Getting out and about on hot sunny days is easy, but during wet winters (or even a particularly showery spring or summer) finding cheap things to do on rainy days with your partner or family can be a challenge. But rainy days don’t have to dampen your spirits or your budget. Embrace the opportunity to save money with Loqbox’s guide to 11 cheap rainy day activities. 

11 rainy day money saving ideas

From cheap indoor days out and cheap rainy day date ideas, to creative rainy day savings challenges, we've got you covered with 11 tips to brighten up even the most glum days:

1. Tackle a movie marathon

Transform your living room into a cosy cinema. Choose a series or film franchise that will keep you entertained for hours. Watch Marvel films in chronological order, crush the Harry Potter films, or get stuck into the Star Wars saga. With streaming services, you can often find full collections of your favourite films and TV shows.

Pop some corn, make some hotdogs or nachos, drop the lights, and enjoy a classic cinematic escape without breaking the bank. You can even build your whole day around the film franchise you choose. Make costumes and grab themed snacks or cocktails. If you’re entertaining kids, why not get them to make their own cinema tickets too?

2. Soak into a DIY spa day

Pamper yourself with a fancy spa day without having to massage your bank balance. Create a DIY spa day in your house with homemade face masks, soothing baths and relaxation techniques. Put on your most chilled music (or whale song!) and switch off your phone. This day is all about you, and rejuvenating both your mind and your wallet.

3. Take on the rainy day savings challenge

If you’re looking to maintain your bank balance, why not turn a dreary day into a money-saving adventure? Think of things you want to save towards and think big. Then challenge yourself to cut costs. Whether it's making your own coffee instead of heading to a cafe, cooking at home, or finding discounts online, build a tracker and watch your savings grow.

You can check this out for more information on how to build a great savings pot, or learn some useful budgeting tips here. 

4. Play board games

Rediscover the joy of board games. Dust off your old favourites or explore new ones. It's a fantastic way to spend quality time with friends or family indoors. Board games have exploded in popularity in recent years. You can find games of all sorts to match your interests and style. 

While new games can be expensive, keep costs down by digging into your attic or basement to find some all-time classics like Monopoly. Alternatively, there are free quizzes and puzzles online, or you can even spend the day making a game together and playing it in the evening. Let your imagination run wild and have fun. 

5. Explore free or cheap, museums and galleries

If you’re looking for cheap things to do when it’s raining, many museums and art galleries offer discounted or free entry on rainy days. Indulge in some indoor culture without denting your wallet. This can be a fun way for kids to discover new things, or as a rainy day date for couples. And museums and galleries are usually warm and cosy too.

6. Host your own Great British Bake Off

Baking is great fun for all ages. Whether you want to spend the day perfecting your own showstopper, or you just want to get your hands sticky in a casual bake-off, there are thousands of recipes available online. The cost of the ingredients can add up, but you might find that some of what you need is in your cupboards already.

And it doesn’t have to just be cakes. Making dough and baking pizzas can be really entertaining. You can even buy pre-made pizza bases if you just want to have fun making up your own toppings combinations. Not only is this super fun, but you’ll have a delicious pizza (or a few) to enjoy when you’ve finished. You could even twin this with your movie night!

7. Go book browsing

Escape into the pages of a good book without spending a fortune. Make a day of it by heading to your local library, then bring your haul of books home, grab a cup of herbal tea, and get lost in a thriller, romance, or adventure story.

8. Have a carpet picnic

Bring the outdoors in with a tasty and creative carpet picnic. Spread out a blanket, prepare some delicious sandwiches, pop open a bottle of Prosecco — maybe even put a countryside landscape with birdsong on YouTube — and enjoy a picnic experience without worrying about the weather.

9. Turn your house into a gym

Turn your home into a gym. There are plenty of free, or low-cost, workout videos available online. Indulge in a yoga session or breathing exercises, or get stuck into a thumping workout. Exercising at home is great for your mind and body, but also your pocket. And you don’t need all the gear to get started. You just need the motivation. 

10. Get creative and crafty

Turn your recycling bins out and start getting crafty. Tap into your creative side with rainy-day crafts. Use household items to create art or repurpose old items into something new. It's a cheap and satisfying way to spend a rainy day indoors. This is great fun with kids, but big kids will love it too. 

There are countless DIY craft projects that you can find online. Maybe head to a local scrap yard or charity shop before you start. You can pick up some amazing bargains and spark your inspiration. Make jewellery, home forts, paintings, toys or decorations for your home.

11. Get lost in nature

Just because it’s raining, doesn’t mean that you can't head out. Kids love splashing in puddles. Head into the woods where you’re more sheltered. You’ll be amazed how fresh air makes everything better. Boost your wellbeing and spend time with your loved ones. Just make sure you’ve got wellies and waterproofs!

These are just a few of the things you can do to beat the blues on a rainy day. Whatever you do, it’s important to get creative, be imaginative and of course, have fun.