Winter in the UK often means grim, rainy weather. But just because it’s wet outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Here are four ideas for great activities to do when it’s pouring outside.

Take the kids puddle jumping

When was the last time you jumped in a puddle? The chances are you thought it was great fun as a child. You probably tried to jump in every puddle you saw. Now you’re an adult you might not do it quite so often. Well, now’s your chance!

True, your shoes will get wet but if you prepare properly, that needn’t put you off. First, dress yourself and the kids in warm, waterproof clothing. Don’t forget to wear warm socks and wellington boots. Then go out for a walk or visit a local park to look for puddles. When you find some good ones, have fun jumping in them. You could even have a competition to see who can make the biggest splash! Your kids will have a great time and you’ll get extra ‘cool points’ for joining in.

Top tip: Put some old newspaper down in the entryway to your home, before you go out. This will give you a place to remove the muddy boots when you get back.

Organise a film fest

Invite your friends round or spend an evening with the family. Pick your favourite films and watch them back-to-back. You could choose films from one genre like horror, sci-fi, or rom-com. Another option is to watch all the films in your favourite trilogy, one after another. If you prefer TV to films, why not grab some box sets and watch a season of your favourite show?

If you’re hosting, don’t forget to stock up on plenty of snacks. Popcorn is always a good place to start. You could also try chips and dips, or bake some cookies. Hot drinks are also popular when it’s cold. So make sure you’ve got plenty of hot chocolate, tea, and coffee in the cupboard.

Create a treasure hunt at home

Setting up an indoor treasure hunt is a great way to keep the kids occupied on a rainy day. Start by writing clues and place them in different hiding spots around the house. Each clue should lead the kids to the next one. Try to number them so that they’re read in the correct order.

If you have more than one child, ask them to work as a team to figure out the clues. The last clue should lead them to the hidden ‘treasure’. This could be a toy or some sweets, depending on the ages of your children. If you want to make the game last longer, try adding a fun challenge to each clue. These could include painting a picture or making up a funny song.

Mother and blogger Kristyn had great fun organising her indoor treasure hunt:

“The whole activity was a huge success. The kids ran from each clue spot so excitedly that the hubby and I couldn’t help but smile as they did it.”

Host a games night

Get some friends together for the evening and organise a games night. This could include playing classic card games or your favourite board games. You could even try something like charades, which is always good fun. If you want to make things interesting, you could try awarding prizes to the winners. If your friends are particularly good at one game, do several rounds and award a prize to the overall winner. Alternatively, combine different games and keep a score of who accrues the most points overall. Total them up at the end of the night before crowning the champion.

[Photo by akshasy_r13]