It’s raining, it’s pouring and the day feels really boring. When the weather is less than ordinary, it can really affect your mood. There’s nothing worse than waking up and seeing the sky filled with clouds and lightning. It doesn’t matter whether you had a whole day planned, you can say so-long to your picnic in the park and get ready to cosy up inside.
The sky may be dark and gloomy, but that doesn’t mean your day has to be. ‘Picnic in the lounge room’ may not have quite the same ring to it, but with these simple suggestions, there are plenty of fun things to do at home when the weather is bad outside.
1. Spend the day cooking
If you’re looking to pass the time, why not create something delicious in the process? With winter fast approaching, we turn to comfort food that warms the soul. For the ultimate winter warmer, these lamb shanks and this easy gnocchi recipe are meals that the whole family can enjoy. For something a little cheeky to finish, take your tiramisu addiction to another level with this quirky take on the traditional dessert we all know and love. Pick up all the ingredients you’ll need from Coles, Woolworths, Trim’s Fresh and Aldi.
2. Start a DIY project with the kids
If you have little ones to occupy, there’s no better way to spend a day inside than with some fun DIY craft projects. Get your hands dirty with these fun projects: DIY confetti vase, how to make slime and, make your own live volcano. Make sure you have the arts and crafts cupboard fully stocked and head into Big W, The Reject Shop, Kmart and NewsXPress where you’ll find all the pens, paper, glue and glitter that your heart desires. A word of warning – make sure you put some towels down first!
3. Organise your house
Have you heard of Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up? If you haven’t, it’s the decluttering craze that’s sweeping the globe and transforming homes all across the world. Even though Marie has a waiting list a mile long in Japan, you can still use the rainy weather to adopt some of her philosophies. Use the poor weather as an opportunity to tackle any mess that might be invading your life. Follow Marie’s lesson and tackle categories, not rooms. For example, work on de-cluttering your clothing first, then books, photographs and so forth. And for some extra tips and tricks on hygiene, check out our Home Hygiene Hacks.
4. Have a movie or tv marathon
It’s an obvious choice, but there really is no better way to spend the day inside than with a massive movie or tv marathon. But before you squabble over Harry Potter or Friends, transform your lounge room into the comfy retreat that dreams are made of. You’ll need lots of cushions and throws, pick these up from Bed Bath N’ Table or My House. Big W and JB Hi-Fi will have you sorted when it comes to purchasing the box set of your choice and for movie snacks that will please even the fussiest of critics, click here.
5. Stock your freezer
There’s not many foods that work for breakfast, lunch and dessert, but if there was one that did, it would certainly be banana bread. There’s no question that fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread is delicious, but did you know that it also keeps well in the freezer? Spend a rainy day inside cooking up a storm and stocking your freezer, so that when the sun does show its face, you don’t have to waste precious hours slaving away over the stovetop! For other delicious dishes to stock your freezer with, check out our A-Z recipe guide and pick up all your groceries from Coles and Aldi.
6. Have a spa day
Life is busy and we don’t often get much time to pamper ourselves, but a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a little TLC. So grab your comfiest and cosiest clothes (we love this plush dressing gown from Sussan) and cuddle up in a quiet corner. Start with a hair or face treatment and then pick out a nude or pink polish for your mani-pedi. Treat yourself to some new makeup brushes from Sportsgirl and spend the afternoon perfecting your smoky eye. You’ll feel refreshed and recharged and ready to take on the world.
Cotton On Chloe Split Front Sweater, Hairhouse Warehouse Halo The Jennifer Dryer, Hairhouse Warehouse Make Blonde Duo Pack, L'Amour Nails OPI Nail Lacquer, Priceline BLAQ Activated Charcoal Face Mask, Priceline Trilogy Very Gentle Hydra-Mask, Sportsgirl Unicorn Horn Ombre Brush Set, Sussan Three Quarter Fluffy Gown
7. Get your kids into cooking
If you can’t go outside, at least you can pretend! Forget the dark and gloomy weather outside, why not transport the kids to Mexico? Or a tropical destination like Fiji? This is a great opportunity to teach your kids how to whip up some delicious dishes in the kitchen. These fruity ice-blocks will remind the kids of bright, sunny days on the beach and you can transport the whole family to Mexico with these easy crispy chicken tacos. Not only will you be spending quality bonding time together, but they will learn a new skill for life. Grab all the ingredients you’ll need from Coles, Aldi, Woolworths and Trim’s Fresh.
8. Throw a slumber party for the kids
The weather outside is frightful, but it does make for the most delightful slumber party. Whip out the mattresses and sleeping bags, because things are about to get cosy! Some fun pyjamas like these ones from Cotton On Kids will get the party started and you can’t have a slumber party without popcorn, movies and games! Stores such as Kmart, Bed Bath N’ Table and Target are filled with fun and exciting items like pop up tee-pees and fold out sofas that the kids will love to lounge on. Finally, for extra tips on how to host the ultimate sleepover, click here.
Bed Bath N' Table Morgan & Finch Chambray Tent, Big W Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle, Big W Popcorn Maker, Cotton On Kids Free Sleepy Homeboot, Cotton On Kids Girls Hooded Gown, Kmart Flipout Sofa, Target Astro Sloth Flannelette Pyjama Set, Woolworths Skittles Fruits
9. Have a games day
Whether you’re into Monopoly, Scrabble, Guess Who or just love a game of Go Fish, there’s no better time to host a games day than when the weather turns sour. A game of Twister or Charades is perfect for the whole family to enjoy (and will release some of the little one’s pent-up energy) or a game of Pictionary will showcase everyone’s creative and artistic side. The best part? You can pick up most of these board games at Big W, Kmart or Target. Plus, to give things an exciting and competitive edge, start a tally for the winner of each game and present them with a fun prize at the end.
10. Organise your wardrobe/donate to charity
We get it, it’s not the most exciting of jobs, but cleaning out your wardrobe is one of the most satisfying and rewarding jobs you can do (once it’s over at least…) So, stop putting it off, a rainy day is the perfect time to get on top of that overflowing mess! Start by segmenting your clothing into types – dresses, tops, pants, skirts, outerwear. Then, make smaller piles: keep, throw, donate. Go one step further and switch out all your hangers to matching velvet hangers from Target, it will make you feel luxurious and glamorous, every time you open the doors.
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