The $5 sex toy aisle

“Pervertables” are everyday objects repurposed for pleasure. Your kitchen or garage might hold better sensation tools than a fancy sex shop—and that’s the point. Low-cost options release the pressure to “make it worth it,” so you can play without feeling like you owe the experience a result.

What to play with

Sort your finds by sense. Temperature: ice cubes, a chilled metal spoon, heat packs. Texture: a silk scarf, a makeup brush, a wooden spoon, an electric toothbrush. Taste: honey, whipped cream, strawberries. Scent: lavender oil, vanilla extract, fresh coffee. Restraints: belts and scarves.

How to play

One person wears a blindfold while the other explores with three or four household items. The game is simple: “guess what’s touching you.” Move from ice on the collarbone, to a wooden spoon handle on the inner thigh, to mint on the tongue. As a bonus, sniff coffee beans between sensations to reset the senses.

Make it a cheap date

Challenge each other to scout a different room for hidden “toys,” or give yourselves five minutes in a dollar store to gather supplies. Turning it into a game increases anticipation and playfulness. After all, an $80 toy might get you there in 30 seconds, but the best lovers know how to make the fun last.

FAQ

Is it safe to use household objects during sex? Keep anything sharp, breakable or meant to go internally off the list, and never insert objects not designed for it. Stick to external play—temperature, texture, taste and scent—and you’re on solid ground.

Why use household items instead of real toys? They’re cheap, accessible and low-pressure, which makes experimenting feel light and playful rather than like a big investment.

How do I start if I feel awkward? Turn it into a game. Blindfold one partner and let the other surprise them—curiosity tends to override self-consciousness.

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