13 Couple-Centric Bonding Ideas

Looking for couple's activities to strengthen your relationship? We've got 13 ideas right here! 

Many people dream of the day they meet "the one" and hope that they'll fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after with their perfect partner. In reality, the best relationships happen when both parties are committed to each other and show that by finding fun hobbies, activities, and passions that make them both feel happy and in love.

It requires honesty, commitment, and effort to build and cement those special bonds between two people. And one of the best ways to strengthen such bonds is to spend more time together trying new things and fun activities. 

COOKING TOGETHER

Cooking is one of the best activities to do as a couple, and many partners have a lot of fun preparing ingredients and cooking up delicious meals together before sitting down at the table to enjoy them side by side.

You can try cooking together at home with your own innovative recipes and ideas, sign up for a meal delivery kit service if you need a helping hand, or even take cooking classes together if you're both beginners in the culinary arts. This activity is good for increasing intimacy whatever your skill level and personal tastes.

Visit Each Others' Hometowns

Your hometown is most likely one of the most important places in your life. You'll have a lot of memories there and many associations and stories rushing through your mind as you walk around, seeing the streets you know and the sights you remember so well.

Why not share all of those stories and memories with the person you love the most? Visiting each other's hometowns can be a really great way for couples to discover more about each other, sharing secrets and stories from their past.

Extreme Sports

All those insane Bachelor dates are backed up by research. According to a famous study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, males who walked across a bridge high in the sky were more likely to ask a lady out than men who traveled across one near the ground. That's possible because the same sentiments we experience when we're nervous are also related to attraction, so they might make us feel even more attracted. Plus, once you've survived skydiving or Six Flags, you'll create a kinship that only a few others can comprehend.

Whether or not these activities live up to their promise of increasing closeness, they certainly sound more memorable than going to the movies!

Volunteer Together

Perhaps you and your partner are looking for things to do that won't just benefit yourselves but could also benefit your local community or the world at large. If so, consider volunteering together.

There are countless nonprofits and organizations in need of volunteers to help out with all sorts of duties and doing this sort of work as a couple can really help to build your connection as you both strive to make the world a better place. Consider a food bank, animal rescue, house improvements with Habitat for Humanity, or find hyperlocal ideas with a trip to your local library.

Tune into the Spiritual Together

Spirituality often gives us purpose and meaning in life and gives us solace. What does your spirituality entail? It could be yoga, meditation, group prayer, joining a congregation, or simply getting out in nature. Find something that gives you a feeling of purpose, keeps you grounded, and teaches you values you agree with. If you do it together, it will not only assist you in your own journey but will also help you grow closer as a couple.

Set couple Goals 

Studies show that people tend to work more productively and progress further in their lives when they have clear goals and objectives in mind. The same logic can apply when building your relationship with a special someone too, and there are lots of different goals you can set for yourselves.

You both might like to lose a set amount of weight over the course of the year, for example, or save up a certain amount of money, or try something new once a month. Whatever your goals and aspirations happen to be, setting them and sticking to them together can be a great way to make them happen.

Broaden your Horizons

When was the last time you visited a gallery or museum? Every trip to a museum is an opportunity to broaden your perspective by learning more about others. That’s a skill set that is also very useful in a healthy relationship, which is what makes museum visits such valuable activities to do as a couple.

Talking about and comparing your experiences in the space may also lead to other, broader conversations about the way you see and experience the world.

discover It's okay to disagree

Your love can be strong without agreeing about everything. Healthy discussions are a great way to deepen your bond. Even better, friendly discussions and even-tempered disagreements will teach you that it's great to each have your own viewpoints. When you do have a disagreement, discuss it openly and try to see your partner's point of view.

Open communication can help you understand your partner better. You'll definitely have a healthy relationship if you learn to communicate and compromise.

Get Couple Tattoos

One of the most wonderful ways you can show your love and commitment to your partner is to get a tattoo in honor of the bond you share. A lot of people do this, and it can be a great sign of love and trust if you and your partner choose to find a tattoo artist together and get a matching couple tattoo.

There are all kinds of designs you can decide between for your couple tattoo, from side-by-side images that match up when you and your partner stand next to one another to special symbols or pieces of text that mean something special to the two of you. All you have to do is to find the best tattoo studio and schedule your consultation with the artist to find out what is the best tattoo style for your couple.

Take a Workout Class Together

Working out is much more fun when you do it with a partner, so if you love being active, why not try taking workout classes with one another?

There are plenty of couple-friendly workout classes you can find at local gyms and fitness studios, and some classes are designed specifically with couples in mind, with unique moves and trust-based exercises you and your partner can do together.

Read a Book Together

Reading a book may appear to be a solitary experience, but it is actually one of the best activities to do as a couple. Consider it similar to a two-person book club. Choose the same book to read and set a date for both of you to finish it.

Set aside dedicated time after you've both finished reading the book to discuss it. You might be surprised by how much you have to say and how quickly you get into a detailed discussion of what you liked and disliked.

Even if you don't agree on everything, having a common topic to talk about can be a great way to start a conversation.

Start a New Tradition Together

Part of what makes any relationship special is the memories you make along the way and the special traditions that make your bond unique. It can be lovely to see couples carrying on the same traditions and practices year after year and starting a new tradition can be a fun way to show your commitment and look forward to a bright future together.

There are all kinds of traditions you can decide on together, from something simple like making every Friday night your “pizza and movie night” to setting up a monthly tradition of visiting a local park and having a picnic together.

Give each other a compliment at least once a day

Over time, compliments can shift your partner’s overall perspective of themselves and their outlook on life. If a partner has a more negative self-image, it can be really helpful for the partner to add to their self-worth by frequently pointing out reasons they're special. This type of support can be heartfelt without feeling cheesy. Practice saying: I love the way you...

Ready to Start Trying Couples Activities?

All of these activities and many more can help to bring you and your partner closer together, allowing you to find out more about each other and feel more connected than ever before. Couples' activities are helpful for all couples in any stage of their relationship, so let these ideas inspire you to spend more time together. Make time to give a few of them a try over the next month and start building your relationship bonds today.