A card game for couples
Start sweet. Warm up slowly.
Kindling is a conversation and connection game for two, played on one phone you pass between you. Seven levels of questions and dares go from first impressions to real closeness, and you only move up when you both say yes.
- 21+
- No account
- Your game stays on your phone
What’s the most romantic thing someone could do for you?
Answer thisEach finish this: “I can tell you’re really listening when you…”
Both of youIf the two of you were in a movie, what genre would it be?
Answer thisHow it works
One phone, two people, one slow warm-up
No app to download and nothing to set up. Open it, say hi properly, and take turns.
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Open it on one phone
Type your first names, agree to the ground rules together, and choose where tonight stops. There’s no account and nothing to install.
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Take turns
Pass the phone back and forth. Answer the question, do the small dare, or pass. Passing is always allowed and never needs a reason.
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Move up together
At the end of each level, you each choose privately: “I’m in” or “Not yet”. You only move up when you both say yes, and nobody sees who said not yet.
The seven levels
Each level a little warmer than the last
The first four are all talk and play. The last three are for adults who both want them. The colors warm up with you, and you can stop after any level.
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Sweet
Cute questions, silly dares, first impressions.
Sweet questions: first-date questions -
Curious
Stories, values, and the stuff that made you you.
Curious questions: getting-to-know-you questions -
Flirty
Attraction, compliments, a little tension.
Flirty questions: flirty questions -
Close
All talk, no touching: the things that are hard to say.
Close questions: deep questions -
Tender 21+
Touch and closeness.
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After Dark 21+
Desire, talked about honestly.
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Burn 21+
Timed dares, for when you’re both ready.
Levels 5 to 7 are for adults (21+). They get physical and sexual, written to be suggestive rather than graphic, and you only reach them if you both say yes at every check-in.
Consent built in
Saying no is as easy as saying yes
Kindling is designed so that nobody has to push and nobody has to explain. These tools are part of every game, at every level.
Safety features are always free.
- Blind check-in
- Between levels, you each choose privately. If one of you says not yet, you stay where you are, and the game never shows who it was.
- Pass anything
- Every card has a Pass button. No penalty, no explanation, just a new card.
- A pause word
- When you reach the later levels, you agree on a word that means stop. Pause is one tap away throughout the game, too.
- Set tonight’s limit
- Before you start, choose the last level for tonight. The game won’t offer anything past it, and you can end the night at any check-in.
- Off the table tonight
- Switch off whole topics before you start, like kissing, touch, family or past relationships.
Desire Match
Find what you both want, without the awkward ask
Each of you goes through a list of ideas on your own and marks each one yes, maybe or no. Kindling then shows only the ideas you both said yes or maybe to. A no is never shown, not even as a hint that there was one.
Matches you pick can be dealt as cards in your game. Desire Match is for the later levels, so it’s for adults only, too.
| One of you | The other | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Shown as a match |
| Yes | Maybe | Shown as a match |
| Maybe | Maybe | Shown as a match |
| Yes | No | Never shown |
Nobody sees who said no, or that anyone did.
Pricing
Free, and staying that way
All seven levels, Desire Match, the extra packs and every safety feature are free. No trial, no account, no locked cards.
- How it’s funded: a small ad on this page and our question articles (never inside the game), and players who chip in.
- What we don’t do: sell data, or track what you play. Your game stays on your phone.
Like it? Help keep it free.
If Kindling gave you a good night, a small tip pays for hosting and new cards.
How support worksFAQ
Questions people ask
Is it really free?
Yes. All seven levels, Desire Match, the packs and every feature, with no account and no trial. We earn from a small ad on this page and our question articles (never inside the game), and from players who choose to chip in.
Is it private?
Yes. There’s no sign-up. Your names, settings and game are stored on your phone, in your browser, and what you play is never sent anywhere. “Forget our game” in the game wipes it. Our privacy page has the details.
How spicy does it get?
Levels 1 to 4 are talk and play. Levels 5 to 7 get physical and sexual, written to be suggestive rather than graphic. You only reach them if you both say yes at each check-in, and you can choose a level to stop after before you start.
Is it for same-sex and queer couples?
Yes. Every card is written for any two people: no he or she, no assumed roles. Cards use your names.
Can we play long distance?
Yes, with the Miles Apart pack, made for a video call: one of you reads, you both play. Agree first: no screenshots and no recording.
Do we need two phones?
No. Kindling is made for one phone passed between you, which is also how the check-ins stay private: you each tap your answer in turn. Far apart? See the Miles Apart pack above.
Does it work offline?
Yes. After your first visit the whole game works without a connection, so it’s good for a cabin or a long flight. You can also add it to your home screen like an app.
Can I get a refund?
There’s nothing to refund: Kindling is free. If you tipped us and didn’t mean to, ask the platform you used, or get in touch and we’ll help.
Tonight, start sweet.
One phone, the two of you, and a deck that only warms up when you both want it to.