The new year is a perfect time to shake things up and try something new with your spouse. But you don’t have to wait for the new year! Whether you’re looking for ways to have fun, bond, or just mix things up a bit, there are plenty of options to choose from any day of any year. Here are 15 ideas for new things you can try with your spouse:
- Take a cooking class together. Learning a new skill together can be a fun and bonding experience, and taking a cooking class is a great way to do it. You can learn to make new dishes and try out different cuisines, all while spending quality time together. I personally have zero interest in this at present, but I could see how it would be fun to do with my wife someday.
- Try a new hobby. There are literally endless possibilities of hobbies you can adopt together. Whether you’re interested in painting, woodworking, curling, birding, reading, wine, or volunteering, finding a new activity you can enjoy together can be a great way to bond and have some fun. I recommend tennis! (Or even pickleball for those willing to settle for less than tennis. 🙂 )
- Take a trip to a new destination. Traveling together can be a great way to experience new things and make memories together. Join me on one of my trips to the various Bible lands if you’re able. Or consider planning a trip to a new destination you’ve always wanted to visit, or try something out of your comfort zone like camping or backpacking. A new destination doesn’t have to be exotic; it just needs to be new.
- Go on a date night adventure. Date nights don’t have to be the same old dinner and a movie, but they can be if that works for you! For others of you, why not shake things up? This could be something like trying a new restaurant, going to a comedy show, or trying out a new activity like playing paintball (probably run this by your wife first), going bowling, or even just going out and watching a random youth sports league game (they’re free and entertaining!).
- Learn a new language. Learning a new language together can be a fun and challenging way to spend time together, and it can also open up new opportunities for travel and communication. Consider signing up for a language course or using an app like Duolingo to get started. Then see about planning a trip to a country that speaks that language. Alternatively, try and find someone in your own community who speaks that language and develop a friendship. A bonus may be meeting a new brother or sister in Christ, or having the opportunity to share Christ.
- Take a fitness class together. Working out together can be a great way to stay active and healthy, and trying a new fitness class can be a fun way to mix things up (recognizing that not everyone would see this as fun :). Consider signing up for a dance class, a spinning class, an aerobic tennis class, pilates, or something else that interests you both. For those who don’t like to pay for classes, take up running together…it is the most efficient, economical, and healthy way to get a dopamine boost I’m aware of!
- Try a new recipe. This seems like a repeat of number one, but it is different. Learning to cook together first would be a great precursor to trying a new recipe together. It’s hard to imagine doing this with kids still in the home, but it might work for some couples. Not only is this a great way to spend time together, but trying a new recipe can add an element of excitement and challenge to what can become a very routine activity. Look for a recipe that’s out of your comfort zone and give it a try.
- Go stargazing. Stargazing can be a relaxing and romantic way to spend time together, and it’s something you can do right in your own backyard most nights of the year. Consider investing in a good pair of binoculars or a telescope and spend an evening looking up at the stars. You might consider getting a phone app to help you know what you’re looking at.
- Take a class or workshop together. Whether you’re interested in theology, history, photography, music, or programming, taking a class or workshop together can be a fun and bonding experience. You’ll have the chance to learn something new together, and you might even discover a shared passion.
- Go on a day hike. Getting outside is good for the body and the soul, and those kinds of things also tend to be good for relationships. Putting away devices and simply appreciating the beauty of the world around you is a wonderful way to bond. Consider planning a day hike to a nearby trail, park, or beach, and enjoy the scenery and fresh air together.
- Go on a photo scavenger hunt. A photo scavenger hunt can be a fun and interactive way to spend time together, and it’s something you can do anywhere. Make a list of items or places you want to photograph, and spend the day trying to capture them all. If you weren’t a sorority girl, coming up with ideas is probably a challenge. The good news is, you can just Google this and someone else will do all the work for you, leaving you to just have the fun!
- Go on a road trip. A road trip can be a great way to see new places and have some adventures together. It might be fun to go and visit friends or family, explore a new place, or just to set out with no particular agenda. I recommend downloading a great audio book or bringing along a list of questions to fuel meaningful (or just fun) conversation along the way.
- Take a ball room dance class. Dancing can be a fun and energetic way to spend time together, and taking a dance class can be a great way to learn something new and bond. Emily and I did this once years ago and I was surprised at how much fun it was. Of course, there are other dancing options as well, but ball room dancing has some amazing analogies to marriage that are fun to explore.
- Try out a new board game or card game. Board games and card games can be a fun and low-key way to spend time together, and trying out a new game can add an element of excitement (okay, it’s not a ton of excitement, but maybe a little bit?). If you’ve never played Cribbage, it’s a really great two person game once you get the hang of it. Those with a competitive streak will have to curb that just a bit to make sure it remains fun for everyone. Emily and I played Rook on our honeymoon…I don’t think we’ve played since. Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since we played Cribbage. Seriously, keep an eye on the competitive urge. 🙂
- Do a Bible study together. This is not last in order of importance, but the one I want to be on your mind. There is no better way to grow together than to grow in God’s Word together. You could join a Sunday morning class at your church, you could get involved in a small group studying the Bible, you could order a Bible study just for the two of you, or you can just start reading the Bible together and discussing it.
It’s always a good time to think about ways to mix things up and try something new with your spouse. But why stop at just one new thing? Research has shown that trying multiple new things together can lead to even greater benefits for your relationship. So why not make a resolution to try a new thing every month, or even every week? The possibilities are endless, and the benefits are immeasurable. Happy trying, and here’s to a lifetime of new experiences and growth together!
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