When it comes to card-based games, many of us are very likely to be familiar with Apples To Apples, Uno, or (the more mature) Cards Against Humanity.
And though there’s nothing quite like letting your inner competitive-self out, for those who are looking to swap out points for collective self-reflection, conversation card games might be your jam.
Conversation cards have become a go-to icebreaker tool for people seeking ways to foster connection away from their screens.
Whether you’re planning a dinner night, team bonding exercise, or intend on using it as a self-reflection tool, conversation card games have offered people a framework to embrace humanity, vulnerability, and develop better conversation habits.
The best conversation card games ultimately challenge us to listen and empathize with ourselves and others. When played in a safe, affirming environment, we’re reminded how valuable it can be to courageously engage in hard conversations.
Conversation cards are one of the most entertaining and meaningful ways to stop and think about the world and people around us — and that’s when the magic happens!
We’ve scoured marketplaces, tested some of the coolest conversation cards in the game, and have ultimately curated a list of the best decks that we felt empower people to go out and do good in the world.
By the way, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Our favorite conversation card games for adults:
BestSelf Co.
Where to buy: BestSelf Co., Amazon
What’s good: Whether you’re looking for inspiration to impact the world around you (check out their Impact Deck), an entrepreneur who needs a little help stepping outside of their comfort zone (Courage Over Comfort Deck is the way to go), or a parent seeking ways to help their children feel seen and heard (the Little Talk Deck is so sweet), there’s a pack that helps you create meaningful life habits that empower you to go out and do good in your community and workspace.
In partnership with Feeding America, every purchase you make at BestSelf provides a meal to someone facing hunger — because lack of food shouldn’t be the reason anyone can’t go after their goals.
Details: The Icebreaker Deck (which is the one we tested) contains 150 conversation prompts that spark meaningful discussions and move you from small talk to real talk (perfect for the kitchen table or the conference room).
This deck comes packed with six different categories: life, random, deep, experience, if you could…, and would you rather…
- Packaging and design: The box is small and easy to grab, throw in your bag, and bring along to a dinner with your partner, family, or friends.
- Sample questions:
— What do you regret not doing when you were younger?
— What book have you read recently that you would recommend and why?
— Would you rather have a rewind or pause button on your life? - Why it’s special: We love how most of the questions are general enough that you could ask them again and get a different answer — especially with some of the deeper questions, the cards could present an opportunity for vulnerability with loved ones.
Other Notes: Though we did enjoy our experience using BestSelf, we want to flag a “would you rather” question that came across as ableist: “Would you rather not have arms or legs, and why?”
It’s important to us that companies remove such language from their products. We hope that BestSelf Co. considers removing this question and similar questions from future print runs.
Update: Within 72 hours, the Best Self Co. team read this article and reached out to thank us for pointing this out. They said they're already working to edit this deck and exclude this card from future print runs. We're glad to see them taking action so quickly.
→ Shop the Icebreaker Deck on Best Self Co.
→ Shop the Icebreaker Deck on Amazon
→ Shop all Best Self Co. decks on Amazon
Let’s Get Real Bro
Where to buy: Let’s Get Real Bro
What’s good: Described as “Cards Against Humanity meets your therapist,” Let’s Get Real Bro (LGRB) is geared towards dudes (but playable by all). They aim to create space for men to talk about their feelings, emotions, and masculinity.
Their focus on men’s mental health support doesn’t end with the card game. With every purchase, they donate $1 to support men’s mental health, as well as offering one free month of therapy from BetterHelp!
Details: This deck comes packed with 90 questions (separated into three levels), six dry erase cards, and markers. Players take turns selecting a card while others jot down their responses. The first player to get to three points wins.
Ideal for 1-6 players and for ages 17 and up, each game comes with one free month of therapy from BetterHelp.
- Packaging and design: Consistent with its bold (obsessed with their color scheme) and sleek branding, LGRB does a fantastic job of giving us all the necessary details to play in a straightforward way. Its compact box makes it easy to have on hand.
- Sample questions:
— What’s your internal gas tank at?
— Describe your emotional state in the last week as a weather pattern or landscape?
— What’s the first thing you feel/think when you hear the term “male privilege”? - Why it’s special: I enlisted my partner, Andy, for his honest feedback! Andy is not one to share intimate emotions in group settings, so I thought this would be a great case study!
Though admittedly it felt awkward and a bit foreign to him (at first) he appreciated that LGRB eased players into the game with funny and interesting icebreaker questions!
The dry erase boards, markers, and point system make it a little more like a game and relieves a lot of pressure for players who don’t traditionally have these kinds of conversations.
Other Notes: Mental health (just like our physical health) is so important. I think it’s great that companies like Let’s Get Real Bro are trying to destigmatize mental health for men. I fully intend to gift this pack to every male-identifying member in my family!
→ Shop the Let’s Get Real Bro deck online.
We’re Not Really Strangers
Where to buy: We’re Not Really Strangers, Amazon
What’s good: WNRS is an essential card game for any conversationalist who is sick of the same small-talk or gossip that dominates their relationships. It provides thought-provoking prompts that will resonate with almost anyone and encourages healthy vulnerability for all.
Developed by photojournalist Koreen, We’re Not Really Strangers (WNRS) was inspired by conversations and questions asked when she was in the field as a photographer.
Details: The original WNRS set includes 150 carefully crafted questions and wildcards and is ideal for 2-6 players. The cards are arranged into three sections to help guide your conversations, and a pad and two pencils are included in the box.
WNRS has expansion packs for the card game, too! Folks can look for the Couples Edition, Family Edition, or even the Self-Love Edition (which I recommend as a great journaling tool!).
- Packaging and design: WNRS has a very simple design, sticking with the brand’s signature white and red color scheme to allow for the simple goal of reading questions as a means to connect with someone new.
- Sample questions:
— Do I remind you of anyone?
— How do our personalities complement each other?
— How are you, really? - Why it’s special: My ideal hang-out is sitting on the couch with a cozy beverage and a friend, ready and willing to talk about my feelings. WNRS is an awesome way to invite people into conversation and community without it feeling weird or awkward.
→ Shop the We’re Not Really Strangers card game on their website
→ Shop the We're Not Really Strangers card game on Amazon
Other recommended conversation starter games and decks:
Actually Curious
Where to buy: Actually Curious, Amazon
What’s good: Actually Curious is a family-led, Black-owned socially conscious business using the science and psychology of emotional connection to teach the tools of active listening and empathy.
Their team drew references from psychologists, journalists, crisis negotiators, game developers, their parents, and friends to develop a game that centers around empathy while getting into important topics. Expansion packs include Happy Hour, Culture, and Human Rights.
Details: Based on the science of trust-building and emotional intelligence, this deck has four levels that help you get more vulnerable as you build trust.
The Curiosity Edition consists of 52 pocket-sized cards and is produced with ethical labor and a sustainable paper supply.
Sample questions:
— What are you willing to fight for and why?
— What makes you unique?
— Name three things you’re grateful for and why?
rosewell: Dinner Parties
Where to buy: rosewell
What’s good: rosewell is a woman-owned business focused on creating considerate, inclusive, and welcoming conversations around intimacy. This sustainably-printed deck makes zero assumptions on sexuality, gender, or preference.
Details: This beautifully minimal black and white set features a collection of 50 questions on emotional, intellectual, and physical intimacy.
Sample questions:
— How do your morals impact everyday life?
— What is something that comes naturally to you?
— How do you approach opposing opinions?
Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin - A Game of Stories For Couples
Where to buy: Esther Perel
What’s good: Created by therapist Esther Perel, (who you may know from her widely popular podcast “Where Should We Begin? With Esther Perel”) comes a card game that prompts conversations about stories we rarely share.
Details: This kit comes with 250 story cards, 30 prompt cards, and 12 tokens, and can be played with 2-6 players.
Sample questions:
— A person who doesn’t know they’ve impacted my life is …
— I’ve never shared the whole story about the time …
— The last thing I looked at that I wasn’t supposed to …
Flex Factory’s ReFlex #1
Where to buy: Flex Factory, The Lake
What’s good: This Black woman-owned small business seeks to create a conversation card experience that encourages refreshing banter and real connection through its ethically-made relationship-affirming decks. You can bust these cards out any time, any place, and with anyone (even by yourself as a self-reflection exercise).
Details: This water-resistant deck is for those who are sick of answering basic questions and want to go a little deeper. Complete with 49 prompts on love, life, death, politics, religion, career, and psychology.
TableTopics Original Edition Cube
Where to buy: TableTopics, Amazon, Uncommon Goods, Barnes & Noble
What’s good: TableTopics has been developing award-winning conversation starter sets for the last ten years (including a pet expansion pack that I fully plan on adding to my conversation cards collection).
With over 35 products sold in specialty stores across the U.S., Canada, and the world, they got almost every social situation covered for you!
Details: Their ‘Original Edition Cube’ card kit comes with 135 cards filled with fun, thought-provoking prompts created for adults, but appropriate for ages 12 and up.
Sample questions:
— Is it more important to be book smart or street smart?
— If you could have front row seats to any concert, who would you like to see?
— If you could give all human beings one virtue, which would you choose?
Notable Mentions:
- We've also heard great things about Let’s Get Closer by Intelligent Change.
- We linked to Amazon for accessibility, but absolutely encourage you to shop directly from game-makers or Amazon alternatives. We've also discovered many of these card decks at IRL and online bookstores.
- Want to start having deeper conversations faster? Play a couples question game via lists of online questions.
- Aren't ready for a deep conversation but still want to get to know someone? Start with this list of ice breaker questions or conversation starters.
- Lastly, check out Good Good Good’s curated lists of deep questions to ask — a great resource for any great conversation.
