The secret date

How to play

Ten ready-made evenings at home, with no budget and no babysitter. Each card is a full scenario: the set-up, how it goes, and a little twist saved for the end.

1. Choose a scenario together, or let one of you draw it in secret and organise everything.
2. Put the date in your diary and get the set-up ready in advance.
3. On the night, phones in a drawer, and play along all the way, accents included.
4. Finish by choosing the next scenario and who organises it.

Length: 45 to 90 minutes per evening. Not keen on an idea? Skip it or change it to suit you.

Before you play

Each of you says in one sentence what you fancy tonight, and what you would rather avoid. Then pick a slightly silly stop word, say “artichoke”: if either of you says it, the card is set aside, no questions asked, and you move on to the next one laughing.