Don't let a rainy day slow down your vacation fun. It might be the perfect excuse to try a brand-new indoor adventure!
Nothing says fun like summer vacation, but it can also be daunting, especially if you have little ones in need of near-constant activity and entertainment. Vacation plans typically include lots of outdoor adventures, but the dreaded rainy day can lead to more than a little frustration and a serious case of the stir-crazies. The remedy? A few creative ideas in your back pocket that promise to turn even the crummiest weather day into an unforgettable day of memory-making.
1. Build a Fort
My son loves a good fort. No matter the room, no matter the building material, he's delighted by building his own cozy space. Fort building can be a family activity, too, and can actually help pass the time. If you're in a hotel or rental home, make use of the extra pillows and blankets, and make a little nook for everyone to crawl into.
You can even venture out for a supply run, stopping by a local library to rent a few books or even the grocery store for special fort snacks. Bonus points if you have a flashlight for reading inside your fort. You'll be surprised by how quickly time can fly with a little imagination, and maybe even a friendly pillow fight! If you're traveling with older kids or teens, you might want to venture to a local bookstore to get a few new books before heading back to your room for a reading party.
2. Go Bowling
Few things promise family bonding like bowling. Bowlero is a state-of-the-art bowling experience with over 300 locations throughout the U.S., so you're likely to find one in your vacation destination. Combining retro fun with a sleek, modern interior design, Bowlero offers everything from backlit bowling to interactive arcade games and a swoon-worthy food and drink menu.
Forget your average bowling alley experience. The lanes have custom lighting and plush lounge seating for you to sink into while waiting your turn. On top of it all, the high-energy music makes it feel like you're at a party—dancing encouraged! When you're ready to fuel up, order massive shareables like a giant plate of wings and fries or something even heftier like a cheeseburger. You can even make it a pizza party with pepperoni flatbread and a round of milkshakes. Adults will love the signature cocktails, perfect for sipping on between rounds.
If bowling is your go-to rainy day activity in summer, grab a Summer Season Pass. It's the perfect way to access up to two rounds of bowling per day, shoe rental included. The Bowlero Premium Pass offers even more exciting perks like arcade credits, nationwide use, and discounts on food and drinks. The pass is valid between May 13 and September 1, 2025, at participating Bowlero locations nationwide.
3. Plan a Kid-Friendly Spa Day
A day at the spa is usually reserved for adults, but why not bring the spa to you? It's surprisingly easy to transform your space into a spa-like environment, with the added benefit of a calm and tranquil atmosphere. A quick trip to the convenience store or local grocery store for some affordable nail polish, a DIY mask of yogurt and honey, and perhaps even cucumber slices for your eyes promises to entertain—and provide a few laughs along the way, too! You can find some tranquil spa music to play, dim the lights, and make your own spa water by adding a squeeze of lemon to your drinking water.
4. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Rainy days don't mean you have to stay completely indoors. If you have the right gear like rain jackets and umbrellas, there's no reason to stay cooped up if a little time outside is needed. The adults can have fun brainstorming some fun scavenger hunt items, and then the whole crew can hit the town in search of those things. Think: a neon traffic cone, a bright-red mailbox, a yellow car...the ideas are endless!
If you're traveling with older kids, you can research famous landmarks in the town you're visiting, such as unique art installations or museum attractions, to add a cultural highlight to the day. After your scavenger hunt adventures, stop by a local cafe for a hot chocolate or an ice cream cone, and you've got yourself the makings of a perfect rainy day.
So, no matter where your next family vacation takes you, you can travel confidently with some rainy day ideas. From bowling to relaxing, starting a new book, or perhaps even a new family tradition, you'll be surprised by how much fun a rainy summer day can be.