33 Fun Things to Do When It's Too Hot to Go Outside
It's hot. You can't be bothered to go to the beach... or even step outside. So here's some fun stuff to do indoors!
For those of us who’ve grown up Down Under, there are often days in summer – generally a lot of the ones that fall between Christmas and Valentine’s Day – when it’s just too hot to be bothered going outside. Because outside, there’s sweat. And bugs. And no air-conditioning (we really have to do something about that…). So, if today is one of those days, here are some suggestions – some practical, some not so much – for things you can do to keep yourself entertained without having to set even a toe outdoors. You can thank me later.
2. Embrace your inner mixologist
Speaking of cool drinks, try making and shaking some classic cocktails to cool you down. Check out this fruity summer cocktail recipe for inspiration.
Speaking of cool drinks, try making and shaking some classic cocktails to cool you down. Check out this fruity summer cocktail recipe for inspiration.
3. Make some pretty flower arrangements
Flowers are cheery, and nature is cool. But this will only work if you already have flowers and vases at home. If not, try to convince someone else to bring them to you. Or if you have flowers growing near your front or back door, see if you can snip some stems while still technically standing inside. You may need to invent some kind of extendable scissor contraption.
Overheating? Find an air conditioning professional near you on Houzz for a wonderfully cool home
Flowers are cheery, and nature is cool. But this will only work if you already have flowers and vases at home. If not, try to convince someone else to bring them to you. Or if you have flowers growing near your front or back door, see if you can snip some stems while still technically standing inside. You may need to invent some kind of extendable scissor contraption.
Overheating? Find an air conditioning professional near you on Houzz for a wonderfully cool home
4. Take the chance to nap
Flower arranging and scissor contraption invention are both hard tasks that will take a lot out of you. It’s now time for a nap. Furry cuddle friends are a must.
Flower arranging and scissor contraption invention are both hard tasks that will take a lot out of you. It’s now time for a nap. Furry cuddle friends are a must.
5. Lounge around near a water feature
Just the sound of running water can help you feel calmer and cooler, so set yourself up near an indoor water feature for a bit of relaxation…
Just the sound of running water can help you feel calmer and cooler, so set yourself up near an indoor water feature for a bit of relaxation…
…even if it’s a bit smaller than an indoor lake.
6. Polish the floor by dancing around in your socks
Pants optional à la Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
7. Watch the cricket while lying on the couch
Pants once again optional.
Pants optional à la Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
7. Watch the cricket while lying on the couch
Pants once again optional.
8. Do a few loads of laundry
There’s something oddly satisfying about having the last load you washed dry by the time you’re ready to hang out the next load. No really, give it a try and tell me I’m wrong.
See more incredible laundry spaces
There’s something oddly satisfying about having the last load you washed dry by the time you’re ready to hang out the next load. No really, give it a try and tell me I’m wrong.
See more incredible laundry spaces
9. Research recipes online
Enough said.
10. Order the ingredients online and get them delivered
This way you get everything you need to make food, and you don’t even have to peel yourself off the couch!
Enough said.
10. Order the ingredients online and get them delivered
This way you get everything you need to make food, and you don’t even have to peel yourself off the couch!
11. Whip up an array of exciting salads
It’s hot. Everyone likes salad when it’s hot. This may require you to detach from the couch. But not necessarily, if you can rope in some helpers…
It’s hot. Everyone likes salad when it’s hot. This may require you to detach from the couch. But not necessarily, if you can rope in some helpers…
12. Plant an indoor garden
This may be as elaborate…
This may be as elaborate…
…or as simple as you like. It’s often said that being around natural elements can help keep you both cool and calm. As a bonus, if you grow your own herbs indoors, you’ll never have to go outside to cut them.
13. Hang a soothing piece of art
Yes, really.
14. Paint something pretty yourself
If you don’t have a piece of art just lying around, paint one yourself then stick it on your wall. Use watery tones to encourage a fresh, cool vibe in your home.
Yes, really.
14. Paint something pretty yourself
If you don’t have a piece of art just lying around, paint one yourself then stick it on your wall. Use watery tones to encourage a fresh, cool vibe in your home.
15. Bring some colour in with paint
If you don’t have an artistic bone in your body but can still operate a paintbrush, paint furniture. Bonus points if you choose a cooling blue shade.
Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes – Now What?
If you don’t have an artistic bone in your body but can still operate a paintbrush, paint furniture. Bonus points if you choose a cooling blue shade.
Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes – Now What?
16. Have an indoor picnic
Share your bounty (probably stuff you bought online) with friends and family. Pile up the cushions around a low table for a memorable living-room picnic – who needs a park?
Share your bounty (probably stuff you bought online) with friends and family. Pile up the cushions around a low table for a memorable living-room picnic – who needs a park?
17. Go round and round on your bedroom carousel
Because if you have a carousel in your bedroom, why would you ever get off?
Because if you have a carousel in your bedroom, why would you ever get off?
18. Have a game of pool or three
Play by yourself if necessary. If anyone does come along and asks you who’s winning, slide the table closed, nice and slowly, then tell them you don’t know what they’re talking about. When they go away, resume your game.
Play by yourself if necessary. If anyone does come along and asks you who’s winning, slide the table closed, nice and slowly, then tell them you don’t know what they’re talking about. When they go away, resume your game.
19. Set up a movie marathon for yourself and the kids
Do this right, the old-fashioned way, with popcorn, soft drinks and even milkshakes if you have the ingredients.
20. Order milkshake ingredients
Because now everyone wants one.
Do this right, the old-fashioned way, with popcorn, soft drinks and even milkshakes if you have the ingredients.
20. Order milkshake ingredients
Because now everyone wants one.
21. Have an adults’ movie night
If you’re now sick of the kids, wait until they go to bed then enjoy a movie night for grown-ups only, complete with a decanter of cognac from the top shelf. And potentially another milkshake. Just because.
Browse some amazing home theatres
If you’re now sick of the kids, wait until they go to bed then enjoy a movie night for grown-ups only, complete with a decanter of cognac from the top shelf. And potentially another milkshake. Just because.
Browse some amazing home theatres
22. Create a festive cubby house
This can be done in the attic, under the stairs, in a spare room or just in your bedroom if no other options are available. No matter how old you are, cubby houses are always a good idea.
This can be done in the attic, under the stairs, in a spare room or just in your bedroom if no other options are available. No matter how old you are, cubby houses are always a good idea.
23. Calm yourself with meditation
Cool yourself down in both body and mind with a calming meditation session.
Cool yourself down in both body and mind with a calming meditation session.
24. Lie back in a cool bath
Bath’s don’t have to be hot. Try filling yours with tepid water instead, and use it to cool yourself down. Candles, petals and champagne, optional.
Bath’s don’t have to be hot. Try filling yours with tepid water instead, and use it to cool yourself down. Candles, petals and champagne, optional.
25. Sprawl out on the bed beneath a ceiling fan
Let the breeze it creates cool your skin. You’ll inevitably find yourself soothed into a near-sleep by the rhythmic whirring of the fan.
Stay Cool in Style: How to Choose a Ceiling Fan
Let the breeze it creates cool your skin. You’ll inevitably find yourself soothed into a near-sleep by the rhythmic whirring of the fan.
Stay Cool in Style: How to Choose a Ceiling Fan
26. Make ice blocks
Make yummy, healthy ice blocks in moulds with summer fruit, juice and sparkling water, or make creamier versions from coconut milk or yoghurt.
Make yummy, healthy ice blocks in moulds with summer fruit, juice and sparkling water, or make creamier versions from coconut milk or yoghurt.
27. Lie back and read a book
Eventually you may fall asleep, so make sure it’s a paperback or you’ll get a rude awakening (book in face).
Eventually you may fall asleep, so make sure it’s a paperback or you’ll get a rude awakening (book in face).
28. Stand in front of the fridge with the door open
If anyone asks what you’re doing, just pretend you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner.
If anyone asks what you’re doing, just pretend you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner.
29. Tidy out your wardrobe
This doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, until you realise that it’s an activity that inevitably results in an awesome game of dress-ups. Even better if you can get a friend in on the act. Add wine, and it’s a party!
This doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, until you realise that it’s an activity that inevitably results in an awesome game of dress-ups. Even better if you can get a friend in on the act. Add wine, and it’s a party!
30. Play board games
Again, more fun with friends. And wine, or beer if that’s your preference.
Reconnect the Family With Indoor Games
Again, more fun with friends. And wine, or beer if that’s your preference.
Reconnect the Family With Indoor Games
31. Search ski holidays online
Switzerland, Japan, Canada, France… These are all great options to dream about when you’re sweltering in the summer heat and they’re covered in snow. Then just surf through hundreds of photos of white-capped mountains with eyes green with envy.
Switzerland, Japan, Canada, France… These are all great options to dream about when you’re sweltering in the summer heat and they’re covered in snow. Then just surf through hundreds of photos of white-capped mountains with eyes green with envy.
32. Watch cats fail
While you’re on the computer, get lost watching videos of cat jumping fails. Do so while your cat watches on. It will be hilarious.
While you’re on the computer, get lost watching videos of cat jumping fails. Do so while your cat watches on. It will be hilarious.
33. Foosball!
Need we say more?
Your turn
How do you keep yourself entertained when it’s too hot to go outside? Share your favourite indoor activities in the Comments below, like this story and save the images. Go on, join the conversation.
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Not quite done yet? Read more fun Houzz stories
Need we say more?
Your turn
How do you keep yourself entertained when it’s too hot to go outside? Share your favourite indoor activities in the Comments below, like this story and save the images. Go on, join the conversation.
More
Not quite done yet? Read more fun Houzz stories
Sure, camping’s fun, with all the wilderness and whatnot. But when that wilderness takes the form of a 38ºC day and swarms of mozzies, you’re better off just setting up camp at home. Where it’s cool. And there are flyscreens. And a fridge full of cold drinks.