SALT LAKE CITY — The sun is hidden behind clouds but the snow hasn’t made a blanket of powder adequate for winter sports.

With rain in the forecast for the next few days, outdoor-centric Utahns are stuck between fair-weathered and winter activities. Utah’s geological gems entice its residents outdoors, but during a rainstorm under the threat of lightning or flash flood, normal outside activities just aren’t safe. Lucky for Utahns, the state also has some spectacular indoor options for occupation.

Visit a Museum

See a piece of art that challenges your concept of beauty, expand your knowledge on the history of the state and Earth, learn Utah’s geological formation or follow along with science’s space discoveries in Utah’s museums.

Watch a Classic Film

Classic, of course, is up for interpretation. I’m no movie critic (we’ve got the Pics & Flix section for that) so I will just suggest you check out Netflix and find something nostalgic to watch.

If you’re into old films, “Charade” with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, “How to Marry a Millionaire” with Marilyn Monroe, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” with Robert Redford and Paul Newman, “Where the Red Fern Grows” and “Planet of the Apes” are all streaming on Netflix.

Tabletop S’mores

Food preparation doesn’t get much easier than roasting s’mores. When you can’t head out to nature and build a fire, these tabletop s’mores do the trick nicely.

There are numerous alternatives on Pinterest, including some that would be better taken outside, but one safe indoor option involves Sterno Cooking Fuel. By placing a can of the fuel in an oven-safe dish like a terracotta or ceramic pot, then putting a ceramic or terracotta plate, saucer or tile underneath, you’ve got yourself a miniature, contained campfire. Some bloggers using the cooking fuel with children recommend creating some kind of grill with wire. Be sure to follow the instructions on the Sterno fuel.

Once you’ve gotten it set up, grab marshmallows, chocolate bars or other chocolate goodies, graham crackers, fruit, caramels or whatever sounds good with melted chocolate and marshmallow and make a feast of it.

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Head to the LibraryReading during a rainstorm is universally agreed to be the best thing ever. Once you’re ready to get out of your blanket and slippers, take your reading up a notch and head to the library.

Besides browsing books, pick up a reading list, take a class or listen to a lecture while you’re there. Consider reading a book in a different genre than you usually would, learn about a new topic or brush up on your foreign language skills if you want more stimulation.

Embrace Your Inner Child

Get out of the house but stay out of the rain with a game of bowling or laser tag, take a ride on a roller skating or ice skating rink, win as many tickets as you can at an arcade, or challenge someone to a round of indoor miniature golf. Pizza and rootbeer is highly recommended, but optional.

Get Creative

If you have wanted to learn how to watercolor, procrastinated putting together a book of family recipes or need to hone your video-editing skills, now is your chance to without missing out on good weather.

Check out books at the library, look up YouTube demo videos or just start using your hands while the rain pitter-patters on your windows. Something about a darkened sky and the rhythm of the rain can push other distractions from a mind.

What other things do you do to keep busy and entertained on a rainy day? Tell us in the comments.

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