12 Types of Foreplay to Turn Up the Heat and Deepen Intimacy

Too many couples look at foreplay as just a warm-up, ignoring all the spicy, intimate, and arousing things it has to offer.

Foreplay is an essential part of building intimacy, arousal, and connection. For couples and individuals, understanding and exploring different types of foreplay transforms sexual experiences, strengthens emotional bonds, and deepens satisfaction.

From physical and verbal, we’ll explore 12 powerful types of foreplay, helping you unlock new levels of intimacy and pleasure.

Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, situationship, or exploring intimacy solo, this article is sure to inspire creativity, communication, and connection.

Want a little background on what foreplay is and why it’s so important? We put together a sweet guide that breaks down all you need to know about foreplay.

Let’s start with a classic.

Kissing is one of the most intimate and arousing types of foreplay. It’s often the first act of physical intimacy couples experience, allowing them to connect more deeply.

From soft and slow lip brushes, to deep and passionate kissing, it activates nerves, builds anticipation, and increases oxytocin.

As a type of foreplay, kissing notifies your partner that you’re ready for that next step.

Foreplay Tip: Try different styles of kissing like experimenting with kisses on the neck, earlobes, or inner thighs to spark powerful sensations that are sure to send tingles through their body. Alternate the intensity of kisses to ramp up and draw out your sexual experience.

Gentle, sensual, and powerful; what more could you ask for from foreplay?

Touching and massaging can stimulate and relax the body, helping to cultivate excitement. We’ve all had the one massage from a partner that went from a gentle back rub to something much spicier.

Communication and attention are key here. Ask your partner what feels good and what they’d like more of. If you pay close enough attention, you can pick up on organic cues sending you in the right direction.

Foreplay Tip: Some areas get all the attention. Try focusing on the inner thighs, back, lower abdomen, and neck/jaw. Shifting to less-visited areas helps slow things down, making arousal more intense and pleasurable. Use warm oils or light candles to deepen the mood.

Dirty talk is the most underrated and effective type of foreplay.

Sharing fantasies, whispering compliments, or letting loose your dirtiest desires builds anticipation and heightens psychological arousal.

Don’t worry, you don't have to go from 0 to 100 right away. Start by telling your partner how excited you are to be with them, and gradually intensify as you gauge their comfort level.

Need ideas for dirty talk? Check out our insider’s guide to talking dirty.

Flirting and teasing, it’s all foreplay.

There’s a reason we get so excited and turned on when our crush starts flirting because it is considered foreplay. Eye contact, cheeky remarks, or a knowing smile creates anticipation and deepens the feeling of longing.

At the other end of the spectrum is teasing. Think of teasing as physical and sexual hints at what you want to do to your partner.

Teasing is usually playful, and is an intentional way to withhold pleasure. This makes partners hold back and forces things to slow down temporarily, which drives desire through the roof.

Foreplay Tip: Flirting and teasing are an art. It’s about building tension and delaying gratification with psychological foreplay with a physical twist.

A surefire way to enhance any sexual experience is with a good story.

Exploring fantasies with a partner, whether it’s simply discussing them or beginning to act them out, is a thrilling type of foreplay.

The excitement of stepping outside your routine to satisfy your partner’s fantasy or give some attention to your own grants you a deeper understanding of each other’s desires.

Roleplaying can spice things up in a snap. Whether it’s a light scenario or an elaborate fantasy complete with costumes, settings, and a script, you’ll find yourself viewing your partner in a whole new light.

Foreplay Tip: Roleplay not your jam? Power play is a perfect substitute. Set your boundaries early, and explore power dynamics with your partner. From a soft introduction to submission to consensual non-consent, it doesn’t get spicier.

What would foreplay be with a little under-the-pants hand action and a trip downtown?

One of the best ways to increase lubrication and heighten arousal is through manual stimulation.

Using fingers or toys directly teases erogenous zones like the clitoris, penis, nipples, or anus which gets the party going.

Oral sex is one of the most profoundly intimate and wildly pleasurable types of foreplay. Go slow, take your time exploring, and don’t be afraid to experiment with speed, rhythm, or a finger. For more tips on giving great head, check out our guide to all things oral.

Foreplay Tip: Lube isn’t just for penetration, but it also reduces friction and can make someone’s toes curl during foreplay, too.

Tantric practice cultivates deep presence by encouraging slow movements and conscious breathing.

During foreplay, try syncing your breathing with your partner’s. Lotus is a great position for tantra practice as it allows you to maintain eye contact to create an energetic connection.

Tantric touch focuses on presence over performance, making it ideal for couples seeking spiritual bonding and emotional intimacy.

For more intimate sex position inspiration, take a peek at our list of the 8 best intimate sex positions.

Who said masturbation wasn’t foreplay?

Watching your partner touch themselves is incredibly intimate and educational, not to mention hot as hell. Mutual masturbation is a live demonstration of how to pleasure one another.

Mutual masturbation opens the door to more honest sexual communication by reducing the pressure to perform. It’s also a great option for when you’re in the mood to connect but don’t want to have full sex.

This type of foreplay takes as much confidence as it supplies.

A slow strip tease, sexy dance, or sultry lingerie adds a visual element to foreplay that gets your partner going before they get their hands on you.

Don’t worry about having the “perfect moves,” instead focus on owning your sensuality and having fun. Confidence and eye contact go a long way.

Foreplay Tip: Visual stimulation is powerful, and can be done with body language, stripping, and suggestive clothing. But if you want to get the party started before date night, send a cheeky photo. Not only will it get them excited, but their response is sure to give you a little boost of confidence.

Whether it’s new sensations or intense stimulation you’re after, toys are the answer.

Wearable vibrators, clitoral vibrators, bondage, butt plugs, you name it, there’s a toy for it. Sex toys are the perfect spicy addition to foreplay. They work to put you in the mood by supplementing your partner, or acting as a bridge between you.

Foreplay Tip: Wearing a toy, like a wearable vibrator or butt plug, for part of your date before becoming intimate gives you a sexy secret, turning your whole date into foreplay.

Differing temperature sensations on the skin heighten arousal. Ice cubes, warm breath, heated massage oils, or candle wax wake up the senses.

Foreplay Tip: Always test temperature first, and go slowly because this type of foreplay should ignite passion, not flames.

Cuddling isn’t necessarily kinky, but aftercare is about emotional connection and winding down post-intimacy.

Cuddling, gentle conversation, or showering together afterward builds trust and strengthens connection. Aftercare is vital for those who experience emotional shifts, shame, or dissociation after sex. You can find more advice and information in our article on post-sex sadness.

It also sets the tone for your next sexy session. So, cuddle with care, and check out ToyChats.com for more tips on how to deepen intimacy and connection with your partner.