A rainy day can really pull the spirits down. This is especially true if you have kids in the house or if you just don’t like getting cooped up at home. However, just because the weather’s gloomy and gray doesn’t mean that your mood should be affected as well. There are many activities that are perfect for the rainy days. So if your day’s plans have been disrupted by bad weather, consider passing the time with these activities.

Read a book.

Reading a book is one of the best ways to give your brain some exercise. Curl up in bed with a blanket and start working on the stack of books on your bedside table. This allows you to give your mind a break from the stress you experience daily, while still giving your mind some much-needed stimulation. You can use rainy days as opportunities to introduce your kids to the world of reading.

If the rain isn’t pouring too hard, you can grab your raincoat and jacket and spend the day at the local library. The library is bound to have shelves and stacks of books that you have yet to read.

Go puddle-jumping.

Kids may start to look forward to rainy days if they went puddle-jumping. This works great if you have a spacious backyard. Watch as the puddles form in your backyard and have your kids change into their swimsuits or in t-shirts and shorts. Allow them to jump into the puddles of rainwater as much as they want. Puddle-jumping may also turn a little muddy, so make sure your kids wear clothes that are easily washable.

Have a movie marathon.

A rainy day gives you the perfect opportunity to have movie marathons. Prepare some popcorn, grab your blanket, and start watching the movies you recorded on your TV. Kids will also enjoy watching one cartoon movie after the other. Put some pillows and blankets on the floor to help your kids get more fun out of the movie marathon.