How to Find Things to Do When It's Raining

Having Fun Indoors

Have a movie marathon. Cozy up with some blankets and queue up those movies you always wanted to watch--or your old favorites. You can use an online streaming service or your DVD player if your WiFi is down. If you’re with your family or a group of friends, let everyone choose a movie. Don’t forget the popcorn! If you’re with your significant other, make a date night out of it! Pull up some romantic comedies, light a few candles and enjoy each other’s company.

Play a video game. Hook up your gaming system and grab a couple friends, or see what fun apps you have on your phone. Get out your extra energy and tap into your competitive streak.

Cook something up. See what kind of dinner or lunch you can whip up just with the food you have around the house, or bake cookies and eat them fresh and warm out of the oven.

Have an impromptu dance party with friends. Plug in your stereo system or your iPod speakers and choose a fun playlist, or teach yourself some new moves with online video tutorials. String up some colored lights for added ambience, then throw on some nice clothes, or dance the night away in your pajamas!

Have a treasure hunt or go indoor camping with kids. Hide clues in envelopes around the house, leading eventually to the treasure--a toy, some coins or a few pieces of chocolate. Or keep them entertained by setting up tents in the living room, or making your own by draping sheets or blankets over the couch. Cozy up with pillows, sleeping bags and some trail mix.

Being Productive

Plan a vacation. What better time to start planning a warm seaside getaway or a mountain escape than when you’re stuck at home, sheltering from the rain? Pull out a map and start planning out a budget, then grab a couple of travel guides or hit the Internet and start thinking about some fun things to do.

Exercise at home. Do some indoor bodyweight exercises, like push-ups, sit-ups, or squats. Get your heart rate up with some jumping jacks or jump rope. Just because you’re inside, doesn’t mean you can’t burn some calories!

Clean the house. Or just the bathroom, kitchen, or your own room. Put on some music to drown out the thunderstorm, pull out your rags and cleaning spray, and get to it!

Get some homework done. Rainy days are the perfect time to catch up on work for school or your job. Get comfy with a fuzzy blanket and a hot drink, then hit the books and your laptop.

Relaxing out of the Rain

Have a bubble bath. Use your extra time to treat yourself to a luxurious DIY bubble bath. If you don’t have bubble bath soap or crystals, just make it a regular bath, setting up candles and snacks to make it feel special.

Mix up some hot drinks. What better time to curl up with some tea, coffee or hot chocolate than a rainy day? If you’re with friends or kids, you could even host a “tea party.” Wear fancy clothes, set out some nice china and appetizers and use your best manners. Pinkies up, everyone!

Listen to music, the radio or a podcast. Put on some relaxing songs, light a few candles and use your rainy day as a chance to unwind.

Take a nap. Maybe your life has been so hectic lately that you’ve been missing out on sleep, or you just need a quick power nap to get back up to speed. The sound of rain on the roof and in the streets can be very soothing. Let it lull you right to sleep.

Going out While It’s Raining

Go to the movies to get your mind off the rain. It’s the classic rainy day activity: escape the dreary weather by holing up in the theater with some popcorn and a good film. Buy tickets online or a few hours beforehand, if you can; others may have the same idea!

Head to an indoor mall. Make your rainy day a shopping day. Head to the stores to stay out of the rain and get some retail therapy in.

Go out to eat with friends. Grab a couple of friends and head out to your favorite restaurant, or try someplace new to brighten up your gray day.

Check out a museum or art gallery. Call ahead or look online to see if the museum or gallery has free entry--many do! Fill your rainy day with culture and even some learning.

Work out in the gym. Most gyms are indoors, so you have no excuse to skip your workout! Grab a couple of friends for extra motivation and hit the weights or jog on the treadmill. You could even go swimming in an indoor pool.

Go to the indoor ice rink. Replace the rain with some snow! Most ice rinks offer cheap entry fees and rental skates. Head over with friends, family or kids and don’t forget to take frequent hot chocolate breaks.

Go bowling with friends or family. Bowling is the perfect activity for bored kids cooped up inside all day, or a group of friends looking for a laugh. All bowling alleys offer rental shoes and balls in all different sizes so everyone can play. Put up the bumpers for beginners, or challenge yourself and keep them down.

Dance in the rain--or just go for a stroll! It can be great to escape from the rain, but it can be even more fun to go outside and revel in it. Pull on your boots and raincoat, grab an umbrella and take a walk with friends or just by yourself. Savor the sound of rain in the streets and the fresh, clean smell. By the time you wake up tomorrow, maybe the sun will be shining! Avoid going outside if it’s raining heavily or there’s thunder and lightning.

Having Fun While the Power’s Out

Play games to pass the time with family. Grab your favorite board game or a deck of cards, some candles or flashlights, and play against your friends or family. You could also try charades, 20 Questions, I Spy, or invent your own game.

Have a fashion show with friends. Raid your closet, or ask your parents and friends for permission to look in theirs, and use flashlights as spotlights. Throw on some fancy clothes and shoes, and don’t forget to accessorize! You could even practice a new makeup technique, like contouring. Dress up however you want--after all, you won’t be going outside anytime soon!

Do arts and crafts to get in touch with your creative side. It could be as simple as laying out some sheets of paper and a box of crayons or markers, painting with watercolors, or making a collage. Use your free time to tap into your creativity, or keep kids entertained with drawing or coloring books.

Play with your pet to give them some exercise. If you’re cooped up indoors, then your dog or cat probably is too! Pull out a couple feathers or a piece of string to play with your kitty, or have a small-scale game of fetch with your dog. When they’re all tired out, let them cuddle up with you and relax.

Read a good book to make the time pass on your own. If you’re stranded with no friends and no power, curl up with a flashlights, some candles, and a good book. Choose a new bestseller or a classic you haven’t gotten around to, or re-read one of your old favorites. If bored kids are around, gather them for some story time. Light candles to set a cozy, warm mood.

Do some writing for self-reflection. Journal, write a poem, or start drafting a story. Let the rain help you feel introspective and inspired.

Talk to your friends and family. If you and your loved ones are trapped inside together, make the most of it! Catch up on their lives and tell them what’s been going on in yours. Put away phones and laptops and use this time to reconnect with each other. Tell ghost stories to make little kids shriek, or stick to funny tales for a more lighthearted mood.