10 Ways To Use Ice Temperature Play To Ignite Your Sex Life
You know that feeling when an ice cube touches your skin and makes you gasp—but in a good way?
That little jolt of cold, followed by the warmth of skin-on-skin contact or your partner’s tongue, can send shivers down your spine. And not just from the temperature contrast.
Welcome to the sensory world of temperature play!
If you’ve been looking for a way to spice up the bedroom that doesn’t require a complete relationship overhaul, this is your sign.
Ice play is low-effort, high-impact, and delightfully naughty.
A bonus: it’s perfect to help you cool down on a steamy summer night, or spice up the spontaneous weekday quickies.
What Is Temperature Play?
Temperature play is a form of sensation and BDSM play that focuses on incorporating different temperatures into sexual play. “Temperature play involves using extreme heat or extreme cold in order to arouse the senses,” explains sex educator and wax play expert Violet Cerutti.
Think of it like foreplay to your nervous system—the hot or cold sensations stimulate your body’s nerve endings and heighten erotic sensations.
You can stimulate your senses with temperature in various ways:
Low-temperature wax candles
Warming massage oils
Warming/cooling personal lubricants
Ice cubes
Massage oil candles
Fire play
Cooling/warming sex toys
While hot wax and warming oils are fun (check out our wax play guide if you’re curious), today, we’ll focus on the cooler side of things—specifically, ice and cold-touch tools that invite the kind of shivery tension that builds into unforgettable release.
Temperature Play Safety 101
Let's talk safety before you start channeling your inner ice queen or king.
Cold stimulation is usually safe, but it still needs your attention, especially if you’re using ice directly on sensitive body parts (ahem, your genitals).
Keep this ice play safety checklist on hand:
Avoid prolonged contact: Don’t leave ice in one place for too long (especially genitals). Brief touches > frostbite all the way.
Consider using a barrier: Have extra sensitive skin, but still want to indulge in ice play? No worries! Use thin fabric or keep a light layer of lube between ice and delicate skin.
Check in with your partner: Some people love cold play and can take a lot. Others are not as cold-proof. Communicate before you play and during to make sure both of you are having a good time.
Have towels and blankets handy: When ice is involved, things are bound to get wet… A towel under the action zone can help you avoid making a mess.
Mind the melt: Drips are sexy… until you’re slipping and sliding around your kitchen, half naked. Be careful and don’t let slippery surfaces become safety hazards.
10 Ice Temperature Play Ideas to Try Tonight
Ready to make your partner shiver, in the best way? We have 10 ice temperature play ideas that range from playful to intense, so you can pick whatever suits your mood tonight.
1. Use Cold Sex Toys
Pop a stainless steel or glass dildo in the fridge (or a bowl of ice water) 20 minutes before your play session.
Try with toys made from:
Stainless steel
Borosilicate glass
Medical grade silicone
Toys made from these materials hold the cold beautifully. The contrast between a cool toy and warm skin? Chef’s kiss.
2. Try Ice Cubes
Simple, classic, and oh-so effective.
Glide an ice cube along your partner’s neck, chest, thighs… or let a droplet fall slowly between their legs.
You can also hold one in your mouth before kissing for a surprise chill.
Extra hot Arya tip: Pop the ice cube between your lips and glide it all over your partner’s naked skin. Bound their hands above their head (or behind their back) to infuse some powerplay.
3. Consider Cooling Lube
A few drops of cooling lube can mimic the ice play experience without the mess. Besides, the unusual, cooling sensation can open up your senses and enhance pleasure even more.
Look for menthol or peppermint oil products for that tingly, fresh sensation. Just make sure the lube is body-safe and can be used internally.
4. Ice Cream Blowjobs, Anyone?
Want to make your partner’s eyes roll all the way back in their head? Say no more.
Ice cream blowjob is equal parts sexy and silly—and seriously intense.
Take a small lick of cold vanilla ice cream, swirl it around your tongue, and go down on your partner.
The mix of cold and heat? Mind.Blowing.
Hot tip: Have a towel handy. Or just commit to the mess. Your call.
Extra hot Arya tip: Eye contact. Keep your partner’s gaze throughout the experience. It will drive them wild.
5. Cooling Arousal Serums
Cooling arousal serums are a bit more controversial than cooling lubes, but they can be just as fun!
Unlike lubes, these serums are designed to be applied directly to the clit or vulva for a slow-building, icy buzz that doesn’t numb the area.
Use with a vibrator to add extra sensations.
6. Cool Face Rollers (But for Pleasure)
Yep, the jade roller in your beauty drawer can double as a teasing tool in the bedroom.
Pop it in the fridge, then run it down your partner’s spine, across their nipples, and inner thighs… Have fun exploring their erogenous zones and building anticipation.
7. Get Creative With Household Items
You don’t need to buy tools to explore icy temperature play if you don’t want to. Look around your house—it’s full of possibilities!
A few DIY ideas:
A cold spoon (keep it in the freezer or the fridge before using)
Frozen fruit to explore cold textures and tastes
A small bottle of cold water for drips down the spine (freeze the water and use it as a body roller)
If it’s smooth, clean, and cold, it’s fair game.
8. Use Minty Breath
Suck on an ice cube or a mint. Then, use your mouth to tease your partner’s erogenous zones.
The lingering coolness of your breath can take oral exploration to the next level. Easy.
It works especially well when alternating with warm breath or kisses.
9. Deprive the Senses
Let your partner lie back while you blindfold them and slowly introduce icy touches. With one of their senses taken away, the others will heighten (that’s why sensation play is so hot!).
Not knowing where the cold is coming next is arousing and a little bit torturous (but in the best way).
Layer in the textures: a warm tongue right after a cold toy, or a silky scarf across freshly chilled skin.
10. The Ice Cube Chase
Here’s a game: Place an ice cube on your partner’s stomach or chest and hold it in place with your mouth while slowly draining it downward.
If it melts before you reach your goal? Time to start over.
Temperature Play Benefits: Why Temperature Play Might Just Change Your Sex Life
Is ice play right for you? Here’s why your body (and your relationship) will love it:
Novelty: Icy temperature play is fresh, fun, and outside the usual routine. And novelty is key to avoiding getting into a sexless marriage and having a higher relationship satisfaction.
Heightened sensations: The contrast between hot and cold boosts nerve sensitivity and builds arousal. You may discover pleasure heights you’ve never felt before.
Mind-body connection: Temperature play, just like sensory play, brings awareness to every shiver, gasp, and twitch. It keeps you both fully present in your bodies and in the moment.
Intimacy through trust: Exploring anything new together can deepen communication, intimacy, and trust.
Foreplay magic: Temperature play is a new way to explore foreplay. It draws out arousal over time, which can lead to a more intense orgasm.
7 Best Temperature Play Toys for Ice Play
It’s time to elevate your icy game. Here are our top picks for products designed for cooling pleasure:
1. Le Wand Hoop Stainless Steel Dildo
Smooth, weighty, and ultra-chill when stored in the fridge. This curved stainless steel dildo is a must-have for temperature play, G-spot, and P-spot stimulation.
2. Lovehoney Beaded Glass Dildo
This beaded glass dildo looks and feels luxurious. Made from high-quality borosilicate glass, which can withstand temperature changes, this is the perfect toy for ice play outside and in.
Beaded design adds extra toe-curling stimulation during internal use (G-spot or P-spot stimulation!). Use plenty of lube!
3. Maya Quiet Bullet Vibrator
Small, quiet, waterproof, and made from aluminum. This bullet vibe is perfect for clitoral teasing before, during, and after ice play. Store it in the fridge before use and see what sensations you can unlock.
4. nJoy Pure Stainless Steel Anal Plug
For the brave and the curious. The colness, paired with the feeling of fullness, is intense—in the best way possible.
Just remember to use plenty of lube!
New to anal play? We got you covered—our anal sex guide will guide you on this new exciting journey.
5. Bijoux Indiscrets Nipple Arousal Gel or Oral Sex Balm
A cooling arousal gel may not be for everyone’s taste, but it sure can be fun to try at least once!
Both the nipple arousal gel and oral sex balm offer a minty tingle without irritation. Just remember: a little goes a long way!
6. Bijoux Indiscrets Swipe Remedy
Pop one into your mouth before a steamy make-out session or going down on your partner. The icy aftereffect lingering on your tongue will take the experience to the next level.
7. The Skinny Confidential Ice Roller
We bet you didn’t see this one coming! But trust us—it works.
Originally made for de-puffing your face, this chic ice roller moonlights as a sensual, smooth tool for spine, nipple, thigh (and other body parts) icy exploration.
Don’t knock it till you try it!
Keep Your Relationship Hot (By Turning the Temp Down)
Whether you want to dip your toes into kink or just want a low-pressure way to spice things up in the bedroom, ice temperature play is a perfect blend of fun and intimacy.
No special gear required, very little planning is needed. The key is curiosity, communication, and a little ice.
So… what are you waiting for? Raid your freezer, grab your partner, and get to experimenting!
The Adventurer loves temperature play. Curious to find out if that’s you?
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