30 Fun Things to Try with Your Spouse Once in a Month

Marriage thrives on shared experiences and quality time together.

Creating monthly traditions strengthens your bond while breaking routine patterns.

These thirty engaging activities will help you reconnect, laugh together, and build cherished memories throughout your relationship journey.

1. Plan a Mystery Date Night

Take turns planning surprise date nights for each other. Keep the destination and activities completely secret until the day arrives.

This element of surprise reignites the excitement you felt during early dating.

Your spouse will appreciate the thought and effort you put into creating something special just for them.

Set a reasonable budget beforehand to avoid financial stress.

The mystery could be as simple as a picnic in an unexpected location or as elaborate as a themed evening complete with costumes.

Document these surprise dates with photos or a shared journal. You’ll love looking back at these creative adventures years later.

2. Cook a Cuisine You’ve Never Tried Before

Choose a cuisine from a country neither of you has explored culinarily. Research traditional recipes and shop for authentic ingredients together.

Cooking together creates natural opportunities for conversation and teamwork.

You’ll laugh at mistakes and celebrate successful dishes as a team.

Transform your kitchen into the culture you’re exploring.

Play traditional music, learn a few phrases in the language, and set the table with appropriate decorations.

This monthly tradition could take you on a culinary world tour without leaving your home. Document your favorites for future recreation.

3. Start a Couples Workout Challenge

Choose a fitness goal you can work toward together. This might be training for a 5K run, learning yoga sequences, or completing a monthly hiking challenge.

Exercising together releases endorphins that boost mood and strengthen emotional connections.

You’ll motivate each other on difficult days and celebrate progress together.

Pick activities that match both your fitness levels. The goal isn’t competition but rather shared accomplishment and mutual support.

Track your progress with photos, measurements, or performance metrics. Reward yourselves with a special treat when you reach monthly milestones.

4. Create a Monthly Art Project

Dedicate one evening each month to creating art together. Try painting, pottery, jewelry making, or any craft that interests you both.

Art projects encourage creativity and provide a break from technology and daily responsibilities. You’ll enter a relaxed, playful mindset that strengthens your connection.

Don’t worry about creating masterpieces. Focus on the process of creating together rather than the final product’s quality.

Display your favorite creations around your home. These pieces become conversation starters and reminders of fun times shared together.

5. Have a Game Tournament Night

Organize monthly tournaments featuring board games, card games, or video games you both enjoy. Keep score throughout the year to crown an annual champion.

Friendly competition brings out playful sides of your personalities. You’ll learn new things about each other’s strategic thinking and competitive nature.

Rotate who chooses the games each month. This ensures both partners get to share their favorites and discover new options.

Create silly prizes for winners and fun penalties for losers. The key is maintaining lighthearted competition rather than serious rivalry.

6. Explore Your City Like Tourists

Act like tourists in your own city once a month. Visit museums, monuments, or neighborhoods you’ve never explored despite living nearby.

You’ll discover hidden gems and gain new appreciation for your hometown. This perspective shift makes familiar surroundings feel fresh and exciting.

Research your city’s tourist attractions online or visit the local visitor’s center for ideas. You might be surprised by what you’ve overlooked.

Take photos and create a scrapbook of your local adventures. These documented explorations become treasured memories of rediscovering home together.

7. Host a Themed Movie Marathon

Choose a theme each month and watch related movies together. Themes could include decades, genres, actors, or movie series you’ve never completed.

Create an authentic movie theater experience at home with special snacks, dimmed lighting, and comfortable seating arrangements.

Research the movies beforehand to add interesting trivia and background information. This additional context enhances your viewing experience.

Rate each movie and discuss your favorites afterward. These conversations often lead to deeper discussions about preferences, values, and shared interests.

8. Start a Monthly Book Club for Two

Select books to read together each month. Choose fiction, non-fiction, or alternate between genres to keep things interesting.

Reading the same book creates shared reference points and stimulates meaningful conversations about themes, characters, and ideas presented.

Set realistic reading goals based on your available time. The purpose is enjoyment and connection, not stress about finishing quickly.

Discuss chapters as you progress or save conversations for the end. Both approaches offer different benefits for your relationship dynamic.

9. Plan Surprise Picnics

Take turns surprising each other with monthly picnics in different locations. Pack favorite foods and find scenic spots for your outdoor meals.

Picnics encourage relaxation and uninterrupted conversation time. You’ll escape daily distractions and focus entirely on each other.

Consider indoor picnic alternatives for bad weather. Spread blankets in your living room and recreate the outdoor experience inside.

Include activities like frisbee, card games, or simply cloud watching. These additions make picnics more engaging and memorable.

10. Learn Something New Together

Choose a new skill to learn together each month. Options include dancing, languages, musical instruments, or crafting techniques.

Learning together creates shared challenges and victories. You’ll support each other through frustrating moments and celebrate breakthroughs as a team.

Use online tutorials, local classes, or instructional books as learning resources. The method matters less than your commitment to learning together.

Practice regularly throughout the month to build skills progressively. Consistent effort produces better results and more satisfaction.

11. Have a Technology-Free Day

Designate one day each month as completely technology-free. Turn off phones, tablets, televisions, and computers for the entire day.

This digital detox forces you to engage in face-to-face conversation and activities. You’ll rediscover simple pleasures often overshadowed by screen time.

Plan engaging activities beforehand to avoid boredom. Consider outdoor adventures, board games, cooking projects, or intimate conversations.

Notice how differently you interact without technological distractions. Many couples report feeling more connected and present during these experiences.

12. Create a Monthly Photo Scavenger Hunt

Develop monthly photo scavenger hunts with specific themes or objects to find. Work together to capture creative images around your community.

This activity encourages exploration and creative thinking. You’ll notice details in familiar environments that previously escaped your attention.

Share photos on social media or create physical albums to document your adventures. These images become visual reminders of fun times together.

Make lists increasingly challenging as you become more skilled photographers. Advanced hunts might include technical requirements or artistic elements.

13. Visit Farmers Markets or Local Festivals

Explore different farmers markets or community festivals each month. These events offer unique foods, crafts, and entertainment opportunities.

Local events connect you with your community while providing shared experiences. You’ll meet interesting people and discover new favorite vendors.

Budget for small purchases that support local businesses. Bringing home market finds extends the experience beyond the event itself.

Many festivals offer live music, demonstrations, or activities that create additional entertainment value for your monthly adventure.

14. Have Monthly Spa Days at Home

Transform your home into a relaxing spa once a month. Include massages, facials, baths, and other pampering activities.

Spa days provide stress relief and physical intimacy that strengthens your emotional connection. You’ll both feel refreshed and cared for.

Take turns being the spa attendant for each other. This role reversal ensures both partners receive equal attention and pampering.

Research spa techniques online or invest in quality massage oils and skincare products. Small investments greatly enhance the experience quality.

15. Start Monthly Volunteer Projects

Choose different volunteer opportunities each month. Options include food banks, animal shelters, community gardens, or literacy programs.

Volunteering together strengthens your bond while making positive community impacts. You’ll feel good about helping others and working as a team.

Research organizations that need monthly volunteers rather than long-term commitments. This approach allows you to experience diverse volunteer opportunities.

Discuss your experiences afterward and reflect on how helping others affects your relationship and personal growth.

16. Plan Monthly Adventure Drives

Take scenic drives to destinations within a few hours of home. Explore small towns, natural areas, or historical sites you’ve never visited.

Road trips encourage conversation and create anticipation about reaching your destination. You’ll enjoy both the journey and the arrival experience.

Pack snacks, create playlists, and plan stops along the way. These preparations make drives more enjoyable and give you things to look forward to.

Keep a travel journal documenting interesting discoveries and experiences from each monthly adventure drive.

17. Host Monthly Dinner Parties

Invite different friends or family members for monthly dinner parties. Take turns choosing guests and planning menus together.

Entertaining together requires teamwork and creates opportunities to strengthen relationships with other important people in your lives.

Theme your parties around holidays, seasons, or cultural celebrations. Themes provide structure and make planning more creative and fun.

Prepare as much as possible beforehand to reduce stress on party day. The goal is enjoying time with guests, not creating perfect presentations.

18. Create Monthly Time Capsules

Collect small items, photos, and written notes each month to preserve in monthly time capsules. Include current events, personal milestones, and relationship highlights.

Time capsules document your relationship’s evolution and capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten over time.

Set opening dates for each capsule, perhaps annually or on special anniversaries. Opening past capsules becomes a celebration of your shared history.

Include items that represent your current interests, goals, and daily life. Future versions of yourselves will appreciate these detailed snapshots.

19. Plan Monthly Stargazing Sessions

Choose clear nights each month to stargaze together. Learn constellation names, watch for meteor showers, or simply enjoy the peaceful experience.

Stargazing provides natural conversation starters about dreams, goals, and life’s bigger questions. The quiet environment encourages intimate discussions.

Download stargazing apps to identify constellations and planets. Educational elements add interest and help you learn together.

Bring blankets, warm drinks, and comfortable seating to enhance the experience. Comfort allows you to stay outside longer and enjoy more time together.

20. Start Monthly Home Improvement Projects

Tackle small home improvement projects together each month. Options include painting rooms, organizing spaces, or updating décor.

Working on your home together creates a sense of shared accomplishment and investment in your future together.

Choose projects that match your skill levels and available time. The goal is working together, not creating stress through overly ambitious plans.

Before and after photos document your progress and provide satisfaction as you see your home evolving over time.

21. Have Monthly Breakfast Dates

Start one weekend morning each month with special breakfast dates. Try new restaurants, cook elaborate meals together, or have breakfast in bed.

Morning dates offer a fresh perspective compared to typical evening activities. You’ll start the day feeling connected and energized.

Breakfast dates often cost less than dinner dates, allowing you to try upscale restaurants or cafes you might not typically afford for evening meals.

Morning activities leave entire days free for additional adventures or relaxing at home together after your special breakfast experience.

22. Create Monthly Music Playlists

Collaborate on monthly playlists featuring songs that represent your current moods, memories, or discoveries. Share music that’s meaningful to each of you.

Music sharing reveals personal tastes and creates soundtracks for your relationship. You’ll discover new artists and revisit forgotten favorites.

Listen to completed playlists during car rides, workouts, or quiet evenings at home. These musical collections become associated with specific times in your relationship.

Include songs that remind you of specific shared experiences or that express feelings you want to communicate to each other.

23. Plan Monthly Surprise Gestures

Take turns planning monthly surprise gestures for each other. These don’t need to be expensive—focus on thoughtfulness and personal significance.

Surprises demonstrate that you think about your partner during regular daily activities. Small gestures often mean more than expensive gifts.

Pay attention to things your spouse mentions wanting or needing throughout the month. These observations provide perfect surprise opportunities.

Document surprises with photos or journal entries. Recording these gestures helps you remember creative ideas for future months.

24. Host Monthly Potluck Gatherings

Organize monthly potluck dinners with friends, family, or neighbors. Everyone brings dishes to share, creating variety without overwhelming preparation responsibilities.

Potlucks build community connections while reducing hosting stress. You’ll enjoy diverse foods and strengthen relationships with other couples.

Rotate hosting duties with other couples to share responsibilities and experience different homes and entertaining styles.

Try themed potlucks focusing on specific cuisines, seasons, or cooking methods. Themes provide structure and encourage creative contributions.

25. Create Monthly Memory Books

Dedicate time each month to updating photo albums, scrapbooks, or digital memory collections. Include photos, ticket stubs, and written memories from recent experiences.

Memory keeping preserves important moments and creates opportunities to reflect on positive experiences together.

Organize memories by themes, chronologically, or by specific events. The organizational method matters less than consistent documentation efforts.

Review past memory books together during quiet evenings. These reviews often spark conversations about favorite experiences and future plans.

26. Plan Monthly Skill Swaps

Teach each other different skills you possess. If one person knows photography while the other understands gardening, share knowledge monthly.

Skill sharing demonstrates respect for each other’s knowledge and creates opportunities for personal growth within your relationship.

Be patient teachers and eager students. Learning from your spouse requires vulnerability and trust that strengthens your emotional connection.

Practice new skills throughout the month and celebrate progress together. Shared learning experiences create bonds and mutual appreciation.

27. Have Monthly Deep Conversation Nights

Set aside monthly evenings for deep, meaningful conversations about your relationship, goals, dreams, and personal growth.

These intentional conversations prevent important topics from being overlooked in daily life’s busyness. You’ll stay connected to each other’s evolving thoughts and feelings.

Prepare conversation starters or questions beforehand if spontaneous deep talks feel challenging. Structure can help facilitate meaningful discussions.

Create comfortable environments free from distractions. Soft lighting, comfortable seating, and warm drinks enhance conversation quality.

28. Start Monthly Gratitude Practices

Share monthly gratitude specifically focused on your relationship and each other. Express appreciation for both big gestures and small daily kindnesses.

Gratitude practices strengthen relationship satisfaction and help you focus on positive aspects of your partnership.

Write gratitude letters, share verbal appreciations, or create gratitude journals together. Choose methods that feel natural and sustainable.

Be specific in your gratitude expressions. Details make appreciation feel more genuine and help your partner understand exactly what you value.

29. Plan Monthly Mini Vacations

Create monthly mini vacation experiences, even if you stay close to home. Book local hotels, explore nearby attractions, or simply change your environment.

Mini vacations provide relationship refreshment without extensive planning or expense. You’ll return home feeling reconnected and energized.

Approach these getaways with vacation mindsets even if you’re staying locally. Disconnect from regular responsibilities and focus on enjoying each other’s company.

Try different types of mini vacations throughout the year. Beach trips, mountain retreats, city explorations, and rustic cabins offer diverse experiences.

30. Create Monthly Relationship Check-ins

Schedule monthly relationship check-ins to discuss what’s working well and what could improve. Approach these conversations with curiosity rather than criticism.

Regular check-ins prevent small issues from becoming major problems. You’ll address concerns while they’re still manageable and celebrate successes together.

Create safe, non-judgmental environments for honest feedback. The goal is strengthening your relationship, not winning arguments or assigning blame.

End check-ins with appreciation and commitment to positive changes. Focus on moving forward together rather than dwelling on past mistakes.

Conclusion

These monthly activities will strengthen your marriage through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and intentional quality time.

Choose activities that excite you both and adapt them to fit your unique relationship style.