9 Fun Games to Play on Paper for Two People

All you need is a pencil, a sheet of paper, and a second person to have a good time. These classic pencil-and-paper games are quick to learn, easy to play, and perfect for passing time at home, in class, or on the go. Whether you want something a little competitive or just something fun to do together, this list of games to play on paper for two people will have something for you and a friend.. and you need nothing to play.

1. Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe is one of the easiest and most recognizable paper games out there. It’s perfect for younger kids but still fun for adults who enjoy fast-paced thinking. Games are short, so it’s great for multiple rounds or quick play when time is limited. You only need a pencil and paper to get started.

How to play:

1. On a blank piece of paper, draw a 3×3 grid of squares—three rows and three columns.
2. One player uses X and the other uses O.
3. Take turns placing your symbol in any empty square.
4. The first player to get three of their symbols in a row, either across, down, or diagonally, wins the round.
5. If all nine squares are filled without a winner, it’s a tie. Erase or draw a new grid to play again.

2. Dots and Boxes

This game starts simple but gets more strategic the longer you play. It’s great for people who enjoy slow-building competition and tactical thinking. You can make the game longer or shorter by adjusting the size of the dot grid.

How to play:

1. On a blank piece of paper, draw a grid of dots, such as 6 rows and 6 columns.
2. Take turns drawing one straight line between any two dots that are next to each other. Lines can be vertical or horizontal, but not diagonal.
3. If you complete the fourth side of a square, write your initial inside the box and take another turn.
4. Keep going until all boxes are filled.
5. The player with the most completed boxes at the end wins.

3. Hangman

Hangman is a word-guessing game that combines spelling with logic. It’s a classic for a reason and easy to play with just one sheet of paper. This one is especially fun for kids learning vocabulary or spelling.

How to play:

1. One player thinks of a word and draws a blank line for each letter in the word.
2. The second player guesses letters one at a time.
3. If a guessed letter is correct, write it in the appropriate blank spaces.
4. If the guess is incorrect, draw one part of a stick figure (head, body, arms, legs, etc.).
5. The guesser wins if they complete the word before the full stick figure is drawn. If not, the other player wins.

4. Categories (Scattergories Lite)

This game is fast-paced, fun, and a great way to challenge your memory and creativity. It works well with older kids, teens, or adults. All you need is a paper with a few categories written out and a letter to get started.

How to play:

1. At the top of a blank sheet of paper, write down 3 to 5 categories such as Animal, Food, Country, or Movie.
2. Pick a random letter of the alphabet.
3. Set a timer for 60 seconds.
4. Both players try to write one word for each category that starts with the chosen letter.
5. After time runs out, compare answers. Unique answers earn one point each. Same answers earn nothing.
6. Add up points and play another round with a new letter.

5. Word Ladder

This game is simple to explain but gets challenging quickly. It’s a word puzzle where each player transforms one word into another by changing just one letter at a time. Great for improving vocabulary and logic.

How to play:

1. Write a starting word on the paper, like “cold,” and an ending word beneath it, like “warm.”
2. Take turns changing one letter at a time to create a new valid word.
3. You must form a real word with every step. No skipping letters or rearranging.
4. The first player to complete the ladder wins. Or just play cooperatively to solve it together.

6. Sprouts

Sprouts is a lesser-known game but surprisingly strategic. It’s perfect for people who enjoy drawing and logical thinking. It starts off easy but becomes more complex as you go.

How to play:

1. On a blank sheet of paper, draw 3 to 5 dots spaced apart.
2. Players take turns connecting any two dots with a single line, then placing a new dot somewhere on that line.
3. You can connect a dot to itself, but no lines can cross, and each dot can only have a total of three lines connected to it.
4. The last player who can make a legal move wins.

7. Battleship (Paper Version)

This game adapts the classic board game to paper form. It’s a bit more involved but still easy to set up with two sheets of paper and some imagination. Perfect for players who like hidden strategy and guessing games.

How to play:

1. Each player draws a 10×10 grid, labeling rows 1–10 and columns A–J.
2. Secretly place your ships by shading boxes:
   • One ship of 5 squares, one of 4, two of 3, and one of 2. Ships can be vertical or horizontal.
3. Take turns calling out coordinates to “fire” at the opponent, such as “C5” or “H7.”
4. The opponent responds with “hit” or “miss.” When all squares of a ship are hit, say “you sunk my ship.”
5. The first player to sink all of their opponent’s ships wins.

8. Connect the Phrase

This is a silly storytelling game that’s more about fun than competition. It’s perfect for people who enjoy word games and creativity. The sentences often spiral into nonsense, which is half the fun.

How to play:

1. One player writes a single word on the paper to begin a sentence.
2. The second player adds one word to continue the sentence.
3. Keep taking turns, each player adding one word at a time.
4. When the sentence feels finished—or ridiculous—read it aloud.
5. There’s no winner or loser here, just creative chaos and laughter.

9. Blind Drawing Challenge

This game turns simple drawing into a comedy show. One person describes an object while the other tries to draw it with their eyes closed. It’s easy to set up, perfect for a laugh, and works with any age group. There’s no winner or loser, just goofy results and a good time.

How to play:

1. One player secretly thinks of an object, like “a fish riding a bike.”
2. The second player holds the pen ready and closes their eyes or turns away from the paper.
3. The first player describes how to draw the object, step by step.
4. The blindfolded player draws based only on those instructions.
5. When finished, reveal the drawing and swap roles.