7 Best Spooning Sex Positions, Ranked by a Sex Educator

Hey, diddle, diddle,

The cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon;

The little dog laughed

To see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Diddling and spooning is a lovely combination! One of the best things about spooning is that it’s pretty easy for either partner to stimulate the receiving partner’s clitoris during sex.

In the classic spooning position, both partners are lying on their sides, facing the same direction, with the penetrating partner behind the receiving partner so that the penetrating partner can enter from behind. It’s a very accessible position if one or both of you is experiencing flexibility or mobility issues. We recommend it highly, and we want to share seven of our favorite ways to spoon.

1. Seated Spoon

This variation on spooning has both partners kneeling. It’s not quite as “lazy” as the classic spooning position, but it still offers the same full-body skin-to-skin intimacy. It works in bed if you have a very firm mattress, but if your bed is plusher, you may want to try this position on a surface that doesn’t have as much give.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner kneels with their legs slightly spread.
2. The receiving partner kneels between the penetrating partner’s legs and lowers themself on the penetrating partner’s lap.
3. The receiving partner arches their back and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

2. Couch Spooning

Fair warning: couch spooning on a weekend afternoon is highly likely to lead to a nap. This position also works in the backseat of a car, where you’re a little less likely to fall asleep afterwards.

Couch spooning is much like classic spooning, except that the penetrating partner can lean back against the couch for support, which will allow them to support more of the receiving partner’s body and enable deeper penetration.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner lies on their side with legs together and knees slightly bent.
2. The receiving partner lies in front of the penetrating partner, facing the same direction, and snuggles into the penetrating partner’s body.
3. The receiving partner lifts their top leg and arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

3. Reverse Scoop

This one requires some flexibility on the part of the receiving partner, but if you can make it work, you’ll be rewarded with even deeper penetration and a great angle for G-spot stimulation. The receiving partner also has more control here than in the classic spooning position.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner lies on their side in a half-moon position, with knees slightly bent.
2. The penetrating partner lies on their side, facing the same direction, behind the receiving partner.
3. The receiving partner lifts their top leg (the penetrating partner can assist if necessary) over the penetrating partner’s legs.
4. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

4. Sideways 69

In this position, the spoons are kind of jumbled in the drawer but that’s okay, we won’t tell if you don’t. 69 (mutual oral sex) is great fun for both partners, but it can be challenging if there is a significant height difference.

This particular variation of 69 accommodates height differences better than many others. It’s also a little easier for both partners to breathe, and some people consider breathing to be important.

What We’re Doing

1. Partner 1 lies on their side with knees slightly bent. They can put a small pillow under their head and neck for support.
2. Partner 2 lies on their side, facing Partner 1 but in the opposite direction (so head to toe, and vice versa), with knees slightly bent. They can put a small pillow under their head and neck for support.
3. Both partners lift their top legs slightly. Partners can use their arms to support each other’s legs if needed.
4. Both partners perform oral sex on each other.

5. Standing Spooning

Yes, you can spoon standing up too! Standing sex is great if you’re feeling spontaneous, and it’s also fun in the shower (make sure that you have a non-slip mat — we’re all about safe sex here).

Standing spooning gives you the same full-body intimacy, and the penetrating partner can whisper in their partner’s ear from behind; both naughty suggestions and words of love and affirmation work.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner stands with legs slightly spread. They can lean against a wall or other stable surface for support.
2. The penetrating partner stands behind the receiving partner, between their legs, and snuggles against their body.
3. The receiving partner leans forward and arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis inside.

6. Doggy Spooning

Both doggy-style and spooning are very popular and satisfying sex positions, so even though it’s a weirdly mixed metaphor, doggy spooning really works! Penetration here is deeper than in the classic spooning position, and the penetrating partner is in charge.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner kneels with legs slightly spread, and then extends their arms and shoulders downward on the bed. They can put a firm cushion under their hips for support or a better angle.
2. The penetrating partner kneels behind the receiving partner, between their legs.
3. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.
4. The penetrating partner then lowers their upper body to embrace the receiving partner’s upper body.

7. Spoon on Top

This is a variation on spooning that doesn’t technically fit the definition but captures the spirit of intimacy and coziness. It lets the receiving partner “drive” the action and control the depth of penetration, and it also works to incorporate a small vibrator for clitoral stimulation.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner lies on their back with legs slightly bent. They can use a small pillow under their head and neck for support.
2. The receiving partner straddles the penetrating partner, facing away from them.
3. The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.
4. The receiving partner leans forward and lowers their upper body to lie on top of the penetrating partner’s legs.

Wrapping It Up

We hope that we’ve inspired you to try some of these variations on spooning. There’s a time and place for an adult toy chest full of sex toys, there’s a time and place for kink and gear, but there’s also a time and place for intimately connected sex (like spooning!).

Maggie

Maggie Hart has written about sexual well-being and sexuality in society for quite a few years now. She is active in communities that celebrate sex for older adults.

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