15 Fun Ways to Spend a Rainy Day

Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Don’t let the rain get you down – embrace it as an opportunity to indulge in some much-needed self-care and relaxation.

Sometimes all you want to do is throw on your tennies and head outside for some much needed fresh air and sunshine. You hop out of bed, throw open the blinds only to find yourself face to face with the darkest, wettest, gloomiest morning imaginable. The kind you know will last the entire day.

But don’t curl back up into the covers just yet! Check out this list for some super fun rainy day activities that will leave you begging for the next one! Well maybe not quite, but pretty close!

1. Make a Delicious Breakfast or Brunch

Nothing gets the day started off better than a delicious breakfast! And sure, going out can be fun, but sometimes staying in and making breakfast or brunch at home can be so much better. It can be much more peaceful and relaxing getting to enjoy your breakfast at home (maybe even while still in your pjs). It can also be a much healthier option since you’re actually making the meal yourself and can control what ingredients you add or omit.

Starting off a rainy day with a delicious and healthy made-it-myself kind of meal is a great way to begin to turn around an otherwise gloomy day.

2. Board Games and Puzzles

When was the last time you played Candy Land or Shoots and Ladders? I’m guessing it’s been a while. If you have any fun board games hidden away now’s the time to break them out! I’m sure you have some games you’ve been ‘saving for a rainy day’ well that day has finally come my friends.

If board games aren’t your style maybe try cards instead. Paul and I love busting out the Uno cards when we’re stuck inside. But you also can’t wrong with a classic deck of cards too. Go Fish anyone?

3. Indoor Camping

Camping isn’t cancelled just because of a little rain. Take things inside instead. Make some room so you can pop up a tent in the living room and have a little indoor adventure. No worries if you don’t have a tent. Feel like a kid again and make your own fort using the sofa, some blankets and whatever else you have lying around. Once it’s all set up fill it with cozy pillows, pop on your pjs and enjoy your little home inside a home. Bonus points if you make your own smores!

4. Scrapbooking

We all have our digital scrapbooks (aka Instagram), but you just don’t get quite the same feels as you get when you’re snuggled up on the sofa flipping through pages enjoying memories spent with friends and family. But there’s just one problem. We need to spend some time actually putting the thing together. That’s where rainy days come in. Take advantage of your time indoors and get to work on your latest scrapbook. Now’s the time to get out the glue, scissors and stickers and get ready to let your creativity fly.

5. Spa Day

You don’t have to go out on a cold and rainy day to enjoy a luxurious spa day (although you totally could!). But if the thought of staying home just sounds a little better then maybe a spa day at home is just what you need. I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of moisturizers, cleaners and face masks laying around at any given time. Of course in a perfect world I would cleanse, mask up and moisturizer every night, but that’s just not always workable for me on a daily basis. And I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that.

A rainy day can be the perfect opportunity to pamper myself a bit. It can be so relaxing sitting in my robe with a facemask on listening to some music or catching up on my favorite podcast.

If you find yourself with nothing to do on a rainy day, then throw on a facemask and just enjoy the afternoon. There’s nothing wrong with spending a lazy day at home. And guess what, you’re moisturizing while you do it. Now how’s that for multitasking?

6. Online Class

Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn? Maybe it’s drawing or photography? Maybe it’s learning how to master a new yoga pose. Whatever it is rainy days are a great time to try something different and learn a new skill. And the wonderful thing is there are so many resources we can utilize online that can help get us started. Sign up for Skillshare or checkout Youtube for free videos. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new hobby altogether.

7. Organize a Closet

Taking some time on a rainy afternoon to get some organizing done is a great way to not only spend your time more productivity but to also help lower stress. When things are clean and orderly we just feel all around better. Remember physical clutter turns into mental clutter. So make that junk drawer no more by organizing and tossing what you no longer need.

8. Get Creative

Add some color to a dreary day by getting out the paint set and painting a piece of art for your home. Once it’s dry hang it up! And don’t fret if you aren’t a master painter. Abstract pieces count too.

Painting or drawing is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. It’s also a wonderful way to alleviate stress and help you wind down from a hectic work week. You’ll feel a sense of pride whenever you walk by your new work of art and it will make a great conversation starter when people come over.

9. Bookstore

Most of the activities on this list have all been things you can do at home. But if you decide to venture out for a bit then check out these next couple of ideas on the list.

If you’re in the market for a new book (and let’s face it, who isn’t it?) Head to the local bookstore and spend some time searching for that perfect one to add to your collection.

If books aren’t your thing, or you just have way too many (wait is that a thing?) pop over to the record store instead. You can spend hours checking out the selection. Maybe pick up a new record from a band you’ve never heard of and spend the rest of the rainy day afternoon breaking it in!

10. Spending a Rainy Day at the Coffee Shop

Many coffee shops around town offer the coziest of atmospheres. Some are decorated head to toe in plants, some have fireplaces and some just offer that overall perfect vibe. Head over to your favorite place to enjoy that delicious cinnamon oat latte (or whatever your drink of choice may be). There is something so relaxing about hanging out at the local coffee shop, watching it rain while sounds of smooth jazz flow through the speakers. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon if you ask me.

11. Learn to Make the Perfect Latte at Home

If leaving the house really doesn’t sound all that appealing, why not learn to make a fancy coffee drink at home? I myself have recently gotten into making that perfect at-home cup of joe. It has been a lot of fun testing new recipes and creamers to see what I like and what I really don’t (and there’s been quite a few to be honest). Taking the time to make a really great cup of coffee is so worth it. And don’t forget to froth the milk!

12. Organize Your Life

I’m willing to guess you have plenty of things running through your mind that you know you need to get done this week. Take a little bit of time today while you’re stuck inside to get all those crazy thoughts nice and organized. While you’re at it, go ahead and get your calendar updated and your inbox cleaned out. Make the grocery list for the week or write out your to-do list. Spending a couple hours today to organize your thoughts will set you up for success for the week ahead.

13. Listen to the Rain

If you have a covered porch or patio, then grab a blanket and sit outside. Everything looks so different on a rainy day. And many of us don’t take the time to really appreciate it. Sitting outside is a great way to re-center yourself and rebalance your energy.

14. Redecorate

A rainy day is the perfect day to try out some different furniture arrangements. Put your tv on the opposite wall. Move around some chairs and the sofa. Your house will feel completely different just by simply repositioning the furniture a bit.

15. A Walk in the Rain

When all else fails the best thing you can do is roll with what mother nature brings your way. A walk in the rain can feel so rejuvenating. When the trees are glistening and the air has that perfect rainy day scent. Sometimes the best thing to do is slip on your rainboots, grab that umbrella, and go for a rainy day stroll through the neighborhood.

I hope this list inspires you the next time you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day. They aren’t something to dread or be upset about. Embrace them and find fun and creative ways to spend them. Maybe you’ll discover a new hobby, maybe you’ll find a spark of creativity that wasn’t there before, or maybe you’ll simply just enjoy some relaxing time to yourself. Whatever it is I hope you have some amazing rainy day fun.

How do you spend a rainy afternoon? Leave a comment below 🙂