The Ultimate Rainy Day Guide for Cosy Season

Crunchy leaves, cosy socks, candles and pumpkin-spice-everything – it can only mean one thing: Autumn is here! If you’re looking for fun things to do in the rainy season that don’t include the Netflix shuffle or doom-scrolling online, stick with us. We’ve put together the ultimate rainy day guide to bust boredom, keep you dry and add a little creativity to the colder months. So put the kettle on, settle down and let’s get stuck in!

The benefits of getting creative when it’s cold outside

Crafting and making are great ways to combat those seasonal blues and winter weather – whether that’s cosying up with some crochet and a cuppa, or experimenting with lots of seasonal treats in the kitchen. Here’s why getting creative should be on your winter bucket list for 2026:

• Creativity boosts mood. Whether you’re trying a new recipe, having a go at a craft for the first time or (finally!) finishing up those WIPs, it’s a well known fact that making gives you a fabulous dopamine hit!
• Making and doing reduces stress. When you’re working intricate embroidery stitches or stirring a pot of bubbling jam, you’re not thinking about the cold, rain and those winter worries.
• Learning new skills can help you through the colder months. Learn how to knit your own blankets, make toxin-free candles from scratch and master some mending skills – getting creative isn’t just fun, it’s practical too!
• Getting creative is a good way to connect with people. It’s easy to hibernate when it’s cold, wet and dark outside but being social is a great mood booster. Find a local craft group, start a regular meet with arty friends or check out online forums like Reddit to chat about all things creative. 

1. Get cosy and make yourself comfortable

If you’re staying in, you’re going to want to get as comfy as possible; think a nest of super-soft blankets, cushions you can sink into, your chunkiest jumpers and of course, some candles for the ultimate in cosy winter vibes. Pull the curtains, ignore the rain and relax!

Missing some of the basics? Check out charity shops and resale sites for bargain knits and homeware, or learn how to make your own at a workshop. We love these:

Knitting and crochet 

• London: Blanket arm knitting workshop in Deptford (£70)
• Bristol: Beginner’s guide to knitting workshop in Saint Paul’s (£38)
• Liverpool: Beginner’s crochet cardigan course in Mawdesley (£150)
• Edinburgh: Crochet class: Earwarmers in New Town (£38)
• Glasgow: Granny square crochet class in Southside (£38)

Candle making 

• London: Aromatherapy candle making class in various locations (from £35)
• Bristol: Beginner’s soy candle making workshop in Thornbury (£48)
• Manchester: Aromatherapy candle making workshop in Eccles (from £54)
• Birmingham: Crystal soy wax candle making workshop in the Jewellery Quarter (£60)
• Edinburgh: Candle making workshop in Tollcross (from £65)

2. Bring out the refreshments

Even the most chill day needs to be fuelled – plus, what’s better than cradling a steaming mug of something while the rain hammers at the window? Here’s our list of top recommendations to keep you going:

Tea

The ultimate in comfort, whether you drink super strong builder’s tea or prefer a more soothing herbal blend. Here’s our top tips for making the perfect cuppa:

1. Arm yourself with a teapot or infuser. There’s something a bit decadent about loose leaf tea, especially on a slow day. The ritual of measuring, brewing and pouring is a treat in itself! 
2. Pick your favourite mug. It doesn’t have to be fancy (but it absolutely can be – add a saucer if that’s your thing!), it just has to be one that you love to hold. Maybe it’s the size, maybe it’s the colour, maybe it’s the fact that you’ve had it since childhood!
3. Choose your tea brand well. Look for independent specialists and B-Corps. We love Bird and Blend (and they do amazing tea blending workshops), and if you’re sticking to tea bags, try Hampstead Organic and Heath and Heather.

Chai latte

A chai latte is perfect for the winter months; cosy, milky and full of warming spices to heat you from the inside out. Either make it from scratch on the hob using your own storecupboard spices, or opt for one of the pre-blended varieties you can buy from shops. 

Hot chocolate

Rich, sweet and decadent, hot chocolate is the ultimate winter drink. Here’s a few ways to mix it up:

• Add some spices to take it to the next level. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves work a treat.
• Switch cocoa for cacao. Slightly less sweet but just as tasty, cacao comes with a range of health benefits. It’s a great mood booster, helps with heart health and is packed with flavonoids and antioxidants – an all round winner!
• Top with whipped cream. Not just any whipped cream either – no cans of squirty stuff here! Try whipping your own, and infusing with peppermint extract, cardamom or even a pinch of cayenne to spice things up.

Sweet treats

We all know a hot drink isn’t complete without something sweet on the side. From chewy, fruit-filled flapjacks to gooey cakes and even macarons, anything goes. Fancy learning how to make your own? Here’s a selection of workshops to satisfy even the sweetest tooth!

• London: Cinnamon roll baking class from Bake and Bond, from £50
• Bristol: Baking made easy class from Delicious Cooking for All, £25
• Manchester: Macaron masterclass from The English Rose Bakery, £105
• Birmingham: Cheesecake baking class from CreamBake, £13
• Edinburgh: Delicious desserts class from Edinburgh Food Social, £85

3. Do something fun to pass the time

You're comfortable and you’ve got the snacks, but what are you going to do to pass the time while the rain is pouring outside? If you don’t fancy settling down in front of yet another Netflix series and you want something a bit more engaging than your favourite playlists on shuffle, we’ve got some options for you!

Top podcast picks from the ClassBento team

Who doesn’t love a good podcast? Whether you’re into solving true crime, love scaring yourself silly with tales of the paranormal or like to keep up with current affairs, there’s something out there for you. Here’s some recommendations straight from the ClassBento office!

'Stories of Art'. This is a new one I've found, that gives you a biographical run through of famous artists and their work. The hosts are great, really engaging: the one on Michelangelo was great, and made me want to visit Florence and Rome. Niall Palmer, Growth Partner

My favourite is '99% Invisible'. It’s about everyday design and architecture, and how seemingly innocuous things shape the world. I love it because it's just full of interesting weird little tidbits about all kinds of stuff, plus it kind of encourages me to look at the world a bit differently and with more curiosity, even when I'm somewhere mundane. Dan Ward, Content Writer

I like 'Search Engine' and 'Heavyweight'. They're just really good human stories, and they deep dive into quite niche topics as well. Phoebe Griffiths-Weatherly, Head of Content and Production UK

I really like 'Lore', which I've listened to for years. I'm really into folklore, spooky stuff and old stories, and this ticks all those boxes! Victoria Haynes, Creative Content Lead

Lose yourself in a board game

It’s 2026, so we’re no longer limited to a game of solitaire or snakes and ladders – the wonderful world of board games has never been bigger or more exciting. From murder mystery and role play to puzzles, miniatures and strategy, there’s something for players of all ages – whether you’re going solo or getting the whole gang together.

Need some inspiration? Try Board Game Geek for lists of games in every category you could think of, forums to chat in and top tips from other players. 

Get stuck into a craft kit or live streaming class

Fancy getting creative but don’t want to head out to a workshop? A DIY kit or live streaming class is a great way to have a crafternoon without even leaving the sofa, so no getting caught in the rain! Whether you’ve been dying to try your hand at pottery or you’re more of a kitchen creative, there’s something here for everyone.

• Virtual Kintsugi class from Art4Space, £54
• Natural soap making at home from Yougi, from £42
• Terrazzo coasters remote workshop from Polymorphics, £35
• Sourdough bread making for beginners at home from Hunkington House Kitchen, £55
• Lino printing workshop at home from Mags Straatman, £35
• Terrarium workshop from Ferris Heart Sloane, £65
• Make dumplings or gyoza at home from Simon and Hanna’s Foodie Kitchen, from £60

4. Invite your favourite people

A cosy day doesn’t have to be a solo activity! Socialising in the autumn and winter months is great for mental health and can help to fight off those seasonal blues. Invite your besties over (encourage them to bring sweet treats, obviously!) or take the opportunity to spend some time with family. You could try:

• Starting a winter crafting circle. Take it in turns to host an afternoon (or full day, if you really want to get stuck into creating!) full of delicious, nourishing food and crafty activities. 
• If your favourite people aren’t exactly the creative types, join a live streaming class to meet fellow crafters. You can choose from almost anything, from learning to sew a jumper or making a kokedama moss ball to crafting your own candles – most live streaming classes include a lovely kit as well, so that’s a win-win!
• Fancy a chat but not a face-to-face meet? There are plenty of crafting communities online to dive into: from the wonderful threads of Reddit (there really is something for every crafter!) to Instagram and TikTok spaces, you’re sure to find people to discuss projects and plan future meetings with. 

5. Brave the rain and venture out 

If you’ve got cabin fever and really do want to get out of the house, zip up your raincoat and try some indoor activities. Try a new cafe, explore your local library, take in an exhibition at a museum or find inspiration in your nearest art gallery – there’s plenty to do that doesn’t involve getting soaked! 

If you fancy something a bit more creative, try one of ClassBento’s winter warmer classes – there’s plenty of cosy experiences to choose from up and down the UK, so wherever you are, you’ll find something to dive into! 

London

• Matcha ritual and matcha bowl making workshop in Islington, from £65
• Spanish cooking class on a boat: Churros and chocolate in Canary Wharf, from £70
• Sourdough bread making class in Highgate, £120
• Pottery mug workshop in Nine Elms, from £35
• Candle making class in Shoreditch, £45
• Dried wreath making workshop in Kings Cross, from £50

Bristol

• BYOB handbuilding mug making class in Bedminster, £34
• Japanese comfort cooking class in Westbury on Trym, £109
• Tea blending workshop in the city centre, £45
• Beginner’s soy candle making workshop in Thornbury, £41
• Autumn wreath making workshop in Bishopston, £65
• Lino printing workshop in Bedminster, £60

Manchester

• Bud vase handbuilding workshop in Ancoats, £49
• Scent creation and candle making workshop in the Northern Quarter, £50
• Sourdough bread making class in Didsbury, from £170
• Chocolate making class in the city centre, £45
• Rug tufting workshop in Salford, from £110
• Large terrarium workshop in the NOMA district, £50

Birmingham

• Autumn wreath making workshop in various locations, £70
• Foil ornaments workshop in Mere Green, £20
• Sip and stitch embroidery workshop in Mere Green, £20
• Indonesian cooking class in Northfield, from £96
• Starter tufting workshop in the Jewellery Quarter, £70
• Sculpt and sip class in various locations, from £32

Edinburgh

• Beginner’s introduction to bookbinding in Meadowbank, from £75
• Wheel throwing taster class in Leith, from £60
• Scottish baking class in Edinburgh New Town, £95
• Candle making workshop in Gilmore Place, from £65
• Sashiko embroidery class in Meadowbank, £55
• Autumnal dried flower wreath workshop in Abbeyhill, from £42

The ultimate rainy day guide: A handy checklist

Planning the ultimate rainy day activities? Here’s your handy checklist! 

☐ Super soft, super squashy jumpers and cardigans

☐ A pile of blankets and cushions for the ultimate rainy day nest

☐ Soy candles – the more the better, but make sure they’re on a hard surface. No leaving them unattended! 

☐ A supply of hot drinks: good old tea, spiced chai or decadent hot chocolate or cacao. Whichever takes your fancy (and you can opt for more than one!)

☐ A good amount of baked goods: cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg spiced cakes, gingerbread or shortbread and of course, something chocolate!

☐ A list of podcasts to dive into 

☐ A board game or two to explore

☐ A craft kit or live streaming class to keep those hands busy and your mood up

☐ Your favourite people (optional!)

Embrace creativity this winter

We know the arrival of the cold, dark, wet weather can be a bit of a low point after the deliciousness of summer, but hopefully our ultimate rainy day guide has given you some inspiration to keep you going over the colder months. And don’t feel like you have to do it all, either – it’s all about relaxing, embracing the seasons changes and dipping your toe into creativity when you fancy. Whether that’s one handmade candle or a whole houseful of handknitted blankets is totally up to you!

Don’t forget to tag ClassBento in your projects and workshops on social media – we always love to see what you’re up to!