Summer Activities for a Rainy Day

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Is there anything worse than being cooped up in the house with the kids on rainy days in the middle of summer break? It doesn’t matter if you’re staying at home or you’re on vacation somewhere. If you’re dealt several days of non-stop rain, it’s time to come up with some rainy-day summer activities.

At Home

Use the occasional rainy day at home during summer to relax and recharge. Snuggle up on the couch, read, watch a movie, catch up on your favorite TV show, or play some board games. Give yourself permission to just rest and relax. Take a nap.

That’s all good and well, but once you’re stuck in the house for several days, it’s time to get a little more creative. This is particularly important when you have small kids at home. They go stir-crazy pretty quickly.

Here are some quick ideas:

Build a fort
Get out the art supplies
Run a movie marathon
Create an obstacle course through the house
Make homemade pizza together
Bake some cookies, or
Encourage the kids to put on a play.

Another idea is to find a theme for the day. For example, with a William Shakespeare Day, you could encourage your older kids to read one of his plays, fix some English food, and end the day watching Romeo and Juliette). You could make the entire day about that theme.

Out And About

Just because it’s pouring down rain, doesn’t mean you can’t head out and have some fun. You just have to find indoor activities that you can easily drive to. Museums are great for rainy days and many have special exhibits during the summer months. Spend a rainy afternoon exploring art or local history and end it with lunch or early dinner at a favorite restaurant.

Don’t forget about your local library. Spending the day browsing and reading can be a pleasant way to stay busy. Give them a call or look online to see if there are special events and activities set up for the kids that day. You can even meet up with friends and hang out talking quietly and checking out books. Some libraries also have gaming rooms where kids and adults alike can play board and video games.

If you and your kids need to burn off some excess energy, head to the local aquatic center or indoor pool. Visiting an indoor playground is another great option, as is a trip to the mall. Last but not least, don’t forget to check local movie theaters and regular theaters to see what performances and shows they offer.