Our 10 favourite things to do on a rainy day

There’s something so refreshing about Autumn rain showers. Yes, although we might get a little bit sick of seeing ‘rain’ filling up the weather forecast, there’s just as many fun ways to spend a rainy day as there are for a sunny one.

We love watching the storm break and the rain pour down from our snug (while also feeling pretty smug) living room. One thing about rain outside, is that it always makes cosying up inside to watch a film feel like even more of a treat. Get your cup of coffee ready, because rainy days make the best shameless staying-in-is-the-new-going-out kinds of days.

Or, if a little wet weather doesn’t stop you from heading outside, a bit of wild rain definitely makes the day a lot more lively. It’s one of those little things that really adds some fun to the activity - even if it's getting caught in the rain while you’re on a walk, it can often be a pretty liberating feeling.

So - whether you like watching the storm pour down from the comfort of your own home or if you love dashing out to dance in the rain - whatever your preference, we can all agree that Autumn rain can actually be a rather wonderful thing. In celebration of these stormy days, we’ve created a list of our top 10 favourite activities for when it’s raining cats and dogs outside. There’s a great mix of things that you can do to keep the kids entertained (both outdoors and at home), as well as a few ways that you can take this as an opportunity to spoil yourself.

Have a read through our compilation, and let us know on our social media whether you think we’ve missed anything, or if you’ve got any favourite activities of your own that you’d like to share with us.

1. Make a den
It’s a completely timeless game that is universally loved. We made countless dens when we were younger, and (even in the age of iPads and TVs) they’re still great fun for today’s generation of youngsters, too. Making a den is a fantastic way to let loose at home - there’s something brilliant about grabbing sofa cushions, chairs and blankets at random, and creating a snug squishy fort. Plus, a den feels even cosier when it’s raining outside.

2. Indulge in a self-pamper session
If a rainy day has cleared your hectic social calendar for the day, a bit of me-time is certainly the next best thing. With the pressure of getting out and being productive has been lifted, a rainy evening provides the perfect opportunity to chill out and properly indulge in a pamper session. We recommend opting for face masks, a long bubble bath, painting your nails, moisturising your hair, or all of the above.

3. Play in the puddles
Fancy braving it? If you’re not afraid of a little bit of a downpour, running out into the rain can be a great laugh. Have some fun with the family simply by getting out, jumping in a few puddles and letting your hair down.

4. Put together a photo album
For us, rainy days are all about making time for the things that you don’t normally get around to doing. With this in mind, one of the best sweet (yet still productive) activities that you can spend an afternoon doing is putting together a photo album. Get together all of your favourite photos, and then order them in a keepsake album. You can arrange them by date or place, and slot them into place. You could add in descriptions and dates to go along with the pictures, or even decorate them with a few crafty additions.

5. Get out the board games
Rainy days make the perfect excuse to switch off the devices, get the family together and play a few rounds of good old-fashioned board games. Every family has their own favourites (that are always guaranteed to bring out each other’s competitive side!). If you’ve got a rainy afternoon with nothing planned, a board game or two is just the thing to make the time fly by.

6. Watch a few favourite films
One of the (many) great things about rainy days is that you don’t need to feel guilty about being a bit lazy! Take the rubbish weather as an opportunity to treat yourself to a family movie night. Pick out your favourite films (you could even make it a movie marathon, if you’ve got the whole day ahead), grab a few blankets, pass the popcorn, and settle in for a fun, cosy day of films.

7. Make up some tasty treats
Got a recipe that you’ve always been meaning to try? While you’ve got the day at home, have a go at making something new. This could be a spot of baking, whipping up a few drinks (these could be boozy or alco-free), or a decadent dinner. You could even take inspiration from Channel 4 and set up your own family Come Dine With Me - each family member can take charge of a course, and then everyone votes on their favourite dish at the end.

8. Go through your must-read list
It’s a bit of a classic rainy day staple, but very few things beat picking up a good book and settling down for a read. Reading is a simple, calming and meditative leisure activity, and even just a few minutes with a good book will soon leave you feeling super refreshed.

9. Pick up the phone
While you’ve got a quiet day at home ahead, pick up the phone and have a catch-up with your loved ones. It could be a quick natter with an old mate, or a Face Time with the family - a rainy day at home is a great time for a call, as no one has to rush off or clock-watch during the call. Plus, if you’re feeling productive, you could stick your headphones in and multi-task by finishing off a few chores around the house while you’re at it.

10. Brew your own coffee
If you’re looking to bring a bit of luxury to your rainy days indoors, call us biased, but we don’t think there’s anything better than a decadent cup of coffee. Just picture lounging on the sofa or standing by the window with a steaming mug of rich, freshly-made speciality coffee in hand - it’s like something from a movie.

A warming cup of coffee is an absolute staple on any rainy day - like cheese and wine, or pumpkin and lattes, the two things just naturally go together perfectly. With the Smarter Coffee machine, preparing a piping-hot coffee has never been easier.

By using the Smarter app, you can use your phone to input your own specific coffee preferences, adjust the chosen temperature and strength of your brew, and then have a fresh cuppa made for you there and then - all with just a few taps. The device can even sync up to your home voice activation devices, allowing you to control your Smarter Coffee with your voice.

So, in prep for your next treat-yourself rainy day, take a look through our online shop. On the Smarter online store, you’ll find our fantastic range of homeware products and technology, that are designed to make your kitchen more efficient, more hassle-free and altogether more enjoyable to use.