1. Ikea
My go-to activity for rainy weather is spending the day at Ikea. You might think it’s just for couples moving in together or students moving into their dorms, but trust me, even if you don’t need anything, you can have hours of fun just by wandering around. And of course, their famous Swedish meatballs are a must at the end of the day!
2. Game Box
At the Game Box in the city centre of Enschede, you can spend your rainy afternoon playing all kinds of fun games. For a fixed price, you can enjoy unlimited gaming for one or two hours. From claw machines and dancing games to shooting as many basketballs as possible into a hoop; there’s something for everyone there.
3. Bounce Valley
Who says bouncy castles are for children only? With slides, obstacles, a real Wipe Out Sweeper and, of course, lots of bouncy castles, you can go crazy at Bounce Valley. Jumping around for an entire afternoon is quite a workout as well, so if you’re still looking for an excuse to skip the gym sometime: here it is!
4. Glowgolf
Minigolf, but in the dark with fluorescent lights? It really exists! Don’t forget to bring your friends and challenge each other. Who knows, you might have a hidden talent for scoring a hole-in-one!
5. Grolsch Brewery Tour
As a true student in Enschede, you really must do a Grolsch Brewery Tour once. During this 2,5 hour long tour, you will learn lots of fun facts, get a tour of the brewery and - most importantly ;) - get plenty of time for tasting, of course.
6. Movie marathon
A rainy day is the perfect excuse to have a movie marathon at home on the couch. Grab some popcorn and a cosy blanket and enjoy your favourite films or series. Would you rather get out of the house? Then head to Vue or Kinepolis for the latest films!
7. Ice skating
Now that you have accepted that summer is actually over, why not embrace the winter vibes? From October on, you can go ice skating again at IJsbaan Twente: the perfect way to be active on a cold, wet day. Finish off with a hot chocolate with whipped cream afterwards and your wintery afternoon is complete!
8. FRIDA Book Café
A rainy day just calls for diving into a book with a warm drink and a sweet treat. Of course, you can curl up on the sofa with your book at home, but if you feel like getting out, the FRIDA Book Café is the perfect spot for you!
9. Game night at home
Fun activities don’t have to be expensive. A classic game night (or afternoon) with your friends or housemates is a great way to spend a rainy day. That is, as long as your friendship survives a game of 30 Seconds...
10. Museum
A rainy day is the perfect time to soak up some culture. As a student, you can visit Rijksmuseum Twenthe and De Museumfabriek for free. Art lovers should visit the Rijksmuseum Twenthe, where you can enjoy a permanent collection as well as changing exhibitions. At De Museumfabriek, you not only get to see interesting collections, but you can also participate in many interactive activities.
11. Baking
Whether you are an experienced baker or just love good food, baking is the perfect way to spend a drizzly afternoon. Try a new recipe or bake your favourite cake all by yourself (okay, a baking mix from the supermarket counts too ;) ). My favourites are brownies, Dutch boterkoek and chocolate chip cookies: quick to make and anyone can do it. And if you love caramel and chocolate as much as I do, try making a millionaire’s shortbread once!
12. Escape room
Fancy a challenge? Then go to one of the many escape rooms in Enschede! Because why lock yourself inside your student room when you could be locked in a room filled with puzzles and riddles to solve?
13. Shopping
Okay, shopping may not be the very first thing that comes to mind when it’s raining, but that’s exactly why it’s the perfect time to go! The shops are nice and quiet, so you can try on all the clothes you like without queuing for the fitting room! Or how about a trip to Designer Outlet Ochtrup, just over the border in Germany, where you can spend the entire day shopping? And if you really don't feel like running from one shop to another in the pouring rain, you can always go to the Klanderij and do some indoor shopping.
14. Swimming
If you're going to get soaked anyway, you might as well dive straight into the pool at Aquadrome. Whether you prefer doing laps or going down the slide, you will have a great time there.
15. Bouldering and climbing
If you like to be active but prefer to stay dry, an afternoon of climbing or bouldering is the perfect activity for you! Enschede has several climbing and bouldering halls, such as Arque and Cube Bouldergym. Worth checking out!
16. Twentsche Foodhal
On a cold, gloomy day, there’s nothing better than treating yourself to delicious food. At the Twentsche Foodhal, you can take your time to try all kinds of dishes from different cuisines. With a well-filled stomach and a cosy atmosphere, you'll get through that rainy day just fine!
