We’re halfway into summer and the 100-degree days and heat advisories aren’t going away any time soon. That’s why Her Campus is sharing our favorite ways to take a break from the sun and chill out from the blazing hot summer! Instead of laying on your couch in a dark basement wishing you lived in Antarctica, try out one of our fun ways to cool down from the hot, hot heat.
1. Make your own slip n’ slide. Transform your outdoor BBQ into an absolute blast with a homemade slip n’ slide. Find an old tarp, spray it with a hose and let the slipping and sliding begin.
2. Snack on frozen fruit. It’s the perfect afternoon snack when you’re craving a sweet treat that can cool you down. Try topping your morning cereal with frozen fruit for a new take on breakfast. We recommend frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. Beware of the brain freeze!
3. Go ice skating. Turn this fun winter outing into a summertime activity that will definitely bring your body temperature down; it’s a nice alternative to fireworks and bonfires. Whip up a batch of frozen hot chocolate after you’re done skating.
4. Make iced coffee. “Making my own homemade iced coffee every night (for my mid-morning commute) is a tasty and cost-efficient way to keep me cool,” says Kenyatta, a recent grad of the University of Texas at Austin.
5. Go to an ice bar. If you can make a trip to one of the exotic locations that houses ice bars, this is a perfect way to spend a hot summer night. And plus, it’s way cooler (literally and figuratively) than going to an ordinary bar. If you don’t have access to an actual ice bar, order a frozen drink or one with a lot of ice and pretend like it’s the real thing.
6. Put your pillow in the freezer. Do this right before bed on a hot summer night and fall fast asleep. You won’t have to worry about flipping your pillow over to get to the cold side.
7. Fill up your bathtub with ice and soak. Have a spa day complete with cool cucumbers on your eyes. It’s a fun and easy way to relax after a hard workout or a day working in the sun.
8. Go to a water park. What better way to enjoy a day off? Enjoy the slides, lazy river, and wave pool as many times as your heart desires. Or go to your friend’s pool and play all of the water games you loved as a child. Marco Polo, anyone?
9. Create your own fruit popsicles. Use juice and fresh fruit to make a delicious frozen treat you won’t find at the grocery store. Experiment with different ingredients until you find your favorite ice pop flavor, but to start, try out this kiwi-strawberry recipe.
10. Refrigerate your fragrance. “My mom taught me this trick: Put your favorite body mist in the fridge and spritz it on for a quick and fragrant cool-off,” says Daisy, a recent grad of Bowdoin College.
11. Take a trip to the mall. As if you need an excuse to hit the mall. This air-conditioned space is a prime cool-down spot from the hot summer sun. Just make sure you don’t buy too many sundresses!
12. Sit in a kiddie pool and read. No need to go pool-hopping when you can have a pool right on your own porch. So relaxing and refreshing.
13. Buy lemonade from the neighborhood lemonade stand. You’ll get a cold beverage, and the cute kids selling the lemonade will be overjoyed that you gave them business. If you’re in the mood to do a good deed and support a cause, find an Alex’s Lemonade Stand location near your neighborhood.
14. Run through the sprinklers. You spent all your childhood days in the summer doing this, so why not continue now? Instead of crossing the street when you notice your neighbor’s sprinklers are on, run right through the water and enjoy the moment.
15. Take a water break. Jump in the nearest body of water. The ice cold water on your body will definitely help you cool off during a day of laying out. Be sure to reapply sunscreen after you take a dip!
16. Make a frozen margarita and pretend like you’re in the Bahamas. One sip in and you’ll already feel cooled down and refreshed. Don’t forget the mini umbrella!
17. Have a car wash. “Wash your car with your younger siblings, the kids you babysit or your friends. Someone will inevitably ‘accidentally’ spray you with the hose, and you’ll be cool… or cold, in no time!” says Elizabeth, a collegiette at Mount Holyoke College.
18. Dance in the rain. There’s nothing better than the feeling of cold raindrops on your skin on the hottest day of summer. Get caught in the rain without an umbrella and show off your best dance moves.
How do you stay cool in the summer, collegiettes? Let us know in the comments below!