20 Activities For A Rainy Day

When the family has the weekend off and you wake up to rain, it really can put a downer on the day. Any plans you may have had feel somewhat ruined – but this list will ensure you still enjoy the days surrounded by the people you love, no matter what you get up to.

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This list includes ideas of things you can go out and do, and some that you don’t have to leave your own home for. Grab a cuppa and pick one to choose first!

If you don’t want to leave home..

Sometimes, it’s cold. It’s wet. You look out the window and see the rain pouring down, and you just want to stay put. Here are some ideas for those moods where you just don’t want to face the outside.

Box set Binge

You can’t beat a movie sesh on a rainy day. Grab your blankets, hot chocolate and get Netflix going while you listen to the rain on the window.

Get Crafty

I recently did a post on several crafty ideas you can do to keep yourself busy when the weather is miserable. It’s so satisfying when you finally reach the outcome you were looking for after all your hard work.

Catch Up On Some Reading

My favourite time to read is in a chair in the window, candles on, listening to the rain. You can just escape in to your own little world of fiction and forget about the world for a little while – I think we all need that luxury now and again. (here are some of my current favourite books)

Embrace Your Artistic Skills

If you’re like me and not very good at drawing, why not have a go at painting? Despite not being in the least bit talented as an artist, there are so many books and YouTube tutorials that are really easy to follow so even inept artists like me can produce something worthwhile!

Get Your Bake On

With bake off having just finished, I have been really inspired and have been baking more recently. One evening last week it was so miserable outside that I made some more of my favourite cookies – my flat had the smell of ginger wafting around for hours afterwards and it was so lovely to cosy up with cookies and a film.

If you feel like braving the outside..

If you’re the ‘get up and go’ type in the rain, I envy you. I am actively trying to stop being lazy, get those 10,000 steps in and all that, but it’s a struggle sometimes. You know the feeling. Here are a few ideas to get you motivated for the rainy days, whether you have children or want to make the most of a weekend with your partner.

Indoor Climbing

This is such a quirky date if you want to do something a little bit adventurous with your partner or children (age 4+). Where I’m from in Exeter we’ve got a lovely indoor climbing centre which is perfect for people who have never climbed before up to more advanced climbers as you are given as much or as little help as you need – a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Head To The Cinema

One of the more predictable ideas, of course, but it was so apt I couldn’t miss it off the list. I don’t know about you but I feel bad when I visit the cinema when it’s hot and sunny outside, I feel as if I should be appreciating nice weather when it rarely occurs in England. When it’s rainy and cold you have no excuse to grab the popcorn and watch a new release.

Check Out A New Cafe

My friend and I had a deal back along that whenever we met up, we’d go to a cafe that we’d never visited before. We had fun, and it was nice to soak up the atmosphere of different cafes and find our favourites. What better way is there to warm yourself up from the rain than with a hot chocolate anyway?

Visit The Aquarium

I’ve only ever visited Plymouth Aquarium once or twice but I really enjoyed it – there was so much going on and I spent hours there. It would make a great activity for children during their summer holidays, for example, or as a cute date. You can see a list of some of the best aquariums in the UK here

Grab Your Wellies & Splash Away

Not for the faint hearted, obviously, but if you’ve got little ones then this is sure to be a fun activity that won’t cost you a penny.

Do An Escape Room

If you’re not aware of what an escape room is, it’s basically a room full of clues and puzzles that you try to solve in a team. The mission is to get out of the room by solving the problems within the time frame given. They have become increasingly popular in recent years, and who doesn’t like to pretend they’re in the Crystal Maze?!

Take A Trip To IKEA

I had never been to IKEA before last year, as the closest one to me was really far away, but one was recently opened in Exeter so my boyfriend dragged me along. I’m not going to lie, it does stress me out because it is so MASSIVE that you get lost and end up buying so much stuff that you really don’t need (you can never go to IKEA and leave empty handed) so why not make a day of it when it’s rainy? Treat yourself to some meatballs while you’re at it.

Pottery Painting

As a kid, my mum often took my brother and I to paint pottery. She probably has dozens of cups, vases and plates now that have my seven-year-old indecipherable scrawl on them, but it’s all fun and games! I have really fond memories of these days and it’s a great kids activity for a rainy day.

Go Bowling

I remember going bowling as a child and hearing the rain hammering down on top of the alley as we played. There was something about it that I loved which is probably why I remember it so vividly. I don’t go often as an adult, mainly because it’s quite expensive but on the week days you can get some really good deals.

Take A Road Trip

I love being in the car in the rain! As a passenger, though, I hate being the driver when it’s wet. There is a warm and fuzzy feeling that I get when taking a road trip; music playing, heating on and feeling protected from the world. The best heart to hearts always seem to happen when driving in the rain.

Visit A Museum

Museums are a great method of learning new things, especially for children. If you’re looking for a rainy day activity with an educational purpose then this should definitely be towards the top of your list.

Gamble At The Arcades

Great for all ages, the arcades are an endearing way to spend a rainy afternoon. Where I live in Devon, we are surrounded by seaside towns so as a kid I was never too far away from the grabber machines. My parents took full advantage of this, of course, because I’m sure it immediately shut me up. I still go as an adult for a bit of fun though – my favourite place to go is the pier at Weston-Super-Mare.

Hit The Swimming Pool

The indoor pool, obviously. This is a great way to get some exercise in rubbish weather whilst having fun too!

Pamper Yourself

Why not impulsively treat yourself? If you’re feeling rubbish then the best way to make it better is to look good! You could pop to the spa with a girlfriend, grab a walk in blow-dry or book a nail appointment.

Go To The Library

I end up doing this one, rain or sunshine, but as I said earlier it’s lovely to read whilst watching the rain. The library in my home town has seats next to these full length windows which is perfect for this certain activity. I get much less distracted when I read or write in the library as I don’t have all the things at home there to take my mind of the task I should be doing.

That completes this rainy day list! I wrote the majority of this article whilst listening to the rain so I’m feeling really wintery and cosy. If you got to the end of this, thank you for reading and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so you never miss a post!