Wet weather activities: 22 things to do with your carer when the rain starts to fall

You’ve made your plans, organised your Social Carer and mentally prepared yourself for a fun day out. Then it starts raining.

Wet weather can put a dampener on anyone’s day, but it shouldn’t stop you from having a good time. While it might not make sense to go to the beach when the heavens are open, there are still plenty of fun activities you can enjoy with your carer, either at home or in your local area.

To help you avoid disappointment when it does start raining, we’ve collected 22 wet weather activity ideas. Next time you feel you might need to cancel your outing with your Social Carer, have a chat with them to see if one (or more!) of these ideas might be a fun replacement.

Fun wet weather activities at home

Cook something new

Cooking brings people together, and can be done with just a handful of ingredients. It also can be easily adapted to any skill level or dietary requirement. If the rain starts to fall, maybe it’s a great opportunity to bake a cake, or some delicious choc-chip cookies.

Play a board game

There’s so much more to board games than just Monopoly or Scrabble. These days, you can find everything from epic cooperative roleplaying adventures to fun physical games. Find something that interests both you and your carer and spend a day playing games together.

Create some art

Drawing or painting are great rainy-day activities. You don’t need much to get started, just some pencils or some paint and some paper, but if you wanted to scale it up, why not try painting some tin cans or plastic garden pots to turn into gifts?

Unleash your inner musician

Music has the power to thoroughly change your mood. You can create a home concert, using whatever you have around the house to play along to your favourite songs. Pots and pans make a good drum kit! If that’s a bit too loud, karaoke is always fun, singing along to your favourite songs.

Dance like nobody’s watching

If you don’t feel like playing music, why not move to it? Dance is a great way to be active, and it doesn’t require too much space. You and your carer can create a playlist of great songs and move your bodies to the rhythm.

Enjoy a movie marathon

Sometimes there’s nothing better than just sitting in front of the TV and watching your favourite movies back to back. Make some popcorn, crack open the lollies and watch (or rewatch) the movies that make you happiest.

Things to do when it’s wet in Sydney

If you live in Sydney and still want to get out of the house, there are plenty of accessible activities across town that are wet-weather friendly.

Explore the Art Gallery of NSW

With free general entry, hands-on workshops and a dedicated access program for people of all abilities, the Art Gallery of NSW offers an inclusive adventure when the rain starts in Sydney.

Head underwater at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

With the rain falling from the sky, why not keep dry by heading underwater? The Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is a welcoming, peaceful day out with gorgeous glass enclosures that let you see under the sea.

Get up close to nature at Wild Life Sydney zoo

While most zoos are wide, open spaces, most of Wild Life Sydney Zoo is actually undercover. You can get up close with some of Australia’s most iconic animals, with easy access and visual stories available to make the most of your day out.

All aboard at the Australian Maritime museum

The Australian Maritime museum in Darling Harbour offers a detailed look at our history with the water, with plenty of undercover exhibitions to keep you out of the wet weather. With accessibility programs, it’s a great option for when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate with your plans.

Get a birds’ eye view at Sydney Tower Eye

The ultimate location to see Sydney, the Sydney Tower Eye supports visitors with reduced mobility, visual impairments and has noise kits for those with sensory sensitivity. Like many of these locations, it also offers free entry to carers and accepts the Companion Card.

Experience art at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Designed to showcase the best of contemporary art, the MCA is designed for everyone, with an accessible and inclusive environment. There’s even a sensory map to highlight quiet, low, medium, and high sensory areas to better plan your visit.

Wet weather activities in Melbourne

Melbourne weather can be unpredictable any day of the week, so planning one of these accessible-friendly indoor activities can let you and your Social Carer enjoy a day out, regardless of what the weather looks like.

Unlock a world of wonder at the Melbourne Museum

With everything from fun Lego-themed exhibitions to historical looks at iconic artefacts, the Melbourne Museum is a fun, educational way to spend a day when the weather gets wet.

See how science works at ScienceWorks

ScienceWorks offers exciting interactive exhibits for everyone to experience the wonder of science. It will spark your curiosity, teach you about the universe, and keep you dry during the rain.

Uncover the culture of the screen at ACMI

From cinema to video games, ACMI is a museum that captures the significant cultural impact of the screen. It’s free to visit, with some ticketed exhibitions, but will keep you out of the rain while you explore the impact of the screen in modern Australian society.

Play games at Fortress Melbourne

Fortress is part arcade, part bar and part function centre, with a mission to create a friendly, welcoming space for all. Head in to play some video or board games with friends, while getting some food and drink. There’s also a venue in Sydney.

Go to the markets

The Queen Victoria Market is a Melbourne institution, and is much of it is conveniently undercover and accessible. Shop for the latest produce, get something fresh and tasty to eat, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Activities to enjoy when it’s raining in Brisbane

Queensland may have some of the country’s best weather, but there’s still plenty to do when it starts to rain. Try one of these ideas:

Take a historical journey at the Museum of Brisbane

Gain a deeper insight into Brisbane’s history at the MoB. With sensory friendly, accessible exhibitions designed to cater to people of all ages and abilities, it’s a great way to spend a day when the weather interrupts your other plans.

Travel the stars at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Unlock the secrets of the universe at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Entry is free, though you will need tickets for shows in the Cosmic Skydome. If you can manage it, try and catch one of the ticketed exhibitions while you’re there.

Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art

Brisbane’s premiere art gallery is a great way to spend the day that otherwise would have been washed out. It has a wide range of free exhibitions, and is accessible for people of all abilities.

Queensland Museum Rail Workshops

For anyone who loves trains, the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops are a must-visit. With a rich history as well as exhibitions dedicated to the science of trains, there’s plenty to do, and it’s protected from any wild weather.

Hijinx Hotel

With locations around the country, the Hijinx Hotel is a fun day out for people of all abilities. Comprising a series of challenge rooms, you can work together with your carer to complete challenges, while having a lot of fun. You may want to book ahead, though.

Tips for wet weather activities

• You don’t have to cancel your plans entirely just because the weather isn’t being helpful. There are plenty of ad hoc ideas that both you and your carer can enjoy.
• Consider having a wet-weather backup plan for your event that you can enjoy no matter what.
• Consider your sensory needs before deciding where to go. Many public venues can get loud, but may also offer sensory kits to help manage that.
• Call before you head off to confirm that the location is open and can accommodate your needs.

Let Like Family be your wet-weather partner

No matter how well prepared you feel, sometimes the weather throws your plans out the window. Like Family’s team of experienced support workers can still provide companionship and personalised care when this happens.

Talk with your support worker to find an activity that suits not just your needs, but the weather as well.