Believe it or not, there are tons of fun—and exciting!—activities you can engage in when it's raining. So as cold weather starts to hit most of the country, coming up with the perfect rainy day activity is key.
So the next time you find yourself cooped inside due to bad weather, do your best not to give in to the rain day blues. Instead, try referring to a list of your favorite rainy day activities.
Don't have any favorite rainy day activities? That's what we're here for: We've rounded up eight of them, so you'll never say "rain, rain, go away" again.
Rainy Day Ideas
1. Have a movie marathon
There's no better time for a movie marathon than a rainy day, if you ask us. Whether you're doing it solo, with your partner or pet, or with friends (we recommend inviting friends over—the more the merrier!) come up with a list of your favorite movies, movies you've always wanted to watch, or movies that align with a specific theme. Cozy up and grab the popcorn!
2. Have a self-care day
This can be a home self-care day, or a self-care day that involves driving or walking somewhere. Because hey, a rainy day doesn't mean you can't leave your house. Get a manicure/pedicure, get a massage, or have a spa day at home. You can also treat yourself to some Slik + Sonder-style self-care, which can include journaling, lighting a candle, reading a book, dancing around your living room, or anything else you feel called to do.
Self-care days are always a good idea.
3. Go for a rainy day walk
And on that note, raincoats, umbrellas, and rain boots exist for a reason: Taking a walk in the rain is a possibility. You don't have to make it a long walk, but getting outdoors is great for the body and mind—especially if you're getting a little exercise in the process. If you really don't want to, just think of it as something you have to do to enjoy a cozy day inside. And trust us, you will enjoy that rainy day inside so much more if you moved your body first.
4. Take a cooking class
You can do this on Zoom or in person, but a cooking class is an excellent rain day activity no matter how you look at it. And if you do it at home, you'll have something delicious to eat during that movie marathon you have planned.
A cooking class can be a joyful, fulfilling way to spend a rainy day.
5. Read your favorite book
There are few things more comforting than curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Whether it's on an e-reader or a book you picked up from your library or bookstore, try "binge reading," a concept made popular by a New York Times article a few years back. Basically, it's the same idea as binge-watching, but with a book: You sit down and dive into a book for hours. No phones or other technology allowed!
6. Do a DIY project
A DIY project like knitting, painting, drawing, or any other craft you enjoy doing at home isn't just a great way to pass a rainy day, it can actually make it a lot more fun. Engaging fully in a task can help you get into a "flow state," which means you're immersed in what you're doing in that moment. Since studies show that being present can significantly help with happiness, it only makes sense that a DIY project that keeps you immersed in the moment would help.
7. Do an at-home workout
While there weren't many positive things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, one big one was the popularity of at-home workouts. Thanks to all those months we spent at home, there's now tons of high-quality exercise content all over the internet, from yoga classes and HIIT workouts to dance cardio classes. So pick one and get going!
There's so much great fitness content to stream online these days.
8. Plan your dream vacation
One of the best parts of vacation is planning it. The anticipation is everything: You get to dream about all the amazing sights you'll see, restaurants you'll visit, and cultures you'll explore. So if you can't think of anything fun to do a rainy day, start by planning your dream vacation. You may just find that it completely transports you.
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