Marriage takes a lot of hard work, and the work pays off. There are days that are full and busy and stressful, so it’s always a good idea to be intentional about adding in the fun. We’re guessing when you first met your spouse, you had a ton of fun together: romantic dates, adventures, lots of laughing.
How can we keep the fun alive during years 1, 5, 30, and 50? An intimate marriage isn’t just built in the serious conversations and the physical affection. It’s built in the fun, too.
Here are some simple ideas to add some fun to your marriage:
1) GET OUTDOORS
Whether it’s a hike or a picnic, it’s always a good idea to get some fresh air. Plan a walk in the park or hike on your favorite trail. Think of some fun conversation starters to chat about while you’re out. You can start by talking about your favorite date, when you first met, or where your dream vacation spot would be. Enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, and the time together!
2) WATCH OLD VIDEOS OR FLIP THROUGH OLD PICTURE
Pop some popcorn, find your favorite spot on the couch, and watch your wedding video or old childhood videos. Reminisce over those old memories and bring out the old pictures, too. Sometimes it’s therapeutic to look back on those fun times, as well as realize how far you’ve come. We bet there are some funny outfits and hairstyles you’ll get a good laugh our of, as well!
3) PLAN A SCAVENGER HUNT FOR YOUR SPOUSE
There’s always some fun in surprises. A scavenger hunt doesn’t have to be extravagant. Pick a few locations, create the clues to get your spouse to the prize, and be ready and waiting for them at the end. You can even do this around your house or neighborhood! Maybe there’s a fun treat to hide with each clue. You don’t have to be super creative to have some fun with this one!
4) CAMP OUT IN THE BACKYARD
What’s more intimate than sharing a tent together? Set-up the supplies you need as the sun is setting–and don’t forget the s’mores! Build a little fire, pull out the flashlight, tell some stories, and snuggle up in your sleeping bags.
5) TAKE A SPONTANEOUS ROAD TRIP
How about adding a little spontaneity to your schedule? When you find yourself with an open afternoon, grab your spouse, hop in the car, stop for your favorite road trip snacks, and just drive. Maybe you find the closest lake, mountain, or beach. Maybe you stop at the best hole-in-wall restaurant you can find. Enjoy the journey and the adventure, and leave your day-to-day stress back at home.
No matter how busy we are, we all need some room for fun. Take the time to intentionally plan some lighthearted activities for you and your spouse. There’s always a good reason to make each other smile.
What’s something fun you and your spouse have done lately?
D4 led and Lesley thank you so much for the great ideas for staying connected we have been married for 25 years and I believe it is so important to stay connected in the small stuff as well as the big stuff love the idea of camping in the back yard and scavenger hunt thank you soooo much.
Awesome ideas. After 17 years or marriage, we often laugh at the simplest things. Joy is what makes our marriage stronger, and of course the guidance of our Lord Jesus in our marriage.
Thanks so much for this posting. My wife and I take hikes of variously length regularly with each other. If nothing else, there is the creek walk for 20 min starting from our house and connecting with a stream strip park. That walk is our most spontaneous. It feels so much better to have a conversation outdoors and experience the progression of walking at the same time.
Great ideas! Hubby and I are celebrating our 3rd anniversary next week and I’ll be packing our wedding video for our brief road-trip get-away.
We live with and care for his disabled father (and the farm/animals) and my mother-in-law passed to her rest last month. So going away, even for a day or two, is such a treat!
Getting outdoors is also something we enjoy. Even just walking around the electric cattle fence and cutting down weeds together, with the dogs, often brings good conversations and promotes emotional intimacy.
Now, to get him to agree to a backyard campout! 🙂
Coming up to our 56th wedding anniversary soon. We’ve just returned from a week in our 19 foot camper van to attend a granddaughters graduation. We had rural settings and campsites on the two day trip over and back which gave us quiet time away from crowded events. Thankful for 18 years of enjoying the outdoors since retiring with this small rig. Invigorating to share the beauty of Gods creation in the outdoors.
Thank-you for this important reminder for staying connected. My son and his wife have been getting monthly reminders for ideas about plans for having fun together, and they have been married five years. They already understand the value and importance for creating intimacy to build a strong, healthy marriage. Your suggestions give me inspiration to plan a fun experience! Thank-you as this is a great reminder my husband and I need to slow down and incorporate these suggestions into our marriage.
We have been married for 34 years and this past winter we laid out in our back yard to watch a meteor shower in the evening. This was a challenge since there was snow on the ground and it was only 10*F. I put a tarp down over the snow and then got the mattress out of our camper. An electric blanket (and a 25′ extension cord) added warmth covered with lots of blankets and a sleeping bag on top. When we went out about 11pm the sleeping bag was covered with frost! We needed toques to keep our ears warm but otherwise we were warm and toasty. Never did see any meteors, but it was a memory we will never forget.
My husband Mark and I are turkey best friends and we are very close because we are intentional about spending time together and we love the outdoor hikes, bike rides and spontaneous road trips. He even likes to go to the grocery store with me?. We have been married 26 years together for 30. Three years into our marries we accepted the Lord together and the Lord has lead us in the last couple years to be marriage mentors using your materials. We have such a passion for this and it is such a blessing as you both know to be able to help other couples.
Thank-you for all you do and for having a servants heart.
That should of said truly best friends NOT turkey lol