Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away: Rainy Day Activities

They say April showers bring May flowers – but they forgot to mention that April showers also bring lots of fun activities! , so why not enjoy it while it’s happening? We’ll always recommend jumping in puddles and feeling the rain on your skin, a la that one Natasha Bedingfield song. But there’s plenty to do when it comes to PA parks and rec that doesn’t involve getting damp. Rain helps all of our natural beauty, of course, but it can also affect all kinds of things for humans, such as increasing our appetite (and lowering crime rate!). It can also leave us feeling less motivated to leave our house. But there’s a whole world waiting out there (inside). Indoor activities abound during this notorious rainy month of April – you just have to look for them! So, get ready to spring into some spring rainy day ideas. 

Fill Your Free Time With a Free Space

Yep, we’re talking “free space” on a bingo board. Perhaps you’re not the most athletic. That’s okay. Recreation centers offer more than just sports. In fact, bingo is a bit of a staple when it comes to community centers, usually offering weekly or bi-weekly sessions. And what better way to avoid the rain than sitting inside winning prizes? 

Take a peek at what centers near you are hosting the game. The Kerrtown Community Center even has their own Facebook page for their event. Or check out the Active Adult Center in State College, which also has a night of bingo.

Sport It and Indoor It

The smell of an indoor pool, the squeak of shoes on an indoor basketball court, and even the wobble of indoor bleachers. Just like sports played outdoors, indoor playing has its own feeling to it, and it can be a great way to have a good time with friends or strangers, have a bit of competitive fun, and stay active even when the weather isn’t quite cooperating. Heck, we’ll even throw in working out indoors, too. Lots of centers have fitness equipment, you know. One great way to look for rec center spots is using our Park Finder. There you can search for exactly which amenity you’re looking for. Basketball court? Check. Gym equipment? Check. Indoor kayaking? Well, no. But maybe one day. 

Join the Club

We all know from our days in the schoolyard. It feels good to be part of the club. In this case, by “club” we mean any organized community gathering at a rec center. Book clubs, knitting clubs, arts and crafts sessions, and so much more are popping up at rec centers. What better time to explore them than on a less-than-desirable day? They’re a great way to make new friends. Plus, rather than exercising your body, you’ll be exercising those brain muscles. 

Washington Crossing Historic Park hosts their own Zoom book club with enlightening literary selections. Join in for the next book they choose!

Just one spot offering crochet classes is the Ernest L. Rustin Recreation Center in Philadelphia. And they welcome all levels of knowledge, so not to worry if you’re just a novice.

Explore the Outdoors

And finally, if you’re an adventurer who doesn’t let a little drizzle get in the way of outdoor fun – there are some safe, fun things to do in PA parks. Just make sure you grab your boots and raincoat! And of course, don’t head out if it’s looking more like a storm! There’s some things we won’t mention here, like jumping in puddles and making mud pies, but we can’t deny they bring out the child in all of us.  Did you know that Earthworms often surface on sidewalks and concrete during and after rain? If you’re a bug lover, why not go on a bit of a worm rescue? See, worms like the rain for moisture but once they’re on the sidewalk, they’ll dry out afterwards and have nowhere to dig into. If you’re looking to save some bug lives, try safely moving worms back into areas of soil and grass!

Looking for something fun for you and the kiddos to do? Don’t let them sit around bored in the house. Try building mini boats to set sail in puddles and in parks. Paper boats may be the easiest to build, but a fun activity may be to try and scavenge materials like twigs, etc., from your local park. Not only will you be building a boat, but you can have a scavenger hunt for the items as well!

Ultimately, rainy days are what you make of them. Sure, it may be easier to sit inside doing nothing. But we can guarantee you’ll feel happier, more revitalized, and more social if you head out into the world and see what your local park and recreation department has to offer. Find an activity and most importantly, stay dry out there, folks!