When was the last time you had a really good kiss? Not a rushed peck before bed or a quick smooch in the kitchen, but one of those deep, spine-tingling, lip-locking moments that made your toes curl and your mind go blank? The ones you have when your crush finally leans in or the moment that your first date turns into a passionate snog.

Kissing is one of the most underrated forms of intimacy and touch, and it deserves way more attention than we give it. So if your kisses have been feeling a little stale (or you’re just ready to reignite the spark), here are five deliciously playful ways to upgrade your kissing game, whether you’re solo, dating, or ten years deep into your relationship. These five suggestions are for everyone and anyone.

1. Make Kissing the Main Event

Who says kissing has to be a warm-up? What if you dedicated an entire evening to just kissing? No pressure to go further. No goal. Just explore lips, and tongues till your heart and bodies are content. How long can you stay in that moment before things escalate? (Spoiler: it’s longer than you think because kissing is and always will be ridiculously hot.)

Pro tip: Remember to turn off your phones, set the mood with some sensual or sexy music, and see how creative your mouths can get when they’re centre stage.

2. Add Food Into the Mix

We have all seen films, porn and even music videos that use food as a seducative tool but have you ever actually tired it yourself? A strawberry between the lips or a square of dark chocolate melting on your tongue. A drizzle of honey down the neck. Food isn’t just for foreplay; it is foreplay.

Next time you’re kissing, involve all the senses and take it a step further by feeding each other blindfolded. One trick you could try is passing fruit between your mouths or licking chocolate sauce off each other’s lips, sensitive spots or even genitals. Lick, nibble, play. It’s messy, sensual, and guaranteed to end in giggles or gasps – ideally, both.

3. Don’t Forget Erogenous Zones

Kissing isn’t just for lips; in fact, try thinking outside the box. For example, why not explore earlobes, collarbones, inner wrists, hips, thighs, and every shiver-worthy spot in between? Our body is filled with areas called erogenous zones, which means they’re packed with nerve endings that can heighten arousal and sensitivity when touched, licked, or kissed.

Think slow kisses behind the knees, gentle nibbles along the spine, or warm breath over the neck. These spots are often overlooked, but when given attention, they can unlock whole new levels of pleasure and thrill.

The key is to get curious. Where do they melt when your mouth wanders? Kissing can tease, comfort, seduce… and when it lands on the right spot, it’s pure magic.

4. The Full Eye Contact Kiss

Ready to level up your intimacy? Try kissing while maintaining eye contact. Sounds like something that might feel awkward, but trust me when I say a whole load of stuff might come out of it. Why? Well, eye contact can make us feel more bonded, safe, and seen. Holding someone’s gaze during a kiss can stir up all kinds of vulnerability, anticipation, and raw connection that we are not used to experiencing.

I’m not talking a quick glance but a full, soul-gazing connection into each other’s eyes. It might feel awkward or intense at first, and if it does, try it without the kissing involved first, but hold it. Let the vulnerability crack you open a little. This is intimacy beyond words, and the kind of kiss that can change your night (or your relationship).

5. Kiss in the Rain (or the Bath, or the Sea)

There’s something cinematic about kissing in water. Think Notebook-level drama but with real intimacy. I’m sure we’ve all had a steamy, caught in the rain, seduced against a wall kind of dream that we would love to recreate.

Let’s recreate it, but in a way that feels a little less Hollywood. Why not jump in the shower together and focus solely on passionate kisses? Sneak out during the next rainstorm, even if it is the back garden. Take a skinny dip on your next trip away.

Final thoughts?

Kissing shouldn’t just be an afterthought; it can and should be the whole experience, at least sometimes. Don’t forget that kissing can be playful, passionate, tender, teasing… or all of the above. Have fun with it!

Whether you’re reigniting the spark in a long-term relationship, exploring new dynamics with someone fresh, or just getting curious about how you like to be kissed, give your lips the spotlight they deserve.

Want more spicy ideas? Browse sensual providers, pleasure workshops, and intimate experiences. 

April Maria

Author

April Maria is a qualified sex educator, sex and relationships coach and training psychosexual and relationships therapist. For the last four years, April has been working in the field of sex education, sex tech and pleasure, endometriosis awareness and helping others when it comes to sexual wellness, intimacy, dating and relationships.