5 Sex Role-Play Ideas: How to Role Play in the Bedroom

Sexual role play is an activity in which consenting partners assume the roles of different characters in an imaginary scenario during sex. Partners typically discuss fantasy role-playing ideas ahead of time to ensure consent. A role-playing scene can be simple or complex and may involve dress-up, a fantasy location, a background story from your favorite movie or TV show, and more.

Engaging in various role-playing scenarios is a fun and playful way to explore your kinks and connect with your partner in a new way. Use this list of sexy role-play ideas as inspiration:

1. 1. Delivery person: Many role-play scenarios involve partners acting as if they’ve just met. For example, you can pretend to be a pizza delivery person bringing food to your partner’s home. A similar scenario may involve one of you acting like a repair person sent to fix something at the other’s home.
2. 2. Doctor: Another popular dynamic involves one partner acting as an authority figure. If you’re turned on by varying power dynamics (similar to a light BDSM exchange), try role-playing different authority and subordinate relationships like doctors and patients. Other examples include firefighters and police officers.
3. 3. First time: Pretend like one of you (or both) is having sex for the first time. This scenario is a fun way to feel like you’re reliving your first time with your current partner, renewing your passion and desire for one another.
4. 4. Flight attendant: Another real-life fantasy relying on varying power dynamics might involve one partner playing a flight attendant and the other acting like a passenger or a pilot. Use home surfaces—like the kitchen counter—to simulate an in-flight kitchen or pretend you’re in the plane’s restroom joining the mile-high club.
5. 5. Massage therapist: If you enjoy massages, try a scenario in which you or your partner acts like a masseuse. This scene allows you to be physically close while giving an erotic massage.

Before engaging in a steamy scenario with your partner, review these tips and guidelines:

1. 1. Brainstorm sexual fantasies. Before trying out a scene with your partner, discuss different scenarios and roles you’d both like to try. Figure out the best sex scene simulating an erotic and fun dynamic for both of you. Draft a sexual “yes/no/maybe” list to get ideas.
2. 2. Discuss consent. After your brainstorming session, work with your partner to set ground rules for the agreed-upon scenario and clarify which acts you each consent to. Avoid leaning so far into your character that you violate your partner’s boundaries.
3. 3. Select a safe word. Choose a safe word that either of you can say to end the role-play experience or indicate that you are not comfortable.
4. 4. Communicate during the scenario. Tell your partner when you are enjoying (or not enjoying) the role-play scenario. Since you aren’t acting like yourself, it may be difficult for your partner to tell when you’re having fun, so be open and communicate throughout the scene.
5. 5. Spend time together afterward. After the role-play scenario ends, discuss the experience with your partner during some postcoital cuddling. Share what you liked and disliked about the experience and what you’d like to do next time.

Craving a little more intimacy? Grab a MasterClass Annual Membership and learn more about open communication with your partners, experimenting in the bedroom, and being your own best sexual advocate with a little help from Emily Morse (host of the wildly popular podcast Sex With Emily).