When did your relationship stop being fun? When did the joy and playfulness you once shared fade into grocery runs and laundry catch-up sessions?
I’ve counseled hundreds of couples who feel like their relationship has lost its spark, not unhappy or fighting, just bored and disconnected because the fun disappeared somewhere along the way.
Here’s what I tell them: bringing fun back into your relationship doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional effort. You can’t wait for spontaneity to strike; you have to make deliberate choices to inject laughter, playfulness, and joy back into your connection.
The couples who stay madly in love after years together are not lucky; they are intentional. They prioritize fun, create shared experiences, and refuse to let their relationship become just another item on the to-do list.
So let’s talk about how to keep fun alive in your marriage because honestly, life’s too short to be boring with someone you love.
15 Ways To Bring Fun Into Your Relationship
These aren’t your typical “have a date night” suggestions. These are practical, tested strategies I’ve seen transform stale relationships into exciting partnerships. Pick a few that resonate with you and actually do them.
1. Surprise Him With A Spontaneous Dance
When was the last time you danced with your partner outside of a wedding?
Spontaneous dancing breaks the routine instantly. It’s playful, physical, and totally unexpected. You’re not trying to impress anyone or look coordinated. You’re just having fun together.
Turn on music and pull him into a dance in the kitchen, living room, or wherever you are. It might feel awkward for about ten seconds, then the laughter kicks in, and suddenly you’re both grinning like idiots while spinning around your house.
I had a client who started doing this every Friday evening. “Dance Party Friday” became their thing. They’d put on their favorite songs and dance terribly for 15 minutes. It transformed their entire weekend energy.
Physical closeness through dancing creates connection. Moving together rhythmically (even badly) releases feel-good hormones. Plus, it’s impossible to stay stressed when you’re attempting to salsa in your pajamas.
Make it even better by surprising him with a slow dance to “Your Song” or attempting something ridiculous like learning TikTok dances together. The point isn’t perfection. It’s playfulness.
2. Plan A Secret Outing
Mystery creates excitement. When you plan a surprise outing without revealing details, you build anticipation that makes the experience even better.
The secret could be anything: tickets to a show he’s mentioned wanting to see, reservations at a new restaurant, a day trip to somewhere nearby you’ve never explored, or even something as simple as a surprise picnic at sunset.
The key is knowing what he’d genuinely enjoy, not just what you want to do. Surprise hiking trips are only fun if he likes hiking. Forcing your interests on someone isn’t thoughtful; it’s self-centered.
I counseled a couple who were stuck in a rut. She planned a surprise brewery tour because he loved craft beer, something they’d never done together. The mystery leading up to it and the shared new experience reignited their sense of adventure.
When you take charge of planning something unexpected, you show effort, thoughtfulness, and creativity. Those qualities keep relationships fresh and exciting.
3. Cook A Meal Together
Cooking together transforms a mundane task into quality time. Instead of one person cooking while the other watches TV, you’re both engaged in creating something.
Pick a recipe neither of you has tried before. Something slightly challenging that requires teamwork. You’ll laugh at mistakes, taste-test together, and feel accomplished when you sit down to eat what you made.
Cooking together requires communication and cooperation. You’re coordinating tasks, sharing space, and working toward a common goal. It’s a relationship practice disguised as dinner prep.
One couple I worked with started “Cooking Challenge Sundays,” where they’d pick a random cuisine and try to make it from scratch. They failed spectacularly at sushi, nailed Italian pasta, and had the most fun they’d had in months.
Make it more interesting by choosing recipes from different cultures, having timed cooking competitions, or cooking blindfolded (with safety precautions, obviously). The messier and sillier, the better.
4. Leave Playful Notes Around The House
Small gestures create big impacts. Hiding playful notes where he’ll find them throughout the day shows you’re thinking about him even when you’re apart.
These notes can be funny, flirty, sweet, or encouraging. Stick them in his wallet, on the bathroom mirror, inside his laptop, in his lunch, or anywhere he’ll stumble across them unexpectedly.
The surprise element matters. When he discovers a note hours after you left it, he gets a little boost of happiness and connection to you.
I had a client whose husband left her notes with terrible dad jokes every morning. She’d groan and laugh simultaneously. Years later, she still has them all saved because they represented his consistent effort to make her smile.
Write things like “You looked really hot in those jeans yesterday :)” or “Thinking about you, babe” or “Can’t wait to see you tonight.” Keep them short, personal, and genuine.
5. Challenge Him To A Friendly Game
Competition can be fun when it’s lighthearted. Playing games together brings out playful sides of your personalities and creates shared experiences.
This works with board games, video games, card games, sports, or even ridiculous competitions like “who can throw more popcorn into the other person’s mouth.” The activity matters less than the engagement.
Make it a regular thing. Weekly game nights give you something consistent to look forward to. FYI, couples who play together stay together because shared fun creates bonding.
One couple I counseled was falling apart. As homework, I assigned them to play one game together weekly without discussing problems. Within a month, they were laughing again. The fun reconnected them emotionally.
Keep competition friendly, not hostile. Trash talk is fine if you’re both laughing. Actual anger over losing destroys the point. Play to have fun, not to prove superiority.
6. Watch A Comedy Show Together
Shared laughter creates instant connection. When you laugh together, your brains sync up and you feel closer emotionally.
Pick a comedy special, funny movie, or TV show you both enjoy. Make it a cozy experience with snacks, comfortable seating, and zero phone distractions.
Laughter is literally medicinal for relationships. It reduces stress, improves mood, and creates positive associations with your partner. When you laugh together regularly, you build a reservoir of good feelings that sustains you through harder times.
Take it further by attending live comedy shows. The energy of a live audience amplifies the experience and makes it more memorable. Plus, you’ll have inside jokes to reference later.
I worked with a couple who watched stand-up comedy every Sunday night. They called it their “laugh therapy.” During a particularly stressful work season, those Sunday laughs kept their connection strong when everything else felt overwhelming.
7. Start A Pillow Fight
Sometimes the most childish activities create the most fun. A spontaneous pillow fight is ridiculous, playful, and impossible to do without laughing.
You’re not trying to hurt each other. You’re being silly, dodging attacks, and letting your inner kids come out. The playfulness creates lightness in your relationship.
Physical play releases endorphins and oxytocin. Even silly physical interaction, like pillow fighting, builds intimacy and connection. Plus, it often leads to other fun physical activities if you catch my drift.
One client told me she started a pillow fight with her husband when he was grumpy after work. Five minutes later, they were both laughing, and his mood had completely transformed. Now it’s their go-to stress reliever.
Keep it light and fun. Stop if anyone actually gets hurt. The goal is playfulness, not actual combat.
8. Sing Loudly In The Car Together
Car karaoke is underrated relationship fun. You’re trapped in a space together with music, why not belt out your favorite songs without caring how you sound?
Create a shared playlist of songs you both love. When one comes on, turn it up and sing like you’re performing at a concert. Being terrible together is bonding.
Singing together synchronizes your breathing and releases feel-good chemicals. Even if you sound awful, the shared experience creates connection and joy.
I know couples who have specific road trip traditions around car singing. One couple records themselves occasionally just to laugh at how ridiculous they sound. Those recordings become treasured memories.
Make it more fun by assigning parts, doing harmonies (badly), or creating elaborate air guitar solos. The sillier, the better.
9. Try A New Activity Or Hobby Together
Novelty keeps relationships exciting. When you learn something new together, you create shared experiences and grow as a couple.
Sign up for a class: dance lessons, pottery, cooking, rock climbing, painting, photography, or literally anything that interests both of you. The activity matters less than doing it together.
Learning together creates bonding through shared challenges and victories. You’re both beginners, both making mistakes, both improving. That equality keeps things fun and pressure-free.
One couple I counseled took salsa dancing lessons. They were terrible at first, stepping on each other’s feet constantly. But laughing through their mistakes brought them closer than they’d been in years.
Choose activities where you’re both novices. If one person is already skilled, the dynamic becomes teacher-student instead of partners learning together.
10. Take A Walk And Explore New Places
Walking together is simple but powerful. Add exploration to the mix, and you’ve created an adventure.
Drive to a neighborhood you’ve never visited, find a new hiking trail, explore a nearby town, or just walk streets you don’t usually take. The newness creates interest and gives you things to talk about.
Walking side-by-side facilitates conversation differently from face-to-face talking. Some couples find it easier to open up while moving together. Plus, the physical activity improves mood naturally.
Make it more special by packing snacks, bringing a camera to document discoveries, or setting a goal like “find the best coffee shop in this neighborhood.”
I encourage all my couples to take regular walks together. It’s free, healthy, and creates consistent connection time without the pressure of formal date planning.
11. Send Him A Funny Meme Or Video
Modern love languages include sharing funny content. When you see something that makes you laugh, immediately think “he’d love this,” and send it.
These little digital check-ins throughout the day say “I’m thinking about you” and “I want to make you smile.” They maintain a connection even when you’re physically apart.
Shared humor creates inside jokes and bonding. Over time, you develop a shorthand of references that only you two understand. That exclusivity strengthens your couple identity.
One couple I worked with had terrible work schedules that barely overlapped. They stayed connected by sending each other funny videos daily. Those small moments of shared laughter sustained their relationship through a difficult season.
Don’t overdo it. A few funny sends throughout the day are sweet. Constant bombardment becomes annoying.
12. Create A Scavenger Hunt At Home
Want to surprise your partner with something creative? Plan a scavenger hunt that leads them through your home to various surprises or a final prize.
Write clues that reference inside jokes or meaningful memories. Hide small treats along the way. Make the final destination something special: a favorite dessert, a romantic setup, or even just you waiting with a hug.
The effort you put into planning shows thoughtfulness and care. It’s playful, unexpected, and creates a memorable experience you’ll both laugh about later.
I had a client whose partner created a scavenger hunt that ended with a surprise weekend trip. The hunt itself was half the fun, with silly riddles and nostalgic references throughout.
This works for birthdays, anniversaries, or random Tuesdays when you want to do something fun.
13. Play His Favorite Childhood Game
Nostalgia is powerful. When you engage with something your partner loved as a kid, you connect with a younger version of them.
Ask about his favorite childhood games and then actually play them together. Whether it’s a video game, board game, card game, or even something physical like hide-and-seek, participating shows you care about his history.
Playing childhood games creates vulnerability and openness. He’s sharing formative experiences with you, and you’re honoring them by engaging fully.
One couple I counseled spent an evening playing the Nintendo games he loved as a kid. She wasn’t a gamer, but seeing him light up with nostalgia made the experience meaningful for both of them.
Take it seriously, even if it seems silly to you. His fond memories matter, and your willingness to participate matters even more.
14. Plan A Themed Date Night
Themed date nights transform ordinary evenings into special experiences. Pick a theme and commit fully: decorations, food, drinks, music, and dress code.
Theme ideas that work:
- Italian night (pasta, wine, Italian music, dress fancy)
- Tropical paradise (fruity drinks, Hawaiian shirts, beach music)
- 80s throwback (decade music, retro snacks, nostalgic movies)
- Casino night (card games, poker chips, dress to impress)
- Movie premiere (red carpet entrance, formal wear, movie snacks)
- Around the world (pick a country, cook their food, learn about their culture)
The effort of planning and executing a theme creates shared fun and breaks the routine. You’re both participating in creating something special.
I’ve had couples tell me themed date nights saved their relationships. The creativity and effort reminded them why they fell in love: they enjoy being silly and having fun together.
15. Laugh At Silly Jokes Together
Sometimes the simplest things matter most. Sharing terrible jokes, puns, or funny stories keeps your relationship light and playful.
You don’t need elaborate plans or expensive outings. Sometimes you just need to make each other laugh with ridiculous humor that only you two find funny.
Couples who laugh together regularly report higher satisfaction. Humor creates resilience during stress and maintains emotional connection during routine periods.
Make it a habit to share one funny thing daily. A joke, a story, a ridiculous observation. Those small moments of shared laughter accumulate into a relationship filled with joy.
One couple I worked with had a “terrible joke of the day” tradition. Every evening, they’d share the worst joke they could find. It became their favorite part of the day.
Final Thoughts
Fun isn’t a luxury in marriage it’s a necessity. When couples stop laughing and playing together, the relationship can start to feel like a business arrangement instead of a partnership built on love.
Bringing joy back doesn’t require big gestures just small, intentional acts of playfulness and creativity.
Whether it’s sharing a joke, planning a surprise, or doing something silly together, these moments strengthen connection and keep love alive.
The happiest couples are the ones who never stop having fun. Investing in joy is investing in the future of your relationship.
Now go do something fun with your partner. Seriously, put down your phone and go make them laugh. Life’s too short to be boring with someone you love.
