PSA: Just because it’s gloomy outside, that doesn’t mean you need to be stuck under the covers mindlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed, dreaming of sunnier days. Unless, of course, that’s your thing! No judgement at all, but if you *are* looking for a different vibe, there are pleeeeeenty of other rainy day activities you can take advantage of.
Looking for an excuse to whip out your fancy shmancy new wine glasses? Gotchu. Feeling like you want to flex your creative muscles? Done. Still want to stay home in your sweats but actually kinda do something? Yup. Here for you and all of your needs.
But here’s the unfortunate reminder that we are still in the middle of a pandemic, so please partake in the below activities responsibly or just keep ’em in your back pocket for the future! We love planning.
With that, grab your friends, grab your self, grab your snacks (always snacks), because today’s about to be earnestly fun.
Since the weather is already #moody, it’s the perfect time to absorb all of that and put it into *drumroll* moody playlists. Perhaps even a rainy day playlist for the occasion? Future you will thank you!! Here are a couple of songs to get you started.
If you’re going to spend the entire day on TikTok anyways (same), you might as well get creative with it. Choose a trending dance or two that you’ve always wanted to learn and, well, actually do it! Obviously film and post it for the chance to go viral.
Even if you have zero intention of ever sharing the link with the rest of the world, it’s always fun to live out your best Carrie Bradshaw fantasies. Sites like Wix or Squarespace are incredible blogging platforms and are super easy to navigate through and design. Now all that’s left to do is find your Mr. Big, I guess? (Although #TeamAiden.)
Not much of a writer? Maybe vlogging is your thing! Whether you want to use it as a platform to film “Day In My Life” videos or share tutorials of your fave beauty hacks, grab your camera and get to it!
Cocktails always put us in a fun mood no matter the weather. Try out some new recipes and pretend you’re at the most expensive bar in Paris. Espresso martini, anyone?
New plants = instant seratonin. Also, shopping = instant seratonin. I guess what I’m saying is that this is *the* superior rainy day activity?
I’m willing to bet there’s at least one museum in your hometown that you tooooootally keep meaning to visit but it just never ends up happening, right? Use your next rainy free day to immerse yourself in some art or natural history, dahling.
Up to you whether you splurge on an appointment at a bougie spa, or if you set up your own DIY sitch at home. Either way, a self-care day will leave you feeling all sorts of rejuvenated. Just slap on a hydrating face mask and let the pitter-patter of the rain act as your own personal white noise machine.
Doesn’t matter if your skills are already Chopped-champion levels of gourmet, or if you barely know how to boil water. Cooking classes are all about making scrumptious food and then eating your concoction, and therefore they are the perfect invention for a rainy day!! You’ll learn the recipe for something new and get to hang with a pro chef. Airbnb has plenty of online cooking experiences to choose from where you can learn from the best of the best and explore famous food cities.
^Where do I sign up for the garlic knot tutorial?
If you’re looking for a free activity to do with your live-in S.O. or BFF roomie, consider pulling a Marie Kondo and tackling all of the organizing and cleaning tasks you’ve had on your list for forever. You could even make some money off this endeavor if you put together a bag of clothes to donate to ThredUp or TheRealReal. And if you decide to closet-dive with a glass of wine in hand, far be it from me to stop you.
Streaming a movie when the weather is sh*tty is a classic option, so I suggest you kick it up a notch by choosing a theme. Blake Lively’s entire canon of work? Streaming it! Every movie Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence have been in together? Hell yes. Only flicks about LA, or Paris, or spring break? Into it. The options are endless—you just have to get creative.
Arcade bars are the best. You can act like a kid and play tons of games with the added bonus of being able to drink (if you’re of age, of course). Nothing makes the time pass faster than 18 rounds of skee ball.
Window shopping, people watching, AND food courts!? Truly, there is nothing not to love about hitting the mall. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, you’re still in for an entertaining time. Maybe the allure of Claire’s will inspire you to get a spontaneous new piercing or two!
The wholesome kind. I’m talking cookies, brownies, cakes, maybe a loaf of sourdough bread or two. Chocolate chip cookies straight outta the oven are my forever crush. (And yeah, you can definitely freeze ’em for a—wait for it—rainy day.)
Start stretching out your wrists because you’re going to need to perfect that bowling toss of yours. It’s important to note that bowling alleys are great spots to order massive amounts of junk food—hot dogs, nachos, wings, all the good stuff.
You don’t need sunshine to sip on a crisp local beer. Most breweries offer behind-the-scenes tours too, so you can spend an afternoon learning all about how beer is made while you polish off a pint.
Now that bars and clubs are opening back up and bands are starting to perform again to vaxxed and masked crowds, settle on an act that sounds at least a smidge up your alley and order an Uber. Worst case scenario, the band is terrible and you’re hanging at a bar with your friends. Order fries for the table and get over it!
Thankfully, you don’t actually have to be talented with a paintbrush at all to sign up for one of these classes. Just follow the step-by-step instructions and try not to spill any wine on your canvas. Once you’re done, you can hang your masterpiece in your house—or burn it, depending on how much vino was consumed.
Move over, Meghan and Kate. Give the royal fam a run for their money when you spring for high tea service with your best friend. If you’re not sure which yummy spot to pick, look up the fancy hotels in your area and get ready to sip (and spill) some tea. Or just throw one at home and lean in with the theme:
Karaoke nights can be so damn cathartic. Kelly Clarkson jams + a heavy pour of tequila = instant therapy.
As someone with a newfound appreciation for puzzles, trust me when I say that completing a 1,000-piece set is more satisfying than sex.
You’ve spent the past two years talking about how excited you were to travel again, so why not start planning it now? Pour yourself a cup of coffee, open up your laptop, and plot out where you want to go, when you can hypothetically take off work, and how you’ll make it work with your budget.
Hitting an indoor rink for some skating time is not only a super cute date idea, but it’s also a great way to trick yourself into exercising without even realizing it. You guys can chitchat while you glide (or stumble?) around the rink.
Flaunt that big ol’ brain of yours at trivia night. Better yet, find a spot that hosts themed nights on a topic you already know a whole lot about. (Friends quotes, anyone?)
Going for a run outside is certainly out of the question (unless you enjoy getting poured on) but you can still get your heart pumping at a fun virtual class. Go ahead and treat yourself to one of those celeb-loved boutique studio chains, like Barry’s or Body by Simone, or my personal favorite, 305 Fitness. It’s a chance to show off your best activewear, too.
I’m sure there’s at least one restaurant you can’t stop Insta-stalking. Now’s the time to walk in a grab a seat at the bar. Eating alone is v chic and mysterious.
Even if you’re not a huuuuge gamer person, having a few people over to duke it for the title of ultimate champion is pretty damn fun. Or turn it into a drinking game. Beerio Kart is essentially Mario Kart, but you have to finish your drink before you’re allowed to cross the finish line.
Casinos are a good time any day of the week, but they’re especially solid when you want to forget what’s going on outside. (Yeah, the rumors are true, a lot of casinos don’t have any windows.) Not to be annoying, but um, maybe just set some boundaries for yourself so you don’t gamble your whole paycheck, okay?
