Rainy days can feel like a total buzzkill. Especially when your itinerary was loaded with plans? The WORST. But if you ask us, rainy days are lowkey a blessing in disguise. They give us much-needed R&R that so many of us struggle to get in the first place. And we get it, this is the perfect time to knock out your chores and keep busy around the house.
But after a few days of thunderstorms and dark skies, you can only do so much, right? Basically, things get boring, and FAST. So instead, why not treat yourself to some exciting rainy day activities? Whether you’re braving the storm solo, with friends, or with your beau, there’s SO much you can do to keep things entertaining indoors.
So today, we’re rounding up a handful of activities for adults to do on rainy, dreary days. And yes, we’re even including activities you can do if you have antsy kids running around. (Of course we didn’t forget about the mamas!) Think: cozy self-care, creative downtime with coloring books, deep Q&As—the kind of stuff you haven’t thought of because you’ve been busy trying to STAY busy. Let’s plan your new rainy day itinerary!
What to Do on a Rainy Day at Home: Making the Most of It
What to Do on a Rainy Day Alone at Home
Listen to a good podcast.
Listening to podcasts is the best way to spend your rainy day—no matter how you choose to tune in. Maybe you’re curled up in bed, headphones on and candles lit, listening to Life with Marianna. Or maybe you’re reorganizing your closet while The Bossticks plays in the background.
You could even be journaling and working your way through the best gratitude podcasts. Basically, this is the perfect time to relax, unwind, and indulge in a podcast (or ten!). Plus, who better to keep you company on this rainy day than your favorite Dear Media podcast hosts?
Knock out a book on your TBR list.
When you’re stuck indoors with rain that won’t let up? Read a book! We know you have one collecting dust on your nightstand that’s just begging to FINALLY be opened. Or, maybe instead, you have a Kindle full of spicy books with good plots that are definitely calling your name. Either way, a book and a rainy day are a match made in cozy heaven.
Don’t feel like reading alone? No problem—just tune into The Readheads Book Club! Each month, they dive into a brand new book, recapping all the juicy details in every new episode. We recommend starting with The Husband’s Secret to catch up. Bonus points if you create a little reading escape room full of cozy candles, plush blankets, and all your fave snacks.
Manifest your dream life.
We’re BIG fans of manifesting to unlock your best life. It’s a super powerful way to get in tune with what you really desire. A refreshed love life, new friends, an exciting career, a simple inspo boost—all of it. And when you have the queens of manifestation, Dear Gabby and She’s So Lucky, right at your fingertips? Why NOT give it a shot?
If you’re just getting started, we recommend checking out “How to Manifest Anything… Even When It Feels Impossible.” It’s got tons of helpful first-timer insight. And then, once you’re done, head over to “How to Be Patient While Your Manifestations Come Through.” Because yes, it does take time. But once you start seeing those results? You’ll be manifesting everything—trust us.
Create a vision board.
If you’ve never created a vision board before, you NEED to. It’s kind of like manifesting, except you get to see all of your aspirations and dreams in a pretty collage. Basically, you start choosing a theme and direction. Are you craving change in your career? A new relationship? Travel opportunities? All of the above?
Then, you take that inspo and bring it to life! It’s a little bit of a creative process, but it’s sooo fun and relaxing. Siffat Haider from The Dream Bigger Podcast is THAT girl when it comes to vision boards. Just check out her episode, “Vision Boards, Goal Setting, & Manifesting With a Plan” to get started.
What to Do With Kids on a Rainy Day at Home
Bake brownies and have a kitchen-karaoke competition.
As ready as we are for the clouds to break, kids feel that tenfold. And we totally get it—with all of that energy, keeping them entertained on rainy days feels like the ULTIMATE challenge. (No, seriously, what do WE have to do for that kind of energy?)
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that kids will never say no to a little brownie baking and kitchen-karaoke. It’s the perfect way to have a little fun, keep them entertained, and get a sweet treat—all at the same time. And honestly, nothing brings everyone together like a little chocolate!
Anyone feeling a little parent-guilt over letting their kids have such a sweet treat? Check out “3 Food Rules We’re Breaking on Purpose to Raise Healthy Eaters” from After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings. Trust it, they’re in the business of healthy, realistic parenting—and based on their episode? You’re doing totally fine.
Dive into creative coloring sessions.
If we’ve learned anything from Raising Good Human’s Dr. Aliza Pressman, it’s the power of creativity. It’s not just a fun hobby that you can enjoy doing with your little one; it’s a dynamic tool for sooo many areas of growth. Think: problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and confidence. Yeah, all that from a few crayons and paper!
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to keep it to just coloring books. Don’t believe us? Listen to “Your Brain on Art: Why Creativity Is Essential for Kids (And for You!).” From doodling and sculpting to daydreaming and dancing, creativity comes in many forms.
Set up sensory play stations for hands-on fun.
If you’ve never heard of or tried out sensory play, your kid’s rainy day is about to get a SERIOUS upgrade. Basically, sensory play is any activity that engages allll the senses—touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. The result? Engaging AND developmentally beneficial playtime.
When Whitney Port from With Whit had on the sensory play connoisseur herself, Myriam Sandler, we were ALL ears. You just have to listen to “The Secret to Happier Kids and Calmer Homes” yourself to truly understand the impact.
Turn chores into a rainy day competition.
Wanna hit two goals with one move? Turn everyday, boring chores into a rainy day competition. You still get to knock things off your to-do list (talking to you, high-performing go-getters), and your kids will ACTUALLY be interested in getting their chores done.
Try turning your living room into an obstacle course. (Yes, you read that right. Kids are only young once, right?!) Hop over cushions, army-crawl under blankets, or use crushed up paper for trashcan basketball. Add a timer to really raise the stakes and get things going. Suddenly, your task list is complete, your kid’s chores are done, and you’ve spent your rainy day busy (and bonding!).
What to Do on a Rainy Day With Friends at Home
Host a cozy sip and chat.
Channel your inner Wine Face by hosting a cozy, laid-back sip and chat. Invite all your girlfriends over, set out your fave bottles of wine, lay out a charcuterie board, and relax! It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up, celebrate friendship, and spend your day with people you love.
Never hosted a fun wine night before? Tune into “Entertaining at Home 101: What to Do With the Drinks” for all the important details. Trust us, there’s nothing to it! And honestly, you don’t need anything fancy or over the top. Good wine with even better company is plenty.
Relax with a self-care spa day.
You can’t spend a rainy day with friends and not indulge in a self-care spa day—it’s like breaking an unspoken rule. And look, everyone treats self-care differently. Maybe to you, it’s mud masks and matcha lattes. To your friend, it could be DIY mani-pedis with a little aromatherapy.
Whatever you decide on, make a day out of it. Turn on a playlist, light some yummy-smelling candles, order takeout, and really just savor the moment. Ultimately, it’s not just a fun way to spend your rainy day—it’s a chance to feel totally refreshed and revitalized.
Don’t just take it from us, though; take it from Breaking Beauty’s episode where Hailey Bieber talks skincare, nail tips, and safe spaces. Spoiler: you get allll the insider tips on Hailey’s self-care secrets.
Throw a lazy, luxurious movie marathon.
Wanna turn your rainy afternoon into the ultimate chill day? Invite some friends over for a movie marathon! Cry at chick flicks, laugh at rom-coms, or hide under the blankets with scary movies and suspenseful thrillers. There are no rules here—just pick a genre and roll with the punches. Or, wanna make it even more exciting? Each of you can toss a movie into a random generator and let it choose for you! No “my movie’s better” comments—just surprises and good vibes.
And of course, no movie day is complete without a bowl of popcorn, a few glasses of wine, and a couple of bags of candy. Full permission to break your diet for this occasion—all in the name of good fun, of course.
We’ve also rounded up podcasts about film that are perfect for pre-planning your next binge-watching sesh. Def make sure to check that out for a little helpful inspo!
Encourage friendly competition with a game night.
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a little bit of friendly competition. And that adrenaline rush from the uncertainty of last-minute wins? Definitely one of the best ways to spice up a rainy day. Pull out your card games, board games, video games—whatever you vibe with—and let the chaos begin.
And once you’re done with the competition, download a few of these mental health games to wind down and relieve stress. You can keep that game-play atmosphere with something a little less… hectic and intense. (Yes, we shamelessly consider Mario Kart to be high-stakes AF.)
What to Do on a Rainy Day as a Couple at Home
Get deep with a couple’s Q&A.
Whether you’ve been dating for two months or two years, a couple’s Q&A sesh always feels special. It’s a great way to open up, get deep, and connect on a much more intimate level. And honestly, it’s an easy way to learn even more about your partner. “How to Keep the Spark Alive” from We Met At Acme talks allll about this.
You may know when their birthday is, but do you know their ultimate goal in life? (Maybe a little too deep for new relationships, but could be fun to know, regardless!) Our list of vulnerable questions to ask your partner has a ton of inspo if you don’t know where to start.
Build a blanket fort and binge-watch TV shows.
Let’s be real, we’ve all dreamt of building a blanket fort and watching our fave TV shows with our partner. It’s just one of those cutesy, simple date night ideas we all have on our bucket list. No going out, no dressing up, and no dropping money on a $70 steak and drinks—easy enough!
Instead, get cozy, DIY a fort, and turn your living room into an at-home theater. It’s not just intimate and relaxing, but it’s the best way to spend a rainy day. Need some TV show recs? We’ve got everything from TV shows like The White Lotus to dating shows like Love Is Blind. And that isn’t all—just head over to the blog to explore all of your options!
Host your own mini bake-off at home.
You don’t have to consider yourself a cooking wizard to have a little lighthearted bake-off. But at the same time, we don’t mean grab a batch of oven-ready cookies—that’s cheating! We mean getting down and dirty by making everything from scratch. Intimidating? Maybe. A cute rainy day date idea? Totally.
Plus, you can literally use any ingredients you want. Butterscotch brownies? White chocolate chip cookies? Baked strawberry cheesecake? Our mouths are watering just thinking about it. Basically, have fun with it! You may even impress yourself.
You can tune into “Brownies, Cookies, and Starter Kitchens Oh My!!!” from What’s Gabby Cooking for a few newbie tips. Or, if you really wanna take it up a notch, listen to “Darren Star Dishes on Cooking Up Iconic Television Shows” from All on the Table.
Rainy days don’t HAVE to be boring—you just need to make a fun plan!
Toooo many people think that rainy days mean sitting at home, being bored, and wasting the day away. But, take it from us, that doesn’t have to be the case! No matter if you’re lounging solo or hanging with loved ones, there are SO many exciting things to do. Turning the day around truly is as simple as having a plan. And with all of these fun ideas? You’ll never be bored on a rainy day again.
Head over to the Dear Media blog for everything from love life advice to health and wellness tips. Oh, and of course, the latest pop culture updates and little hot gossip—we cover it all. Also, don’t forget to check out the DM shop! We have sooo many things that can make your rainy day even better. “Carbs Are Community” crewneck? Check. “OOO” blue hat? Check. The “Breadwinning Housewife” blanket? Check, check, annnddd check. What more could you need?
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