You plan a trip. You pay for a trip. You arrive at your destination to find…rain. Rather than let the wet weather dampen your spirits, dress for it and get out there.

Here are a few strategies to help you gear up for rain and deal with it if it happens on your family vacation.

Pack the right stuff

Waterproof shoes, rain coats and umbrellas for a family of four take up a lot of space in your luggage, but don’t be tempted to leave them behind. It’s better to have and not need them than the other way around. Having the right outerwear is absolutely crucial to surviving a wet weather vacation.

In my experience, the part of your kids that will get the wettest is their pant legs. To avoid this, buy their raincoats big and roll up the sleeves to give them lots of leg coverage. Rain boots are a must, because it’s the gap between the top of their shoes and the bottom of their jackets that will get soaked.

Dealing with wet shoes

A couple years ago, my son and I got absolutely drenched from head to toe at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately, we had each only packed one pair of non-sandal shoes. If this happens to you, here’s what to do: First, unlace your shoes and lift the tongues as high as you can. Next, pull out the insoles if possible and dry them separately. Finally, stuff them with newspapers and leave them near the heat register overnight. They’ll be dry, or close to it, by morning.

What if the rain doesn’t stop?

Anyone can deal with one or two days of rain. It’s the third or fourth consecutive days that sap your will to live. (Trust me on this; I lived in England for two years.) If you’ve had your fill of sightseeing in the rain, don’t feel like you have to keep your chin up.

If you’re in a big city, go to a movie and console yourself with a huge bucket of buttered popcorn. Find an indoor mall where you can stroll while sipping hot beverages. A big, kid-friendly museum makes a nice outing, especially if it has a café.

When all else fails, consider holing up in your hotel and just enjoying the amenities. Order room service, swim in the (hopefully indoor) pool, and order up a pay-per-view movie or three. After a few hours inside with your kids, you’ll be ready to brave the inclement weather again in no time!