You’ve checked the weather and it doesn’t look too good. Or, you just woke up to the sound of turrets of rain right outside your bedroom window. Either way you know that your beach day or big hike is going to have to be cancelled.
Even though it might be a disappointment, there are dozens of different ways you can pass the time alone or with friends to turn a rainy day into a memorable experience. Take time to relax, settle in, and enjoy the benefits of the drizzly weather outside. Here, we’ve outlined some of the best ways to pass the time.
1. Paint ‘n Sip
What’s a paint ‘n sip, you ask? Simply call up your close friends, open a few bottles of wine, and set up a few easels with acrylic paints. You can have a relaxing time painting an elaborate still life while getting a little tipsy.
You can either host your own paint and sip or schedule an event with a company. Company based paint ‘n sips have the bonus of teaching hands on techniques and subsidizing the cost of alcohol for your party. Often times, professional artists will take you step by step through crafting an original art piece. Regardless of your skill level, this is a fantastic way to spend a rainy day indoors.
2. Host a Book Club
Introverts and bookish types will love this one. Is there a book or series of poems you’ve been dying to share with friends? Invite people over to spend some quiet time snacking and reading your favorite stories.
You can spend hours discussing what you’ve all learned, the quality of the writing, and the next book you should read together. Poor weather is a great excuse to take some leisurely time to dive into that book you’ve been meaning to read.
3. Hold a Movie Marathon
Even when there’s good weather outside, we all love a movie marathon. Spend some time setting up the perfect cozy environment to bid away the chills.
You can base the movies you choose off a series, theme, or genre. If you’re feeling adventurous and in the mood for high fantasy, it only takes eleven hours to get through the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Make sure to plan snacks and get everyone to pitch in for a couple pizzas. Dim the lights and close the curtains for a movie theater effect. These events are perfect for mixing social groups, since it’s often more comfortable for introverts to use the movies as a talking piece.
4. Make an Elaborate Meal
Find a few dinner or dessert recipes you’ve been dying to make and finally try them out. Many popular dishes like French Onion soup or Paella can take hours to perfectly craft, which make them the perfect foods to make on a rainy day. Hot food can be a comforting addition to any cold day.
Invite friends over for wine, dinner, and dessert. Light some candles and settle in for the perfect meal.
5. Have a Board Games Night
There are dozens of different board games and role playing games that can make for a fantastic day inside. Whether you’re feeling strategy games, table-top RPGs, or cerebral Mafia style events, it’s easy to pass the time with friends with just a few great games.
On average, Settlers of Catan, one of the most popular resource acquisition games, takes two hours for four people to complete. Risk, Stratego, Scrabble, and even Ticket to Ride can make the day fly by in just a few rounds. You can even turn classic board games into fun party drinking games later on in the evening.
6. Host a Spa Day
Rainy days are a wonderful excuse for you to settle in for some “me time”. Look up recipes online for face masks, hair serums, exfoliators, moisturizers, and bubble baths. Often, you can host a spa day with the ingredients found around your home.
One popular remedy is to mix one part avocado with one part egg whites to create a moisturizing yet firming face mask that leaves your skin glowing. Go all out and light candles, burn incense, dim the lighting, and play soft music while you settle in.
7. Plan Your Next International Vacation
Sometimes we just need time by ourselves to really think about our next steps in life. It’s much easier than you think to let the daily minutia of work, study, and family get in the way of our plans.
Pick a place to go, research how to get there, and plan how to fund your next international or local vacation. You can even get more specific and look into certain hotels, hostels, food, and activities that you’d like to do there. Think about the cost of a flight and how long you could spend in the area.
8. Find a Local Indoors Performance
Municipal newspapers, local magazines, and online resources are always advertising new events in your community. Try and find a performance, whether it’s a concert or a comedy show, in your area that you can book cheaply and immediately. Even if you’ve never heard of the performer, this can be a great way to get out of the house while still staying warm.
9. Head to a Cafe or Bar
No matter where you are, there are always bars, cafes, and wine vendors in almost every city. Bring a journal, drawing pad, or a book you’ve been meaning to read to your favorite cafe. There’s nothing better than warm drinks and the sound of rain outside.
This is a great way to pass the time if you’ve moved to a new place and haven’t made many new friends yet. Not only do you get out of the house, you have an excuse to relax in a bustling public setting.
10. Develop a New Skill
Is that guitar in your garage gathering dust? Are you working on your first novel? Bust out some equipment from your old hobby bin to refine or develop a completely new skill. Try and find some tutorials online that can help guide you through the new practice.