Rain comes and goes as often as the sun does. While getting caught out in it can be horrible, it's not uncommon, and it's certainly something we can prepare for. However, if you're currently pitching a tent at the start of what was supposed to be a fun camping trip, but it's suddenly pouring it down, you might be tempted to call the whole thing off and head back to the car. We wouldn't blame you for doing so, either.
But rainy camping days can be fun—trust us, they really can. Make sure the tent is pitched correctly and bolted down, then head inside. Cozy up with some blankets and whoever is camping with you, and enjoy the atmosphere around you. And if that sounds next to impossible right now, don't worry—we're here to help.
A wet weekend camping in Canada (photo: Tim Foster)
A rainy camping day can be used to make memories. You might not be able to enjoy the great outdoors, swim in a nearby lake, or bask in the sunshine with the tree whispering around you. However, there's still a lot you can do with the walls of the tent and the pitter-patter of raindrops. Here are some ideas that might make this one of the most memorable days of the entire trip.
Rainy Day Camping Tips
First, Make Sure it's Going to Stay Dry 'Indoors'
Is your tent going to stand up against the rain? Maybe it's only suitable for a few brief showers? If so, now's the time to reinforce the outside and ensure that no water makes it inside. Rainy camping days will be no fun if you get flooded out.
You can add extra layers to your tent, put an awning over the top, or pick it up and move it somewhere harder for the rain to touch (such as inside the tree line). Hit a local outdoor store and see if you can find items for the former; you want to give yourself plenty of extra defense against potential torrential rain, so don't be afraid to buy a few layers to make sure.
Watch the Rain with a Hot Cuppa
Campfire coffee (photo: Lexi Anderson)
Sipping on a cup of coffee or tea is one of the nicest ways to enjoy the rain while in the tent. If you've got a camping stove, you can still use it outside when it's raining—they're set up to ensure that only the heaviest rain stops the gas from lighting.
So, set one up just outside the door of your tent, pop a kettle full of water on the top, and let it boil. Try to make enough to fill a flask, so you don't have to do this again without being able to knock back two or three cups each first.
Once your hot cuppa is in hand, open the tent door and watch the rain come down. The sound and sight of rain can be quite healing and refreshing, and if you go camping to escape the noise and find some peace, this will certainly help.
Arrange a Feast
If you must stay inside for the foreseeable, ensure you've got some ready-to-eat foods on hand. Finger foods and little snacks are perfect for this, such as big bags of chips, deli meats and cheese, bottles of your favorite soda, or even a bottle of wine if it's just you and your partner on the trip together. An in-tent feast is a lovely way to pass the time; you certainly won't get hangry with each other during it.
Have a Puzzle Tournament
A puzzle tournament is super easy to set up. If you have a puzzle book or two on you (as all campers tend to!), break them out while the rain is on and work your way through them. However, don't complete the puzzles alone - turn it into a competition with anyone camping with you.
Indeed, if you're not camping alone, why not pass those puzzle books back and forth and take turns putting answers into a crossword or numbers into a sudoku? Time yourselves to make sure no one gets more than two minutes to take a turn, and even if they're not finished or only halfway through writing something in, you have to swap again.
This can turn into a bit of fun, where you can laugh and pretend to argue over what people think are the correct answers, and then there can still be a winner at the end. You could even create your own puzzles geared towards each other's knowledge and see how long it takes you to get through them.
Set Up an Awning
Many tents can have awnings attached to the front. If you can, pick up an awning the next time you're near an outdoor store - setting one up will give you a lot more space to use when the rain is coming down hard.
You can move outside when there's a protective awning there. Set up some camping chairs beneath it, and you can watch the rain from the outside while still enjoying any other activities we've listed here.
You could also use the space to invite other campers over and talk the time away. Or you could even eat dinner outside and enjoy the fresh air as you dig in. Tent awnings are a valuable addition to any camping trip, and you should always have one ready to go just in case the weather turns on you.
Buy Some New Board Games
Board games are perfect for days like these. If all you've got right now is a tent, and the rain isn't going to stop for a good couple of hours, get the board games out and find a new family favorite.
You'll likely have some old favorites, such as Monopoly or Settlers of Catan, but you don't want to rely on those here. Bring them along, but make sure the new games you want to try outweigh the old favorite ten to one.
After all, discovering new games is the most fun thing, and you don't want to accidentally bore yourself by playing something you've gone about a million rounds on already.
Set the Atmosphere with an Appropriate Podcast
The rain brings a sense of mystery with it. If there's rain coming down and clouds overhead, which usually means there are grey skies above and maybe even a little fog rolling in, you might even be tempted to call the atmosphere spooky as well.
If that's the kind of environment you're seeing around you right now, why not crank it to the max and set the atmosphere inside to match? As long as you've got some comfortable and warm blankets to curl up in, and you're sure none of the rain is coming inside the tent, you can roll all of these elements into one and turn this rainy day into a lot of fun.
Do you know one of the best things to do to create this cozy yet spooky atmosphere? Put on an appropriate podcast. Something that speaks to the intrigue we all hold about whether ghosts are real or unexplained happenings that no one can really be sure about. There's a whole host of podcasts like this out there, so you'll be sure to find one that fits your vibe and makes your rainy day much more enjoyable.
Try Out a New Craft Together
You're stuck in a tent with no idea how much time you'll have until the rain passes—what can you do? Try out a new craft with anyone who's stuck inside with you. Crafting can be quite a simple pleasure, and materials are pretty easy to gather together. You could really try out anything that sounds fun and like it'll help the time pass faster.
So, whether you fancy taking up crochet or want to make some collages out of natural materials in the world around you, this is our final tip for rainy camping days. Crafts can be easy to share with each other, even if there are three or four of you in the tent, and if need be, you can all laugh over how badly your creations come out on your first attempt.
If there's a rainy camping day ahead, or you're stuck in the middle of one right now, use tips like these to make your time enjoyable again. You can have fun when the heavens have opened up and released it all on you - you've just got to think outside the box a little!
The more you do, the less you dread the rainy days ahead. Instead, you'll see them as the opportunities they are: part of the camping experience and a chance to get the most out of your trip.
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This story is brought to you in partnership with 24/7 Games LLC.
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