10 Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day to Boost Your Mood (All Ages)

10 best things to do on a rainy day to boost your mood (all ages)

I spent many dreary weekends coming up with a list of top 10 things to do on a rainy day, from games to crafts to comfort rituals. Here’s what truly lifts spirits and keeps boredom out, no planning required.

Top 10 rainy day activities at a glance

1. Play TV or video games
2. Enjoy a puzzle
3. Have family fun time
4. Watch a movie
5. Get creative with DIY
6. Bake or cook a new recipe
7. Clean your house/space
8. Listen to or make music
9. Take a nap
10. Read a book

10 best things to do on a rainy day

When stormy weather keeps you inside, the best things to do on a rainy day can make every gray hour a little more fun and meaningful. A splash of creativity and the right activity can chase away boredom, turning a quiet afternoon into a cozy adventure.

1. Play TV or video games

Nothing busts rainy day boredom like diving straight into a video game. Sometimes it’s about losing myself in a solo adventure. Most of the time, I want a game that brings everyone together, whether we’re teaming up or challenging each other's skills.

Recently, my favorite choice has been Wheel of Fortune on Roku from Volley Games.

Setting it up takes less than 5 minutes:

• Download the Volley app and create an account (get started with a 7-day free trial!)
• Grab the Roku remote (or your smartphone)
• Start spinning the wheel and solving the puzzles

It is easy for everyone to join, and you immediately get the high energy of a game show in your living room. With competitive rounds and playful guessing, this activity delivers laughter and excitement for adults and kids alike.

2. Enjoy a puzzle

Whenever I crave a more relaxed challenge, puzzles are my standby. There’s just something satisfying about picking out the edge pieces or finally slotting in that perfect fit. It’s also the kind of quiet, “together-apart” activity that suits both family and solo days.

I personally prefer:

• A warm drink
• A comfy area with good lighting
• Playlist of mood music to keep the atmosphere relaxed

If the rain is steady, it’s easy to lose track of time. Before you know it, 2 hours have gone by, and the puzzle is coming together nicely.

3. Have family fun time

Cloud-filled afternoons are the perfect excuse to gather everyone in a room and get a little silly together. I like to set a goal for our family fun session, usually 1 hour of nonstop games, which means everyone gets a turn to shine.

The easiest way to kick things off is by launching a family-friendly game like Jeopardy! or Song Quiz on Roku or Fire TV. With an active account, it takes less than 2 minutes to set up, and the games are all designed for quick answers and instant feedback.

For Jeopardy!, we split into teams. Each trivia round takes about 5 minutes, so even young kids stay focused. In Song Quiz, we race to name that tune before the timer runs out, which always sparks friendly competition and unexpected sing-alongs.

There's also CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ for younger members of the family. Perfect for getting toddlers engaged in the family social gathering.

This game brings the whole family together through interactive musical mini-games, spelling and word play, and catchy sing-alongs. Preschoolers dive right into the fun alongside adults and older siblings.

We control the games with our voices, so younger kids and grandparents participate without hassle. Before you know it, the hour has gone by, and we have yet another great family memory despite the rain.

4. Watch a movie

Rainy nights turn into mini premieres at my place. I stack pillows, dim the lights, and queue a couch lineup with a giant bowl of popcorn.

Movies with a lengthy series, like The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, are great to power through and kill time. During chaotic, stormy weather, horror can be the perfect adrenaline-pumping experience. Or, when outside is more dreary than wild, a romcom keeps things warm and easy.

Sometimes when the kids are free, I'll run a “funniest animated pick” challenge or revisit a childhood classic. Structured breaks, like trivia and snacks, keep the energy high. Looking to add variety to the mix? Allow each child to claim a genre and nominate a film.

Movie nights against a gentle rainfall backdrop are easy to set up, and they pay off well. You've got drizzle outside, while a cinematic marathon is going on inside.

5. Get creative with DIY

Sometimes a creative escape is exactly what a rainy day calls for. I’m not a professional crafter, but I love pulling out whatever paints, markers, or beads I can find and simply making something for the fun of it.

Last project, I grabbed a canvas, acrylic paints, and a handful of old buttons, then spent 2 quick hours layering colors and arranging patterns. Using leftover craft glue and markers, I transformed rainy boredom into a cheerful abstract piece.

Set things up by clearing a surface and laying out a supply station. This can consist of things like paper, scissors, glue sticks, and tape. Whatever you feel would bring out everyone's creative side.

If you need inspiration, there are endless easy tutorials online, or you can grab a simple kit from the dollar store.

Project ideas with zero stress:

• Macaroni necklaces with painted pasta and twine
• Bedazzled things like pencil cups, phone cases, or picture frames
• Scrapbook with printed photos, ticket stubs, and captions
• Collage using magazines, menus, or junk mail, plus a bold title
• DIY bookmarks using cardstock, a hole punch, and ribbon
• Painted rocks for garden markers or silly desk pets
• Friendship bracelets with embroidery floss and a simple chevron pattern
• Finger-paint postcards to mail to relatives

Unplugging to create feels peaceful, and even the oddball projects make each rainy day a little more memorable.

6. Bake or cook a new recipe

Making a new recipe always helps me unwind when the rain keeps me inside. The process pulls me out of my head and into the moment, especially with warm scents filling the kitchen and a mug of tea in hand.

Banana bread is one of my favorite treats, and I've always wanted to learn to bake it myself. During a recent rainy day, I figured “no time like the present” to make a solid first attempt. 

Luckily, my pantry already contained the ingredients necessary to pull it off:

• 2–3 bananas; overripe preferred
• 2 cups flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• Cinnamon

I mashed the bananas, blended them into the remaining ingredients, then poured the mix into a baking pan. I placed the pan in the oven at 350℉ (175℃) and set the timer for an hour.

I then got in a few rounds of Wheel of Fortune on Roku during the waiting period.

After the timer went off, I set the pan aside to cool before giving the bread a taste test. The process was simple, and I had another recipe in my arsenal to brighten the mood on any rainy day.

Cooking can lower stress, improve focus, and boost your mood, even if you’re cooking for just yourself. Working through a recipe at a relaxed pace gives me a clear goal, and by the end, sitting down with a home-cooked plate feels rewarding.

7. Clean your house/space

Not the most glamorous thing to do on this list, but deep cleaning during a downpour often leaves me refreshed. Engaging in cleaning activities generally offers therapeutic benefits and can even help with anxiety. It’s a great way to combat the depressive effects linked to wet weather.

When it’s rainy, you might feel the urge to clear out a closet, organize your desk, or finally sort that junk drawer. I prefer to break it into quick bursts with some music on. Afterward, my space feels lighter, and I’m finally able to relax.

8. Listen to or make music

Music can transform gray, rainy days into poetic, feel-good moments. Queue up the upbeat “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel or a timeless classic like ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” These tracks brighten stormy hours and lift your spirits, letting you soak up the cozy vibes and dance like no one's watching.

But you don't have to stop at listening to your favorites to chase the rainy blues away. In fact, singing can bring its own kind of magic. The act of singing lets people express emotion, spark laughter, and share joy.

Karaoke, as a group or solo, releases endorphins, lightens anxiety, and helps reset the mood. Lyrics don’t have to be perfect; it’s all about letting go and enjoying each other's company.

Volley Games’ Karaoke on Roku is the perfect indoor lift when rain calls off your plans. Transform your living room into a stage using a Roku remote or your smartphone as the mic. What sets it apart is how it instantly scores your performance, tracking every lyric and pitch you hit just right.

You can sing along and take turns choosing your favorite songs, and before you know it, everyone’s in a better mood. If you haven’t let loose with a karaoke night at home, damp spells are the time to try.

9. Take a nap

Sometimes, nothing beats a nap when rain makes things feel a little slower. Instead of fighting the urge, I grab a soft blanket, maybe even build a blanket fort with the kids, and enjoy it.

Here are the benefits of taking a nap while it rains:

• The sound of rain acts as a natural white or pink noise, which soothes the brain, masks disruptive background sounds, and promotes deeper, more restful sleep.​
  
• Rain reduces sunlight exposure, leading the body to produce more melatonin, the hormone that impacts sleepiness and better sleep quality.​
  
• Cooler, damp weather helps maintain a comfortable sleep environment, potentially improving the quality and depth of your nap.​
  
• The gentle ambiance and cozy feelings rain evokes can reduce stress hormones and calm the mind, making it easier to relax and recharge.​

A short nap leaves me recharged, and often, it’s exactly the refresh I need for more fun later.

10. Read a book

There’s something soothing about reading while it rains. I love curling up in my favorite chair with a new novel or even revisiting an old classic.

The rain gave me time to lose myself in “The Crown of Gilded Bones” by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Its twists and epic fantasy kept me hooked, and I finished the last 6 chapters in just 2 thunder-filled hours, totally immersed.

If you want to make it special, set up a nook with a warm drink, a few snacks, and maybe some soft background music. It’s a simple pleasure, but on a rainy day, it feels like the coziest escape I know.

How rain can affect your mood

Rainy weather lowers mood and energy by reducing sunlight. This disrupts serotonin levels and makes people feel tired or down. In my experience, gloomy times can zap my motivation, which is why having a personal toolkit of activities matters.

Instead of fighting the weather, lean into it:

• Embrace the downtime
• Spark a little creativity
• Use it as an excuse to connect with family

If you frame each rainy day as a break from the hustle, you’ll start to look forward to them.

Why rain doesn’t have to ruin your day

Whether it’s tackling a new recipe, playing a round of Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune with the family, or finally reading that book on my list, these moments indoors help me enjoy a rainy day. They give me the chance to recharge and reconnect.

I used to see misty mornings as obstacles, but I’ve learned that they’re actually opportunities. The right attitude and activities turn an unplanned day inside into one of the highlights of my week. Your rainy day can be what you make it.

How Volley Games makes you forget the weather

Rainy days can feel slow or leave everyone a little restless. Having things to do on a rainy day can spark connection and turn simple moments into fun. Volley Games provides an engaging and inclusive way to fight off boredom and enjoy the day, no matter the weather.

Cloudy skies get a whole lot brighter with Volley Games. Sign up for a 7-day free trial for access to our interactive lineup, featuring fan favorites like:

• Jeopardy! where quick thinking meets trivia mastery
• Wheel of Fortune to spin, solve, and win big
• 20 Questions, a clever guessing game that tests logic
• Karaoke, the perfect party game to show off your vocal skills 
• Song Quiz, the ultimate name-that-tune showdown
• CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ, a joyful family sing-along adventure perfect for kids

Each one offers instant, effortless entertainment for all ages and moods using your voice and a remote or smartphone. When it’s pouring outside, Volley Games helps shake off boredom and makes staying in something to look forward to.

FAQs

What do you do on rainy days?

On rainy days, I usually leap into interactive Volley Games like Jeopardy! or Guess the Emoji on Roku. If I want some variety, I’ll cook up comfort food, catch up on reading with cozy lighting, or tackle a small DIY project like organizing a junk drawer.

What are the best indoor activities?

The best indoor activities are easy and fun for everyone. Quick rounds of Jeopardy! or Karaoke on Roku, board games, homemade pizza, movie marathons, puzzles, or simple crafts keep the whole day enjoyable and stress-free.

What are some rainy day activities with kids?

With kids, active games are a must on rainy days. We play 20 Questions or Guess the Emoji on Roku, or CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ on Fire TV. Coloring, building blanket forts, baking muffins, and creating scavenger hunts with toys keep their energy up and boredom away.

How to boost your mood on a rainy day?

To boost my mood on a rainy day, I put on a feel-good playlist and get moving with a living room workout. Playing a quick game of Guess the Emoji on Roku or video-calling a friend lifts my spirits. A hot drink by the window adds comfort, and small rituals help me feel better fast.