You've heard of making a bucket list for your life—go skydiving; get a tattoo; finally read all the Game of Thrones books—but how about making a bucket list for your sex life? Whether you're kinky, vanilla, or somewhere in between, experts say that identifying new things you want to try in the bedroom, and then challenging yourself to make them happen, can save you and your partner from getting trapped in a sex rut.
"Most people fall into habits and patterns, which keep sex boring, but having a sexual bucket list reminds you of all the fun and diverse ways to keep sex hot," says SKYN's sex & intimacy expert Dr. Chris Donaghue, PhD, LCSW, CST, ACS. "This list forces couples to keep growing and challenge their complacency. Sexual exploration should be a life-long gift that keeps pleasure as a center point in our lives."
Before you start exploring, the mere act of compiling your sexual bucket list can help you bond with your partner. But what should you put on your list? "A sexual bucket list should be created based on all that one fantasizes about, watches in porn, and happily remembers from past sexual experiences," Donaghue says. "The purpose of the list is a fearless inventory of one's total sexual self—so pull inspiration from everywhere."
We know the options might seem endless, so we're here to assist with a bunch of ideas—plus tips on how to pull them off like a pro.
Sex Bucket List Ideas
1) Have sex in the shower.
Shower sex can be hard to pull off, but these sex positions will help you take the experience from awkward to steamy (both literally and figuratively).
2) Learn Shibari.
Shibari is a style of rope bondage that originated in Japan. “It refers to intricate and beautiful knots and patterns used to restrain and give sensation to the body," Sydona, a Shibari artist and instructor, previously told Men's Health. Read all about Shibari here.
3) Play with all kinds of bondage.
"Bondage" is what the "B" stands for in BDSM—one of the most common sexual fantasies among American adults. Check out our list of bondage toys and get ready to play with power in the bedroom.
4) Go to a sex party.
Don't panic—we have a list of sex party tips for newbies.
5) Vacation at a sex resort.
We rounded up some of the best sex hotels and resorts. These destinations are all about getting it on, whether it's with your partner, other consenting guests, or all of the above. You never know: you might even come back with a positive new outlook on life.
6) Have a threesome.
Here's everything to know about planning a threesome with your partner, including the best apps to find your third. When it's go time, try out these 10 threesome sex positions.
7) Use a sex toy with a partner.
Sex toys aren't threats—they're friends. Accept that there are some things your penis just can't do, and bring one of these amazing couple's sex toys into the mix.
8) Masturbate with a penis sleeve.
If you've been jerking off the same way since you were a teenager, it's time to switch things up. Tenga is famous for their soft, squishy masturbation sleeves—consider trying something from their new Crystal line?
9) Role-play in bed.
Taking on characters like boss/employee and teacher/student—where one person is dominant and the other is submissive—is another way to play with power dynamics in the bedroom. "[These roles] allow the woman and the man to enact their fantasies in a way that won't leave them feeling vulnerable," Jean Mone, a New York City sex therapist, previously told Men's Health.
10) Have sex on the beach.
TBH, sex on the beach isn't always what it's cracked up to be, namely given all the sand. But if you're determined to reenact the opening scene from Grease, check out these tips for making beach sex as smooth as possible.
11) Have sex in public—sort of.
There are plenty of ways to simulate the thrill of public sex without landing yourself in legal trouble, such as performing via webcam or sneaking off to get it on during a party.
12) Give an erotic massage.
We've got all the best moves right here.
13) Have stoned sex.
Weed, in its many forms, has plenty of proven physical, mental, and emotional benefits in the bedroom. Read all about sex on weed here.
14) Use nipple clamps.
Our sex columnist Zachary Zane is convinced they're the most underrated sex toy out there. Your nipples are an erogenous zone, after all.
15) Try pegging.
Pegging is when a man gets penetrated from behind by a partner wearing a strap-on dildo. Click here to find out why some men love it so much.
16) Use a butt plug.
Butt plugs are sex toys you pop into your rear end and leave there, just like a plug. They can stimulate the prostate, as well as those feel-good nerve endings around the anus. Here's a handy dandy list of our favorite vibrating butt plugs.
17) Try prostate massage.
Stimulating that walnut-sized gland between your bladder and rectum doesn't just feel good—it also has health benefits. Here are some of our favorite prostate massagers on the market.
18) Have anal sex.
Whether you're on the giving or receiving end, these anal sex positions will make it extra fun.
19) Have super-hot quickie sex.
There's something hot and passionate about squeezing in a quickie sex session before you head out the door! Try these positions to optimize the experience.
20) Take sexy nudes.
Pro tip: a full-body shot is usually sexier than a close-up of your junk.
21) Make a sex tape.
In our recent sexy survey of 1,467 American adults, 32% of men and 18% of women said they'd be down to film themselves having sex if their partner wanted it.
22) Watch porn with your partner.
It's a great way to discover your shared fantasies and get in the mood! If you need some ideas for what to watch, we asked people in the porn business to share their best recommendations for ethical porn flicks.
23) Listen to audio porn.
We rounded up the 10 best audio porn apps and websites. You can thank us later.
24) Use anal beads.
Anal beads are strands of balls designed to be inserted and then gradually removed from the wearer's rear end. "They offer a gradual ‘filling’ feeling that many people find pleasurable, plus the slim neck between each bead creates a ‘popping’ sensation as they’re inserted and removed," Sammi Cole, a sex expert at Lovehoney, previously explained to Men's Health.
25) Use a blowjob machine.
Our sex columnist Zachary Zane reviewed the Autoblow AI, in case you're curious about trying it out for yourself.
26) Use a cock ring.
Cock rings are among our fave sex accessories. Not only can they help you strengthen your erections and last longer in bed, but—if they vibrate—they might also help your partner get off. Here's everything to know about using cock rings during sex, as well as our recommendations for the best cock rings on the market.
27) Give and/or receive a rim job.
Yup, we're talking about eating ass. Head here for tips on how to do it right.
28) Explore squirting.
The act of squirting, or female ejaculation, has taken on a sort of cult following. If your partner has a vulva and they're open to exploring it, head here for tips on how to make it happen.
29) Have sex in a car.
Try these fun positions to optimize your car sex experience. And don't get caught!
30) Get a penis tattoo.
Here's everything to know about getting a penis tattoo, including what it feels like. (Spoiler alert: “It wasn’t as painful as I thought it was going to be,” one of our sources told us. “So I was just sitting there, chit-chatting with the artist while he was injecting my flaccid penis with colorful ink.”)
31) Try a penis extender.
Penis extenders, or penis sleeves, were originally developed to help with erectile dysfunction, but now they're also popular as sex toys. Read all about using a penis extender here.
32) Have multiple orgasms in one sex session.
It's possible for people with a penis to have multiple orgasms, refractory period be damned. They key is achieving either non-ejaculatory multiple orgasms (NEMO) or prostate orgasms. Not only do they feel great, but "this capacity also equalizes the disparity between men and women’s pleasure to some degree," international sex educator and sex hacker Kenneth Play previously told Men's Health. "A large percentage of women can have multiple orgasms, so this enables their male partners to keep up with them." Head here for expert tips on how to do it.
33) Have sex in the cowgirl position.
While you're at it, try our other favorite positions that put your partner on top.
34) Have sex in the reverse cowgirl position.
It's like cowgirl, but your partner faces away from you. Check out our tips for making reverse cowgirl even hotter.
35) Experiment with new oral sex positions.
If you haven't tried the Kivin Method, now's the time. Head here for a list of orgasmic oral sex positions to try with your partner.
36) Try the "coconut" move during cowgirl.
People with a vulva have sung the praises of this viral sex move, which entails spelling the word "coconut" with their hips during cowgirl sex. (Really, any hip grinding will do the trick.)
37) Try 69-ing.
Is it super hot, or totally overrated? You be the judge—after trying our favorite 69 positions.
38) Become fluent in dirty talk.
Wouldn't you love to turn your partner on with your words alone? Head here to see our best dirty talk techniques, including sample scripts to get the ball rolling.
39) Explore tantric sex.
“Tantric sex is a system of combining breath, sound, movement and focus to create longer, more intense orgasms, more intimacy, deeper connection, altered states of reality and transcendent experiences during sex,” Sarrah Rose, founder of the sex coaching platform Tantric Activation, previously told Men's Health. Check out our list of the best tantric sex positions.
40) Try Kama Sutra sex positions.
The ancient Hindu text “was the first shame-free text on how to embrace pleasure in life and celebrate sexuality through guides on technique, relationship dynamics, and permission to be free in your sexual expression,” Shannon Chavez, Psy.D., K-Y’s sex therapist, previously told Men's Health. And if you thought it was full of complicated sex positions only Olympic gymnasts could possibly pull off, think again. These Kama Sutra sex positions are great for beginners.
41) Become an expert in stimulating the clitoris.
These expert tips will guide the way.
42) Have mind-blowing vacation sex.
These hotel room sex positions should do the trick.
43) Try spanking.
Nearly a quarter of Americans have fantasized about being spanked during sex. Head here for our tips on doing it safely.
44) Try edging for more powerful orgasms.
Edging—the word for when you bring yourself to the brink of orgasm and then abruptly cut off stimulation—can make more more powerful climaxes and help you last longer in bed.
45) Do it in the Amazon sex position.
What the heck is the Amazon position, you ask? Head here for an illustrated guide to pulling it off. (It's not too complicated, we promise.)
46) Try breath play—safely.
Playing with breath restriction is common in the world of BDSM. Obviously, it's a risky activity that carries a risk of injury or even death, so it's crucial to establish an action that serves as a safe word, should you or your partner wish to stop whatever you're doing. Head here for expert tips on using breath play safely and consensually.
47) Blend food and sex.
Combining food and sex is one of the most common fantasies among American adults. Try it with strawberries, whipped cream, or something way messier, if sploshing is your thing.
48) Have sex in doggy style.
If you're all about the booty and deep penetration, then doggy style is for you! Try these tips for making doggy style sex even hotter:
49) Explore the joys of good ol' fashioned missionary position.
If you think missionary sex is boring, then you clearly haven't tried the positions on this list.
50) Bring your perineum into play.
Did you know you can have an orgasm from your perineum, the patch of skin located between the scrotum and anus? Well, you can. Here's how.
51) Try swinging.
No, we're not talking about sex swings—although we'll get to those later. We're talking about when people in relationships hook up with other couples. Read all about swinging it here.
52) Find the sex positions that work best for your penis size.
Are you smaller than average? Larger than average? Don't worry, we have our back.
53) Have an anal orgasm.
Yes, they're real—and they're spectacular. Head here to learn everything there is to know about anal orgasms.
54) Have a prostate orgasm.
Curious about how prostate orgasms differ from penile orgasms? We asked a bunch of guys to describe the sensations. Arguably the best part about prostate orgasms is they don't come with a refractory period, meaning they pave the way for men to have multiple orgasms.
55) Use a remote-controlled sex toy with a partner.
Here are some of our favorite app-controlled sex toys on the market.
56) Have sex over video chat.
The activity gained new popularity during the pandemic, but it's always fun to unleash your inner cam performer and get it on through the screen.
57) Have phone sex.
Go old school with the lower-tech version of FaceTime sex. Check out our tips for having super-hot phone sex. Hint: Your dirty talk skills will come in handy here.
58) Turn your partner on with your sexting skills.
To help get your creative juices flowing, we came up with over 50 examples of sexts to send your partner. What are you waiting for?
59) Try the "anvil" sex position.
The move became popular thanks to Love Island. Here's how to do it.
60) Get a penis piercing.
There are various ways to pierce a penis, but the two most common are the Jacob's Ladder piercing (through the frenulum) and the Prince Albert piercing (through the urethral opening), celebrity body piercer Chris Saint previously told Men's Health. Head here to find out everything there is to know about getting your penis pierced, including how it changes your sex life.
61) Get a nipple piercing.
As long as you're not still traumatized from this viral story, nipple piercings are another way to tap into the erogenous zones on your chest.
62) Use a ball gag.
A ball gag is a popular BDSM accessory that prevents the wearer from speaking. Learn all about them here.
63) Do naked yoga.
Our sex columnist Zachary Zane gave it a try, and described is as a "highly erotic" experience. Yes, please!
64) Use CBD lube.
"CBD [reportedly] reduces inflammation, so for women who may experience pain or discomfort during intercourse, a CBD lubricant is your best friend," Angela Mustone, founder and president of the CBD-infused lube brand High On Love, previously told Men's Health. "Not only does it help reduce pain, but it also may help to relax the muscles and may increase blood flow." Head here to learn everything there is to know about using CBD lube during sex.
65) Give your partner a blended orgasm.
Blended orgasms combine external clitoral orgasms with pleasure from other hotspots, including the G-spot, booty, and more.
66) Use a sex swing.
Okay, now we're talking about actual sex swings, which are nifty devices that can help you pull off gravity-defying sex positions. We rounded up the best sex swings for every budget.
67) Have reeeeally deep penetrative sex.
This sex position guide will help you out.
68) Do it on a sex bench.
There's a whole wide world of sex furniture out there, just waiting for you to explore it. Sex benches can be great for using restraints—if BDSM is your thing—or simply for helping couples achieve new configurations during sex. Here are the best sex benches you can buy online.
69) Try sounding.
Sounding is not for the faint of heart. The kink involves inserting a metal rod into your urethra—you can read all about it here.
70) Try a sex position that uses gym equipment.
You know we have a sex position guide for this one.
71) Try a sex position that shows off your massive gains.
These sex positions will put your fitness skills to the test.
72) Do a striptease.
We asked the experts for tips on how to perform a striptease like Magic Mike.
73) Try mutual masturbation.
Mutual masturbation is a totally underrated activity. Not only is it hot to watch your partner get off—and to let them watch you—but it's a great way to have sex when you're both totally exhausted. Plus, you might learn a thing or two by watching exactly how your partner gets themselves off.
74) Use a blindfold during sex.
When you're blindfolded, your other four senses become heightened—creating so many opportunities for sexy stimulation. (We listed some ideas here.)
75) Channel your dominant side in the bedroom.
If it doesn't come naturally to you, fear not—we have tips to help you channel your inner Christian Grey.
76) Channel your submissive side in the bedroom.
Flip it around and take a more submissive role, whether it's letting your partner tie you up, spank you, ask you to kiss their feet—or something else entirely!
77) Use a sex pillow.
This nifty piece of sex furniture will help you explore new angles and positions. Plus, it takes up considerably less space than a sex bench!
78) Try pole dancing.
It's a lot harder than it looks. Trust us.
79) Have standing sex.
Standing sex can be super hot, but it's obviously not the easiest to pull off. Here are our expert tips for doing it right.
80) Hook up in a hot tub.
Having sex in the water seems like a good idea, but in reality, it comes with some unpleasant health risks—particularly if anyone involved has a vulva. That said, it's super hot to make out or feel each other up in a hot tub—we just recommend taking things poolside whenever it's time for intercourse.
81) Have sex on the couch.
This sex position guide will come in handy.
82) Have sex at a wedding.
Nothing satisfies a public sex kink like getting it on at someone else's nuptials. Just make sure you do it stealthily—you don't want your hookup in the photo booth to steal attention away from the happy couple on their big day.
83) Do it with a sex doll.
Learn more about the sex doll experience from three guys who actually own 'em.
84) Have sex with (most of) your clothes on.
These positions prove clothes can make sex even hotter, contrary to popular belief.
85) Have make-up sex.
Make-up sex is awesome, as long as you're not using it as a replacement for talking through problems with your partner.
86) Have sex in your childhood bedroom.
Remember that feeling of sneakily hooking up with your partner as a teenager? It's still kinda sexy as an adult. That's because the fear of getting caught can be a turn-on, which is why some people find public sex so appealing.
87) Make-out all night like you did in high school.
When sex is on the table, it's easy to overlook the humble French kiss. Ramp up the romance with a good old fashioned make-out session—and head here for expert tips on how to perfect your technique.
88) Wear a sex toy out in public.
They're not just for the bedroom. You and your partner can tap into your kinky sides by wearing a butt plug or panty vibrator out to dinner on date night.
89) Try an e-stim sex toy.
Electric shocks? Sexy? Yup. Head here to learn everything there is to know about e-stim sex toys.
90) Play with sex dice.
Roll to find out what you and your partner have to do to each other! See our recommendations for sex dice and other couple's games here.
91) Buy an expensive luxury sex toy.
Sometimes you just have to treat yourself to a $300 cock ring.
92) Stay in bed with your partner all day long.
How many orgasms can two people have in a day? There's only one way to find out.
93) Tap into your cuckolding kink.
It's totally normal to be turned on by the idea of your partner having sex with someone else. Explore your kink by working it into dirty talk—i.e. talking about how hot it would be as you and your partner have sex—or even inviting a third into your bedroom.
94) Try fisting.
Fisting sounds intimidating, but it can be pleasurable if you do it correctly. Here are 10 steps to making it happen—safely.
95) Have sex on a desk.
Remember that boss/employee role-playing fantasy we talked about earlier? Having sex on a desk is a great way to bring the scene to life.
96) Have sex on a camping trip.
Ah, the joys of getting it on in the great outdoors! We have tips for making your camping sex experience as sexy and mosquito-free as possible.
97) Try CBT.
We don't mean cognitive behavioral therapy, although that's great, too! In this case, we're talking about cock and ball torture, a form of BDSM that involves spanking, pinching, sounding, and other forms of sexy "torture" performed on the penis and testicles. CBT can also involve the use of chastity cages.
98) Give or receive a "golden shower."
Some folks are into piss play for a variety of reasons, including the humiliation factor and the excitement of doing something considered taboo.
99) Play with hot wax.
The sensation of having hot wax drip onto your bare skin can be deeply arousing—especially if you're blindfolded, and your sense of touch is elevated.
100) Indulge your inner voyeur.
Voyeurism—a.k.a. watching or hearing about other people get it on—is also among the most common sexual fantasies in America. Obviously, don't do it in an illegal way—try these tips instead.
