Having fun may not be a priority as you age, but it can keep your marriage healthy.
Over the years, marriage becomes a dance of routines—comfortable, familiar, and sometimes, a little too predictable. You know what your partner likes for breakfast, how they load the dishwasher, and which chair they’ll pick in the living room. But amidst the day-to-day rhythm, fun can quietly fade to the background, replaced by to-do lists and quiet evenings that all start to blend together. While companionship is beautiful, joy and laughter are vital ingredients that keep a relationship feeling alive, connected, and just a little bit magical.
The truth is, injecting fun into your relationship doesn’t mean pretending you’re 25 again. It’s about rediscovering what makes the two of you laugh, what sparks curiosity, and what makes time feel like it’s standing still. Playfulness, silliness, and surprise don’t just bring smiles—they rekindle intimacy. So if your last laugh together feels like a distant memory, don’t worry. It’s never too late to bring fun back into your marriage. Here are 15 creative ways to do just that.
1. Plan a Date Night That’s Totally Out of Your Comfort Zone
If your idea of a wild night is ordering dessert at the same restaurant you always visit, it’s time to shake things up. Plan a date night that’s completely out of the ordinary for both of you. Maybe that’s signing up for a salsa class even though you’ve got two left feet, or attempting an escape room where you’ll have to solve puzzles while laughing at your mutual confusion.
Trying something totally different can breathe fresh energy into your relationship, according to Sara Stillman Berger at Oprah Daily. There’s something magnetic about being a little bit scared, excited, and silly all at once—especially when you’re experiencing it side by side. And who knows? You might just discover a hidden talent or at least create a hilarious memory worth retelling for years.
2. Start a Silly Tradition That Only You Two Understand
Traditions don’t need to be rooted in holidays or big moments. In fact, the quirkiest ones often hold the most joy. Maybe you start naming squirrels in the backyard or see who can come up with the best pun each morning. These tiny rituals become an inside world only you two share—your own private comedy show where the audience is always in on the joke, as per editors at Ballen Medical.
They may seem small, but silly traditions help you feel seen, known, and connected in the day-to-day. It’s about making your own fun, no matter how ordinary the setting. The more personal and absurd, the better—it’s these little habits that build warmth and humor into the fabric of your relationship.
3. Recreate One of Your Earliest Dates—But with a Twist
Going back to the beginning can be a beautiful way to remember how it all started. Pick one of your first dates—whether it was a casual coffee or an awkward but sweet dinner—and recreate it. But this time, add a twist that makes it fun and fresh. Dress up in funny costumes or give yourselves characters to play throughout the evening.
The key here is to blend nostalgia with humor. When you pair meaningful memories with a sense of play, you bring back the magic without getting stuck in the past. Laughing over how far you’ve come while acting silly is a bonding experience you didn’t know you needed, as reported by Dionne Eleanor Reid at Marriage.com.
4. Take Turns Planning Surprise “Mini-Adventures”
Surprises don’t need to be grand gestures—they just need to be unexpected. Take turns organizing a mini-adventure, and keep it a secret until the moment arrives. Whether it’s a drive to a local overlook with your favorite snacks or a stop at a bizarre roadside attraction, the element of surprise adds an extra layer of delight.
Not knowing what’s coming next keeps things exciting, and the anticipation alone is half the fun. Plus, it’s a great reminder that romance doesn’t have to be reserved for anniversaries—it can show up in the middle of an ordinary week, disguised as a surprise outing.
5. Get Competitive—In a Fun Way!
A little competition can be incredibly flirty and fun—if you keep it lighthearted. Pick an activity where neither of you is a pro: mini-golf, trivia night, or even a baking contest judged by friends or family. Tease each other, brag a little, and don’t be afraid to play dirty with ridiculous “penalties” for the loser.
What you’re really doing is playing—and play is a powerful connector. You get to be silly, throw some light jabs, and maybe even gloat a bit when you win. And at the end of the day, you’re on the same team, which makes all the fun even sweeter.
6. Try a New Hobby Together
Taking on something new as a couple is a fantastic way to shake up the routine. Choose something that neither of you has experience with—it could be pottery, paddleboarding, or even learning a new language. The goal isn’t mastery; it’s laughter, effort, and shared mishaps.
There’s a unique intimacy in learning together, especially when you’re both a little out of your depth. Mistakes turn into memories. Frustrations become funny. And slowly, you start building a new chapter of your relationship—one that’s filled with fresh experiences and a renewed sense of connection.
7. Write Each Other a “Bucket List” of Fun Things to Do Together
Everyone talks about bucket lists filled with skydiving or world travel. But what if you created one focused entirely on fun? Write out playful, even ridiculous ideas for each other—try a silent disco, have a two-person flash mob, or eat only dessert for an entire day.
Then pick a few and start checking them off. The process of writing the lists is half the joy—it’s a peek into what makes each of you laugh, dream, and feel excited. And every item you complete becomes a joyful memory you made happen together.
8. Have a Grown-Up Sleepover, Pajamas and All
Reclaim the magic of childhood sleepovers—only this time, you get to make the rules. Put on your silliest pajamas, build a blanket fort in the living room, and queue up a movie marathon. Don’t forget the popcorn, pillow fights, and late-night conversations.
There’s something beautifully youthful about letting go of your “grown-up” roles and just being together in a playful way. It’s cozy, it’s comforting, and it reminds you how easy it is to have fun without ever leaving the house. Let the rest of the world fade away while you both just enjoy being present.
9. Make Each Other Laugh on Purpose—The Goofier, the Better
We often save our best humor for friends, but why not bring it back to your partner? Tell your worst dad jokes. Create silly alter egos. Have a contest to see who can make the other laugh first. The point isn’t to be a comedian—it’s to be joyfully ridiculous, together.
Humor is a love language of its own. When you intentionally try to make your partner laugh, you’re saying, “I see you. I want to brighten your day.” And when you both commit to being goofballs, there’s no room for stress—only shared laughter.
10. Embrace Your Inner Child and Do Something Playful
Childlike joy is still inside you—you just have to let it out. Head to a trampoline park, play tag in the backyard, or have a water balloon fight. These activities might sound silly, but they create unfiltered moments of fun that break through the mundane.
When you let go of being dignified and “adult,” you allow your partner to see the lightness in you again. Playfulness invites spontaneity, laughter, and a special kind of intimacy that only comes from being totally yourself around someone who loves it.
11. Give Each Other the Gift of Time Alone (Yes, Really!)
As much as you love each other, sometimes the best gift is space. Encourage each other to take solo days—go hiking, read at a café, or visit friends. When you come back together, you’re refreshed, recharged, and ready to reconnect.
Independence within a relationship creates appreciation. You’ll have new stories, new energy, and a deeper recognition of what you bring to each other’s lives. Time apart, when intentional, actually strengthens the bond and keeps things interesting.
12. Cook a Meal Together with an Absurd Theme
Spice up your usual dinner routine by making it hilarious. Pick a theme—like cooking in the dark, wearing costumes, or creating an entire meal that’s only one color. The point isn’t culinary brilliance—it’s fun, chaos, and a lot of laughter in the kitchen.
You’ll probably end up with a weird-looking meal, flour in your hair, and memories worth far more than any takeout dinner. Cooking becomes a creative playground where the only real ingredient that matters is joy.
13. Turn Off the Screens and Talk About the Future
It’s easy to forget that dreaming is part of loving. Set aside an evening, pour some wine, and put away all distractions. Ask each other: What do we still want to do? What’s something wild we’ve never considered? Where could we go next year?
These conversations don’t need to be serious or goal-driven—they just need to come from the heart. Dreaming together brings in hope, curiosity, and a shared sense of direction. It’s a fun, inspiring way to remind yourselves that the best may still be ahead.
14. Go on a Spontaneous Road Trip with No Destination in Mind
Sometimes, the best adventures start without a plan. Hop in the car, turn off the GPS, and follow whatever road looks the most interesting. Stop when you feel like it, explore places you’ve never noticed, and treat every detour as part of the journey.
This kind of spontaneity revives the adventurous spirit you may have forgotten. It’s not about where you end up—it’s about the stories you collect along the way, the laughter over getting lost, and the shared thrill of discovering the unknown together.
15. Create a Playlist of “Your Songs” and Dance Around the Living Room
Every couple has those songs—the ones that instantly bring back memories. Make a playlist of your shared soundtrack and let it play while you slow dance, laugh, and maybe even cry a little. It doesn’t matter if you can’t dance well; just move together.
Music can bring you back to your wedding, your first kiss, or that unforgettable vacation. Dancing together isn’t just fun—it’s intimate. It’s a way to say, “We’ve still got it,” and to reconnect through the simple joy of moving in sync, one song at a time.