Rain in Jamaica wasn’t an inconvenience—they were a test of creativity. When the Jamaican weather took that turn in the afternoons, and school was out, you had to think fast. From makeshift shelters to just braving the downpour, escaping the rain was practically a rite of passage. As soon as those first drops hit, the race was on to find the nearest shelter, or in some cases, if you were a little rebel, risk it all for the thrill of rainy weather tag . Whether you were the cautious type or the “get wet come what may” type, there was always a creative way to deal with the rain. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit the 9 ways Jamaican kids survived those rainy afternoons after school.z

1. Picking a Large Banana or Cocoa Leaf

• If the rain caught you near some bushes, a large banana or cocoa leaf was nature’s answer in the absence of an umbrella. It was like the tropical climate of Jamaica providing us with all the tools we needed to face the weather! Kids would pluck the biggest one they could find, holding it proudly above their heads as they dashed through the downpour. While it wasn’t perfect, the thrill of improvising on the spot made it worth the occasional leak.

2. Under Their School Bags (Then Behind the Fridge to Dry)

• No banana leaves nearby? No problem. School bags quickly became the go-to rain shields. Of course, your bag would be soaked by the time you got home, and drying it behind the fridge was a must. Every Jamaican child has had that one bag that never quite dried fully, leaving that signature musty smell as a constant reminder of rainy-day adventures.

3. Huddling Under a Piazza

• When the rain in Jamaica started to pour, plazas were a common escape, but the piazza—that precious space between shops and storefronts—was a lifesaver for kids in a downpour. You’d see clusters of kids squeezing together under the overhang, waiting for the rain to slow down. The friendly shopkeepers knew the drill, and sometimes you’d even manage to get a few minutes inside if you were lucky!

4. Running to the Nearest Chinney Shop

• With the unpredictable Jamaican climate there were days when the rain would hit out of no where. If you got caught too far along to runback to school and still not close enough to home, chinney shops were like rain havens. These little corner stores became gathering spots for kids trying to stay dry, and if you had a few dollars in your pocket, you’d grab a snack while you waited—because who could resist the temptation of some Cheers or banana chips to pass the time?

5. Rain Coats

• For those kids who came prepared, the rain coat was a game-changer. These weren’t always the sleek designs of today; think loud, plastic, and shiny. Very colorful, they covered every inch of your uniform, leaving you dry but hot underneath. But hey, a little extra warmth was a small price to pay for arriving home not completely drenched.

6. Running Home Like Usain Bolt

• Sometimes, all you could do was run for it. Sure, you might be a soggy mess by the time you got home, but racing against the rain was half the fun. And for a moment, you’d feel like the fastest kid in Jamaica—until you reached home, soaking wet, much to your parents’ annoyance.

7. Just Playing in the Rain

• For the bold (or rebellious), playing in the rain in Jamaica was the best option. There was something magical about splashing in puddles and running wild in the downpour. Of course, the looming threat of a good whooping at home for “playing inna di rain” was real—but those moments of freedom were always worth it. Plus, what’s childhood without a little risk?

8. Under a Newspaper (Bonus Points for The Children’s Own)

• Newspapers, although flimsy, were sometimes all you had between you and the sky. Kids would grab a copy of the nearest Children’s Own or any paper they could find, fashioning them into hats to shield their heads from the rain. Did it keep you dry? Not really, but it was better than nothing . And some people took it to the next level, folding those papers into proper hats!

9. Taking Shelter Under Trees

• Not the safest option, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Finding a large tree to huddle under during a downpour was often tempting, even though you were told a hundred times not to stand under trees in the rain. You’d try your luck anyway, hoping you’d make it through without a lightning scare.

From banana leaves to school bags, from sprinting home to just playing in the rain, every Jamaican child had their own way of dealing with those unexpected rain in Jamaica. Sure, some methods were questionable (looking at you, tree-huggers), but these little moments were what made rainy days unforgettable. In many ways, dealing with rainy days in Jamaica was apart what made living on the island beautiful.