Typically, as soon as you finish exams, it rains. All dreams of BBQs, summer picnics and water fights fly out of the window.

You shouldn’t despair too soon, however - a soggy summer doesn’t have to mean hours spent playing board games. There are plenty of inventive ways to have a summer to remember, despite mother nature's decision to leave the tap on...

The BBQ

Who’s to say you can’t still have a BBQ? So you don’t get to use the outside grill… but the food tastes just as good from an oven! Invite along some friends, put on some tunes and have just as much fun with an indoor BBQ. Alternatively, there are few sites more British than standing over a disposable barbie with an umbrella...

• Check out our top tips for a budget barbecue

The Cocktails

Nothing says summer like cocktails on the beach. So even if you can’t quite manage the beach bit, you can still recreate the rest. Organise a cocktail night with friends, add a twist of cheesy Europop and top it off with a disgusting Hawaiian shirt - who needs Magaluf when you've in suburban Manchester...

• Click here for our top ten easy-to-make cocktails

The Water Park

So it’s too stormy to go to Alton Towers, let alone the local Ferris Wheel. You could always make a water park out of your back garden – put on your swim stuff, and plan to get drenched! Fill some paddling pools, make some water slides out of tarpaulin/washing up liquid, stock up on water balloons and and have a water fight! Just make sure you have blankets and hot water bottles on hand for the inevitable onset of hypothermia.

The Camping

When we think of camping, images of sunny days and camping stoves come to mind. Camping is just as fun in the rain (just think of all those muddy festivals). There are plenty of cheap tents in shops like Tesco, Asda or Wilkinsons… so it's ok if they get a tad muddy. Wrap up warm and cosy up in your tent, whack on some music and you’ll barely notice the difference.

If this doesn’t appeal to you, indoor camping is always an option. Either set up a few pop up tents in your living room, or make a massive fort inside your living room with bedsheets. It’s just as much fun to make as it is to chill in! Bring along some torches and cards for added fun...

The Sports

Who says it needs to be sunny to do outdoor sports? Splashing around in puddles can bring the kid out in anybody... so whether it’s a muddy bike ride or simply running around in the rain, go and embrace the wet weather.

Want to get wetter? Then why not visit the Outdoor Swimming Society and relish in the downpours. If you simply don’t want to venture outside, you could always rent an indoor court at your uni sports centre – they’re normally quite cheap during vacation times.

The Tan

If the British summer can't top up your tan, then you might be reaching for the self-tan bottles. Why not make it into something of a day? Have a pamper session… and then the next day find a patch of sunlight in the house to sunbathe in. The warmth will make you feel like you are sunbathing, even if you’re not really.

The Music

If it’s too muddy for festivals, it doesn’t mean you can’t go and enjoy a gig or two. You might have to leave the house to get there, but if you follow our top tips it won’t cost you much. Why not spend the dreary evenings discovering new music at the free gigs in your area?

• Click here for advice on getting cheap gig tickets

The Plain Silly

• Colour yourselves: Got leftover body/face paint from some crazy nights out? Don some old swim stuff and colour yourselves in. You can have amazing fun drawing all over yourselves - taking pictures - and then going out in the rain to wash it all off.

• Outdoor dance: if you can find a safe way to get some music outside, you can still have a party outdoors. Just make sure nobody’s wearing their favourite clothes so that you can make it as muddy as you want!

The Summer Romance

Ever seen one of those romantic movies where the couple kiss romantically in the rain? Grab your boyfriend/girlfriend/good friend/others and go and recreate the scene. Who said the rain was no fun?!

Tags: Free music , Free fun is our speciality