[For Adults] Fun Activities and Hobby Ideas for Rainy Days
You made plans to hang out with a friend, checked the weather forecast for the day, and saw rain…
You might have found your way here because you’re wondering, “Uh, what should we do then?”
In this article, we’ll introduce activities and hobbies you can enjoy at home on a rainy day.
Although the earlier example was “hanging out with a friend,” these ideas are also perfect for spending time solo.
And because the theme is “for adults,” some of them require fairly serious preparation.
But… that’s exactly why these ideas are so rewarding and satisfying!
- [For Adults] Fun Things to Do on a Rainy Day
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- [For Adults] Fun recreational games. Perfect for short breaks too!
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- Team-based recreational activities for adults that are fun even with large groups
- Recommended ways to kill time that you can do alone at home
- [For Kids] Fun Indoor Game Ideas for After-School Day Services
- [Part 2] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for December
- Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of DIY beanbag (otedama) ideas
- [For Men] A Collection of Hobby Ideas You Can Get Absorbed in on Your Own
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- [For Adults] Make the Most of Your Free Time! Ideas to Kill Time
[For Adults] Rainy-Day Activities and Hobby Ideas (11–20)
Aquarium
An aquarium is something you can enjoy indoors that also brings a sense of calm, isn’t it? I think many people want to try keeping living creatures in a tank.
Even beginners can easily get started with a small aquarium, making it a perfect hobby for busy adults! In this video, we clearly explain the equipment and supplies, aquascaping layouts with aquatic plants, how to make a yeast-based CO2 system, and more—so please use it as a reference.
Let’s relieve daily stress with your very own personal aquarium!
Aromatherapy
You might be thinking, “What is aromatherapy, anyway?” if you’re interested in starting but aren’t quite sure what it is.
How about trying aromatherapy as a rainy-day pastime or a new hobby? Aromatherapy isn’t just about relaxing with pleasant scents—it’s actually a health practice that uses fragrance.
Aromas are derived from plants, and plants are believed to help balance the mind and body and enhance the body’s innate self-healing ability.
If you want to study more seriously, you might consider taking an aromatherapy certification exam!
Illustration Showdown
If you can’t go out on the day because it’s raining even though you had plans with friends, why not liven things up with an “illustration showdown”? You could each draw your favorite anime character and compete on how well they turn out! Like in this video, if everyone draws the same character at once, each friend’s unique style will come through and make it really fun.
I think everyone has tried copying a character at least once, and it’s enjoyable regardless of age, so if you find yourselves with some free time, definitely give it a try.
Carving
Some of you may want to try fruit carving—a beautiful, art-like craft—at least once.
It’s also great as a hobby you can enjoy at home, perfect for passing the time on a rainy day.
By using larger fruits like watermelon, you can create striking decorative cuts even with designs that aren’t overly intricate.
The video carefully explains how to make rose and heart designs, so feel free to use it as a reference.
The gradient between the green rind and the red flesh of the watermelon creates a beautifully finished look!
Live streaming
If a rainy day keeps you from going out, how about inviting some friends and doing a live stream? Now that social media is part of everyday life, it’s the perfect time to enjoy this easy way to share your output.
Just like in this video, you can stream things you love—such as gameplay commentary or explanations—and share them with your audience! You don’t need professional equipment either; it’s easy to go live from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
If you’re curious, give it a try and use this as a reference!
Making resin accessories
How about handmade resin accessories—clear, sparkly, and beautiful—as a way to pass the time on a rainy day? You can actually make professional-looking resin pieces using items you can buy at a 100-yen shop! Just pour resin into a mold, encase your favorite motifs or materials, and cure it with a UV light.
If you gather findings like charms, hair accessories, earring hooks, and necklace chains, you can create a one-of-a-kind accessory.
Give it a try!
Origami for Adults
Origami—crafting with a single sheet of paper you can manipulate freely—is popular not only in Japan but overseas as well! It’s easy to try, making it perfect for passing the time on a rainy day.
The video shows how to fold a cat, and it cleverly uses the white backside of the paper as part of the cat’s pattern.
The design isn’t childish, so it would look great as decor in a room without seeming out of place.
It might be fun to try not just cats but other animals and motifs too, like dogs.
Trying wood carving
How about trying woodcarving as a way to pass the time on a rainy day or as a hobby? If you’ve been curious about woodcarving but don’t know how to actually do it or think it looks difficult, this is for you! The process of carving from a block of wood may feel tough at first, but watching the motif gradually take shape is exciting, isn’t it? This video thoroughly explains “rough carving,” a step considered especially difficult for beginners, so be sure to use it as a reference.
Focusing on a single task can also help you center yourself and relieve stress!
Instrument performance
Haven’t you ever thought, at least once, that you’d like to be able to play a musical instrument? Music isn’t just for listening—you can gain knowledge about an instrument’s qualities and how to play it by performing yourself.
If you’re worried about making noise at home, there are plenty of electronic instruments you can play with headphones, so it’s easy to give it a try! The electronic wind instrument “Aerophone” introduced in this video lets you enjoy playing the saxophone at home.
Plus, if you use its Bluetooth feature, you can play along with your favorite songs on YouTube and even practice with online lesson videos!
Home Yoga
How about enjoying some relaxing “at-home yoga,” where you gently connect with your body—perfect for a rainy day or a new hobby? Yoga is totally fine even if you’re not flexible! Anyone can try it casually, and by loosening up the whole body, you can gain a calming, stabilizing effect on the mind.
Rather than fixating on perfect poses, it’s important to move in a way that feels good.
Just 15 minutes of following along with this video can release bodily tension and help relieve shoulder stiffness, so give it a try!