Fun Things to Do at Home on a Rainy Day

You have big plans and you’re just about to walk out the door when you hear the quickening pitter patter of raindrops. It looks like you’re going to be stuck inside, but the day doesn’t have to be a loss. You can still turn it into an opportunity for some fun, peaceful, and productive activities.

What should you do on a rainy day?

Whether rainy days have you itching to get out of the house or feeling sluggish, you don’t need to spend your day waiting for the weather to pass. This is your chance to choose how to spend your day. This article will explore three categories of activities that you can try on your next rainy day:

• Cozy: When you’re looking to relax and recharge, these activities allow you to quiet your mind. This section will include low-effort, comforting ideas like reading, binge-watching, or taking a bath.
• Productive: When you want to feel accomplished, these activities allow you to check something off your list. This section will recommend ideas like decluttering, cooking, or starting a DIY project.
• Fun: When you just want to have a good time, these activities will make the most of your time indoors. This section will focus on playful and imaginative activities.

Cozy activities for rainy days at home

If you’re drawn to a bed or other place of rest when rain taps at your window, here are five cozy ways to unwind without ever leaving the house.

1. Binge a comforting and nostalgic TV series

There’s nothing quite like binging an iconic, addictive classic show when it’s raining outside. Escape for a few hours and slip into the worlds of Stars Hollow, Cook County Hospital, Dunder Mifflin, Pawnee, or Twin Peaks. Studies show that nostalgic tv shows can reduce anxiety, increase positive moods, and energize you. For extra coziness, pair a show with a hot drink like cider or a comfort snack like grilled cheese.

2. Read (or re-read) a book

For a quieter way to escape, consider reading (or re-reading) a book.

You can also look into something new from a digital library app like Libby or OverDrive or grab an unread book from your shelf.

There are also so many options for audiobooks if you’re looking for a fresh take on a classic. Maybe you want to hear Kate Winslet reading through Roald Dahl’s Matilda or for a little creepy fun - Tim Curry and Alan Cumming vamping their way through Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

3. Take a long bath with a good podcast

When you see those raindrops, you might also just want to sink in a warm bath. These are the perfect days for self-care and your bath can be perfectly paired with mood lighting, a calming playlist, or a soothing podcast to help your mind slow down. Your idea of relaxation can vary, but you can find many podcasts about everything from meditation exercises to historical curios to yes, even the step-by-step investigation of a grisly murder.

4. Do a low-effort indoor yoga or stretch routine

You can try a low-effort indoor activity like yoga or a stretch routine for a more active way to warm up and shake off the rainy-day stiffness. Even 10-15 minutes of light stretching can boost your circulation and mood. There are plenty of options for guidance with these stretches, including video series like Yoga With Adriene and apps like Alo Moves.

Productive things to do on a rainy day

Rainy days are also prime opportunities to cross some things off your checklist. This is the time to stop procrastinating and knock out some chores or projects you’ve been putting off.

5. Declutter your home zone-by-zone

You’re looking around and realize your home is a mess. You don’t need to clean the whole house to feel productive; focus on one or two manageable areas. Start a timer and make a donation pile, organize a messy drawer or a pile of drawers, and tidy up to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. Research has even shown that the state of a home's interior can have a positive effect on your physical health.

6. Try a new recipe

Another option is to put your cooking skills to the test and try a new recipe. This is a fun but purposeful way to pass the time and there are so many possibilities that are both easy to make and can yield great results. You could make banana bread, homemade soup, or one-pot pasta for less than ten ingredients. Take a look at places like Simply Recipes, Epicurious, or Budget Bytes for easy, nourishing ideas.

7. Refresh a boring space in your home

A more involved (but equally budget-friendly) version of decluttering, you could also spruce up a boring space in your home by rearranging furniture, swapping decor between rooms, or hanging up art/photos on the walls. By doing this, you’ll feel a new spark of inspiration, and you’ll be surprised to see how even small visual changes can change the feel of the room and make you feel a little less trapped.

8. Do a “digital clean-up" of your devices

Sometimes going through your email or photos can be a chore. A more modern twist on cleaning, when you don’t feel like leaving the couch, you can do a “digital clean-up" of your devices. Organize your photos into new folders, delete unused apps, or finally unsubscribe from all those emails that crowd your inbox. It’s a relaxing, productive activity and you can even multitask while watching tv or listening to music so it won’t feel as much like work as other chores.

Fun games to play on a rainy day

A less productive but no less fulfilling way to spend your rainy day is playing card games. They’re easy to start, satisfying to finish, and always relaxing. If you’re looking for low-stress fun that keeps your brain engaged, 24/7 Solitaire offers plenty of free options to try right now. Here are two card game options.

9. Classic solitaire

Classic Solitaire is the ultimate go-to rainy day game - quietly addictive, familiar, and settled into the groove between automatic and engaging. You can find great options at 24/7 Solitaire with its smooth interface, daily challenges, stat tracking, and seasonal card varieties. And it’s easy to pause and return to your game throughout the day.

10. Spider Solitaire

If you’re looking for a card game with a little more challenge, you can also try Spider Solitaire. A more complicated variation of Solitaire that adds more cards and requires you to move stacks instead of individual cards - Spider Solitaire has multiple difficulty levels on 24/7 Solitaire (1-Suit, 2-Suit, or 4-Suit), so players can alternately ease in or test their skills. For those who love puzzles and strategic games that require planning ahead, Spider Solitaire will be a particularly satisfying offering.

Stuck inside? Try 24/7 Solitaire for free!

Don’t let your next rainy day be a waste. It’s a great chance to slow down, reset, or have fun. Whether you’re looking for cozy ways to pass the time, productive mini-projects, or easy free online games, there are so many different directions to take your day.

Solitaire can be your perfect rainy-day companion when you need a break between being productive and creative.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.