Even though rainy days can be a bummer, they don’t have to be a total drag. With a little imagination and enthusiasm, you can turn rainy days into an opportunity to explore the outdoors in unique ways!
If you’re wondering where to go on a rainy day, this article is for you! Read on to discover 15 fun outdoor ideas to help you make the most of a rainy day.
What Can I Do Outside When It’s Raining?
Before we dive into the list, let’s take a quick look at some general things you can do when it’s raining:
Take a walk – Rainy days are the perfect time to explore your neighborhood or even take a walk around the block! The rain may be coming down, but if you have an umbrella, you can still get out and about without getting too wet.
Visit your local park/nature reserve – Nature reserves and parks are great places to explore on rainy days. Not only will you be able to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air, but you can also experience the beauty that nature has to offer in all kinds of weather.
Take photos – Rainy days are excellent for photography, as the rain adds texture and depth to any image. If you’re feeling creative, you can use the rain as inspiration to capture unique photos.
15 Fun Rainy Day Outdoor Activities
Still not sure where to go on a rainy day? Here are 15 fun outdoor ideas that you can use to turn a rainy day into an adventure:
1. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are always fun, and they can be even more interesting in the rain! Grab an umbrella and a list of items that you can find in nature (such as leaves, rocks, or flowers), and head to your neighborhood park or nature reserve.
2. Build a Sand Castle
Building sandcastles is a classic beach activity, but with some creativity, you can do it almost anywhere! Find a patch of dirt where you can safely dig and use the rain to your advantage – wet sand is much easier to mold than dry sand.
3. Visit an Outdoor Market
When it rains, people usually stay indoors – which makes outdoor markets and flea markets perfect places to explore on a rainy day. You’ll usually find interesting items, delicious food, and lots of interesting people – all in the comfort of an umbrella!
4. Splash in Puddles
Forget about staying dry and embracing the rain! If you want to make the most of a rainy day, why not splash in puddles? This is especially fun if you’re with kids; they’ll never be bored when there are puddles to jump in.
5. Make Nature Boats
Remember those paper boats you used to make as a kid? Well, why not take it up a notch and try making nature boats instead? It would be best if you had some sticks, leaves, twigs, and other natural materials – you can find these in your backyard or at the local park.
Once your boat is ready, set it free on the nearest pond or lake and watch where the wind takes it!
6. Mud Painting
Do you know what’s abundant during a good rain? Mud! And where there’s mud, there’s an opportunity to get creative. Gather some sticks and rocks and make your art in the mud – you can use the stones and sticks as paintbrushes to create unique patterns.
7. Have a Water-Gun Fight
Since you’re already going to get wet, why not make it fun? Grab water guns or a bucket of water balloons and have an epic water-gun fight with your family and friends. Trust us, this will be one of the most memorable rainy days of your life!
8. Go on a Rain Hike
Rainy days don’t have to put a stop to your hiking plans! With the right gear, a rain hike can be quite an adventure. Put on your waterproof boots and coat, and explore nature in all its wet, wild glory.
9. Go Mushroom-Hunting
Fungi love the rain, so why not take advantage of it and go mushroom-hunting? This is an excellent activity for a rainy afternoon – all you need is an umbrella and patience. Who knows, you might find some tasty mushrooms to take home!
10. Make Rain Art
Get creative with the rain by making your own rain art. All you need is a canvas and some water-resistant paint. Once your artwork is ready, head outside with it and start painting – the rain will give your painting a unique look that you can’t get on sunny days!
11. Bob for Apples
Whoever said bobbing is a summer activity hasn’t tried it on a rainy day! Fill up a bucket with water and toss in some apples – then take turns trying to catch them using only your mouths. This game is guaranteed to get you wet but also lots of laughs.
12. Catch Frogs
Frogs love the rain, and they can’t resist jumping around in puddles. Take advantage of this and go frog-catching! It may sound funny, but it’s a great way to connect with nature and explore the outdoors – even when it’s raining.
13. Go Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where you use GPS coordinates to find hidden “treasures” – usually small trinkets or items. It’s a great way to explore the outdoors when it’s raining and have some fun with your family and friends.
14. Make Leaf Rubbings
Leaves are abundant during this time of year, so why not make some art with them? All you need is some wax paper and a crayon or a pencil to make leaf rubbings. This is a great activity for both kids and adults – you can even turn it into an outdoor scavenger hunt!
15. Play Giant Board Games
Stay dry indoors by playing giant board games like checkers, chess, or Twister. You can even make your own giant board games out of cardboard boxes – be sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand!
Final Thoughts
Rainy days don’t have to be boring – there are plenty of fun activities you can do indoors and outdoors.
Now that you know where to go on a rainy day, you can make the most of any downpour. Just remember to bring along an umbrella and some waterproof clothing for your outdoor adventures!
