When you’re in a relationship, it’s easy to get complacent and fall into the same old routine day after day. But just because you’re comfortable with your partner doesn’t mean you should stop making an effort to keep the spark alive. While the day-to-day mundane activities can be beneficial for a short while, it’s definitely important to switch things up every now and then to keep your relationship fresh. 1
Our relationships (whether they’re romantic, familial, or platonic) can shape our lives in profound ways, so it’s essential that we make an effort to cultivate these relationships and have a goal in mind to make them grow. 2 This is what you call approach relationship goals, and those with high approach goals in their romantic relationships are more likely to report being satisfied with their relationships. 3 4
If you constantly have negative interactions with your boyfriend, it creates a toxic environment that can be difficult to recover from. 5 So how do you set healthy relationship goals that will help us create a more positive relationship? One thing you can do is to try different things with your boyfriend to keep the relationship exciting. 6
This could be anything from trying a new restaurant together to taking a dance class or going on a weekend getaway. If you’re looking for ideas for couple activities, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll cover 20 different things you can do with your boyfriend to keep your relationship fresh!
20 Things to do with your boyfriend
People in romantic relationships will often have different things they want out of the relationship. 7 However, one of the most important things for a healthy and happy relationship is communication. 8 You and your boyfriend should be able to openly communicate about your needs, wants, and goals for the relationship. 9
This means that if you want to be closer to your boyfriend and spend more time with him, you should feel comfortable communicating that to him and he should be on the same page. Asking your partner what he wants out of the relationship is a great way to start a conversation about your goals and how you can work together to make them happen.
If you and your boyfriend want to build intimacy and closeness, here are 20 things you can do together to help achieve that goal.
1. Plan an outdoor adventure
Perhaps one of the best ways to get closer to your boyfriend is to embark on an adventure together. This could be anything from hiking and camping in the woods to kayaking down a river or exploring a new city.
Whether or not you’re the outdoorsy type, just the simple act of planning and executing an adventure with your boyfriend will bring you closer together. 10 You’ll have to rely on each other for support and encouragement, which will create a stronger bond between you.
2. Spend time together without electronic devices
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in our electronic devices and spend more time looking at our screens than we do interact with the people around us. 11 This technological interference, called technoference or phubbing (phone and snubbing) can damage our relationships by preventing us from connecting with our loved ones on a deeper level. 12 13
To combat this, make a point to spend some time each day with your boyfriend without any electronic devices. This means no phones, laptops, tablets, or TV’s. Just you and him interacting and enjoying each other’s company. This will help you to connect with each other on a deeper level and create a stronger bond.
3. Go on runs and hikes
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve our overall health, but it can also be a great way to bond with your boyfriend. 14 Going on runs or hikes together is a great way to spend time together while also getting some exercise.
And it doesn’t have to be boring, you can explore new trails and locations together and make exercise a fun activity that you both enjoy. This is a great way to build up your communication and teamwork skills while also getting some exercise.
4. Attend a cooking class
If you and your boyfriend love to eat, then attending a cooking class together is a great way to bond and learn something new. You can team up and cook a meal together, or take turns cooking for each other.
This is a great way to learn more about your boyfriend’s taste in food and get to know his cooking skills. It’s also a great way to spend some quality time together in the kitchen.
Plus, offering to cook dinner for your boyfriend is always a nice gesture that he’s sure to appreciate. 15
5. Play his favorite video games with him
Playing video games has always had a bad reputation as a time-waster, but recent studies have shown that video games can actually have some benefits for your brain and mental health. 16 It can be a great way to relieve stress and has been found to be a great opportunity to acquire and develop new skills. 17 18
If your boyfriend is a big gamer, why not join in on the fun? Pick up a controller and play his favorite video games with him. You may find that you actually enjoy it more than you thought you would.
And even if you don’t, just being accepting and supportive of his interest in video gaming will help to build a stronger bond between you. 19
6. Volunteer at a local charity or non-profit organization
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need, but it’s also a great way to bond with your boyfriend. Not only will you experience the many health benefits of volunteering, including better mental and physical health, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and happiness, you’ll also be working together towards a common goal. 20 21 22 23
You can volunteer for a cause that is important to both of you and work together to make a difference. Perhaps there is a local soup kitchen that you can volunteer at together or a Habitat for Humanity build event that you can participate in.
Whatever it is, volunteering is a great way to spend time together while also doing something good for the community.
7. Visit a local winery or brewery
There is nothing quite like visiting a local winery or brewery with your significant other. You can tour the facility, learn about the process of making wine or cold brews, and of course, sample the products.
You can also take this opportunity to give your boyfriend a bottle of wine or something from the brewery as a gift. This is a great way to show your appreciation for him and also bond over your shared love of wine or beer.
8. Watch his favorite movie with him
We all have that one movie that we love, even if it’s not an Oscar-winning film. And chances are, your boyfriend has a favorite movie too.
Why not watch it with him? This is a great way to bond over your shared love of cinema and also get to know your boyfriend’s taste in movies.
Maybe you can even watch it in your local drive-in theater or make some popcorn and have a movie marathon. Make it special and turn it into a fun date night.
9. Go to a local ice skating rink
If you and your boyfriend are looking for a romantic date idea that is also a lot of fun, then consider going to a local ice skating rink. Ice skating has known psychological benefits, apart from its great physical benefits. 24
You can skate hand-in-hand, play some games, and enjoy the winter atmosphere. It’s a great way to spend some quality time together while getting some exercise.
10. Plan a weekend getaway
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can be stressful, so why not plan a weekend getaway with your boyfriend? This is a fantastic way to bond with your significant other and enjoy some quality time together.
Even if it’s just short, a mini-vacation can do wonders for your relationship and health. 25 Try exploring a new city or town together, going on hikes in the mountains, or spending time at the beach.
Take some time to relax, recharge, and reconnect with your boyfriend. You’ll be glad you did.
11. Start a garden together
If you and your boyfriend love being outdoors and getting your hands dirty, then consider planting a garden together. Gardening has many benefits, including reducing stress, improving mental health, and providing fresh fruits and vegetables. 26 27
Bond over your shared love of nature and work together to create a beautiful garden. This is a great way to spend some quality time together and watch your hard work
12. Prepare a candlelit dinner
A classic romantic gesture, preparing a candlelit dinner for your boyfriend is a great way to show your love and appreciation for him. This is a simple but effective way to set the mood and create a romantic ambiance.
You can cook his favorite meal or try something new together. Just make sure that the dinner is special and memorable.
13. Go on a romantic picnic
A picnic is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend some quality time with your boyfriend. This is a romantic and fun date idea that is perfect for spring or summer.
Pack your favorite food and drinks, find a scenic spot, and enjoy each other’s company. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or two so you can snuggle up together.
14. Take a dance class
Dancing is a great way to get active and have fun together. 28 Find a local dance studio and sign up for a class together, whether it’s ballroom dancing, salsa, or something else.
This is a great way to bond with your boyfriend and get some exercise while you’re at it. Plus, you’ll get to show off your new dance moves the next time you go out.
15. Work on a project together
Working on a project together is a great way to spend some quality time with your boyfriend while also being productive. It can be something as simple as working on a jigsaw puzzle or building a model car.
Or, you could take on a more ambitious project, like renovating a room in your house or building a piece of furniture. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’re both interested in and invest some time in it.
16. Go on a road trip
A road trip is a perfect way to explore new places while spending time with your boyfriend. This is a great date idea for couples who love outdoor activities and are always up for a new challenge.
Plan your route, pack your bags, and hit the open road. Be sure to stop at some interesting places along the way and take lots of pictures.
17. Spend a day at the spa
A day at the spa is a great way to relax and rejuvenate. 29 It’s also a perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your boyfriend.
Schedule a couples massage, soak in the Jacuzzi, and enjoy some peace and quiet together. You’ll both come out feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.
18. Go camping
Connecting with nature through camping is a great way to improve your mental and physical health. 30 When you go camping with your boyfriend, you’ll get to enjoy the outdoors while spending some quality time together.
Make sure to choose a campsite that’s close to some interesting hiking trails or other outdoor activities. And, don’t forget to pack some s’mores for a romantic night around the campfire.
19. Attend a workshop class together
Engaging in arts and crafts is an opportunity to be creative while spending time with your boyfriend. It’s also a great way to bond, learn new skills together, and improve your physical and mental health. 31
There are plenty of workshops and classes available, whether you’re interested in painting, pottery, or something else. Choose something that sounds fun and sign up for it together.
20. Go stargazing
Stargazing is a romantic and fun activity that you can do with your boyfriend. And you can do it free of charge, which is an added bonus.
Find a dark spot away from city lights, lie down on a blanket, and look up at the stars. You can even download a stargazing app to help you identify constellations. Maybe even make a wish on a shooting star.
These are just a few ideas to help you spend quality time with your boyfriend. No matter what you decide to do, the important thing is that you’re spending time together and enjoying each other’s company. So have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Frequently asked questions about things to do with your boyfriend
1. What can you do with your boyfriend when you’re bored?
There are a lot of things you can do with your boyfriend when you’re bored. You could watch a movie together, play a game, or take a walk. Or, you could try something new, like taking a dance class or attending a workshop.
A lot of it depends on your interests and what you’re both in the mood for. But, if you’re stuck, you can always brainstorm a list of ideas together.
2. What romantic can I do with my boyfriend?
A piece of popular advice you’ll often hear in finding something romantic to do for your boyfriend is to tailor it to his interests. This way, it’ll be more personal and meaningful to him.
It might be helpful to know what your boyfriend’s love language is. This is the way he expresses and receives love. 32 Once you know this, you can plan something that he’s sure to appreciate. 33
Perhaps his love language is quality time. In this case, you could plan a weekend getaway or a day trip to somewhere he’s always wanted to go. Or, maybe his love language is physical touch. In this case, you could give him a massage or cook him dinner.
If he’s not the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, you could try planning a date night with a romantic twist. 34 Set up a picnic in your living room, cook dinner together by candlelight, or exchange heartfelt love letters.
3. What do fun couples do?
Fun couples do a lot of different things together, depending on their interests. But, some fun activities couples might enjoy include going on adventures, trying new things, and spending time together.
Trying new things together is especially important in a relationship, as it gives you more opportunities to bond and learn about each other. It also keeps things fresh and exciting. 35 So, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone together.
4. How can I impress my bf?
There’s no surefire way to impress your boyfriend, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances. First, try to get to know him and what he likes. This will give you a better idea of how to tailor your efforts.
Next, try to be yourself and let your natural qualities shine through. Authenticity is always impressive. 36 Be honest, kind, and considerate, and he’s sure to take notice.
Finally, try going the extra mile for him. Plan a special date, do something nice for him, or give him a thoughtful gift. Little gestures like this can go a long way in impressing your boyfriend.
Muise, A., Harasymchuk, C., Day, L. C., Bacev-Giles, C., Gere, J., & Impett, E. A. (2019). Broadening your horizons: Self-expanding activities promote desire and satisfaction in established romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 116(2), 237. ↩︎
Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: a flashpoint for health policy. Journal of health and social behavior, 51 Suppl(Suppl), S54–S66. doi.org ↩︎
Gable, S. L. (2006). Approach and avoidance social motives and goals. Journal of personality, 74(1), 175-222. ↩︎
Harasymchuk, C., Muise, A., Bacev-Giles, C., Gere, J., & Impett, E. (2020). Broadening your horizon one day at a time: The role of daily approach relationship goals in shaping self-expansion. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37, 1910-1926. ↩︎
Gottman, J. M. (1993). A theory of marital dissolution and stability. Journal of family psychology, 7(1), 57. ↩︎
Graham, J. M. (2008). Self-expansion and flow in couples’ momentary experiences: an experience sampling study. Journal of personality and social psychology, 95(3), 679. ↩︎
Impett, E. A., Gordon, A. M., Kogan, A., Oveis, C., Gable, S. L., & Keltner, D. (2010). Moving toward more perfect unions: daily and long-term consequences of approach and avoidance goals in romantic relationships. Journal of personality and social psychology, 99(6), 948. ↩︎
De Netto, P. M., Quek, K. F., & Golden, K. J. (2021). Communication, the Heart of a Relationship: Examining Capitalization, Accommodation, and Self-Construal on Relationship Satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. doi.org ↩︎
Zhou, Y., Wang, K., Chen, S., Zhang, J., & Zhou, M. (2017). An Exploratory Investigation of the Role of Openness in Relationship Quality among Emerging Adult Chinese Couples. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 382. doi.org ↩︎
Harasymchuk, C., Walker, D. L., Muise, A., & Impett, E. A. (2021). Planning date nights that promote closeness: The roles of relationship goals and self-expansion. Journal of social and personal relationships, 38(5), 1692–1709. doi.org ↩︎
McDaniel, B. T., & Coyne, S. M. (2016). Technoference: The interference of technology in couple relationships and implications for women’s personal and relational well-being. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 5(1), 85. ↩︎
Roberts, J. A., & David, M. E. (2016). My life has become a major distraction from my cell phone: Partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction among romantic partners. Computers in human behavior, 54, 134-141. ↩︎
Amichai-Hamburger, Y., & Etgar, S. (2016). Intimacy and smartphone multitasking—a new oxymoron?. Psychological reports, 119(3), 826-838. ↩︎
Ruegsegger, G. N., & Booth, F. W. (2018). Health Benefits of Exercise. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 8(7), a029694. doi.org ↩︎
Hamburg, M. E., Finkenauer, C., & Schuengel, C. (2014). Food for love: the role of food offering in empathic emotion regulation. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 32. doi.org ↩︎
Jones, C. M., Scholes, L., Johnson, D., Katsikitis, M., & Carras, M. C. (2014). Gaming well: links between videogames and flourishing mental health. Frontiers in Psychology, 5. doi.org ↩︎
Snodgrass, J., Lacy, M., Dengah, F., Fagan, J., and Most, D. (2011b). Magical flight and monstrous stress: technologies of absorption and mental wellness in Azeroth. Cul. Med. Psychiatry 35, 26–62. doi.org ↩︎
Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., and Haywood, K. (2011). The 2011 Horizon Report. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium. ↩︎
Norton, A., Brown, C. C., Falbo, R., & Hogan, B. (2020). Video Game Use, Acceptance, and Relationship Experiences: A Moderated Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking, 23(7), 453–458. doi.org ↩︎
Piliavin, J. A., & Siegl, E. (2007). Health benefits of volunteering in the Wisconsin longitudinal study. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 48(4), 450-464. ↩︎
Thoits, P. A., & Hewitt, L. N. (2001). Volunteer work and well-being. Journal of health and social behavior, 115-131. ↩︎
Morrow-Howell, N., Hinterlong, J., Rozario, P. A., & Tang, F. (2003). Effects of volunteering on the well-being of older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58(3), S137-S145. ↩︎
Borgonovi, F. (2008). Doing well by doing good. The relationship between formal volunteering and self-reported health and happiness. Social science & medicine, 66(11), 2321-2334. ↩︎
Dursun, O. B., Erhan, S. E., Ibiş, E. Ö., Esin, I. S., Keleş, S., Şirinkan, A., Yörük, Ö., Acar, E., & Beyhun, N. E. (2015). The effect of ice skating on psychological well-being and sleep quality of children with visual or hearing impairment. Disability and rehabilitation, 37(9), 783–789. doi.org ↩︎
de Bloom, J., Geurts, S. A., & Kompier, M. A. (2012). Effects of short vacations, vacation activities and experiences on employee health and well-being. Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 28(4), 305–318. doi.org ↩︎
Lambert, K. G., Nelson, R. J., Jovanovic, T., & Cerdá, M. (2015). Brains in the city: Neurobiological effects of urbanization. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 58, 107-122. ↩︎
Beyer, K. M., Kaltenbach, A., Szabo, A., Bogar, S., Nieto, F. J., & Malecki, K. M. (2014). Exposure to neighborhood green space and mental health: evidence from the survey of the health of Wisconsin. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(3), 3453-3472. ↩︎
Fong Yan, A., Cobley, S., Chan, C., Pappas, E., Nicholson, L. L., Ward, R. E., Murdoch, R. E., Gu, Y., Trevor, B. L., Vassallo, A. J., Wewege, M. A., & Hiller, C. E. (2018). The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions on Physical Health Outcomes Compared to Other Forms of Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 48(4), 933–951. doi.org ↩︎
Yang, B., Qin, Q. Z., Han, L. L., Lin, J., & Chen, Y. (2018). Spa therapy (balneotherapy) relieves mental stress, sleep disorder, and general health problems in sub-healthy people. International journal of biometeorology, 62(2), 261–272. doi.org ↩︎
Agate, S. T., & Covey, C. D. (2007). Family Camps: an Overview of Benefits and Issues of Camps and Programs for Families. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 16(4), 921–937. doi.org ↩︎
Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The connection between art, healing, and public health: a review of current literature. American journal of public health, 100(2), 254–263. doi.org ↩︎
Chapman, G. (2015, January 1). The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts (Reprint). Northfield Publishing. ↩︎
Mostova, O., Stolarski, M., & Matthews, G. (2022). I love the way you love me: Responding to partner’s love language preferences boosts satisfaction in romantic heterosexual couples. PloS one, 17(6), e0269429. doi.org ↩︎
Gottman, J., Gottman, J., Abrams, R., & Abrams, D. (2019). Eight Dates: To keep your relationship happy, thriving and lasting. Penguin UK. ↩︎
Aron, A., Norman, C. C., Aron, E. N., McKenna, C., & Heyman, R. E. (2000). Couples’ shared participation in novel and arousing activities and experienced relationship quality. Journal of personality and social psychology, 78(2), 273. ↩︎
Wang Y. N. (2015). Authenticity and Relationship Satisfaction: Two Distinct Ways of Directing Power to Self-Esteem. PloS one, 10(12), e0146050. doi.org ↩︎
David Hall
David Hall is a self-taught dating expert who works as a freelance writer to help people improve their love lives. He has always been interested in dating, physical attraction, and …
Read full bio
