Marriage is a lot of work! Spouses are required to invest much of their time and energy into creating an atmosphere where they can continue to grow and thrive as a couple. As the years pass, it can be easy to fall into a routine and forget the importance of taking some time out of the busy day-to-day to build up a stronger connection and bond.

For any married couple, there are countless ways to bond that can bring both partners closer, provide entertainment and help them to reconnect. Below is a list of some of the best bonding activities for married couples to try in order to strengthen their relationship.

  1. Exercise Together

One of the best ways for married couples to bond is by exercising together. Exercising can help couples to both physically and mentally strengthen their marriage, as it promotes physical activity, healthy eating habits as well as positive mental health. Whether it be yoga, dancing, bike riding or jogging, these activities can help you build trust, communication and empathy.

  1. Cook Together

Cooking together can be a fun bonding experience and allows the couple to bond over the preparation of a meal. Whether you plan on cooking an intricate recipe or something simple, the process of working together to create something tasty can certainly increase the level of intimacy and connection between the two of you. During the cooking process you can also share stories and interests that are unique to you, which helps to build and create a closer bond.

  1. Watch a movie together

For the couples that prefer a more relaxed form of bonding, watching a movie together can be a great escape from the day-to-day stresses of life. As you watch a movie together, you can both relax and gain more knowledge about each other. Discussing what you liked and disliked about a movie can help you to better understand each others perspective in an enjoyable manner.

  1. Participate In An Arts and Crafts Activity

It doesn’t matter if your art skills are that of a 5 year old, participating in an arts and crafts activity together can help to strengthen your bond. Bonding activities such as building models, creating scrapbooks, painting or doing needlework, are all activities that you can do together that can help you take your mind off of everyday stresses and build a relationship full of trust and communication.

  1. Play Board Games

For couples looking for something a little more challenging to build their bond, board games are a great option. Board games that are filled with strategy such as Chess or Battleship can challenge you both mentally, while card games like Blackjack can provide an even platform for you both to show off your competitive sides. Having a fun competitive match with your partner can be an enjoyable way to build your bond and help you to appreciate each other’s skills.

  1. Create Challenges

Creating a challenge can be both fun and informative. This can involve anything from trying to build something together, crafting a masterpiece for the living room wall, or taking on the challenge of a physical activity that neither of you have done before. Pushing each other’s boundaries can be a great way for you to connect, as well as giving you motivation to be successful as a team.

  1. Take a Weekend Getaway

It’s important to make time for yourself and your partner in order to bond. Taking a weekend away from the everyday grind can be an effective way to not only relax and recharge your batteries, but it can also help you and your spouse to regroup. By traveling to a different place and spending the weekend without the responsibilities of everyday life, you can focus on one another and build a bond that will reconnect you both.

  1. Share Quality Time

One of the best bonding activities for married couples is to just spend quality time together. Whether it’s going for dinner and drinks, a walk around the park, or just sitting and talking – the act of sharing quality time with each other is a great way to discuss things that matter and deepen the bond.

  1. Practice Random Acts of kindness

An excellent way to strengthen the bond between you and your partner is to perform random acts of kindness. Doing something as simple as making dinner, or setting up a romantic dinner, can strengthen the bond between couples. Even small things like running a bath for your partner, offering an unexpected back massage, or just giving a surprise gift can be a great way to show your love.

Creating and maintaining a strong bond between two people is not an easy task, and it requires effort and dedication. It doesn’t matter if you are a newlywed or have been married for decades, bonding activities will always have the same effect: bringing the two of you closer. So don’t forget to take some time out of your busy life and spend some quality time with each other and take advantage of the great bonding activity suggestions listed above!