valentines day long distance LDR couples games virtual date relationship valentines day ideas

14 Valentine's Day Games for Long Distance Couples (2026) - Best LDR Date Ideas

Planning Valentine's Day apart? These 14 games keep LDR couples connected - from the viral Paint Your Partner challenge (100k+ couples!) to cozy co-op adventures. Free options included!

•
9 min read
•
Artbitrator Team
Long distance couple playing Valentine's Day games together online

Valentine’s Day When You’re Miles Apart

You’re in a long distance relationship. Video calls get repetitive. Watching movies “together” feels like watching alone with commentary. You need activities that feel like actually doing something together.

Games solve this. But not all games work for couples. You need something that:

  • Works online (obviously)
  • Is fun with just 2 players
  • Creates shared experiences, not parallel play
  • Doesn’t require one person to be way better than the other

We’ve tested dozens of options. Here are the best games for long distance couples in 2026.

Valentine’s Day is hard enough in a long distance relationship. Video calls get repetitive. Watching movies “together” feels like watching alone with commentary. You need activities that feel like actually doing something together.

These 14 games solve that problem - tested and ranked for LDR couples. Whether you have 15 minutes or a full evening, there’s something here for your Valentine’s Day.

🎨 Best Drawing Games for Valentine’s Day (LDR-Friendly)

Drawing games are perfect for couples because skill doesn’t matter. Bad art is often funnier than good art - and nothing says “I love you” like a hilariously terrible portrait.

1. Paint Your Partner Challenge ❤️ (Top Pick for Valentine’s Day)

What it is: You and your partner simultaneously draw portraits of each other, then reveal them together.

Why it’s perfect for LDR:

  • Takes 10-15 minutes
  • Creates hilarious memories
  • No artistic skill required
  • The worse you draw, the funnier it is

How to play long distance: Use PaintYourDate.io - we built it specifically for this. Create a room, share the link, draw together in real-time, reveal simultaneously.

Best for: Quick virtual dates, TikTok content, breaking the video call monotony

👉 Try Paint Your Partner Free

2. Artbitrator ❤️

What it is: Multiplayer drawing game where AI judges (Bob Ross, Picasso, Dalí) guess and commentate on your drawings in real-time. Perfect for competitive couples on Valentine’s Day!

Why it’s perfect for LDR:

  • Competitive but fun
  • AI voice commentary adds entertainment
  • Multiple game modes
  • Works with just 2 players

How it works: You both get the same drawing prompt. Race to make the AI guess your drawing first. The AI literally talks to you while you draw, making guesses and comments.

Best for: Couples who enjoy friendly competition, longer game sessions

👉 Try Artbitrator Free

3. Gartic Phone

What it is: Telephone game meets drawing. Write a prompt, someone draws it, someone else guesses the drawing, repeat.

Why it works: Hilarious miscommunication chains. Best with 4+ players though.

Limitation: Really needs more than 2 people to be fun. Invite other couples for a double date.

4. Skribbl.io

What it is: Classic draw-and-guess game. One person draws, others guess.

Why it works: Simple, free, browser-based.

Limitation: Turn-based means waiting. Less engaging with just 2 players.

🎮 Best Co-op Games for Valentine’s Day (LDR Couples)

When you want to work together instead of compete. These are perfect for a longer Valentine’s Day date night.

5. It Takes Two ❤️ (Best for Valentine’s Day Date Night)

What it is: Co-op adventure designed specifically for two players. You play as a couple trying to fix their relationship (meta, right?).

Why it’s perfect for LDR:

  • Literally designed for couples
  • Story-driven with emotional moments
  • Varied gameplay keeps it fresh
  • About 12-15 hours of content

Cost: ~$40, but one copy works for both players (Friend’s Pass)

Best for: Couples who want a longer shared experience

6. Stardew Valley (Multiplayer)

What it is: Farming sim where you build a life together.

Why it works for LDR:

  • Relaxing, low-pressure
  • Build something together over time
  • Can play for 15 minutes or 5 hours
  • Cozy vibes

Best for: Couples who want an ongoing shared project

7. Overcooked 2

What it is: Chaotic cooking game. Work together to run a kitchen under time pressure.

Why it works: Tests your communication. You’ll either strengthen your relationship or discover fundamental incompatibilities.

Warning: May cause arguments. In a fun way. Usually.

8. Portal 2 Co-op

What it is: Puzzle game where you solve physics-based challenges together.

Why it works: Requires actual teamwork and communication. Very satisfying when you solve puzzles together.

Best for: Couples who enjoy problem-solving

🎉 Best Casual/Party Games for LDR Couples

When you want something lighter for Valentine’s Day.

9. Jackbox Party Packs

What it is: Collection of party games - trivia, drawing, word games.

Why it works: Huge variety. Some games work great with 2, others need more people.

Best 2-player Jackbox games:

  • Quiplash (funnier with more, but works with 2)
  • Drawful (drawing + guessing)
  • Fibbage (bluffing game)

How to play: One person hosts and screen shares. Other person joins via phone.

10. Board Game Arena

What it is: Digital versions of hundreds of board games.

Why it works: If you have a favorite board game, it’s probably here. Free for many games.

Best for 2 players:

  • 7 Wonders Duel
  • Patchwork
  • Lost Cities
  • Carcassonne

11. Chess.com / Lichess

What it is: Online chess.

Why it works: Classic for a reason. Can play live or correspondence (one move per day).

Best for: Couples who enjoy strategy and don’t mind one person being better

⚔️ Best Competitive Games for LDR Couples

When you want to destroy each other (lovingly) this Valentine’s Day.

12. Mario Kart (via Parsec/Steam Remote Play)

What it is: Racing chaos. Blue shells. Relationship tests.

How to play remotely: One person owns the game, uses Parsec or Steam Remote Play to share.

Warning: May cause temporary hatred. The blue shell doesn’t care about your love.

13. Civilization VI

What it is: Turn-based strategy. Build empires across history.

Why it works for LDR:

  • Can play asynchronously (one turn at a time over days)
  • Or live sessions
  • Deep strategy discussions

Best for: Couples who enjoy long-term planning and occasional betrayal

14. Rocket League

What it is: Soccer with cars. Sounds weird. Incredibly fun.

Why it works: Can play together against others (co-op) or against each other.

Learning curve: Steep, but learning together is part of the fun.

📱 Best Mobile Games for LDR Couples

When you’re not at a computer - perfect for quick Valentine’s Day check-ins.

15. Words With Friends / Scrabble GO

What it is: Scrabble, but async.

Why it works: Play a word when you have time. Game lasts days. Low commitment.

16. Among Us

What it is: Social deduction. Find the impostor.

Limitation: Really needs 4-10 players. Invite friends or join public lobbies together.

17. Minecraft (Bedrock)

What it is: Build anything together.

Why it works: Cross-platform (phone, tablet, PC, console). Create a shared world you both contribute to.

Best for: Creative couples who want an ongoing project

How to Choose the Right Game

Consider Your Relationship Dynamic

If you’re…Try these
CompetitiveArtbitrator, Mario Kart, Chess
CollaborativeIt Takes Two, Stardew Valley, Portal 2
CreativePaint Your Partner, Minecraft, Gartic Phone
CasualJackbox, Board Game Arena, mobile games
Story-focusedIt Takes Two, co-op RPGs

Consider Your Time

Time availableBest options
10-15 minutesPaint Your Partner, Artbitrator
30-60 minutesJackbox, Board Game Arena, Overcooked
2+ hoursIt Takes Two, Stardew Valley, Civ VI
Async (throughout the day)Words With Friends, Chess correspondence

Consider Your Budget

Free options:

Paid but worth it:

  • It Takes Two (~$40, one copy works for both)
  • Stardew Valley (~$15 each)
  • Jackbox Party Packs (~$25 each, one copy works for both)

Making Game Night a Habit

The best LDR game isn’t the one with the best reviews - it’s the one you’ll actually play consistently.

Tips for Sustainable LDR Gaming

  1. Schedule it: “Tuesday and Saturday are game nights” works better than “let’s play sometime”

  2. Rotate games: Don’t burn out on one thing. Alternate between competitive, cooperative, and casual.

  3. Start with low commitment: Paint Your Partner takes 10 minutes. It Takes Two takes 15 hours. Start small.

  4. Use voice chat: Discord, game voice chat, phone call - hearing each other matters more than the game.

  5. Take screenshots: Document your adventures. You’ll want these memories later.

Our Recommendations by Situation

”We have 15 minutes before bed”

→ Paint Your Partner or Artbitrator

”We want a proper date night activity”

→ It Takes Two or Jackbox

”We want something ongoing we can build together”

→ Stardew Valley or Minecraft

”We want to compete but stay friends”

→ Artbitrator, Board Game Arena, or Rocket League

”We’re not really gamers”

→ Start with Paint Your Partner - no skill required, just fun

Make This Valentine’s Day Different

Long distance is hard. Valentine’s Day can make it harder. But gaming together creates genuine shared experiences that video calls alone can’t match.

Our Valentine’s Day recommendation: Start with Paint Your Partner - it takes 10 minutes, requires zero gaming experience, and you’ll have hilarious portraits to keep as Valentine’s keepsakes. Over 100,000 couples have tried it!

If you enjoy that, try Artbitrator for more drawing game chaos. Then explore the other games on this list.

The goal isn’t to become gamers. It’s to make this Valentine’s Day memorable despite the distance.

📚 Related Posts