Fun Things To Do On a Rainy Day (25+ Ideas)

Looking for things to do on a rainy day? Are you bored? A rainy day can really put a damper on your day, especially if you had plans to spend the day outside.

However, just because it is raining outside doesn't mean you have to have a bad day.

There are plenty of fun activities you can do within your own house to make rainy days enjoyable!

Whether you live alone or are looking for things to keep your kids entertained, a rainy day doesn't automatically mean you are going to have a boring day.

So, if you have been looking for a fun activity while you are stuck indoors, look no further!

Here are a few ideas you can try out for yourself, or use them to jump-start your imagination to come up with your own idea.

Either way, you do not have to worry about being bored while you are stuck inside while it is raining.

The best things to beat the rainy day blues

If you live by yourself, rainy days can bring put a damper on your overall mood.

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to have some fun while it is raining outside.

Of course, everybody's interests are different, so what might bring one person happiness might not work for you.

Still, exploring new things or taking a short day trip to an area of your city you have never been to are great ways to get outside your comfort zone and have a good time.

Also, a rainy day is an excellent opportunity to take some time for yourself.

Take advantage of being stuck inside to have a little spa day or getting all your household chores done.

A rainy day doesn't automatically mean a bad day!

You can still achieve a lot and have a productive and fun day!

Activities to do on a rainy day: board games

Breaking out those old board games you have stored away is one of the best things to do on a rainy day.

Also, board games are great because you can play them with kids, adults, or the whole family depending on the game in question.

If you are looking for something to keep your kids occupied, have each child pick out their favorite board game.

By doing this, you can kill a few hours simply by going through everyone's favorite game.

Additionally, some games, like Twister, allow children to burn some energy.

It's only natural that children act a little more hyper on a rainy day.

Therefore, choosing one or two games that call for more movement is always a good idea!

Rainy day activities for kids: build an indoor obstacle course

Building an indoor obstacle course is a fun way to get creative and entertain your kids for awhile.

Don't be afraid to repurpose your couch cushions, dining room chairs, and other furniture to create a challenging obstacle course.

For example, you can set up obstacles for your kids to jump over, crawl under, etc. throughout your house.

Additionally, you can add in quick tasks throughout the obstacle course, like solving a simple math problem or solving a riddle, to make it more challenging.

Bonus points if some of these short tasks double as household chores!

For example, one requirement of the obstacle course could be putting all the dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

Overall, you can have as much fun as you want while building an obstacle course because there is no right or wrong way to do it.

As a bonus, your kids will have a fun time and burn some energy while doing it!

Rainy day activities: baking

If you are looking to have some fun inside, taking on a new baking project is an excellent solution!

What's even better about baking is that you can do this alone, as a family, or just with your kids.

So, if you have a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies you have been waiting to try out, a rainy day is the perfect time!

Also, you get to enjoy a tasty treat at the end of the process.

Baking on a rainy day gives kids an opportunity to learn and try something new while spending time as a family.

Overall, making pies, cookies, cakes, etc. is a great way to kill some time on a gloomy day.

Best rainy day activities: karaoke

Karaoke is a great rainy day activity for both grown ups and kids.

Whether you have a karaoke bar nearby or simply use a speaker at your house, karaoke is a great way to have some fun.

Also, it gives kids a way to burn some energy they will likely have built up from spending the day inside.

To get started, simply choose your favorite songs and take turns belting out the lyrics.

Remember, it doesn't matter if you have the best singing voice or not; the main point is to have a good time!

Indoor activities: binge watch a new TV series

If the rainy weather puts you in a bad mood, one simple and fun activity you can do is binge watch a new TV series.

There are thousands of shows to choose from, some of the most popular binge-worthy ones being The Office, Schitt's Creek, Atypical, and You.

Essentially, if you are looking to use a rainy day to relax and recharge, binging a TV show is the perfect way!

Go to an escape room

If you have older children stuck indoors during a rainy day, going to an escape room is a great way to have fun and challenge your mind.

Also, if gives your family a chance to spend time together and bond.

Most cities have an escape room of some kind.

But, if you city doesn't have one, there are plenty of online versions or boxed game sets that act as an escape room.

Build a model car or airplane

One of the most popular indoor activities to do while it is raining is to build a model car, airplane, or figurine.

Most hobby stores carry model cars and airplanes that are suitable for people of all ages.

If you have kids, let each one pick out a model car to build.

Building model cars and planes allows children to get creative while having fun.

Go through old photos

What better way to spend time on a gloomy day than taking a trip down memory lane?

Overcast weather is the perfect opportunity to go through old pictures, whether they are on your phone or physical copies in photobooks.

Also, if you go through photos on your phone or computer, you can finally delete all the unwanted ones and clear up some space on your device!

Have a dance party

A dance party is great to do alone or with kids.

If you hav children, dancing lets kids burn a ton of energy, so it is one of the best indoor activities you can choose!

Simply put on your favorite tunes or find a dance playlist on your favorite music streaming app and let loose.

Remember, you don't need to be an amazing dancer to dance; the point is to have some fun while the weather outside is keeping you inside!

Plan a scavenger hunt

One of the fun things you can do with kids on a rainy day is a scavenger hunt.

Find little things around the house to include in your hunt and create a list for everyone playing.

If you have a lot of people playing, you can divide people into teams.

Additionally, if you are not sure where to start when it comes to doing an indoor treasure hunt, there are plenty of lists online to jog your creativity.

Go to your local bookstore

No matter how many activities you do, being inside all day can get annoying.

Therefore, taking a trip to your local bookstore is one of the fun things you can do to get outside for a little bit.

Whether you have a new book you've been looking for or simply want to browse, going to the bookstore makes for an effective way to kill some time.

Have a tea party

A lot of kids play pretend, so having a tea party is a fun way to keep your children entertained.

If you include special treats for your tea party, that's even better!

Also, dressing up for the tea party can make it a little more special.

You can wear goofy outfits or actual dress up clothes; either way, a tea party is a good way to enjoy the great indoors.

Conduct a science experiment

Science experiments not only give you and your family something to do, but they also present the chance to learn something.

As a bonus, most of the science experiments you can find online require things you already have in your house, like cleaners or baking ingredients.

On a rainy day, you can try out as many experiments as you want, as long as the kids stay entertained!

Have a movie marathon

If you're stuck inside all day, you might as well watch a bunch of movies to pass the time!

Whether you choose to watch your favorite movie or ones you've never seen before, a movie marathon is a perfect way to kick back and relax while it's raining.

To make things better, you can enjoy all of your favorite snacks or meals during the marathon.

Have a photoshoot

A rainy day photoshoot is a great way to have fun with friends and entertain yourselves for a little bit.

The key to a successful indoor photoshoot is to get creative!

Try out different outfits and spots around your house to take some eye-catching photos.

Who knows, you may discover a new favorite hobby!

Enjoy a picnic

Just because you are trapped inside while it's raining doesn't mean you can't have a picnic.

An indoor picnic is a special activity you can do as a whole family.

Simply take a blanket and spread it out in your living room or any other open space.

Then, enjoy a nutritious lunch while playing music, cards, or asking each other questions.

Or, you can gather all your favorite snacks that satisfy your sweet tooth if you are not in the mood for an entire meal.

Either way, a picnic inside is a creative way to enjoy food while it's raining outside.

Take a cooking class

Depending on where you live, you may have the opportunity to take a cooking class to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.

If you can't find any cooking classes to attend, there are plenty of short videos online you can follow.

This is a great way to try out a new meal and hobby while having fun alone, with your partner, or with the entire family!

Try out new arts and crafts

One of the great things about the Internet is that you can find virtually anything on your computer or phone.

So, why not explore and try out a few arts and crafts projects with your kids?

These little projects are the perfect solution to keep your children entertained.

Some of the most popular arts and crafts activities are friendship bracelets, repurposing paper plates, and origami.

The great thing about doing crafts on a gloomy day is that you can let your kids try out a few options and see what they like best.

Play balloon tennis

Balloon tennis gives children a chance to burn all the rage and energy they have stored up from spending the day inside.

Obviously, you will need at least one balloon.

For rackets, you can either use fly swatters or use masking tape to fasten a popsicle stick to a paper plate.

Then, clear a space in your living room and use a string to form a makeshift net.

You can choose how many points to play to and the other rules of the game based on the age of everyone playing.

If you have a lot of people that want to play you can even create a tournament comprised of individuals or teams!

Make paper planes

If you are all out of games to play with your kids, then making paper airplanes is a perfect solution.

Fortunately, there are endless tutorials online that show you how to make a variety of paper airplanes.

One of the best things about this activity is that you only need paper to get started!

When everyone is done making their paper planes, you can have little competitions such as which plane travels the farthest.

Visit an animal shelter

Visiting animal shelters is a good way to spend time during a rainy day.

If you and your family have been wanting to get a new pet, then this is the perfect opportunity to get started.

Also, keep in mind that most animal shelters have volunteer opportunities.

So, if you aren't in the market for a new pet, you can still help out and do something productive on a gloomy day!

Plan your next vacation

What better way to kill the rainy day blues than plan your next trip?

Browse through plane tickets, dream destinations, and hotels to plan your next trip.

Whether you do this to actually plan a trip or just for fun, it is an effective way to kill some time.

Start learning a new language

If you are tuck inside all day and still want to feel productive, why not start learning that language you have always wanted to learn?

Fortunately, there are plenty of apps that you can download that making learning a new language fun and easier than ever before!

You can also do this activity with kids if you would like!

Play card games

Playing card games is one of the most popular ways to spend a rainy afternoon.

Also, one of the great things about this activity is that you only need a deck of cards to play cards.

Some of the most popular card games include blackjack, 500 rumy, kings corner, and soltaire.

If you don't know many card games to play, this is the perfect opportunity to learn!

Enjoy a spa day

As most of us know, life can get pretty busy and stressful.

So, if you are going to be indoors anyways because of the rain, why not use this as a chance to pamper yourself.

Run a bubble bath, enjoy a refreshing skin treatment, and light a relaxing candle.

Also, when enjoying your bubble bath you can start a new book, listen to music, or watch your favorite TV show.

Race toy cars

One fun game for kids to play is racing toy cars.

To do this, set up a makeshift race course in your living or dining room and take turns seeing which car is fastest.

This activity is best for younger kids, but can be enjoyed by the entire family!

Set up an indoor mini golf course

If your children have friends over during a gloomy day, setting up an indoor mini golf course is a great way to pass the time!

Because you will be playing indoors, it is better to use the plastic golf balls instead of the real ones.

For the holes, use one or two cups stacked together for players to put into.

If you do not have standard putters to play with, using a broom or any other kind of stick-shaped object will work just fine!

Additionally, you can get as creative as you wish while setting up your new miniature golf course throughout the house.

Make a pillow or blanket fort

Making a pillow fort is a great way to give kids an opportunity to be creative and use their imagination.

For these forts, you can use sleeping bags, comforters, cushions, dining room chairs, etc.

For some extra fun, you can use the new fort to cozy up and watch a movie or take a nap.

Play hide and seek

Hide and seek is a classic game you can use to entertain children on a rainy day.

To play, one person counts to a designated amount of time (usually one minute) while all the other players hide in the house.

Once the time is up, the player counting goes searching for the hidden players.

The last person found is the winner!

Then, you take turns playing as the seeker and as a finder!

Marshmallow engineering

For this activity, all you need is mini marshmallows and toothpicks.

Then, you allow your kids to construct various structures by sticking the toothpicks into the marshmallows.

What's great is that your children can play with their creativity and build anything.

Simply let your little ones start creating whatever comes to their mind!

Still, there are plenty of building challenges you can find online if you search, "marshmallow engineering."

Sock ice skating

Sock ice skating is a new trend that has been taking off, and is even featured in some children's museums.

All you need to get started is a pair of your thickest socks and a clean floor.

After that, you kids can enjoy slipping and sliding around the house until they burn all their energy.

More ideas for rainy day activities: paper ball trick shots

One simple yet entertaining games to play while it's raining outside is the paper ball shoot challenge.

All that is required for you to play is a recycling bin and pieces of paper.

After you have your supplies, simply crumple a piece of paper into a ball and shoot it into the bin.

To make it more entertaining, you can move the recycling bin to various spots around your home, requiring kids to do trick shots to make it in.

If you want to keep score during this game, you certainly can.

Otherwise, just playing for fun is also a great time!

Organize your closet

If you have a bunch of energy but it's raining outside you might initially feel discouraged.

However, you can still be productive and clean out and organize your closet.

Many of us have clothes in our closet we don't wear anymore.

So, taking the time to get organized is a great way to feel relaxed and refreshed going into the future.

Do a jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are great time-killers.

If you don't already have one at your home, your local retail store will certainly carry some!

Since it's a gloomy day, feel free to grab a bigger puzzle so you can kill more time.

Journal

Journaling has been scientifically proven to relief stress and boost happiness, so why not give it a try?

Fortunately, there are millions of journaling prompts you can find online if you're unsure where to start.

Then, just grab a pencil and a piece of paper and get started!

Create a family recipe book

If you are a part of a family with several specialized recipes, creating a recipe book is a terrific idea.

With a recipe book, all your most cherished foods are in one place and easy to find.

Creating a book like this can take some time, so doing it on a gloomy day is perfect!

Create a scrapbook page

If you have a bunch of art materials and photos lying around, creating a scrapbook page can be a fun and nostalgic activity.

Also, you can do this activity with kids to keep them occupied for an hour or two.

If you don't have the proper supplies, take a trip to your local crafts store to get started; this can also jog your creative muscle!

Try out a new cocktail

Creating a new cocktail you've never tried before is a good way to spend time on a rainy day.

Additionally, it can give you a reason to get outside to buy the necessary ingredients.

There are plenty of cocktail ideas on the Internet.

After you find one (or more) that intrigues you, get all the ingredients and try it out!

Visit an indoor trampoline park

If your children are particularly rambunctious on a rainy day, heading over to your local trampoline park is a great idea.

After a few hours jumping around, your children are sure to be exhausted.

Try out a crossword puzzle

Crossword puzzles are the perfect way to challenge your brain and entertain yourself during a gloomy day.

If you have kids, there are numerous crosswords out there that are tailored to children of specific ages.

To make a game out of it, you can time yourselves and see who finishes their puzzle first!

Head to the bowling alley

Visiting your local bowling alley while it's raining is a great way to get outside for a little and enjoy a good time.

Also, most bowling alleys offer food and an arcade section.

Even if you only play one game, going bowling offers something a little different to do.

Enjoy a pajama day

When it's raining and you don't want to go anywhere all day, spending the entire day in your pajamas can be a fun little incentive.

This idea is especially loved by kids, but still applies to adults too!

Take a trip to the mall

Even if you don't buy anything, taking a trip to the mall is a great activity to do if it's raining.

Also, the mall typically has a lot of different places to eat.

So, if you have a lot of children with you, each of them can get a meal they love!

Have a video game tournament

Whether your family is really into video games or not, a video game tournament can be fun for everyone.

Of course, it is important to choose a game that everybody knows how to play.

If you have access to class video games like Mario Kart or Tetris, that can make this idea more accessible to everyone involved.

Learn a new magic trick

Maybe you have always been fascinated by magic but never had the time to try it.

Well, a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to do so!

There are hundreds of magic tricks you can find online that range in skill level.

Also, a lot of tricks only require household items to complete, so you don't have to buy any special materials!

Learn calligraphy

If you've always been drawing to fancy lettering, trying out calligraphy is the perfect rainy day activity for you!

Some online tutorials only require you to have a ballpoint pen.

However, you can buy a calligraphy set at your local crafts store that includes a special pen.

Practice meditation

Sometimes the best way to use a rainy day is to reset and calm your mind.

Fortunately, practicing meditation is the perfect way to do this.

If you're not sure where to start when it comes to meditation, there are several guided meditation practices online.

After finding one of these videos, find a quiet area in your home and enjoy the relaxing sensations that follow.

Learn how to juggle

If you have some time to kill, learning a unique skill like juggling can be exciting!

Also, juggling has been proven to help hand-eye coordination, concentration, problem-solving skills, goal-setting skills, and more!