How to Stay Cool this Summer: Products & Tips for Inside and Outside Your Home

Summers in Houston are hot. And yet, we're still outside. Because the dog needs to walk. The kids have swim practice six days a week. And keeping kids cooped up inside all summer is a non-starter. So we figure out how to deal. 

The simple answer? Plenty of cooling products to keep everyone from melting (and melting down!) — plus some cooling hacks that cost nothing at all. 

Whether you’re going to a swim meet for 10 hours like I am, trying not to suffer at home on hot days without central AC, or planning a road trip over the summer, this post will help you feel more prepared. 

The Best Cooling Products

From toddlers to tweens — and adults, too — I’m sharing what we use to stay cool, comfy, and less sweaty over the summer. No matter where you live or what you have planned, you’ll find cooling products to use outside, inside, and in your car. 

For When You’re Outside & On the Go

Mini Handheld Fan: Small, but mighty! This is an easy fan to take with you on the go — and a great size for little hands to hold. 

Stroller Fan: Not just for babies! My tweens bring this fan to camp and put it on their nightstands to use at home.

Neck Fan: If you haven't tried a neck fan yet, this summer is your sign. You wear it hands-free around your neck, it blows air on your face and chest, and it is a literal lifesaver at swim meets and outdoor events. 

Mist Fan: My kids LOVE this fan. I thought it was silly originally. But on days where we are outside for hours at sporting events, it comes in handy!

Water Bottle: I love this water bottle since it fits in my cup holder in the car. My kids all have these giant personalized water bottles. They use them at camp and at sports practice.

For When You’re Trying to Stay Cool at Home

Cooling Sheets: If you always feel warm at night and struggle to sleep well, these sheets can help. They’re soft and cool to the touch, so you can sleep comfortably at night when it’s hot.

Cooling Towels: These towels are great cooling products, and they absorb sweat! You can use them for different types of activities outside or as a way to stay cool inside if you don’t have AC.

Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier won't drop the temperature — but here in Houston, half of our misery is the humidity. Pulling that out of the air makes a surprisingly big difference in how comfortable a room feels. 

Smart Thermostat: I used to think smart thermostats were silly. But now that we have one, I am kicking myself for waiting so long to get one. I can set the temperature higher when we are out of the house and begin cooling it before we arrive home. 

Tower Fan: We have AC, but my husband and I like the temperature at very different levels when we sleep. I like it warm, while he has the huge fan that blows on him to keep him cooler, and I like to sleep🤣 

Try these cooling products 👆

Cooling Beauty Products You Can Use Anytime 

Facial Spray: Made with aloe, cucumber, and green tea, this facial spray is super refreshing. Perfect for whenever you need a little pick-me-up! 

Facial Mist: I love the “Holy Hydration” line from elf! A little spritz of this on your face will help it feel refreshed and hydrated. Plus the coconut scent smells so good!

Ice Roller: My girls are always pulling this out from the freezer to use! Cooling your face down first will provide quick relief from the heat, plus it de-puffs your skin and eases any tension. 

Silicone Ice Mold: This ice roller would be easy to take with you on the go — just pop it into a freezable bag. I also love that you can customize it with essential oils, lemon slices, cucumber, and more. 

Sweat & Odor Absorbing Lotion: This lotion dries down smooth to keep your skin feeling fresh. 

Sweat Absorbing Body Powder: A talc-free, all-natural powder that is easy to use. If you've ever dealt with sweat stains under your chest on a hot day, this is your new best friend. 

Anti-Chafe Stick: Not technically a cooling product, but I'm including it because hot, sweaty summer days and chafing go hand in hand. 

How to Stay Cool in the Heat Outside

Along with using your favorite cooling products, there are things you can do to help your family stay cool when it’s hot out. 

• Do all of your outdoor activities in the morning. Whether we’re doing something fun from our summer bucket list or stocking up on snacks at the grocery store, my daughters and I spend our mornings outside. 

• Spend the afternoons inside. The timing on this will vary, depending on where you live. But here in Houston, it’s way too hot in the summer to be outside past noon. Ideally, we’re back home by noon so we can have lunch and focus on indoor activities. 

• Seek shade whenever you can. It sounds obvious, but it makes a real difference, especially at outdoor events where you're stuck for hours. Scout your spot early so you're not baking in direct sun all afternoon. 

• Wear sunscreen. Please, please wear sunscreen. Sun exposure makes the heat so much worse on your body. Along with avoiding a sunburn, it helps reduce your risk of skin cancer.

• Wear lightweight clothing. Make sure your clothes are light and loose for breathability. You can also look for performance clothing that wicks away sweat or has mesh panels for extra airflow. Lastly, avoid dark clothing and go for lighter colors that reflect the sun’s rays. 

• Bring your cooling gear. If you're stuck outside for hours at a swim meet, tournament, or outdoor event, your neck fan, handheld fan, cooling towel, and mist fan are non-negotiable. Just make sure to charge everything the night before. 

• Stay hydrated — and not just with water! This is an obvious one, but you really do need to drink more fluids during the summer. If you plan on being active when it’s hot out, it can help to add an electrolyte mix to your water. You can also eat more hydrating foods, like raw fruits and veggies that are mostly made up of water.  

How to Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning

If you don’t have AC, here are some simple ways to keep your home — and yourself — cool during the summer. If you do have AC, you can still use some of these tips to make sure it isn’t working so hard.

• Go somewhere cool. If it’s going to be a particularly hot day, you may want to go somewhere that has AC. This could be a mall, museum, movie theater, library, or community center. 

• Take a lukewarm bath or shower. A freezing cold bath or shower might sound like a great way to cool down, but it can actually have the opposite effect! When your blood vessels constrict from the cold, your body will try to conserve the heat. Instead, keep the water slightly cool or lukewarm to lower your core temperature more efficiently. 

• Eat cool stuff. Reach for cold, hydrating foods like watermelon, frozen grapes, popsicles, or smoothies. They taste like summer and help bring your body temperature down. 

• Wear a neck fan or cooling towel. Your face and neck are the first parts of your body to feel hot. So, cooling products for those specific areas are a quick way to get some instant relief when it’s hot out. Plus it’s cheaper than AC! Just make sure your neck fan is fully charged for hot days. 

• Consider cooling sheets. Trying to sleep when you’re too hot can feel miserable. Cooling sheets use lightweight, breathable materials for better airflow, and they keep you from sweating.

• Keep a cooler by your bed. This can be especially helpful for hot nights. Use it to store frozen water bottles (for placing in front of the fan), ice packs, and cold towels.  

• Block out sunlight. A lot of heat can come through your windows! Make sure to close your blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight and keep your home from getting too hot. You can also take it a step further with blackout blinds.  

• Use a slow cooker. Using your oven or stove will make your home even hotter. Slow cooker meals are so easy, and they won’t turn your kitchen into a sauna. The same goes for the air fryer. Both are your best friends in the summer. 

How to Cool Your Car Down Quickly

If your kids have ever refused to get in the car because it’s too hot, these tips are for you. Hot cars are also very dangerous and can quickly lead to a heat stroke. Here are some things you can do to help cool down your car.

1. Park in a garage or in the shade. You want to avoid parking in direct sunlight in order to keep your car as cool as possible on hot days. 

2. Use reflective window shade covers. These covers block sunlight and UV rays so your car won’t get as toasty. Keeping the inside of your car cooler also means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard. 

3. Open your windows. If you’re in direct sunlight, your car could be about 20-40 degrees hotter than it is outside. This helps the hot air that’s trapped in your car get out. 

4. Use fresh air AC while driving. Turn on your AC and make sure the recirculation button is off. This will help pull in the cooler air outside instead of recycling the trapped heat in your car. Driving instead of idling will also help push out the hot air faster.

5. Switch to recirculation. Once the air from the vents feels cold, roll the windows back up. Then turn the air recirculation button on to keep cooling the air inside your car. 

FAQ: How to Stay Cool in the Summer

What cooling products work best for a baby or toddler?

For babies and toddlers, I recommend a stroller fan. There are also UV blocking mesh shades and cooling pads for strollers. They might even like a mist fan on them!

Which cooling products are best for little kids and big kids?

For kids 4 and up, you can use a mist fan or mini fan with multiple speeds — just make sure it’s bladeless. Neck fans are a good option too, though little kids may not want to wear them for long or be gentle enough with them. Older kids, like tweens and teens, might also like cooling towels and ice rollers.

What are some free or low-cost ways to keep kids cool over the summer?

My top three tips are to limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, always have a water bottle nearby so you can stay hydrated, and remember to wear and reapply sunscreen. We go outside in the morning and then are mostly inside the rest of the day. It also helps to dress for the heat and stick to shady spots if you’re outside.

What is the best way to cool down fast when it's hot outside?

Your neck and face heat up first, so that's where to start. A neck fan, cooling towel, or even a quick spritz of facial mist can give you near-instant relief. Getting into the shade and drinking something cold helps your body temperature drop faster too. 

How do I keep my kids cool at night? 

A lukewarm bath before bed is one of the easiest tricks to help little ones wind down without overheating. Once they’re in their room, a tower fan near their bed or stroller fan on the nightstand can help, especially if your home runs warm at night. Also, cooling sheets can make a big difference as kids sleep better when they’re not sweating through their bedding.

More Summer Support

Have some tips for staying cool over the summer? Share them with me in the comments below and let’s help each other out!

If you need more support this summer, check out these posts. You’ll find ideas for summer activities to do with kids, refreshing snacks to have on hand, how to set up a summer schedule that actually works, and lots more.