Temperature play: The hottest (or coldest) kink you need to try

If a kiss on the neck gives you goosebumps, imagine what an ice cube could do. That’s right, incorporating hot and cold temperatures in the bedroom could provide quite a kick to your sex life.

What is temperature play?

Temperature play is a sexual kink that uses the body’s temperature receptors to deliver a ripple of sensations throughout your body. Lovehoney's sex and relationship expert Shamyra Howard, LCSW, explained to Cosmopolitan:

Temperature play is an erotic form of consensual sensation play that's often carried out by people who engage in BDSM play or kink. The goal of temperature play is to use the elements of heat and cold to heighten the senses.

How to incorporate temperature play into your sex life

Temperature is an excellent sensual kink to try in the bedroom and can involve an array of hot or cold sensations both during the foreplay and intercourse stages of sex. Not to mention, temperature and texture play can be a great way to relax and show vulnerability in post-sex scenarios.

Just remember,temperature play can be considered a bit kinky for some, so before trying it with a partner, make sure you have consent, discuss any boundaries and maybe even set up a safe word to make sure everyone feels comfortable.

With that in mind, here are some of our favourite ways to play with hot and cold sensations between the sheets:

Ice Cubes

Take some ice cubes from the freezer and use them to massage each other’s bodies. Ice can be extra sensual when left to melt over the nipples, inner thighs and even under the breasts. Basically, any of your favourite erogenous zones would work!

Chill Your Sex Toys

If you own any glass or stainless steel sex toys, place them in the fridge to cool them down. The toy will then deliver an exciting cold sensation when used internally on yourself or your partner.

Icy oral Sex

If you want to take things the extra mile, try melting some ice chips in your mouth before going down on your partner.

Try some cold food

If you’re the type to enjoy licking food off your partner’s body, then why not take it a step further with ice cream or popsicles.

Hot oil massages and candle wax

If hot and heavy is more your thing, try using a heated oil to give your partner a massage. Using hot oils can spice up an already steamy foreplay activity. Keep in mind that oils don’t microwave well, so it’s best to usemassage candles. Let the candle burn for 10-15 minutes, and drip the hot wax over your partner’s body.

But, make sure to practise caution with wax and stay away from household candles as they can burn the skin and cause injury.

What about a hot shower?

If you’ve ever enjoyed the gift of a portable shower head, why not try it with your partner? Using a hot or warm showerhead and directed pressure can stimulate the clitoris. Plus, after a bit of play, you can always finish off with some shower sex.

Heated sex toys

Many male and female masturbation devices can heat up, so why not try them on each other? You could even use some warming lube on your regular toys!

Warming or cooling lube

Using a warming or cooling lube is an easy way to incorporate temperature play into sex. Cooling lube can even deliver similar sensations to a chilled dildo or icy oral.

If you want to take your temperature play a little further, you could always add a blindfold. By taking sight out of the equation, your other senses are heightened. Plus, blindfolds can introduce an element of surprise when waiting for that hot or cold sensation.