When It’s Just Too Hot: Tips for Beating the Heat (and Meltdowns) on Vacation

We’ve all been there. That moment on vacation when the sun is blazing, the kids are wilting, and you’re silently questioning why you thought a midday hike in 95 degrees would be “fun.”

The truth is, hot days on vacation can zap the joy out of even the best plans.

But with a little creativity (and grace), you can salvage the day and maybe even turn it into one of your favorite memories.

Here are a few of our go-to tricks when the temps are high and patience is low:

1️⃣ Shift the Schedule

Early mornings and late afternoons are your new best friends.That museum you thought you’d hit at 2 PM? Nope. 

Trade it for a slow breakfast and save activities for earlier or later.  Midday is for shade and slowness.

🕶 Pro tip: Use that mid-afternoon time for a rest or reset—even if it’s just some A/C and a popsicle.

2️⃣ Let Water Lead the Way

On hot days, water is always the answer. Pool, beach, splash pad, backyard hose—it doesn’t have to be fancy.

We’ve filled up buckets on the porch, dipped our toes in a creek, and made a game of who can find the shadiest tree to sit under. It’s less about swimming laps and more about cooling down.

💦 Pro tip: When booking a place in a hot destination, look for one with a pool. Having water right outside your door makes it easy to relax, reset, and cool off on your own schedule.

There’s nothing better than hopping in the pool, towel-drying in the sun, and grabbing a burger off the grill—not rushed, not scheduled. Just slow, simple summer fun.

3️⃣ Snack Strategically

No one is at their best when they’re hot and hungry. Keep snacks simple, hydrating, and frequent—especially when energy (and patience) starts to dip.

Think frozen grapes, watermelon slices, crackers, and refillable water bottles (we bring electrolyte packets too!). And yes, sometimes lunch is just ice cream—no one is mad about it.

Here are 10 of our favorite healthy, cooling treats to stash in your cooler, fridge, or Airbnb snack basket:

🍉 10 Cool + Healthy Summer Snacks for Hot Vacation Days

1. Frozen Grapes or Blueberries

   Nature’s candy. Pop them in the freezer overnight for a refreshing, bite-sized treat.

2. Watermelon Wedges

   Hydrating, naturally sweet, and easy to slice up and share.

3. DIY Trail Mix with Coconut Flakes & Dried Pineapple

   Tropical vibes in a bag—skip the chocolate chips on hot days!

4. Mini Hummus Cups + Carrot Sticks or Pretzels

   Great for grab-and-go snacking (and easy to pack for the beach).

5. Cucumber Rounds with Cream Cheese + Everything Bagel Seasoning

   A little crunch, a little flavor, a lot of cooling power.

6. Frozen Yogurt Tubes or Pouches

   Stick them in the freezer and enjoy them like a popsicle later. (Great for kids!)

7. Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter + Banana Slices

   Light but satisfying, and easy to customize.

8. Chia Pudding Jars

   Make a batch and keep them chilled for an easy snack or quick breakfast.

9. Apple Slices + Nut Butter Packet

   Classic, portable, and gives a nice little protein boost.

10. Electrolyte Ice Pops/ Popsicles

    Make your own with coconut water + a splash of juice, or grab store-bought ones like JohnnyPop.

Or if you want to add a little summer nostalgia into the vacation snack bag, don’t forget about these:

1. Otter Pops / Freeze Pops

   Line them up in the freezer and let the sticky joy begin. (Pro tip: snip a tiny corner to avoid the mid-pop explosion.)

2. Dunkaroos

   Tiny cookies, tubs of frosting, zero regrets. A 90s lunchbox legend.

3. Push-Up Sherbet Pop

   That cardboard cylinder of fruity, melty magic. Messy in the best way.

4. Mini Bags of Chips (Doritos or Cheetos

   Perfect for poolside snacking, road trips, or sneaking into your beach bag.

5. Capri Sun

   A drink, an activity, and a rite of passage all in one. Bonus points if you didn’t poke the straw through the back.

4️⃣ Create a Chill Zone

Wherever you're staying, designate a cool-down zone.

We bring a few books, puzzles, and a Bluetooth speaker for mellow music or a family audiobook.

If you’re staying at an Airbnb, scout out the shadiest nook or set up a fan and some quiet-time toys inside.

A little quiet goes a long way on a hot day.

Here are a few more cozy, calming extras to pack or look for that can turn any corner into a cool-down oasis:

❄️ 5 Additions to Help Set the Chill Vibe

1. Battery-Powered Clip Fan

   Small, portable, and perfect for adding a breeze wherever you set up camp—especially helpful if you're staying somewhere without central A/C.

2. Cooling Towels or Facial Mist

   We love throwing a few cooling towels in the fridge and handing them out during downtime. (Also: a little facial mist feels fancy and refreshing.)

3. Coloring Books + Gel Pens

   Not just for kids. There's something meditative about coloring in the quiet, and it gives hands something to do while winding down.

4. A “Soft Bin” of Cozy Things

   Think: a soft blanket, a few pillows, maybe a favorite stuffed animal or travel buddy. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just something familiar and comfy to invite rest.

5. A Jar of Conversation Starters or Travel Tokens

   We keep a little jar of “chill time” prompts (Would You Rather questions, story starters, or pull-a-token-and-draw moments) that keep things relaxed but connected

   
   
   
   

5️⃣ Make Peace with the Slow Day

Sometimes the best thing you can do is… nothing.No itinerary. No trying to push through. Just giving your family permission to laze around, play cards, and be a little bored. Because boredom on vacation? That’s where creativity sneaks back in.

And when all else fails, turn the heatwave into an excuse for a nostalgic movie day. Grab some throwback snacks( popcorn, obviously!) , close the blinds, and let the A/C do its thing.

And if you’re not sure what flick to choose? Here are 5 Nostalgic Summer Movies to Watch as a Family (90s Edition):

🎥 1. The Sandlot (1993): A classic coming-of-age baseball story that’s really about friendship, adventure, and figuring out how to get your baseball back from “The Beast.”Best watched with: Root beer floats + popcorn on the porch.

🎥 2. Now and Then (1995): Four girls. One unforgettable summer. This one’s part mystery, part growing up, all heart.A great watch for older kids or a parent-teen movie night.

🎥 3. Heavyweights (1995): A hilarious, heartwarming camp comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously but somehow still sneaks in a feel-good message.

🎥 4. Hook (1991): Robin Williams is a grown-up Peter Pan in this magical reimagining that is  part adventure, part heart, and just enough fairy dust.

🎥 5. My Girl (1991): Sweet and a little bittersweet, this one's more of a quiet summer story—fireflies, first crushes, and growing pains. Ideal for older kids (bring tissues).

6. Pick the Right Outing (or Skip It)

On extra hot days, think: shaded trails(if they lead to a little watering hole, that's a bonus!), libraries, local bookstores, air-conditioned museums, or even a leisurely drive with the A/C cranked and an iced coffee in hand.

But here's the thing—some of our favorite vacation memories have come from embracing the local rhythm rather than sticking to a packed itinerary. 

As highlighted in our blog post, 7 Ways to Live Like a Local While Vacationing, we've discovered that slowing down and immersing ourselves in the everyday life of a place can lead to unexpected joys.

For instance, instead of rushing to the next tourist spot, consider wandering into a neighborhood bakery, chatting with locals at a farmers market, or letting the kids play at a community playground (with a splash pad!).

These simple, unplanned moments often become the most cherished parts of our trips.

So, if an activity feels like too much in the heat, it's okay to skip it. Vacations aren't about checking boxes; they're about creating meaningful memories.

Sometimes, those memories are made sitting on a cool tile floor, playing Go Fish, and truly experiencing the local way of life.

Remember, going on vacation doesn’t automatically mean that you have to be on the go the entire time.

You can choose to slow down, enjoy a new location, and simply BE with your family. 

And sometimes when you’re having trouble doing that, the summer heat will force you too! Don’t fight it. Embrace it and you’ll probably be surprised by how much everyone needs it!

Looking for more slow travel tips and ways to make your trip feel like a vacation (not a checklist)? You might like this post: Because You Deserve a Vacation You Don’t Need to Recover From