Rain can change the pace of a day on the cut very quickly. One minute you are planning a long cruise, the next you are listening to drops pattering on the roof and wondering whether it is worth putting on waterproofs.
That is where a good rainy day activities checklist comes in. Instead of seeing wet weather as wasted time, you can turn it into a chance to get organised, stay cosy, enjoy simple comforts and tackle the little jobs that are easy to ignore when the sun is out.
This checklist is written with narrowboat life in mind, but many of the ideas work just as well in a marina, mooring spot, campervan, cottage or small home.
Before You Start: Make the Boat Rain-Ready
Before settling in for the day, it is worth doing a quick check outside and inside. Rainy days are far more enjoyable when you know the basics are sorted.
- Check ropes and mooring pins: Heavy rain and rising water levels can put extra strain on moorings. Make sure everything is secure but not dangerously tight.
- Look at the towpath: If it is turning muddy or slippery, move anything outside that you may need later, such as coal, kindling or wet weather gear.
- Bring in loose items: Cushions, chairs, shoes and small tools are best stored before they get soaked.
- Check ventilation: Even on wet days, airflow matters. Crack a window or vent where safe to help reduce condensation.
- Top up hot drinks supplies: Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or herbal tea can make a damp day feel much more civilised.
Once the practical checks are done, you can relax properly and choose something from the list below.
Rainy Day Activities Checklist for a Cosy Day Aboard
When the weather is miserable outside, comfort becomes a priority. A narrowboat can be wonderfully snug when you create the right atmosphere.
- Light the stove if it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Put blankets or throws within reach.
- Make a hot drink and keep a refill ready.
- Choose a book, magazine or puzzle.
- Put on gentle music, a podcast or an audiobook.
- Wear warm socks or slippers to keep the chill away.
Cosy does not have to mean doing nothing. It simply means choosing activities that suit the slower rhythm of a rainy day.
Read Something You Have Been Saving
Rain gives you permission to pick up the book you have been meaning to start. If storage is limited, an e-reader is useful on a boat, but a small shelf of favourites is always lovely too.
Good rainy day reading options include canal history, nature writing, travel books, practical boating guides or a comforting novel. Keep a bookmark close by, as wet days are often interrupted by kettle boiling, stove tending or a sudden improvement in the weather.
Create a Narrowboat Film or TV List
If you have power, signal and enough data, a wet afternoon can be perfect for watching something you rarely make time for. Download programmes when you have good Wi-Fi, especially if you cruise in areas with patchy reception.
To avoid scrolling for ages, keep a saved list of films, documentaries and series. Add a mix of short episodes and longer choices so you can match your viewing to the length of the rain shower.
Listen to Rain-Friendly Audio
Podcasts and audiobooks are ideal for small-space living because they leave your hands free. You can listen while cooking, polishing brass, sorting cupboards or simply watching rain ripple across the canal.
Download a few episodes in advance so you are not relying on mobile signal when the weather closes in.
Useful Indoor Jobs for Wet Weather
Rainy days are excellent for tackling small practical tasks. These jobs are not always glamorous, but they can make life aboard easier for weeks afterwards.
- Sort one cupboard: Choose a single cupboard rather than emptying the whole boat. Small progress is still progress.
- Check food dates: Rotate tins, jars and dry goods so older items are used first.
- Update your shopping list: Note what you are low on before the next village stop or supermarket trip.
- Clean window channels: Condensation and damp can gather around windows, so a wipe down is time well spent.
- Polish stove glass: Only do this when the stove is cold. Clean glass makes the cabin feel brighter.
- Organise paperwork: Boat documents, receipts, licences, manuals and service notes are easier to find when kept together.
The trick is to keep jobs manageable. Pick one or two, finish them properly, then reward yourself with something enjoyable.
Do a Damp and Condensation Check
Wet weather can highlight areas where moisture builds up. Look behind cushions, under the mattress edge, inside wardrobes and around windows.
If you find damp patches, wipe them dry and improve airflow where possible. Avoid packing belongings too tightly against the hull sides, as air needs room to circulate.
Refresh Your Wet Weather Kit
A rainy day is the ideal time to inspect the items you rely on when the towpath is slippery and the sky is determined.
- Check waterproof coats for leaks or damaged seams.
- Make sure boots are dry inside.
- Restock spare socks and gloves.
- Keep a towel near the entrance for wet dogs, boots or bags.
- Store a small torch where you can find it easily.
If anything needs replacing, add it to your shopping list straight away.
Creative Rainy Day Activities
Not every wet day needs to be productive. Sometimes the best use of the time is to make something, learn something or enjoy a hobby that fits into a small space.
Try Compact Crafts
Choose crafts that do not require lots of equipment or drying space. Narrowboats are not always suited to big messy projects, but small creative activities can work brilliantly.
- Sketching or watercolour painting
- Knitting, crochet or mending
- Journalling or scrapbooking
- Card making
- Simple model making
- Calligraphy or hand lettering practice
Use a lidded box or pouch to keep craft supplies contained. That way, everything can be packed away quickly if you need to move the boat or clear the table for dinner.
Start a Canal Journal
A canal journal can be as simple or detailed as you like. Record where you moored, what the weather was like, wildlife sightings, useful facilities, friendly pubs, awkward locks or places you would visit again.
On rainy days, you can update notes, add sketches, stick in receipts or plan future entries. Over time, it becomes a useful cruising record as well as a keepsake.
Learn a New Skill Online
If you have enough battery power and internet access, wet weather is a good time for learning. Choose short lessons that do not depend on a perfect connection.
Useful topics for boaters might include basic engine knowledge, map reading, budgeting, photography, nature identification, cooking in small kitchens or first aid refreshers.
Games, Puzzles and Screen-Free Entertainment
Rain can feel longer when everyone is restless. Keeping a few simple games aboard can make a huge difference, especially on days when walking the towpath is not appealing.
- Playing cards: Small, cheap and endlessly useful.
- Travel board games: Look for magnetic or compact versions.
- Crosswords and word searches: Easy to store and ideal for short bursts.
- Jigsaw puzzles: Choose smaller puzzles if table space is limited.
- Quiz books: Good for couples, families or visiting friends.
If you live aboard with others, create a small rainy day box. Include games, snacks, puzzle books and a few comfort items so you are not hunting around when boredom arrives.
Cooking and Baking on a Wet Day
Rainy days are made for good food. You do not need a huge galley to cook something satisfying, but it helps to choose recipes that suit your equipment and fuel supply.
Make a Store Cupboard Meal
A wet day is a good excuse to use tins, jars and dry ingredients that have been sitting in the cupboard. Simple options include soup, chilli, curry, pasta, risotto, jacket potatoes or a one-pot stew.
Keep a few reliable ingredients aboard for days when you do not want to walk to the shops in the rain.
- Tinned tomatoes
- Beans, lentils or chickpeas
- Pasta, rice or noodles
- Stock cubes
- Long-life milk or milk alternative
- Oats
- Chocolate or biscuits for morale
Bake Something Simple
If you have an oven, baking can warm the cabin and lift the mood. Keep it simple with flapjacks, scones, banana bread, biscuits or a crumble.
If you do not have an oven, try stovetop treats such as pancakes, toasted crumpets, cinnamon porridge or hot buttered toast.
Planning Activities for Future Cruising
Wet days are excellent for planning. You can use the time to prepare for brighter days without feeling as though you are missing out.
- Look at maps and choose possible mooring spots.
- Check locations for water points, elsan, pump-out, fuel and rubbish disposal.
- Research nearby shops, laundrettes and chandlers.
- Make a list of pubs, cafés, museums or walks along your route.
- Check stoppage notices before planning a longer journey.
- Write a loose cruising plan while leaving room for weather and delays.
A rainy day planning session can save time later, especially if you are heading into unfamiliar waters.
Organise Photos and Notes
Phones quickly fill with canal photos, screenshots of maps and random notes. Use a wet afternoon to delete duplicates, back up important images and label folders.
You can also create albums by canal, season or journey. This makes it easier to find information later, especially if you use photos to remember mooring spots or facilities.
Get Outside Anyway, If It Is Safe
Not all rain needs to keep you indoors. A gentle shower can be enjoyable if you are dressed properly and the towpath is safe.
- Put on waterproofs and boots.
- Take a short walk rather than a long expedition.
- Avoid slippery lock edges and steep muddy banks.
- Keep your phone protected from rain.
- Change into dry clothes as soon as you return.
Rain often brings out different sights and sounds. Ducks become busier, the canal surface changes texture and woodland smells fresher. Just be sensible and do not push on if conditions feel unsafe.
A Simple Printable-Style Rainy Day Activities Checklist
Use this quick checklist whenever the forecast looks grim. Choose a few items rather than trying to do everything.
- Secure ropes and check the towpath.
- Bring in loose items from outside.
- Make a hot drink and warm the cabin.
- Wipe condensation from windows.
- Sort one cupboard or storage box.
- Update the shopping list.
- Inspect waterproofs, boots and towels.
- Cook a comforting meal from store cupboard ingredients.
- Read, listen to audio or watch something downloaded.
- Play a compact game or complete a puzzle.
- Work on a craft, journal or small creative project.
- Plan your next cruising route.
- Back up photos and organise notes.
- Take a short walk if it is safe.
- End the day with something relaxing.
Keeping this list handy helps remove the decision fatigue that can set in when the rain starts and plans change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I keep on a narrowboat for rainy days?
Useful rainy day items include waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, spare socks, towels, books, playing cards, puzzle books, downloaded entertainment, craft supplies and store cupboard food. A small box of wet weather essentials can make damp days much easier.
How can I stop a rainy day feeling wasted?
Pick a balance of one useful job and one enjoyable activity. For example, clean the windows and then read for an hour, or sort a cupboard before making pancakes. This gives the day structure without making it feel like a chore list.
Are rainy days a good time to cruise?
Sometimes, but it depends on conditions. Light rain may be manageable with proper waterproofs, but strong wind, poor visibility, slippery locks or rising water can make cruising unpleasant or unsafe. If in doubt, wait.
What are good rainy day activities for children on a narrowboat?
Compact games, colouring, sticker books, card games, baking, scavenger lists from the window and simple crafts can all work well. Keep activities easy to pack away, as space is limited and tables often have more than one job.
How do I manage condensation during wet weather?
Keep air moving where possible, wipe windows regularly, avoid blocking vents and leave small gaps around stored items so air can circulate. Dry wet clothes carefully and avoid letting damp fabrics sit against cold surfaces.
Making the Most of a Wet Day
A rainy day does not have to spoil life afloat. With a little preparation, it can become a slower, cosier and surprisingly useful part of the week.
Keep your rainy day activities checklist somewhere easy to find, such as inside a cupboard door, in your journal or saved on your phone. When the clouds gather, you will already have ideas ready.
Whether you spend the day cooking, planning, reading, tidying, playing games or simply listening to rain on the roof, wet weather can still bring its own kind of pleasure on the waterways.