No one likes to be stuck in the rain, but it happens to the best of us. Sometimes our plans get interrupted by the weather and we have to plan the day from scratch. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! These rainy day activities are perfect for fighting off the boredom of sitting inside all afternoon. And this list isn’t only for the kids to let out some energy! This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a rainy day for extra leisure time or gather the family together for some fun indoor activities. Here are some fun and free rainy day activities to do when you’re stuck at home:
- Watch a movie
- Bake something delicious
- Host an indoor picnic
- Read a book
- Play a game with the family
- Complete a DIY project
- Solve a puzzle
- Make a game out of a chore
Watch a movie
Distract yourself from a rainstorm with an entertaining movie to lighten the mood. Think about it, the dark, cloudy sky and the cozy indoors set the perfect tone for a movie marathon! Log into your streaming services or play an old-fashioned DVD to relive your favorite moments in film. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney +, Hulu, HBO Max and others, offer a wide range of movies for streaming including new kid’s movies and classic films. Take this movie night to the next level by using this very affordable and buttery movie theater popcorn recipe. The only hard part of putting together movie night is deciding what to watch!
Bake something delicious
With the free time cleared by weather, bake something you have always wanted to make. Or bring back childhood memories of a comfort dessert like delicious chocolate chip cookies. Most likely, you already have the right baking ingredients in your pantry and fridge. Baking is a fun rainy day activity for kids to get involved. Check out these kid-friendly baking recipes specifically made for beginner bakers. With practice, you and your kids can become experts in the kitchen for the next day a storm tries to rain on your parade.
Host an indoor picnic
After your baked goods cool from the oven, serve them at a fun indoor picnic! But what makes an indoor picnic different from just eating a meal at home like you do everyday? Planning a picnic will take a little more effort, but in the end, the time spent preparing will be worth it! Make this meal special by setting the scene with your go-to picnic blanket or outdoor tablecloth on your dining room table. Set up some classic picnic games indoors like horseshoes or yard bowling. Picnics are nothing without the traditional, light meals or snacks like sandwiches, salads, or anything else you have at home. The clean-up for an indoor picnic is much easier and it’s a better alternative to spending the day in the hot sun.
Read a book
If reading is something you believe you never have time for, then this rainy day activity is for you. Possibly the most simple activity on this list, it allows you to spend some time alone and engaged in a good story. Many readers love the background sounds of rain tapping on their windows to set the scene for a productive reading session. Start reading as a hobby by choosing the right book for you and creating a peaceful environment. So pick up that book collecting dust or download a free audiobook and escape your daily life by reading.
Play a game with the family
When there’s nowhere to go outside, gather the family in the living room for a fun game time! Without a doubt, family game nights have risen in popularity again. It’s a great alternative to staring at a screen or scrolling through social media as rainy day activities. Learn a new card game or play a classic for kids like Uno or Go Fish. Chances are one of your family’s favorite games is on this list of the highest-selling board games in America. Games like Clue or Risk take strategy and calculated moves but other favorites like Candy Land and Scrabble are more reliant on chance. There’s truly a game for everyone’s liking.
If you can’t convince everyone to play a card or board game, suggest playing a group video game. Some games that families love that get people moving include Wii Sports and Just Dance. For extra competitive families, arrange a tournament of video games with a grand prize winner. Of course, there are games that don’t need anything but your person like charades. Don’t forget, there are thousands of apps you can download to play games with your family. Whatever you play, a group game is sure to bring out everyone’s competitive nature in a carefree way.
Complete a DIY project
A rainy day is a great time to knock some essential items on your to-do list. One activity to accomplish is to start (or finish) a DIY project. You might even have some DIY project ideas saved on social media. No one has to be an expert artist or craftsman to pick up a paintbrush or a toolset. Kids are bound to enjoy expressing themselves through a crafty project with supplies from around the house. Solve a common household problem, touch up some shabby areas, or upcycle an abandoned piece of clothing. Make your house look finer than before!
Solve a puzzle
Puzzles make lovely rainy day activities for those who love to solve problems. Like books, puzzles actually strengthen your brain the more you practice. Studies show that puzzles prevent the development of cognitive problems as well as improves memory and reasoning skills. And we don’t just mean jigsaw puzzles! Jigsaw puzzles and Rubix cubes are examples of mechanical puzzles that use motor skills. Other puzzles rely on knowledge of trivia, math, or the English language. Typically you can find puzzles at every difficulty level from simple ones for kids to expert or very difficult puzzles with complex patterns. Not only do puzzles get you to solve problems but they are entertaining for every age group.
Make a game out of a chore
Chores are no one’s favorite household responsibility. That’s why you make chores into games as rainy day activities. The most simple approach is to make assigned chores into a race organized using a family chore chart. This works well for tasks that can be completed in a short amount of time like putting away laundry or sweeping different parts of the house. Laundry also presents a unique opportunity as a matching game as does cleaning up toy sets. Turning on some music in the background can also make chores enjoyable without being too distracting. After the rainstorm passes, you’ll be living in a completely different house!
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