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Banish awkward conversations with these thought-starters. Board Game
It's a tale as old as time: You're sitting around the holiday dinner table, and conversation starts to flag. Suddenly, all you can hear is the clink of silverware against plates, or the soundtrack you chose for background music bursts into the foreground. Or worse, that one uncle or aunt who always brings up politics launches into, "So, what do we all think about..." and before you know it, everyone is arguing.
Or, maybe you're sitting in a doctor's office and the kids are getting antsy. Or you're on a first date and you want to know more about the person than their profile already told you. Or a long car ride is starting to feel even longer. There's a solution to all of these social snafus: conversation cards.
Conversation card games are decks of questions that are intended to get people talking about topics that are deeper than just "how was your day?" They can be thought-provoking, inspirational, funny or even a little NSFW if they're aimed specifically at couples. And they're portable, the right size to toss into a purse or a backpack or keep in the car or by the couch so they're always within reach when you need them.
Here, we've rounded up our favorite conversation cards that are perfect for any situation where you need to break the ice, stay out of dangerous conversational territory or a little bit of both. (They're also great for gifting, so make sure to pick up a few for this year's stocking stuffers or white elephant exchange.)
The title of this game says it all: Dive into conversation topics that are typically considered taboo, like whether your parents are still in love or whether you'd rather have more time or more money. It's a great icebreaker or party game.
One of the first and best-selling conversation card decks, TableTopics now sells a range of options, from decks tailored to family gatherings, couples, kids and much more. Start with the original, then add to your collection with a set that speaks to you.
Printed on classic playing cards, these conversation cards look just like any other deck until you take them out and look more closely. They're appropriate for just about any age or situation, so you can feel comfortable taking them out with a group of coworkers, family members or the kids' carpool.
This deck will get you going deep with your spouse, family, kids or anyone you want to learn more about. It has three levels plus wildcards, so you start off with softball questions and really get into it as you go. Some players said this deck is best for two players, so you can really get to know each other, but it works well for groups too.
RELATED: 40 Best Couples Gifts They'll Love
Perfect for parents, teachers, babysitters or anyone who wants to get kids chatting, this deck is designed for the littlest conversationalists. It can help bring even shy kiddos out of their shell and help keep busy bees focused and sitting still when they need to be on the quiet side. Grab a deck for the car, one for the classroom or anytime you'll need to keep kids' attention.
RELATED: The Best Teacher Gifts, According to Educators
If you typically get one-word answers when you try to get the kids to talk about their days at the dinner table, try these conversation cards to go deeper. With categories like "Get to Know You," "Family Time," "What Makes You, You" and "Fun & Random" there's plenty of fodder for chatter.
This conversation deck is designed to help couples navigate the sometimes-rocky minefield that can be the dating world — whether they've just started their journey or need a little refresh in their relationship. It encourages couples to reflect on their own needs, wants and priorities so they can determine their values as a couple, and grow closer as a result.
You may know Esther Perel from her popular podcast, Where Should We Begin? which lets listeners in on real couples' therapy sessions. If you want an even more hands-on experience, this card game will bring the deep talks to you. It's great for couples, but also works for friends, families or groups of coworkers.
Created to help foster empathy and active listening while getting into topics that might not come up organically, this deck is great for team-building exercises at work, helping older kids and teens learn how to talk about the tough stuff or sparking discussion at happy hour.
Let's get real: Men aren't known for talking about their feelings, but it's important for people of all genders to feel comfortable going deep. This game can help. It's designed to help dudes get talking, but anyone can play — just swap out the 10 gendered cards to suit your crew.
RELATED: The Best Gifts for Men That He'll Truly Love
Lizz (she/her) is a senior editor at Good Housekeeping, where she runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and long-form features and writes about pets, books and lifestyle topics. A journalist for almost two decades, she is the author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel. She also teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at New York University's School of Professional Studies and creative nonfiction at the Muse Writing Center, and coaches with the New York Writing Room.
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