Last Updated on: 11th November 2025, 09:54 pm
Ah, the great British weather. One minute it’s glorious sunshine and you’re planning a picnic — the next it’s tipping it down and you’re desperately trying to keep the kids entertained indoors. I’ve learned the hard way that having a few rainy-day ideas up my sleeve is the difference between a cosy afternoon and complete chaos. So, here are some tried-and-tested (and very affordable) ways to keep everyone happy when the skies open.
1. Hit the Library
Libraries are so underrated. Ours isn’t just for borrowing books — it’s a free, warm, dry place to spend an hour or two. Most UK libraries have kids’ corners with comfy chairs and colouring tables, and many run free storytimes or craft sessions. My two love choosing their own stack of books and scanning them at the machine themselves (it’s basically a game). Bonus: you leave with new reading material and zero guilt about spending money.
2. Create a Home Cinema
Close the curtains, make popcorn, and let everyone pick one short film or episode to watch. I like to go the extra mile and print “tickets” or set up a snack counter with homemade popcorn bags and squash “mocktails.” The key is treating it like a real cinema trip — without the £40 price tag. If you already have a streaming service, it’s completely free entertainment.
3. Try a DIY Science or Craft Afternoon
There are so many simple science experiments you can do with things you already have at home: vinegar and baking soda volcanoes, skittles rainbow plates, or “magic milk” (a drop of washing-up liquid in coloured milk).
If crafts are more your thing, keep a stash of recyclables — cereal boxes, egg cartons, toilet rolls — and a bottle of glue. You’d be amazed what kids can make with a pile of “junk.” I’ve seen robots, castles, and even a “rainbow dog house.” (Yes, it was for a stuffed toy, but points for creativity!)
4. Explore a Free Museum or Gallery
We’re so lucky in the UK that many museums are free to enter. Even smaller towns often have a local museum or heritage centre. The Natural History Museum in London, the National Museum of Scotland, and the World Museum in Liverpool are brilliant for kids, but even little local ones can be fascinating.
Pack your own snacks and drinks to avoid the café prices, and you can easily fill a whole day for the cost of parking.
5. Have a “Bake-Off” Challenge
Nothing beats the smell of home baking on a rainy afternoon. Pick a simple recipe — fairy cakes, cookies, or even homemade pizza dough — and turn it into a friendly competition. Kids love decorating their creations, and it keeps them busy for ages. Bonus points for getting them to help wash up afterwards (well, we can dream).
6. Get Active Indoors
When cabin fever sets in, movement helps. Crank up a playlist and have a family disco, or set up a mini obstacle course with cushions, tape, and chairs. There are loads of free kids’ workout videos on YouTube too — Joe Wicks’ old “PE with Joe” sessions are still a hit in our house.
7. Visit a Garden Centre or Pet Shop
If you need to get out of the house but don’t fancy spending much, pop to a local garden centre or pet shop. It’s warm, dry, and full of things to look at. Ours has fish tanks, birds, and the occasional rabbit — basically a free mini-zoo outing.
Final Thoughts
Rainy days don’t have to mean boredom or blowing the budget. With a bit of creativity, you can turn a grey afternoon into something special — and maybe even start a few new family traditions. The trick is to embrace it, make a hot chocolate, and remind yourself that the sun will be back eventually. (Probably.)
