There might be affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. Read my disclosure policy here.
Does this happen to you?
When the weekend rolls around or time off work hits and you didn’t make a plan, you can’t come up with something fun to do.
Maybe you turn to the search engines last minute, but you still can’t find what you’re looking for.
Perhaps, you’re even in a little rut.
If you don’t actively create a list of things to do, you’ll probably abandon the idea altogether or end up at the same places. And, another fun opportunity missed.
Well, you’re in luck! I’ve come up with some creative bucket list ideas to get you unstuck.
Good Bucket List Items to Nurture Your Relationship
We can all agree that writing out a travel bucket list with your significant other is exciting, but coming up with creative bucket list ideas that you can do close to home can be equally beneficial.
Though it seems pretty ironic, planning an elaborate vacation can sometimes be stressful. Coordinating schedules, making travel arrangements and packing can be a lot of work. Not to mention, budgeting and saving up for the whole trip.
If planning an elaborate travel bucket list with your partner seems like more than you can handle right now, don’t worry.
Some of these creative bucket list ideas for couples are less complex and not as pricey but still allow you to enjoy something different as a couple while growing in your relationship.
Best Creative Bucket List Ideas That Involve Fitness
As you get older, you probably realize how much of a challenge it can be to prioritize your health and physical fitness. Getting fit with your significant other can be motivating and provide plenty of accountability.
Plus, it makes the overall experience more fun and exciting. Check out some of these creative fitness-based bucket list ideas you can do outside of the home.
Creative Bucket List Example 1 -Yoga Class
If you’re hoping to improve flexibility, posture, strength and awareness, yoga is a popular form of exercise for anyone. There are a variety of classes that include calm and gentle stretches to others that might be more physically challenging and require more strength and energy.
Read up on the class before you join or see if your fitness centers offer classes to the public. Some areas have free yoga on the beach or companies like Lulu Lemon offer a variety of free fitness classes and events that include yoga. See if there’s one near you here.
Jessica Bishop from the Budget Savvy Bride recommends taking an acro yoga class.
“Nothing helps strengthen communication and trust between a couple more than performing acrobatic acts where your partner could potentially drop you on the head,” Jessica shared. “This partnered practice combines elements of yoga with acrobatics and is also said to have therapeutic elements that can help bring you and your partner closer together.
Creative Bucket List Example 2 – Indoor cycling
Indoor cycling is all the hype right now. It’s a great cardio workout that’s easier on the joints. Gyms are full of indoor bikes and there are many classes for cycling such as a Spin, SoulCycle and FlyWheel. While all of them can put you on the fast track to better health, you may want to try them out and see which one is right for you.
Though any stationary bike can help you get results, in a class setting, you might try a little harder, stay for the whole duration and even be inspired to stick with it. Plus, it’s nice to get out around other people for some added accountability. If you have a passion for pedaling and can handle vigorous bursts of quick-paced cycling with an instructor to guide you through an intense workout, then a spin class might be for you.
If you can’t make the class times, want to practice first or prefer to workout alone, think about following a sample indoor cycling workout routine on your phone. Watch it at the gym or in the privacy of your own home.
No matter if you choose an action-packed class or a more laid back one, get your sneakers on and burn some calories. Even if you decide you don’t like any of them, at least you can say you tried something different and squeezed in some exercise.
Creative Bucket List Example 3 – Walking
Never discount the benefits of walking. It can be great exercise and it can also provide you and your partner with some much needed alone time to talk and catch up.
Consider going on scenic strolls often or even visiting a nearby state park with some great inclines to burn calories while nurturing your relationship. Find locations nearby that you’ve never visited to take weekly walks.
Creative Bucket List Example 4 – Take Dance Classes
Never learned how to dance professionally before? Add it to your bucket list. You and your significant other don’t have to be amazing dancers to take advantage of a fun date night dance class.
Many local dance studios offer weekly classes for couples and singles to come and learn how to do different styles ranging from salsa to tango and ballroom dancing. You can also book a private dance lesson with just the two of you if you prefer.
Groupon offers some great deals on dance classes so you can likely get multiple classes booked at a discounted rate.
Creative Bucket List Example 5 – Indoor Rock Climbing
Ever been to an indoor rock climbing gym before? You should set a goal to at least plan for one visit. This is also the perfect activity that couples can do together.
Some gyms have an indoor rock wall center and will allow non-members to use it for a small fee. Rock climbing is a great way to get active and challenge yourself. My bet is once you go once you’ll definitely want to come back again.
Creative Bucket List Ideas You Can Do at Home or Close to Home
Like I mentioned earlier, your couples’ bucket list doesn’t have to involve traveling far away. You can still have enjoyable and creative experiences right at home or in your hometown. Here are a few ideas you may want to consider adding to your couple’s bucket list.
Creative Bucket list Example 6 – Make a Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is where meats and cheeses come together as an edible work of art. Design a board with overlapping squares of cheddar, slices of brie and blue cheeses. Then add a variety of tasty, cured meats like pepperoni, salami and prosciutto.
They can also sit alongside an assortment of dried fruit, nuts and olives all showcased beautifully on the same board. Many of the items are easy to find at your local grocery store.
Even Aldi has some tasty options. Here’s a photo with a list of items I picked up for the charcuterie board along with the price.
Italian Deli Meat (Prosciutto) $3.99
Bite Size Salami $3.99
Dried Apricots $2.79
Chilled Olives (Kalamata) $2.99
Chilled Olives (Green Olives) $2.99
Mild Cheddar Cheese $1.69
Box of Assorted Crackers $2.95
Almonds $4.89
Cashews $5.29
I also recently tried their goat cheese with cranberries and thought this would be the perfect addition to a cheese board.
Though I’m no pro, I slapped one together at home just for fun.
Get ideas for how to assemble a charcuterie board here.
Creative Bucket List Example 7 – Order Takeout or Explore New Restaurants
Though there are many easy meals to make, sometimes ordering takeout can give you the feeling that you’re on vacation even if you’re relaxing a town over or if you’re actually at home.
Satisfy your craving by ordering from your favorite restaurant or surprise yourselves and try a new type of cuisine. If you’re looking for something different to try, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Most ethnic grocery stores have the best takeout food options and don’t necessarily charge as much as a restaurant.
If you’re looking to get out and need to see what restaurants are available, check out Opentable.com. Though planning in advance helps to secure a spot where you want to dine, you can readily scan what’s available if you’re more last minute or being spontaneous.
After typing in the city or town where you’re looking to eat, select how many people will be in your party along with the date and time you wish to go. Though suggestions will readily populate, you can also filter the restaurants by price, neighborhood, type of cuisine, ratings and more.
You can make the restaurant the main event or have it stem off of another activity. Zina Kumok of ConsciusCoins.com attended a comedy festival in San Francisco with her husband. They get to listen to their favorite podcasts live and watch world-class improvisers.
Kumok explains, “We love walking around the city in between shows, eating burritos and sampling cocktails. We have our favorite haunts there and it’s always a fun, laid back vacation.”
Creative Bucket List Example 8 – Netflix and Chill with a Focus
Combine your love of takeout with your movie obsession. If you can’t get enough of Netflix, join the club.
Instead of blindly looking for something good, think about binge-watching with a key ingredient. Perhaps, you choose an actor and see all of the movies they’ve ever done.
Or maybe you used to check off every movie in a certain category such as romantic comedy. Watch Hitch, Eat Pray Love or Dumplin’ starring Jennifer Anniston.
After seeing the Irishman, I was reminded of the longstanding careers that both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have. I realized that I didn’t get to see some of their past movies.
I made a list of all of their films I haven’t see and plan on catching up with them this year. It’s my separate movie bucket list. I figure I could watch one to two a month. I created printables to keep myself accountable. If you want to be super nerdy like me, check out my 12 Month Goal Planner.
If you really like movies in general and you’re looking to do something different, why not find a drive-in, watch old classics or take a stab at some simple bucket list ideas for movie lovers.
Creative Bucket List Example 9 – Embrace Your Inner Artist
Take advantage of free education, if you always wanted to improve your drawing skills, now’s the time. You can practice hand-eye coordination and express yourself in the process.
Start with a simple sketchbook, pencils and an eraser. Learn the basics of drawing on your own in the comfort of your own home. Check out videos on YouTube and go at your own pace.
Creative Bucket List Example 10 – Cook Together
If you want cooking to take center stage all by itself, look up some recipes that are easy to make yet still tasty and impressive.
Check your favorite websites or get suggestions from friends. I like to get most of mine from the Food Network because I’ve never been disappointed by any of their recipes. They usually push me outside of my ingredient comfort zone too.
Ina Garten has many simple recipes on her Youtube channel. If you’re a pasta lover, try her Fettuccini with Truffle Butter and Cremini Mushrooms or another lemon pasta recipe that boasts how easy it is to make. You can also theme your cooking night too like ‘authentic Italian cuisine for example’.
I’ve tried the lemon pasta once so I know it is delicious and super easy to make. Yes, I will have to go to a separate store just for the Truffle butter, but it’s worth it.
On a recent episode of the Kelly Clarkson Show, she had guests on decorating cookies for Valentine’s Day. You don’t need a special holiday to make cookies or even just decorate them. Get your favorite recipe and try it out.
If you don’t have time to make cookies from scratch, purchase ready made cookie dough and just bake them. You can then decorate them with frosting and sprinkles together. If you’re super short on time, you can always get plain sugar cookies and decorate them.
Closing
So there you have it – 10 creative bucket list ideas for couples. Whether you want to go out and do something active or stay in and stick to a smaller budget, these ideas can definitely keep you entertained and enjoying one-on-one time together for a while.
The bottom line is to focus on trying something that you’ve never done before or adding a unique twist to your current routine. Realize that even if you can’t jet-set around the world together at the moment, you can still crush your bucket list goals without leaving town at all thanks to these creative ideas.