Being a parent is one of the most life-changing experiences you can have in your life. With new responsibilities like taking care of your little bundle of joy, it will definitely impact the things you can do. You might even find it hard (and at times, impossible) to do fun stuff post-baby compared to when you had all the free time before the little one was conceived. We’re here to help you make the most of your time with a pre-baby bucket list that has creative ideas and things to do before the baby arrives.
From traveling to bar crawls to sleeping in to even completing your couple’s bucket list, you can think of this as a “last hurrah” of sorts before joining the ranks of parents the world over.
1. Binge Watch TV Shows
One of the most perfect ways to enjoy a quiet date night with your partner is to binge watch a new TV series. Cook up some popcorn, cozy up under a blanket and find the perfect TV series to watch. Me and my husband obsessively watched all the seasons of The Good Place, You and Schitt’s Creek. They were all fantastic!
You can easily find something fun and entertaining on-demand or there’s plenty of options if you are an Amazon Prime member. If you are struggling to find a show , then the 33 best TV shows to binge-watch will help you out.
2. Complete Your Couple’s Bucket List
Though a couples relationship doesn’t always replicate the ideal duos in the popular romantic movies, it can be quite an adventure filled with fun couple activities, romantic date nights, meaningful bonding and crazy things to do to help to bond your special relationship. That is, if you design it that way.
3. Do a Bar Crawl
Whether you hit hotspots in your own city or explore the scene in a new downtown, a bar crawl is a fun and low-key idea for an evening out pre-pregnancy. It’s best to plan your route ahead of time, but always leave room for the unexpected pub that might pop up!
4. Do a Bottomless Mimosa Brunch
Nowadays going to brunch is very trendy. And there are a lot of fun places where you can enjoy the food, the ambiance and, of course, bottomless mimosas!
5. Do a Boudoir Photoshoot
Doing a boudoir photoshoot is something you should consider doing often since you’ll be able to capture the beauty of your transformation into motherhood; from before pregnancy and up until the baby arrives.
For some boudoir photoshoot tips:
6. Eat at a Well-Renowned Restaurant
After pregnancy, and definitely with a newborn, it may be tricky for you and your partner to get all dressed up and go out to have a delicious dinner at a fancy well-renowned restaurant. Don’t wait any longer, do it while you have the chance.
7. Enjoy a Spa Mani and Pedi
For all who love to pamper themselves, this option is undoubtedly a great pre-baby bucket list idea. There are many places that give perfect manicure and pedicure services, but some will also offer facial and body care treatments in case you really want to splurge.
8. Face a Fear
Do you have an adventure in mind that you’d love to do but you’re scared to? Let your best friend or your partner—encourage you and join you in facing your fears and go on that adventure or do that adventurous activity together! For some crazy ideas, see our adventure bucket list.
9. Fufill a Sexual Fantasy
Get out of the bedroom and take your lovemaking to a sexy location. Joining the mile high club, which is getting intimate in an airplane, seems to be a popular choice. But, there are many other creative ideas too. How about getting busy on top of the washer, on a porch swing, in a field of wildflowers or on a rooftop. Or possibly all of them?
If none of those ideas grab you, here are some others:
10. Get Healthy
Making healthy lifestyle changes and improving your overall health is not only beneficial for you, but it will also be beneficial for your baby once you get pregnant.
Eating healthy, being active, taking vitamins, and reducing stress are just a few things you can do to start your healthy lifestyle journey. If you smoke or drink, you might want to consider asking for help quitting first, as these will affect your baby’s development.
11. Have “Us” Time With Your Partner
Whether it be binge-watching your favorite shows on Netflix or taking a shower together, spending quality time with your partner is a great way to strengthen your bond and intimacy with each other. One of the ways you can go about this is by agreeing on a schedule for regular date nights.
Once the little one’s out, be sure to find some time for the two of you, even if it may seem difficult at times.
12. Have a One-Night Stand
Whether you’re enjoying the single life and in the mood for something sexy or want to explore something new with no strings attached, maybe having a one-night stand is what you’re looking for.
While the idea of getting it on with a stranger is certainly not for everyone, it can be a thrilling (and liberating) experience if you decide to take the plunge.
13. Have a Successful Career
If starting a family is not yet one of your immediate goals, you may want to consider focusing your energy on building up a successful career. Not only can it be a fulfilling achievement, but it will also give you time to build a stable financial foundation and save up for your future family.
14. Have Friends Over for Dinner
Good food and drinks bring people together, especially friends (and family). And what better way to do this than having them over for dinner.
Aside from it being a chance to catch up and enjoy each other’s company, it can also be an opportunity to hear stories about other couples’ pre-baby and pregnancy journeys.
15. Have the Ultimate Date Night
Going on a date with your partner and spending quality time with them is one of the joys of being in a romantic relationship. However, sometimes you might feel you’ve fallen into a routine, especially if you’re doing the same things each time you date.
A great fix for this is having an ultimate date night. Whether it be toning it down from the usual fancy dates or stepping it up by ticking off things on your date night bucket list, it is a great way to try something new together while also taking your date to the next level.
16. Make Spontaneous Plans
Got some time to spare with a desire to spice up things with your relationship a little bit? Randomly choose a destination within driving distance – or forgo thinking about a destination ahead of time altogether!
The quick pack up of your overnight bags to go on an overnight road trip totally spontaneously, leaving on the same day or a couple of days after coming up with the idea. It’s a great way to add something new and different into your relationship.
17. Move to a New City
Whether it be starting fresh, saving money, or a better environment for raising your little one and your family, moving to a new city is probably one of the things you should consider before starting a family.
You can start by exploring what the city has to offer. Things like the best spots in town, different museums and other attractions, plus the best schools for the future.
18. Purge The Things You Don’t Need
It is surprisingly rewarding to be able to purge some clothes, plus it is purely a bonus that you can donate or consign them! If you are anything like me then it’s pretty hard to decide what to keep and what to give away, so use these 17 Invaluable Tips For Anybody With Too Many Clothes.
19. Read Lots of Books
If you are an avid reader, then those warm evenings make for some of the best times to just sit, be comfortable and read a New York Times BestSeller.
This list is considered one of the most reliable when it comes to suggesting excellent books in the United States. Whether you are looking for fiction, non-fiction, auto-biographies or even a children’s book for those bedtime stories, you will find it here.
If you love the classics then check of the Classic Books Bucket List: 25 of the Best Must-Read Novels
20. Remodel/Repaint the House
Renovating the house can be a great DIY project, especially if it needs a fresh, new look. Updating your space can be as simple as painting the walls or doors a different color, changing pillow covers, or adding something new like plants or decorations.
If you are good with your hands, you can also check out items you have put away and see if you can reuse or repurpose them, like making floating shelves out of old fence pickets.
21. Run a Marathon
Preparing and completing a 26-mile marathon takes a lot of training, time and determination. Once you get pregnant this goal can be difficult (and in some cases, a definite no-go), so it may be best to check this off your Pre-Baby Bucket List before pregnancy.
Aside from a standard marathon, there are also fun themed ones like the Walt Disney World Marathon (you can wear a costume!) or the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon. Some local organizations also hold marathons for a cause (like California’s Big Sur International Marathon), so you can join one to support them.
22. Get Passionate About a Hobby
Is there a hobby you’ve been passionate about before and want to get back into? Or maybe there’s something that has sparked your interest that you want to spend more time doing. Perhaps it’s time to get passionate about a hobby.
Whether it’s knitting or kayaking, go all in on something that you love to do while you have more time to do it.
If you’re looking for new hobbies to test out, you can check out our hobbies bucket list.
23. Sleep In
One of the best things you can do before your baby arrives is to get as much sleep as possible. Late-night feedings and early-morning diaper changes are just some of the challenges awaiting you once the little one is out. So go ahead and enjoy those extra hours of sleep while you can!
24. Splurge on Something Expensive
If you’re like most people, you probably have a list of things to do before a baby enters your life. While it’s important to stock up on diapers and onesies, don’t let it stop you from splurging on something expensive every once in a while.
It could be something as simple as a new pair of shoes or a fancy coffee maker. Or, if you’re feeling really indulgent, you could treat yourself to a day at the spa.
Whatever you choose, spend a little extra and make sure it’s something that will make you happy. After all, you deserve it!
25. Start a “Rainy Day” Fund
Much like a ‘smaller’ version of an emergency fund, having a rainy day fund is a great way to cover occasional minor expenses without worrying about your monthly budget.
It is up to you how much you’d want to save up for your rainy day fund. Some people are comfortable with having $500 for their fund, while others may require up to $2500 (or more). Set aside a few hours and assess any possible expenses that might pop up in the coming months to know how much you’d want to save up.
You can also check out our tips on how to save money to help you get started.
26. Stay Up All Night
Do you remember when the two of you just started your relationship and would spend the wee hours of the morning just talking on the phone? Try to replicate that special period of time by planning an all-nighter that may include chatting, laughing, dancing or taking a late night stroll.
Need some ideas for this all nighter date? You can ask each other these 365 thought provoking questions or the 125 Would You Rather Questions for Couples (including dirty ones!) Or check out the top 20 stay-at-home date nights.
27. Take a Bubble Bath
Bubble baths are not just for the children with rubber duckies, they are also relaxing for the adults and a fabulous way to get a little closer to your partner if you choose to invite them in. Arrange some candles, select some peaceful music and put in a few drops of essential oil. Add a glass of wine and you are all set!
Want to make it the most memorable bath for the two of you? Get inspiration from Romantic Baths for Two and How to Set Up a Romantic Bath.
28. Take an Epic Road Trip
This might take some planning to work out the perfect route, or just pack up your bags, take time off work and hit the road with choosing your destinations on the fly. Either way, make sure it’s an epic road trip.
It doesn’t even have to be a long trip, it could just be for a day or two, but make sure you have plenty of entertainment along the way.
Try these 16 road trip games that will surely keep you occupied for the duration of the trip. Or buy our Printable Road Trip Bingo Cards.
29. Take Naps Everyday
Whether you’re catching up on some ZZZs or getting a quick recharge for the latter part of the day, napping for 10 to 30 minutes in the early afternoon can benefit your overall health and performance. Plus, it’s something you won’t be able to do too often with a newborn.
30. Throw an Unforgettable Party
Planning an unforgettable party can be gnarly and nerve-wracking, and is one of the things you should probably do before getting pregnant (to save you from the stress). But with a little bit of preparation, it can be easier than you think.
One of the best tips to follow is having a theme, as it makes it easier for you to decorate and for your guests to know what to wear. A good playlist (or even hiring a DJ or band) also helps keep them entertained while socializing, and make sure you have plenty of good drinks and snacks. Most of all, enjoy the party with your guests!
31. Travel, Travel, Travel
If you’re planning to travel and explore the world, it’s best to do it before having kids. Once you’ve become a parent, traveling will certainly be different compared to when it’s just you and your partner. Still, that should not stop you from exploring the world as a whole family when the time comes.
If you are unsure of where to go, then check out our travel bucket list that has 100 great ideas!
32. Upgrade Your Car
This is probably one of the things you should consider, especially when you’re expecting a baby. If your car is roomy enough, that’s great. But if you think you’ll need more space in the future, you may want to consider upgrading your car or even buying a family car, if your budget permits.
33. Watch a Ton of Non-Animated Movies
If you have experienced taking care of kids, you’ve probably watched your fair share of Disney animated movies that seem to go on repeat. Add the fact that you’ll be watching more of these once you have your own kids.
So whether you’re looking to relax and de-stress or bond with your partner, now is the best time to catch up and watch lots of non-animated movies before the baby arrives.
. . .
I hope this pre-baby bucket list helped and inspired you to do the things you need to do before the baby arrives. Once you become parents, it doesn’t mean that the dreams and goals you’ve set for yourselves will end. Far from it!
What awaits you are never-before-seen adventures you only get to experience as parents, and those will definitely be ones worth checking off your bucket list.
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