You already know there are so many BDSM practices that you can explore and enjoy. They can be sorted into a few main categories, and these further include many captivating activities (some of them overlap into more than one BDSM category). Of course, you don’t have to try all of them, but you can easily pick up some that resonate with your mind and body. The ones that turn you on or ignite a spark of curiosity as soon as you think of them. And because there’s really a lot to choose from, we’ve prepared an extensive list of all BDSM kinks and practices.
Bondage
Bondage is all about physical restraint, and so many tools can be used for that. What all belongs in here?
- Blindfolds
- Bondage beds
- Bondage tape
- Chains
- Crosses (like St. Andrew’s cross)
- Cuffs (leather, metal, etc.)
- Gags (like ball gags, bit gags, ring gags)
- Hoods
- Leather straps
- Light bondage (silk scarves and loose restraints)
- Muzzles
- Plastic wrap/mummification
- Rope bondage (including Japanese bondage – Shibari and Kinbaku)
- Spreader bars
- Stocks
- Suspension bondage
Discipline
Discipline focuses on rules, control, and punishment. Here’s a more detailed list.
- Clothing rules (or nudity)
- Denial of activities
- Forced activities
- Language rules and speech restrictions
- Obedience training
- Position tasks (like kneeling)
- Position training
- Punishment (corner time, spanking, removal of privileges)
- Routines (like specific bedtime or exercise)
- Service tasks (like housework)
- Sexual training
- Time restrictions
- Verbal corrections
Dominance and submission
This is an important dynamic in many BDSM relationships. It involves various power exchanges, and many of the practices and plays listed below can be used in these relationships.
- 24/7 D/s relationship
- Asking permissions
- Caregiver/little relationship
- Daddy Dom/little girl relationship
- Dress codes or uniforms
- Greeting rituals
- Master/slave relationship
- Mommy/little relationship
- Owner/pet play
- Scheduled tasks
Objectification and Ownership
These practices mostly belong under the Dominance and submission part of a BDSM relationship. Sometimes they also overlap with other practices, such as standalone fetishes or as a part of roleplay scenarios. What belongs in here?
- Behavioral rules
- Body part worship
- Chastity play
- Collaring (permanent or play collar)
- Dollification (playing a lifeless doll)
- Gender objectification
- Human ashtray / human toilet
- Human furniture (footstool, table, chair, etc.)
- Mannequin play
- Marking (branding, tattoos)
- Name/title control
- Sexual object (human dildo, sex doll, etc.)
- Slavery dynamics
- Total Power Exchange (TPE)
Roleplay
There are many erotic and psychological plays where specific costumes, tools, and speech can be used.
- Age play
- Boss/employee
- Interrogation scenes
- Kidnap or captivity roleplay
- Medical play (nurse, doctor exams)
- Non-consensual roleplay (rape fantasy, CNC – consensual non-consent)
- Pet play (Kitten play, Pony play, Puppy play)
- Robot or doll
- Teacher/student
Psychological Play
- Dirty talk
- Fear play (threats, countdowns, etc.)
- Forced orgasm or orgasm denial
- Hypnosis
- Humiliation and degradation (like verbal or public)
- Mind games
- Sensory deprivation
- Sensory overload
- Tease and denial
Sensation/Sensory Play
- Abrasive materials (like sandpaper)
- Brushes
- Feathers
- Food play
- Fur
- Gloves
- Pinwheels
- Sensory deprivation (earplugs, hoods)
- Silk
- Temperature play (like ice and wax play)
- Tickling
- Zentai (full-body suit)
Sadism and Masochism
This part of BDSM is about giving and receiving pain and discomfort for pleasure and stimulation. Of course, there are many ways to enjoy it.
- Biting
- Caning
- CBT (cock and ball torture)
- Clothespins
- Electric play (electrostimulation, E-Stim, TENS units)
- Endurance play
- Flogging
- Genital clamps
- Knife play
- Needle play
- Nipple clamps
- Paddling
- Pinching
- Scratching
- Slapping
- Spanking
- Wax play
- Whipping
Medical and Clinical Play
- Blood play (needles and play piercing)
- Catheters
- Enemas
- Gloves
- Medical exams
- Scrubs
- Sounding (inserting rods into the urethra)
- Speculums
Edge Play
NOTE! These are higher-risk activities that require thorough negotiation and experience!
- Breath play/choking
- Consensual non-consent (CNC)
- Fear play
- Fire play
- Gun play
- Knife play/blood play