10 Ideas Guaranteed to Get You Out of the House on a Rainy Day

Tuesday, March 1, 2016


I'll admit it.  On a rainy day I love sitting on the couch watching Netflix.  I love it so much I want to marry it.  How did I function before marathon viewing?  While the occasional rainy Netflix-filled day isn't so bad in the summer, sometimes I get a wee bit restless and the last thing I want to do is be stuck indoors.

There is one catch though: I'm cheap.  I like free.  Anything free, I like.  Here's a list of ideas that are guaranteed to get you out of the house and interacting out there in that great wide world, all under $5!

1. Shopkick Treasure Hunt

Race around a store scanning items, beating your friend/significant other AND earning points for a gift card?  Yeah, that's the beauty of Shopkick.  Shopkick has a list of items you scan for "kicks" and they all total into various gift card options.  You also get kicks just for stepping in the door of the store.  So make a game out of it and see who can collect the most Shopkicks first or in a certain amount of time.  Loser supplies gas money!  Sidenote: If you decide to join because of this post, let me know!  I'll recommend you and we can be friends! :)

2. The Local Library...or a not Local Library

This is a great option for when you've been stuck inside for days on end.  Maybe you've slumped totally and happily into a Cabin Fever.  You don't want to be in the house anymore, but you aren't exactly looking for an opportunity that has you racing around and interacting with others (sometimes we just can't even...).  Change the scenery up a bit by grabbing your laptop, a friend, and a coffee and heading to your local library.  Instead of surrounding yourself with loud music or another episode of Sex and the City, take the time to relax in an environment of silence.  You can still creep all over Facebook, but with a different backdrop.  Maybe it will be the kick in the pants you needed to start your blog or open up some new creative outlets.  Bringing a friend makes it an activity you can share together!

If you go to the local library often, switch it up and drive to a different one.  Explore the stacks and make a game out of finding the weirdest title.  Winner buys dinner.  Just remember to "play" quietly!

3. Coffeehouse

While this option will cost you the price of a cup of coffee, it's a great way to get you out of the house and into a new environment.  I'm not someone who particularly likes coffee, but the positive is that once you pay for your drink they won't kick you out!  Grab a friend and hang for hours without the distraction of snacking or TV and you can really zero in on what's going on in each other's life.

Going it solo?  Sit back in a comfy chair, prop your feet up, and people watch!  People seem to be much more open in a coffee shop and its a really great opportunity to unplug and observe the world around you.  As a writer, I've definitely taken advantage of this when I'm stuck on making characters "sound more real."  Listening to other people's conversations is a great way to get those juices flowing and help me forget about any of my stresses.

4. Scavenger Hunt

I think there is no place greater for this game than at Wally World, but in case you don't have a Wal-mart nearby any retail store or mall with lots of various items and people is a great place to start.  Choose a theme. Walk around and with your pal and see who can find the most items on your list.  For example, women with children.  So your list might look like this:
1. Double Stroller
2. Diaper bag
3. Snack pack
4. Mom's hair in a bun
5. Twins!

5. Grab Ice Cream

Or any dessert of your choice, really.  I usually find that when I go out to dinner, I spend so much time stuffing myself on appetizers, salads, and the main course that I rarely have time for dessert.  Instead, make it a point to go somewhere and order dessert alone.  It's a cheaper option and gives you the opportunity to really savor the sweet stuff!

6. People-Watching-Bingo at the Mall

Park yourself on a bench at the mall, grab a piece of paper, and make a bingo board.  Come up with crazy ideas of people you might see walking by or even look for specific articles of clothing (green jacket, blue hat, etc.).  You're already at the mall so make it a contest: winner gets to pick a clothing item the loser must buy and wear for the remainder of the day.

7. SnapChat Hide & Seek

Choose a department store, like Target, and separate from a friend.  Designate one person as the hider and the other the role of seeker.  As the hider seeks for places to hide in the store, the hider must send the seeker SnapChats to leave clues behind as to where they are.

8. Car Picnic

Pack a lunch (or dinner depending on what time of day it is) and drive to a park you've never been to.  Push the seats down and curl up with a book or a friend to dish on the latest happenings in your life.  The confines of the car will keep the outside world from seeping in, but you'll still get the gorgeous views and adventure of the drive.  It will feel a whole lot like playing house did when you were a child.

9. Public Transportation

Have yourself a rainy day adventure by riding a bus or train through it's entire route.  Just make sure you bring an umbrella and have a general idea of how to get back. Discover new areas in your neighborhood that you've been too busy to notice and make a list of places to check out on a sunny day (or a day you're down to dole out some cash).  Snap pictures of your route and create a photo album to remind yourself later of your bus/train adventure.

10. Bookstore Notes

I love, love, love this one.  Hit up Barnes & Noble or the nearest bookstore and leave notes for future readers in some of your favorite books.  Jot down your favorite line or what this book means to you.  Leave a surprise for the next person to discover this awesome piece of literature.

***

So choose an option that seems like fun and GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.  Or you could clean it.  There's always that.

Post a Comment

Latest Instagrams

© Decorate The Soul. Design by FCD.