By Susan Fishman

Couples who play together stay together. Isn’t that how the saying goes? So if you’ve got the playmate, now all you need to do is make a date — something other than the typical Saturday night dinner and a movie. How about taking a class together? It’s a terrific pastime whether or not you’ve just met or you’ve been dating for a while. Either way, you’re bound to learn a lot — about the subject and about one another. You’ll earn points with your mate for being innovative, and it will show him or her that you see the relationship continuing past your next date (at least for the length of the class). Plus it’s just more fun taking a class when you have someone to go with and share with.

Here are a few suggestions:

Pottery. Get creative while you get your collective hands wet and dirty. It’s a very seductive craft if done in just the right manner. You may even want to invest in a pottery wheel of your own and have a little Ghost re-enactment in your basement. Check your local pottery or arts and crafts stores for classes in your area.[$MSN.ARTICLE.CTALINKS$]Golf Lessons. These are only recommended if you both are novice golfers. If one has a great deal more experience than the other does, you’re just setting yourself up for a world of frustration. If you both could use the lessons, a little rivalry is fine, but try not to be too competitive about it. Remember you’re there to have fun and learn a little something (for example, you may learn — just in time — that your partner is an over-achieving, maniacal freak!). Same goes for tennis, mountain biking, etc.

Cooking. Not only can cooking provide a great sense of satisfaction, it can be a very sensual experience for a couple (think tantalizing aromas and lots of licking of the lips!). If neither one of you is very well versed in the kitchen, think about taking a cooking class together. You can find classes designed specifically for couples or centered around your favorite types of foods. Check your local kitchen stores or cooking schools for available classes.

Dancing. A great sign of chemistry, to me, is if you and your honey can boogie well together. Lots of dance clubs offer classes, from salsa to swing to country line dancing. Or if you’re looking for something a little more formal, a good source is a wedding planner or coordinator. If you’re both up for it, dancing can be a blast, and if you can get your groove thing on on the dance floor, it probably bodes well for the bedroom.

Foreign Language. I’ve always thought it would be extremely cool to speak a second language. And certain languages, like Italian, are very erotic when uttered from just the right lips. Local colleges or foreign language organizations can get you started. If you do decide to take a foreign language, say French, be sure to take it outside the classroom. Make an effort to talk to one another in the language of love as much as possible (especially in bed), or go out to a French restaurant after class and discuss the meal — en Français, of course.