Your weekly dinner-and-a-movie routine is great and all, but when was the last time you and your partner did something that made you both say “We should definitely do this again next year!” If you can’t remember, you’re not alone.
After working with couples for over a decade, I’ve noticed something: the relationships that stay exciting are the ones that intentionally create annual traditions. Not just anniversaries or Valentine’s Day (though those count too), but unique experiences that become your couple’s signature moments.
I’m talking about activities that make you both laugh until your sides hurt, push you out of your comfort zones together, or create those “remember when we…” stories you’ll share for decades.
These aren’t just fun activities, they’re relationship investments that pay dividends in connection, intimacy, and shared joy.
Whether you’ve been together for six months or sixteen years, having annual traditions gives you both something to look forward to and creates a rhythm of intentional togetherness that keeps your relationship fresh and exciting.
Ready to break out of the routine and start creating some legendary couple memories? Let’s talk about the activities that will have you both marking your calendars and counting down the days.
30 Things Couples Should Do Together Once A Year
These aren’t your typical date night suggestions. I’ve organized them into categories that hit different aspects of your relationship, from creative adventures to bonding experiences to relationship-strengthening activities. The goal is to create a yearly tradition that becomes uniquely yours.
Unusual Things Couples Should Do Together Once A Year
These activities are designed to shake up your routine and create those “Did we really just do that?” moments that become legendary in your relationship story.
1. Artistic Adventure
Art isn’t just for “artistic” people, it’s for couples who want to see what they can create together when they stop worrying about being perfect. Sign up for a pottery class, try your hand at painting, or visit art galleries and critique pieces like you’re sophisticated art critics (even if your idea of fine art is usually Netflix show posters).
I’ve seen couples discover hidden talents and, more importantly, learn to laugh at their creative disasters together. There’s something magical about creating something with your hands while your partner does the same right next to you.
Annual art adventure ideas:
Take a couples pottery class and make each other mugs
- Paint portraits of each other (prepare for lots of laughter)
- Visit a different art museum each year and pick your favorite piece to recreate at home
- Try sculpture using air-dry clay for a mess-free option
2. Volunteer For A Cause You Both Care About
Nothing bonds couples like working together for something bigger than themselves. Choose a cause that matters to both of you and spend a day (or weekend) volunteering together.
Whether it’s serving at a food bank, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, or walking dogs at the animal shelter, you’ll see each other in a completely new light.
Find volunteer opportunities through VolunteerMatch or JustServe. The key is picking something that aligns with both your values and interests.
This tradition creates deeper meaning in your relationship and gives you both a sense of shared purpose beyond your daily routines.
3. Master A New Cuisine Together
Cooking together is intimate, but learning an entirely new cuisine together is an adventure. Pick a country whose food you both love but have never attempted to make, buy ingredients you can’t pronounce, and spend a day creating (and probably failing at) authentic dishes.
Last year, my husband and I decided to tackle authentic Thai cuisine. Did our pad thai look like what you’d get at a restaurant? Absolutely not. Did we laugh until we cried and create a memory we still talk about? You bet.
Cuisine learning resources:
- Use MasterClass for professional cooking techniques
- Try Blue Apron or HelloFresh for international recipe boxes
- Watch YouTube tutorials from native chefs for authentic techniques
4. Take A Random Destination Day Trip
Sometimes the best adventures happen when you don’t have a plan. Once a year, wake up on a weekend morning, flip a coin to decide which direction to drive, and see where you end up.
Set a distance limit (maybe 2-3 hours), pack snacks, and make it a rule that you have to stop at anything that looks interesting.
You might discover a tiny town with an amazing diner, stumble upon a quirky museum, or find a hiking trail that becomes your new favorite spot. The point isn’t the destination, it’s the adventure of exploring together without an agenda.
5. Conquer An Escape Room Challenge
Escape rooms are like relationship stress tests, but fun ones. You’ll learn how you both handle pressure, solve problems, and communicate under deadline stress. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about conquering a challenge as a team.
Find local escape rooms on Escape Room Directory or try virtual escape rooms if you prefer staying home. The key is picking a difficulty level that challenges you both without causing actual relationship stress.
6. Play Strangers For A Night
This one’s my personal favorite, and it never gets old. Meet at a bar or restaurant as if you’re strangers, complete with fake names and backstories. Flirt with each other, “pick each other up,” and rediscover what initially attracted you to your partner.
It sounds silly, but it’s incredibly effective for reigniting that early relationship excitement. You get to see your partner through fresh eyes and remember why you fell for them in the first place.
Stranger night tips:
- Pick different outfits than you’d normally wear
- Create interesting (but not too elaborate) fake personas
- Choose a venue you’ve never been to together
- Commit to the bit, no breaking character until you “go home together”
7. Become Professional People-Watchers
People-watching is an underrated couple activity. Find a busy public space, a mall, airport, park, or coffee shop, and spend an evening observing and creating stories about the people you see. You’ll laugh together, spark interesting conversations, and probably learn things about each other’s perspectives you never knew.
Make it more interesting by creating games: guess people’s professions, create backstories for couples you see, or try to spot the most unusual fashion choice of the day.
8. Take A Memory Lane Journey
Once a year, revisit the places that matter to your relationship story. Go back to where you had your first date, where you first said “I love you,” or where you got engaged. Take photos in the same spots, talk about how you’ve both changed, and celebrate how far you’ve come together.
This isn’t just nostalgia, it’s active appreciation for your relationship journey. You’ll remember why you fell in love and feel excited about where you’re headed next.
9. Disconnect With A Tech-Free Retreat
Put your phones in a drawer and spend 24-48 hours completely disconnected from technology. No phones, no TV, no laptops, just you, your partner, and whatever analog activities you can find. You’ll be amazed at how much you actually talk when you’re not distracted by screens.
Plan activities that don’t require technology: board games, books, puzzles, cooking from scratch, or just talking. You’ll rediscover what it’s like to have each other’s full attention.
Bonding Activities For Couples To Do Together Once A Year
These activities are specifically designed to deepen your emotional connection and create shared experiences that strengthen your partnership.
10. Host Or Join A Double Date With Another Couple
Double dating isn’t just for teenagers, it’s a great way to see your relationship from an outside perspective and strengthen your social connections as a couple. Choose another couple whose company you both enjoy and plan an activity that gets everyone talking and laughing.
You’ll see how your partner interacts with others, appreciate their social skills, and probably learn new things about each other through group conversations.
Double date activity ideas:
- Game nights with competitive board games
- Cooking dinner together (assign each couple different courses)
- Mini golf followed by dinner and drinks
- Escape rooms designed for four people
11. Create Your Annual Bucket List
Set aside one day each year to dream together about what you want to accomplish. Create both individual and couple goals for the coming year, and make concrete plans to achieve them. This activity helps you stay aligned on your shared vision for your life together.
Keep your lists somewhere visible and check in quarterly to see how you’re progressing. There’s something powerful about dreaming out loud with your partner.
Use apps like Bucket List Journey or simply create a shared document on Google Docs to track your goals together.
12. Sleep Under The Stars
Camping or backyard stargazing creates natural intimacy. There’s something about being under an open sky that encourages deeper conversations and physical closeness. If camping isn’t your thing, set up blankets in your backyard or find a safe, legal stargazing spot near your city.
Download stargazing apps like SkyView or Star Walk to identify constellations and make the experience more interactive.
13. Have A Spontaneous Kitchen Dance Party
Don’t plan this one, let it happen naturally. Next time you’re both in the kitchen, turn on your favorite music and start dancing. Pull your partner in, spin them around, and let yourselves be completely silly together.
These unplanned moments of joy are relationship gold. They remind you both that you’re not just life partners, you’re also each other’s favorite person to be ridiculous with.
14. Sneak Away For Movie Theater Romance
Okay, I’m not suggesting anything inappropriate, but there’s something thrilling about being affectionate in a semi-public space. Choose a movie you both actually want to see, sit in the back row, and let yourselves feel like teenagers again.
The key is choosing the right movie (nothing too intense or important to the plot) and being respectful of other moviegoers. It’s about recapturing that early relationship excitement when just holding hands felt electric.
15. Write And Record A Song Together
You don’t need musical talent for this to be hilarious and meaningful. Write lyrics about your relationship, your inside jokes, or your shared experiences, then record yourselves performing it (even if you’re just singing into your phone).
You’ll laugh until you cry, create something uniquely yours, and have a recording to listen to years later that will instantly transport you back to this moment in your relationship.
16. Plan A Mystery Getaway
Take turns planning surprise getaways for each other. The planner handles everything, destination, activities, packing list, while the other person just shows up for the adventure. Alternate who plans each year to keep things fair and exciting.
Set a budget you’re both comfortable with and establish basic parameters (how long you’ll be gone, whether passports are needed), but keep everything else a surprise until you arrive.
Fun Things To Do As A Couple Every Year
These activities prioritize pure enjoyment and shared laughter, because relationships need regular doses of uncomplicated fun.
17. Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride
There’s something magical about floating above the world with your person. Hot air balloon rides create natural romance and give you both a completely different perspective (literally and figuratively). Most rides end with champagne, making it feel like a true celebration.
Find local companies through Hot Air Balloon Ride or check Groupon for deals in your area.
18. Build A Time Capsule Together
Create a snapshot of your relationship right now by filling a container with current photos, letters to your future selves, ticket stubs from recent dates, playlists of songs you’re obsessed with, and small meaningful objects. Seal it up and set a date to open it together in 5-10 years.
IMO, this is one of the most romantic things couples can do because you’re literally investing in your future together and creating a gift for your older selves.
19. Go On A Horseback Riding Adventure
Even if you’re both complete beginners, horseback riding creates natural teamwork and trust. You’re both learning something new, relying on each other for encouragement, and sharing an experience that’s probably outside both your comfort zones.
Look for beginner-friendly stables that offer guided trail rides. Many places cater specifically to couples and will match you with calm, gentle horses perfect for first-time riders.
20. Experience A Wildlife Safari
Whether it’s an African safari or a local wildlife preserve, seeing animals in their natural habitat creates awe and wonder that you’ll share together. If international travel isn’t in the budget, many states have wildlife preserves or safari-style parks where you can drive through and see animals up close.
Research options through National Geographic Expeditions for international trips or search for local wildlife experiences in your area.
21. Battle It Out In Paintball
Nothing says “I trust you with my life” like running around with paint guns together. You can team up against other couples or playfully compete against each other. Either way, you’ll get your adrenaline pumping and probably laugh harder than you have in months.
Most paintball facilities provide all equipment and offer beginner-friendly games. Check out Paintball Directory to find locations near you.
22. Explore A Food Festival Together
Food festivals are perfect for adventurous couples who love trying new things together. You get to taste dozens of different dishes, discover new favorite foods, and often enjoy live entertainment as well.
Find local food festivals through Festivals.net or your city’s event listings. Many cities have annual festivals celebrating specific cuisines or local specialties.
23. Go Underground Cave Exploring
Spelunking or cave tours offer adventure with a side of natural wonder. Many caves offer guided tours perfect for beginners, while more adventurous couples can try actual spelunking with proper safety equipment and training.
Research options through National Caves Association or look for local cave systems that offer public tours.
Things To Do Once A Year To Improve Your Relationship
These activities are specifically designed to strengthen your partnership and deepen your connection on multiple levels.
24. Attend A Couples Retreat
Professional guidance in a romantic setting can work relationship magic. Whether it’s a weekend intensive or a week-long retreat, investing in your relationship this way shows you’re both committed to growing together.
Look for retreats through Couples Retreats or search for options that focus on your specific relationship goals, communication, intimacy, conflict resolution, or general relationship enrichment.
25. Go Camping Together
Camping strips away distractions and forces you to rely on each other. You’ll work as a team to set up camp, cook meals, and navigate challenges together. Plus, there’s something romantic about being alone in nature with your favorite person.
Start with car camping if you’re beginners, and gradually work up to more adventurous camping experiences. Use Recreation.gov to find and book campsites.
26. Conduct Your Annual Relationship Review
Treat your relationship like the important partnership it is by conducting a yearly “state of the union” discussion. Talk about what’s working well, what could be improved, goals for the coming year, and dreams you want to pursue together.
Make this feel special, not like a business meeting. Choose a beautiful location, bring good food and wine, and approach it with curiosity and love rather than criticism.
Review topics to cover:
- What were our biggest relationship wins this year?
- What challenges did we overcome together?
- What do we want to improve or change?
- What are our individual and shared goals for next year?
- How can we better support each other’s dreams?
27. Visit Each Other’s Families
If you don’t live near family, make annual visits a priority. This shows your partner that their family relationships matter to you and helps you understand the people who shaped the person you love.
These visits also give you both a break from your normal routine and often provide opportunities for deeper conversations during travel time.
28. Have An Epic Staycation
Transform your home into a resort for a weekend. Order food from restaurants you’ve never tried, set up spa treatments for each other, create themed movie marathons, or turn your backyard into a romantic getaway spot.
The goal is to see your own space with fresh eyes and treat each other like honored guests in your own home.
Staycation ideas:
- Create a different “destination” in each room of your house
- Order cuisine from different countries for each meal
- Set up massage stations with good oils and relaxing music
- Have themed movie nights with snacks and decorations
29. Write Annual Love Letters To Each Other
Once a year, sit down and write each other heartfelt letters about your relationship, your appreciation for each other, and your hopes for your future together. Read them aloud to each other, then save them to read again on future anniversaries.
These letters become treasures that document your relationship journey and serve as reminders of your love during challenging times.
Use beautiful stationery and take time to really think about what you want to say. This isn’t a text message, it’s a love document you’ll both treasure forever.
30. Renew Your Commitment Ceremony
You don’t have to be married to benefit from annually recommitting to each other. Whether it’s renewing wedding vows or simply taking time to verbally recommit to your relationship, this ritual helps you both stay intentional about your partnership.
Keep it simple and personal, the goal is to consciously choose each other again and acknowledge how you’ve both grown over the past year.
Final Thoughts
Start with one or two activities that genuinely excite both of you, then build your annual tradition list over time. Your relationship deserves the investment, and your future selves will thank you for taking the time to create these magical memories together.
Annual rituals also give couples something to look forward to, keeping love exciting beyond the day-to-day routine. When you intentionally set aside time for each other, you not only build memories but also nurture a relationship that continues to grow stronger year after year.
So pick an activity, mark your calendar, and start creating some legendary relationship memories 🙂
