60 Things to Do on a Rainy Day

Brunch

Few things beat the sheer indulgence of brunch. The best way to start the day, don’t let the rain stop you from hitting up your favourite brunch stop. And if you want to start early, check out our range of brilliantly boozy bottomless brunches. 

Indoor Skydiving

If you thought skydiving could only be outdoors, think again - iFly have created a revolution with indoor skydiving. Offering the closest sensation to skydiving, prepare to be turned upright in a 120 mph airstream. 

VR 

Leave the rainy days behind and travel further afoot with an immersive VR experience. Guaranteed to make you forget about the weather and the real world, state-of-the-art VR transports you to a city swarming with zombies. Find a cure and keep zombie attacks at bay! 

Escape Room

Rapidly becoming a classic rainy day activity, escape rooms are treasure troves of indoor entertainment. With just about every theme under the sun covered, it’s simply a case of narrowing down the selection. We highly recommend stepping into Wonderland with Escape Hunt’s 5* rated Alice in Puzzleland extravaganza. 

Bounce Below

When the outside world is grey and miserable, there’s really only one thing for it - to the caves! Zipworld have transformed a former Victorian mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog to a trampolining paradise. There’s six levels of bouncing goodness filled with nets, huge slides and more to discover. 

Go to the cinema 

Escape the weather and lose yourself in a captivating film at the cinema. From Hollywood’s latest blockbusters to family classics and beyond, there’s plenty of great films to watch. Oh and did we mention the array of snacks to treat yourself to like popcorn and sweets?

Explore a museum

From travelling back in time to dedicated museums that’ll allow enthusiasts to indulge their passion, a trip to the museum is anything but boring. Of course, London is home to an array of free-to-enter museums that will save a rainy day or two - from science to fashion to history, there’s something for everyone. 

Brewery Tour

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you have to compromise on adventure. Forgo the run-of-the-mill pub trip and instead, delve into the fascinating world of beer with a brewery tour. Follow the journey from hop to tankard, meet expert producers behind the bottle and enjoy generous samples. The UK’s even home to Fullers, rated one of the top beer tours in the world. 

Go Bowling

Take to the lanes and head off for a family day out or classic date night at the bowling alley. From scoring strikes to tucking into delicious snacks, it’s a great place to spend a rainy day. And there’s plenty of venues ready to host you, including the legendary All Star Lanes and family-friendly Disco Bowl. 

Go to a comedy night

Laughter’s the best medicine, right? Combat any rainy day blues by going to see a comedy show. With a wide span of locations to choose from, witness some of the UK’s finest stand-up comedians work their magic on stage. 

With Friends

Just because it’s pouring does not mean your day has to be boring. Here’s some of our favourite rainy day things to do with friends. 

Tiktok Board Challenge

Taking inspiration from social media, the premise of this one is pretty simple - each member of the group makes a themed sharing platter. Popular interpretations include cheese, dessert, sushi and even one dedicated colour like red or pink. It’s a great way to get everyone involved and you don’t have to leave the house. 

Go to the spa

Providing an inherently cosy ambience, rainy days are the perfect excuse for putting the world on hold for a few hours at a spa. Whether it’s a blissful back massage, facial to leave you feeling fresh or access to state-of-the-art facilities, no one’s ever regretted a spa day. 

Afternoon Tea at the Langham

Widely regarded as the birthplace of afternoon tea, The Langham is the perfect place to catch up with a friend. The epitome of luxurious afternoon teas, tuck into sweet and savoury delights, paired with an extensive selection of JING teas. 

Monopoly Live

We all love a game of Monopoly but it can really last HOURS right? Rest assured, Monopoly LIVE is everything but tiresome. Entirely indoors, 80 minutes of exhilarating gameplay awaits as players must complete mind-bending escape room style puzzles whilst moving across the board.   

Have a Roast Dinner

We challenge you to suggest something more serene than settling down in a British pub, warmed by a roaring fire and a roast dinner. Whether you kick things up a notch courtesy of Marco Pierre White, go for a humble pub offering or craft it yourself, it’s a great friend outing. 

Go to the theatre

Don’t let the bad weather rain on your parade. Instead, take yourselves to London’s sparkling West End or a nearby theatre for a show-stopping performance. From comedies to dramas to musicals, there’s a theatre event for everyone. 

Indoor go karting

The UK’s #1 for indoor karting, TeamSport are here to add some real thrills to a rainy day. From exclusive track hire to private catering to team-building and beyond, if it’s adrenaline you’re after, this is definitely your calling. 

Tomb Raider

If you love the popular franchise, then find shelter at Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience in Camden. Opening its doors in 2022, step out of the rain and into a Costa Rican jungle. Work through puzzles, climb through assault courses and more as the cast of live actors bring Tomb Raider to life.

Cocktail Challenge 

Can’t rally the troops to hit up your favourite cocktail bar? Bring happy hour home with this creative cocktail challenge. Each attendee makes their own cocktail, gives it a fun name and brings one for everyone. Of course, they’re not your run-of-the-mill drinks either; they’re elaborate affairs with dry ice and more. 

Rage Room

Whether the rain impacted your plans or you just have a lot of feelings to vent, channel your anger out at a rage room. Donning all the necessary safety gear, you’ll have 30 minutes to smash, obliterate and destroy a variety of large and small items using the weapons provided. 

For Families

It’s raining, it’s pouring and your children are warring. Save a rainy day with our handful of things to do on a rainy day for families. 

• Create an obstacle course. Chances are you’re looking for any and all ways for the little ones to burn off a little energy. And what could be better than creating an indoor obstacle course? Crawl under the dining room table, do ten jumping jacks and then walk from one room to the other with a book on your head. 
• Explore Kidzania. Spanning an enormous 75,000 square feet, Kidzania is an indoor city designed to empower kids between the ages of 4 and 14. There’s a world of opportunities here, from aviation to animal-care, fashion to fire stations and beyond. 

• Bake. Ward off those rainy day blues by baking up a storm in the kitchen. Whether you attempt to make the world’s best cookie, brownie or cake, it’s a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. 
• Have a movie night. If the outside world isn’t enticing enough to even go to the cinema, why not just have a movie night at home? Stock up on popcorn, grab a blanket and put on a selection of family feel-good favourites. 
• Visit an aquarium. The perfect wet weather activity, an aquarium can keep everyone occupied for a good few hours. Blackpool’s SEA LIFE centre is home to over 2,000 creatures ranging from stingrays to sharks and beyond. 

• Go ice skating. While outdoor rinks provide an idyllic backdrop for ice skating, indoor rinks provide just as much fun. With 14 rinks across the country, Planet Ice bills itself as Europe’s number one for ice skating, meaning you’ll be in safe hands. 
• Bring out the board games. It doesn’t matter how technologically advanced video games become, nothing beats a board game session. Get the family together and enjoy classics like Monopoly, Cluedo or Guess Who. 
• Mini Golf. Indoor mini golf is huge at the moment and with a vast array of venues breaking onto the scene, you’ll be well and truly spoilt for choice. Whether you go for a family-friendly venue like Pop Golf or the triple threat of Swingers, hit a hole-in-one of a family day out. 

• Stage a talent show. If there’s one thing most kids love, it’s being the centre of attention. Embrace their singing or dancing passions by hosting a family talent show in the house. Get them dressed up, sit back and relax as the show unfolds in front of your eyes. 
• Axe Throwing. Need to hide away from the rain for a little while? Axe throwing is the immensely satisfying social activity that’s all the rage at the moment. Embrace your inner Viking as you set your sights on sinking steel into the bullseye. 

Things to Do When It’s Raining in London

From ping-pong bars to chocolate workshops, galleries to mingling with the stars, here’s the best things to do in London when the heavens open.

• Science Museum. Take cover from the harsh elements in one of Kensington’s many free-to-enter, fascinating museums. We’re particular fans of the Science Museum, where visitors can immerse themselves in the genius of technology. 
• The Churchill War Rooms. Take a step back in time at the Churchill War Rooms. Explore the underground bunker where Churchill broadcasted many of his speeches, witness first-hand where the influential leader slept and worked and see where he’d hold discussions with his American counterpart. 
• Madame Tussauds. A-list celebrities, music legends and even the royal family: there’s a waxwork discovery to be made at every turn at Madame Tussauds. With 14 exciting zones to explore and 150+ waxwork figures, it’s certainly a day out for the books. 

• Tour the Royal Albert Hall. One of Britain’s most beautiful landmarks, London’s Royal Albert Hall has staged thousands of world-class performances. Led by an engaging guide, be regaled with insider stories, visit the Royal box and soak up the grandeur of the auditorium. 
• National Gallery. Get some culture at the National Gallery, which showcases the story of European art. Founded in 1824, the collection has more than 2,600 paintings, boasting over 700 years of wall-to-wall masterpieces to admire. 
• Shrek’s Adventure! Another jewel in Southbank’s crown of entertainment, Shrek’s Adventure! is a thrilling family day out. Step into a world of unforgettable storytelling and incredible animation in the kingdom of Far Far Away. Meet residents Shrek, Donkey, Fiona and more, while enjoying 12 themed shows. 

• Bounce. The home of ping pong, it’s hardly surprising that Londoners flock to Bounce when the weather is not playing ball. With two locations in the capital (and counting), a myriad of activities awaits including old-school ping pong, wonderball, beer pong, shuffleboard and more. 
• Borough Market. A foodie paradise, Borough Market is shielded by a canopy so it kind of feels like you're outside (except you won't get rained on). Home to a wide range of stalls, from international dishes to fresh local produce, it’s the perfect place to go when hunger strikes. 

• Sky Garden. If you’re set on sightseeing but don’t want to brave the elements, Sky Garden is the place to go. A unique space, the viewing platform boasts panoramic views of the city and there’s even a bar on site to help you make a day of it. 
• Chocolate workshop. If you’re a chocolate lover, prepare to be wowed by MyChocolate. Kick things off creating a tasty chocolate martini cocktail, before a chocolate tasting and decorating a giant chocolate button. Of course, there’s plenty of bubbly to help fuel the creativity too. 

Things to Do on a Rainy Day at Home

You might feel like in recent years, you’ve exhausted the list of things to do at home. But we’re here with some fresh ideas to liven up a rainy day at home. 

• Create a scrapbook. Whether it’s to commemorate a recent holiday or kids growing up too fast, collate all your favourite photos and get stuck into making a book full of your most cherished memories. 
• Bring Happy Hour home. Whether you invite your loved ones or just have your own happy hour, there’s a host of cocktail delivery services to provide you with everything you need. Courtesy of Tapp’d, you can receive 12 bottles of premium cocktails right to your doorstep. 
• Wine Tasting. While the idea of going to a vineyard probably isn’t so appealing in the rain, you can still enjoy the best bit from home: wine tasting. Take your seat at a virtual tasting table as a WSET qualified expert introduces six delicious vintage wines, all via Zoom. 

• Create your own feast. Okay so the weather might not be calling you to your favourite tapas bar. But you can still enjoy the vibrant flavours of tapas with this recipe box from The Cookaway. With all the ingredients and instructions included, create a mouth-watering feast involving the likes of padron peppers, patatas bravas and more. 
• Make your own skincare. There’s self-care and then there’s self-care that you make yourself. Courtesy of Clarity Blend, create your own masks, facial steams, scrubs, facial oils and more using all-natural ingredients. 
• Candle making. Continue the crafting trend, Sculpd are here to help you turn your home into a haven of tranquillity. Receive a kit with everything you need to make one beautiful, scented candle using eco non-toxic materials. 

• Decorate cookies. It’s a classic at home rainy day activity for a reason. Bake a dozen or so cupcakes or cookies and then bring out the big guns to get creative: sprinkles, edible flowers, icing etc. 
• Do a home workout. Missed your morning run? Instead of giving up, stream a free at-home workout through YouTube. There’s a realm of possibilities on the video streaming platform, from Pilates to HIIT to dance and beyond. 

• Indoor treasure hunt. Keep a rainy day active by organising a treasure hunt around the house. Make one set of clues with each one leading to the next, seal them in envelopes and let the fun ensue. 
• Have an afternoon tea party. Did you know you can get a pretty spectacular afternoon tea delivered to your door? Indulge in a selection of sweet and savoury treats without all the hassle of having to dress up. 

Productive Things to Do on a Rainy Day

As tempting as it may be to use the rain as an excuse to lounge around, there’s a host of activities you can do to help keep productivity alive. 

• Read. Name something better than listening to the rain and curling up with a good book? Uncover a world of amazing undiscovered authors with a surprise box, browse the Kindle store to get inspired or read the paperback you’ve always meant to. 
• Learn a new skill. You can learn a new skill at any age, so why not use the opportunity to expand your repertoire. Learn to be a DIY aficionado or put your ideas to good use and enrol yourself in an interior design programme. 

• Revamp your wardrobe. It’s surprisingly rewarding to revamp your wardrobe. Whether it’s a case of sorting out clothes into a ‘keep’ and ‘donate’ pile or you discover hidden treasures already in your wardrobe with the help of a stylist, it’s an activity well worth your time.  
• Plan your next holiday. Dreaming of sunnier days? Take a look at your calendar, get online and then start planning your next holiday. Giving yourself something positive to look forward to will also make you happier in the long run. 
• Yoga. Rainy days are the perfect time to recharge your mind and body - and what better way to do it than with yoga? Stream an online workout via YouTube and you’ll instantly feel the therapeutic benefits. 

• Do a puzzle. Puzzles provide hours of entertainment but there’s far more to the activity than meets the eye. They also improve memory, problem-solving skills and IQ; talk about productivity.  
• Start a blog. If the sound of the rain has you feeling pensive, consider starting a blog about a topic that fascinates you. Whether it’s fashion, sports or lifestyle, just let your stream of consciousness take over. 
• Learn a language. Feeling inspired after planning your next holiday? Why not spend a rainy day productively picking up a few phrases of the country you’re visiting. The locals are sure to appreciate it and you’ll feel more immersed in their culture. 

• Be artistic. A favourite rainy day activity for a reason - draw, colour, paint, carve…whatever you enjoy doing, get out the tools and you’ll feel a lot better for it.  
• Master a new cuisine. Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in with this virtual cooking class led by the Gordon Ramsay Academy. With a selection of themes to choose from, a 90 minutes masterclass will see you learn expert tips and tricks to rustling up a great feast. Perfect for your next dinner party!