Is there anything more soothing than the sound of a gentle rainfall? While it does have a nasty habit of sometimes messing up our plans, rain is essential to our survival. July 29 is Rain Day—a day to celebrate everything this life-giving element does for us.

To mark the occasion, I’ve got some interesting facts about rain, and some fun ways to celebrate Rain Day—or any rainy day.

I didn’t always appreciate the rain

Growing up in the north of England, we took rain for granted. Most of the time, we just wished it would go away. It always seemed to turn up at the worst time and ruin our plans.

Years later, I often find myself wishing for rain. As I write this, we’re in the middle of another hot, dry summer here in southern Ontario. Rainfall has been sporadic and sparse, meaning our lawn is a not-so-delightful shade of brown, and the plants in my garden look a little parched most days.

A long, gentle rainfall would be welcome right now. Preferably at night so I can lie in bed and listen to it.

Interesting facts about rain

Here are some things that you may not know about rain.

• The least rainy place on Earth is Antarctica, getting only 6.5 inches of precipitation a year. On the other hand, Lloro, Columbia reports over 500 inches of rainfall every year. (Source: Reader’s Digest)
• The greatest rainfall in a 24-hour period was 71.8 inches. That was recorded in the French territory of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. (Source: Guinness World Records)
• Raindrops fall at a speed of 7 to 18 miles per hour. (Source: Easy Science For Kids)
• Raindrops are actually shaped like jelly beans, not teardrops as they are often pictured. (Source: The Weather Channel)
• There’s a name for that aroma you smell after a rainfall. It’s called petrichor. Drops of water hitting the ground cause a molecule called geosmin to be released into the air. Interestingly, geosmin is a bacteria used to make commercial antibiotics. (Source: BBC News)
• Climate change has had a negative impact on rainfall patterns. Increased evaporation from higher temperatures results in more intense storms that often cause flooding, along with more extreme drought conditions in some areas. (Source: NASA)

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Ways to celebrate Rain Day

Now I can’t guarantee a rainfall on Rain Day. I only wish I had a magic wand that could conjure up a rainfall.

Fun ways to enjoy the day

If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a rainfall today, here are some ways to celebrate. If you don’t have the opportunity to partake in these rainy-day activities today, hang on to this list for the next rainy day.

• Lie in bed and listen to the sound of the rainfall.
• Put on a bright raincoat. I’ve always loved colourful rainwear. It just seems to add a little energy to a grey day.  
• Go shopping for a pair of colourful rain boots. These boots have come a long way since the ugly black wellingtons we used to wear as kids.
• Put on your rain boots, find a puddle and jump in it.
• Put out a rain gauge or jar and measure the rainfall. My husband was raised on a farm so we’ve always had a rain gauge. If you don’t have one, a jar and a ruler will do the trick.

• Collect rainwater for your plants. We love our rain barrel, but you can capture rainfall in any container.

• Go for a walk and breathe in that smell—remember it’s called petrichor.
• Catch raindrops on your tongue.
• Hunt for rainbows, but watch out for leprechauns.

• Take pictures of the rain.
• Sit by a window and watch the rain fall outdoors

Finally, if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate and give you a nice rainfall on Rain Day, put on a soothing rainfall track like this one and listen to it while you work, play or sleep:

If this list of fun activities has inspired you to relive your childhood, you might enjoy How to stay young? Embrace your inner child!

I really hope we get some more much-needed rain soon. My garden is looking a little parched. Watering with a hose or watering can just doesn’t have the same effect as a nice, gentle rainfall.

What’s your favourite rainy-day activity? Tell me about it below.