaining, and keeps you on his mind throughout the day.

Just like in-person sex games and sending sexual text messages, balance matters here. Playfulness is a healthy, fun way to bond and make him miss you when you're apart, but…

Don't fall into the trap of playing games constantly just because ordinary texting starts to feel dull by comparison.

You still need room for regular, meaningful conversations if your relationship is going to have real depth.

One risk with games and playful banter is the higher chance of miscommunication. Without a foundation of straightforward, serious communication too, that miscommunication can escalate into an argument or, at minimum, leave you both confused. The takeaway: there really is such a thing as too much fun.

Related: Tips for improving your sexual communication.

April 18, 2022