7 Tips for Staying Cool During Outdoor Gatherings

Outdoor gatherings are the reason for the season. From backyard barbecues to garden parties, the best part of summer is spending time outside.

But each year, it gets warmer and warmer, and as temperatures rise, spending too much time outdoors can be uncomfortable—making it essential to ensure you and your guests stay cool.

Hydration Is Key

Chances are, if it’s really hot out, you and your guests will be sweating. You should have ample water around so people can replenish the water that leaves their bodies through sweat.

Plus, drinking water can help you cool down by regulating your body temperature. Make it a bit more fun by including a variety of hydration-heavy drinks, like infused water and iced tea.

Provide Plenty of Shade

Being in direct sunlight can make the air feel 10-15 degrees warmer than it actually is, so providing plenty of shade is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep you and your guests cool.

You can use umbrellas, canopies, and tents in a pinch, but you can also strategically position seating areas under trees in your yard. 

Make Your Own Wind

We can’t control the climate, but we can buy portable fans and misters, distribute them throughout the yard, and create a breeze. You can purchase fans and misters at basically any size, plug-in or battery-operated, to make cooling down a yard full of people as easy and simple as possible.

You can even hand out little handheld fans—like an accordion hand fan—to guests when they arrive.

Use The Timing To Your Advantage

It’s not always possible to time your gathering around the sun, but if you can, try to schedule it during the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late afternoon into the evening. The hottest part of the day is typically midday, when the sun is directly ahead and making itself known.

Once the sun drops a bit, the temperatures will, too. Consider lanterns and string lights if you need to add some light instead of the summer sun.

Think Smart About Food

Serve lighter, cold foods, like salads, cold sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables, and gazpachos. This is helpful for a variety of reasons, but primarily, it keeps the grill—and the fire beneath it—away. If it’s already hot outside, you don’t want to add an additional fire.

Ice Buckets, Please

There’s nothing worse than being overheated and reaching for an ice-cold drink only to be faced with a warm soda. You always want to keep your drinks cold, but especially during a warm outdoor gathering. You can keep them cold by placing them in ice-filled buckets and coolers.

This also provides easy access so your guests can stay hydrated constantly. Plus, you can place towels around the ice buckets, so if someone wants to dunk a towel into the cool water and place it around their neck, that option is available.

Avoid Dark Materials

When you’re shopping for patio furniture, avoid metal and dark-colored seating. Not only does this retain heat, but it can also burn your guests when they sit. If you already have metal or dark-colored seating, choose some light-colored cushions and seat covers.

Anything else you add to your gathering, like tablecloths, tents, or decorations, should be light-colored or reflective materials to keep areas cool.