When the weather outside scuppers everyone’s plans, and you’re all stuck indoors for a weekend of rain, grey skies, and gloom, it doesn’t always have to mean boredom and kids barricading themselves up in their rooms.

All you need to do is try some of these simple but effective tips, and you’ll soon be on your way to transforming a rainy day weekend into a fun-filled family bonding experience.

Small gifts put aside for a rainy day

That indoors boredom can quickly be turned on its head with a few previously bought gifts that you’ve planned ahead and bought for the kids in the event of poor weather. Places like Wicked Uncle offer a huge range of fun toys for kids of all ages and tastes. Just don’t blame us if you choose a noisy gift and never have a moment’s peace again!

Family board games and puzzles

Yes, board games and puzzles can sometimes cause decades-long wars between siblings, but there’s no denying how much fun it can be to gather as a family and spend some time together with an engaging game. It’s also the perfect chance to introduce younger kids to some classic games that aren’t played on a screen for a change.

Movie marathons

A few bowls of popcorn and one film choice from each family member can lead to a wonderful day of movies and fun. Snuggling up under a blanket together and enjoying everyone’s favourite films is one of life’s joys, so make the most of these moments and indulge in a little laziness for a change!

Family baking

Baking takes a lot of care and effort to perfect. And usually, it’s far easier to get it done alone, away from eager and hungry young hands! But if it’s pouring down outside, you’ll probably have time to spare as a family, so why not go for it?!

Letting the youngest sibling pick out a sweet treat for the family to make together can be extremely rewarding. And once it’s ready to taste, they’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment as well.

Read together

Pick a book for the whole family to gather around and enjoy. If you have confident readers in the family, you can even choose to read a few pages each out loud to make it a more enjoyable experience.

The hammering rain outside may even contribute to the cosy feel of the story! And if you let the kids pick, it’s certain to keep them attentive and occupied during the bad weather.

Get creative

Nothing makes the weather outside feel less important than breaking out some arts and crafts kits or putting paper down and letting everyone paint their hearts out. Add a little music and you’re in for one of the most creative and family-bonding afternoons you’ve ever had!

If there’s a particularly good piece, why not pin it to the fridge and remind the entire family of that fun weekend indoors for months to come?