55 Rainy Date Ideas (Besides Watching a Movie)

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

You and your significant other are supposed to have a walk in the park, but it ends up raining. What do you do?

Your love calls and asks if you can have lunch outside, but storm clouds are gathering. Is there another alternative? What can you do on a rainy day date?

If you are looking for the best rainy day date ideas, you’ve landed on the right page. We’ve got you covered.

In this article, we list 55 ways to spend quality time with your partner, even if it’s raining heavily outside. There’s no need to be disappointed—there are a lot of things you can do in the comfort of your home.

Let’s get started!

Chill & Romantic Rainy Date Ideas

1. Bubble Bath for Two

This is probably one of the most romantic things to do indoors on a rainy day. But don’t fill the tub with water

Light some scented candles and set them all over the bathroom floor and shelves (just make sure they’re far from things that might cause a fire!). Pour some essential oils into your bubble bath, and prepare some wine that you can drink while spending precious moments together.

2. Massage Home Service

You don’t have to call a massage therapist for this one—you can do it all on your own. Give your partner a message after that long bubble bath. What better way to enjoy a rainy day than with a nice, relaxing massage?

3. Indoor Picnic

Can’t go picnic outside because of the heavy rains? No worries. Set up your picnic date in the living room, in your bedroom, on the terrace (should be under a roof, of course), or anywhere in your house.

4. Reading Session

You can do this in two ways. First, you could pick a book that you both would like to read, and then go through the story together. Or, you may pick two books (one for you, one for your partner), and simply enjoy the company of each other while reading (and snuggling).

5. Coffee Table for Two

If you are too tired to go outside and visit a coffee shop, or if the rain is coming down too hard and you can’t go coffee shop hopping, you can always set up your own mini coffee table at home. It’s best to put it near the window where you can see the rain pouring down, which will definitely give it the coffee shop feeling.

6. Plant Together

Do you and your partner have green thumbs? If so, this can be a wonderful date idea when staying indoors. Just make sure you have something to plant into those indoor pots.

7. Play 36 Questions

An article by Daniel Jones published in The New York Times lists down 36 questions that could better improve intimacy between partners (and even strangers). The idea is to make yourself vulnerable to your partner, and have him or her do the same with you. Vulnerability is what nurtures the closeness between you.

On a rainy day, you can try answering these 36 questions with your partner. Here’s a possible way to facilitate the activity.

8. Stay in Bed

A rainy day might just call for an entire lazy day spent in bed, with unlimited snuggles. I you’re too tired to get up and do something, you might as well cuddle with your favorite person in the world all day long.

9. Create a Memory Jar

This is a great rainy day activity for couples who have been together for a while. You can each write down memories from your relationship and put them in a jar. Then, on future rainy days, you can take turns reading the memories aloud. This is a great way to reminisce about good times and laugh together.

Fun & Entertaining Rainy Day Date Ideas

10. Cards or Board Games

If you can’t play outside, then play inside—any card or board game will do. Go get that old Monopoly or Scrabble that’s been sitting in your cabinet for years, prepare some delicious snacks and drinks, and you’re all set and ready to enjoy.

[Check out this article that showcases the 15 of the best board games for couples]

11. Wii or Playstation

Video games are for everyone, so invite your girlfriend (or wife) to play Wii or Playstation with you. Make a bet and challenge her to beat you. If you win, you get tons of kisses. If she wins, you have to cook dinner for the entire week.

12. Karaoke

You have two options here: go to the nearest (or your favorite) karaoke bar or set up a DIY karaoke in the comfort of your home. If you do it at home, you can even dress up as a pop or rock star, depending on your mood and the songs you wish to sing!

13. Drinking Games

If you and your partner are beer lovers, you surely know about the different drinking games. Kings Cup, Never Have I Ever, and Straight Face are just a few. While warming up your bodies with a drink on a rainy day, make it fun with drinking games!

14. Pillow Fights

Who doesn’t love a pillow fight? Let the child inside of you out and enjoy some fun time with your favorite person in the world!

15. Check Old Photos

A rainy day date can be a time for some nostalgia. Flip through the pages of your high school yearbooks and laugh at what your teenage self said about what he or she wanted in the future. Or giggle at that haircut you still regret from when you were punk rock wannabe.

If your yearbook isn’t enough, go over the old pictures compiled by Mom in a scrapbook. Nothing is funnier than family photos showing how you dressed up for Christmas when you were still 12.

16. Have a Rainy Day Photoshoot

Once you’re done going down memory lane for your rainy day date, you may feel like you want to create new ones.

If so, you and your partner might want to have a photoshoot. You can play the model and photographer, or you can both take pictures of the beautiful rain outside. You don’t need a studio or a professional camera—your smartphones can do the trick.

This date idea can be even more exciting if you pair it with fashion designing. Find whatever’s in your wardrobe and release the inner stylist in you.

17. Scavenger Hunt

Everyone loves a scavenger hunt. First, you and your partner can spend the entire morning setting up the hunt, writing clues and missions that lead to various locations, and creating traps and tricks. Then, in the afternoon, you can both do your scavenger hunts and search for the treasures that each other have hidden.

To make this activity more exciting, you and your partner can make a bet on who will finish first.

18. Arts and Crafts

If you like arts and crafts, one good way to spend the day during the rainy season is to get dirty. Take out all those pastels, stickers, and paints you haven’t used for a long time and start creating some art.

19. Music

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing. When the weather is gloomy we naturally get depressed. Its just human nature.

One way to counteract that is through music. Music has been shown to positively affect mood.

If you and your partner play instruments, a rainy day is an awesome time to jam. You can even compose a song together if you’re inspired.

Alternatively, you can simply take turns playing your favorite songs and singing and dancing around your apartment or home as a fun rainy day date idea.

20. Wine and Paint Night

A pretty popular date night idea is the wine and paint night. But there is no need to actually attend an official wine and paint night event. Recreate the activity in your home and enjoy the thunder outside while you paint and drink with your partner.

21. Dance

Create a hip-hop dance routine with your partner. It doesn’t matter if you’re not dancers—it’s the thought that counts! Or, if you’d like, find some YouTube videos and follow the steps.

22. Skill Learning

You can either teach your partner a skill you know that he or she is dying to learn, or you can learn an entirely new skill together. There are so many resources, including tons of instructional videos on YouTube.

23. TED Talks

TED Talks are really inspiring and motivating. So if you’re tired of movies and TV shows, watch TED Talks instead. Then, discuss with your partner what you have learned. Who knows? Both of you might come up with an idea that could be the next big thing!

24. Funny Videos

If you’re up for some laughter, you can watch funny videos instead. Did you know that watching funny videos brings a lot of benefits? It can literally make you healthier and happier—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Alternatively, you can expand your mind, laugh a bit and learn something by listening to some funny podcasts.

25. Travel Planning

Is your partner your travel buddy as well? A rainy day can be the perfect time to plan your next trip. Think of this like having a travel meeting, but with tons of cuddling and yummy food.

26. Declutter

You might be wondering why decluttering is on a date list, but, believe it or not, there are a lot of couples who agree that this is the best way to spend the day doing something productive with each other. A rainy day is the perfect time to do it because there’s nothing to do outside!

27. Act out Scenes from a Romantic Novel

Jackie Collins, Daniel Steel… take your pick and have a blast. Romantic novels are a great way to get a bit naughty and have fun together on a rainy day. Why not have some fun with the sexy dialogue and act out specific scenes together.

28. Language Lessons

If you and your partner have ever wanted to learn a new language, what better time to start than on a rainy day? Keep the mood and start learning one of the romance languages online with some beginner lessons.

French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese are all great options. There are many ways to start. You can download an app, take in some YouTube tutorials, enlist a live online video tutor, or combine this with a movie marathon. Find some foreign movies on Netflix and watch them with subtitles in your new language.

29. Make Crank Calls

Remember when you were a kid and would make crank calls with your friends? You can relive those days by making some prank phone calls together. Just be sure not to call anyone you know—you don’t want to get in trouble. If you want some inspiration, check out some humorous ones online.

30. Restore an Old Piece of Furniture

Are you a handy couple? Do you enjoy home improvement shows? You can find an old piece of furniture at a thrift store or yard sale and restore it to its former glory. You can also take something already in your home and update it.

This is a great way to create something unique and add some character to your home.

31. Take a Day Trip to a Nearby City

If you live in a smaller town, you can take a day trip to a nearby city. This is a great way to get out of the house and explore somewhere new. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before you go to make sure the rain won’t follow you to your destination. If the rain extends to the next town, you may want to rent a hotel room for the night and come back home the next day.

32. Explore a Cave

This is a great activity for adventurous couples. Caves are typically found in rural areas. You can often find tours of local caves that will teach you about the history and geology of the area. Just be sure to bring a flashlight and dress warmly. Caves can be cold and damp, so rain is not a problem.

Rainy Date Ideas for Foodies

33. Pizza and Beer

Pizza is comfort food, and beer is its perfect mate. Call for delivery or create your own pizza, and buy some beer at the local convenience store (or maybe just grab a few from your fridge).

34. Cooking Lessons

If you and your partner are good cooks, creating a meal together is one of the most romantic hobbies that you can enjoy as a couple. But if one of you doesn’t know how to cook, then a rainy day is the perfect time to teach them!

If both of you do not know how to cook, there are always video tutorials on YouTube. Take this opportunity to bond and learn a new skill together.

35. Bake Pastries

Do you like sweets and pastries? Baking is an alternative to cooking. Many couples enjoy baking together as much as they enjoy cooking.

36. Build a Gingerbread House

We often get into the holiday spirit by building (and eating) a gingerbread house. However, this is a fun activity that you can do on a rainy day. You can find gingerbread house kits at most stores during the holiday season.

I love gingerbread cookies any time of year, and you may too. So go ahead and put one together regardless of the time of year. You can always alter the gingerbread house to fit the nearest holiday.

Find a recipe online. The basic recipes for gingerbread include ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and molasses.

37. Visit a Winery

Wineries are a great place to visit on a rainy day. You can learn about the wine-making process and taste some of the finished products. Many wineries offer tours and tastings for a small fee. This is a great way to spend a day if you enjoy learning about new things and trying new wines.

38. Visit an Indoor Farmers Market

Farmers markets are a great place to find fresh produce and other goods. They are often held indoors on rainy days. This is a great way to support local businesses and get some fresh air on a wet day.

39. Have a Themed Dinner Party

Who says a rainy date can only include you and your significant other? It can serve as a great way to spend a rainy day if you enjoy cooking and entertaining. You can have a themed dinner party with your friends, family, or a neighboring couple.

Everyone can bring a dish to share and you can all enjoy a meal together. This is a great way to have a rainy double date or couple party.

40. Learn How to Make Sushi

If you and your partner are sushi lovers, spend a rainy day learning how to make it yourselves. You can find sushi-making kits at most Asian markets.

This is a great way to spend some quality time together learning how to prepare a specific dish with intricate steps.

41. Have Breakfast for Dinner

Breakfast foods are my favorite, so this is always a fun way to spend a rainy day. You can make pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, and anything else you’d typically have for breakfast.

Or, you can get creative and make breakfast-themed dishes like eggs Benedict or a breakfast burrito.

Rainy Date Ideas Outside (But Still Indoors)

42. Art Gallery & Museum

This is a perfect indoor activity for couples who are into arts and paintings. You have probably seen how romantic movies can get when the characters are visiting an art gallery. Why not do so yourself!

43. Coffee Shop

You can try the newest café in town and check if it is worth including on your list of go-to places. Or, if you want, you can do a coffee shop hop and find new ones that serve the best coffees.

44. Arcade

Arcades are fun and exciting! They give you a nostalgic feeling, taking you back to those childhood years when life was simpler and carefree. You might even get your partner talking about things you didn’t know about from their childhood.

When you visit an arcade, try winning a prize for your partner. And if you don’t get lucky, that’s okay too. A good laugh at how bad you both performed can save the day!

45. Billiard Hall

Now, this is an arcade for grown-ups. What’s rather wonderful about these sports bars is that they often offer other traditional games as well, like Ping-Pong and darts. If you are lucky enough, they might even have acoustic bands playing live.

46. Bowling Alley

Bowling is a perfect first date idea.

The game can serve as an icebreaker during dull times and awkward conversations.

47. Booze Shops

Oh, for the love of beer! Check out the local booze shops in your area. This could include a brewery, distillery, or winery. Lucky you if they have free tastings for the day.

48. Animal Shelter

This is a great date idea for couples who love taking care of animals. You can go to an animal shelter and volunteer together. Spend the day giving some love with the person you love.

49. Play Indoor Mini Golf

Mini-golf is a fun activity for any weather. You can find indoor mini-golf courses at many entertainment centers. They are a great way to have fun and stay dry on a rainy day.

If you are really into mini-golf, you and your mate can easily build a course in space at your home. To step up a simple course, begin by purchasing artificial grass in a golf site. Depending on which one you get, you can get a portable one or have it permanently installed.

50. Attend a Comedy Show

Laughter is the best medicine, right? If you and your partner are feeling a little down on a rainy day, go see a comedy show. There are often shows happening in local clubs or bars. This is a great way to spend some quality time together while enjoying some laughs.

If you don't feel like going outside for your comedy hour, why not do your own standup routine at home? You both can take turns coming up with material and then performing for each other. It's a fun way to get creative and have a laugh.

51. Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is a great way to have some fun on a rainy day. You can find indoor ice skating rinks in most cities. This is a great activity for couples or groups of friends. You don't have to be good at it to have fun.

A rainy date may be the perfect time to learn how to skate. Just be sure to dress warmly.

52. Browse through a Local Bookstore

If you and your partner are bookworms, spend a rainy day browsing through a local bookstore.

You can find some great deals on books this way. And, if you’re lucky, you may find a new favorite book to read together.

53. Check out a Local Planetarium

This is a great activity for rainy days or nights. Planetariums often have shows and exhibits that are interesting for adults and children alike.

This is a great way to learn about the stars and planets on a rainy day.

54. Attend a Local Sporting Event

This is a great way to spend a rainy day if you and your partner are sports fans. You can attend a local sporting event, such as a minor league baseball game or a college basketball game.

This is a great way to support your local team and have some fun inside on a wet day.

55. Pub Trivia Night

If you and your partner are trivia buffs, this is a great way to spend a rainy day. Most bars and pubs host trivia nights and often have a schedule online. You can test your knowledge and see how you stack up against the other teams.

This is a great way to have some fun and potentially win a prize.

Conclusion

A rainy day can be a perfect day to have a date. Don’t get annoyed if it suddenly pours—you can always think of something to do if you keep this list handy.

We hope that the rainy day date ideas we shared above will help you deepen the connection between you and your partner. But bear in mind that it doesn’t have to be raining for you to do these things. You can always do them, no matter what the weather may be doing!

Finally, one proven way to improve your happiness and life satisfaction is to focus on goals that truly matter. To get started, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals.