15 Fun and Relaxing Things to Do in a Hot Tub

Hot tubs aren’t just for relaxing, they offer endless ways to have fun, unwind, and connect with others. 

From soaking under the stars to playing games with friends or enjoying a spa-like evening, every hot tub session can feel special. Dive in, explore these 15 exciting ideas, and make your time in the tub truly unforgettable.

• Relax and Unwind: Use warm water, bubbles, and gentle stretches to melt away stress.
  
  

• Enhance Your Experience: Add aromatherapy, music, or lighting for a spa-like atmosphere.
  
  

• Connect with Others: Play games, enjoy drinks, or share a romantic evening in the tub.
  
  

• Make It Family-Friendly: Keep kids safe with lower temperatures and supervised fun.
  
  

• Capture and Savor Memories: Take photos, read waterproof books, or enjoy mindful moments.

Soaking in a hot tub relaxes muscles and calms the mind. Warm water increases blood flow and reduces tension. 

Try meditation or deep breathing to unwind fully. Add aromatherapy oils like lavender or eucalyptus for a soothing effect. 

Soft music enhances relaxation and focus. Simple stretching or floating helps release stress, making your hot tub soak a perfect way to reset your body and mind.

The subheading “Stargaze While You Soak” refers to looking at stars while relaxing in a hot tub. It helps you unwind and enjoy nature. 

Benefits include stress relief and a peaceful experience. Caution: avoid staying too long in hot water, especially at night.

Bubble Meditation is a gentle practice where you focus on bubbles and water sounds in a hot tub. It helps you relax, reduces stress, and improves mood. Avoid staying too long in hot water, stay hydrated, and keep your head above water.

Adding aromatherapy oils to your hot tub can turn a simple soak into a spa-like retreat. Research by Susanti et al. (2025) shows that combining warm water immersion with rose and lavender oils significantly eased anxiety and pain during labor, proving just how effective this pairing can be for deep relaxation. 

Beyond medical studies, wellness experts emphasize the everyday benefits of essential oils for stress relief. 

As highlighted by Verywell Mind, popular options include lavender, bergamot, neroli, and frankincense, each with its own unique strengths. 

Lavender is often praised for calming nerves, bergamot is linked to uplifting mood, neroli provides a bright, floral lift, and frankincense is cherished for promoting restful sleep and inner peace. 

Blended with the warmth of bubbling water, these scents create a soothing atmosphere that melts away tension and feels wonderfully indulgent. 

Whether you want to de-stress after a hectic day or simply pamper yourself, adding essential oils to your hot tub is a simple way to nurture both body and mind.

Soaking in a hot tub already feels wonderful, but adding music or calming sounds can make the experience even better. 

Research from the University of Nevada, Reno shows that music is an effective tool for relaxation and stress relief. 

In fact, slow tunes, around 60 beats per minute, can guide the brain into producing alpha brainwaves, the same state we enter when we’re calm and at ease. 

With enough time, soothing sounds may even encourage deeper rest, like sleep. Stanford researchers have even noted that music can shift brain activity in ways comparable to certain medications, which makes it one of the simplest and most accessible stress-busting tools available. 

The benefits become even more powerful when paired with hydrotherapy. Findings published in the Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (2021) revealed that listening to flowing water sounds boosted alpha and theta brainwaves, both linked to relaxation and mental recovery. 

Whether it’s your favorite playlist, a podcast, or gentle nature sounds, combining audio with a hot tub soak is a truly soothing escape.

Spending time in a hot tub isn’t just about relaxation, it’s also a simple way for couples to feel closer. Sharing a soothing hydro-massage helps melt away stress and opens the door to real connection. 

A survey by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals even found that 77% of hot tub owners believe their relationships improved because they were able to spend more meaningful time with their partners. 

Research featured in the Journal of Marriage and Family also backs this up, showing that couples who engage in shared leisure activities, like hot tubbing, often report more love and less conflict, even through major life changes like parenthood. 

While there aren’t exact numbers on how many people choose hot tubs specifically for date nights, consumer surveys reveal strong interest in owning one, further adding to their romantic appeal. 

Whether it’s unwinding after work or celebrating a special evening, a hot tub creates the perfect space for connection.

Hot tubs aren’t just for soaking, they’re one of the best places to share laughs, play games, and enjoy quality time together. 

Studies on hot tub habits reveal that most owners view their tub as a social spot, with friends and family often joining in, while only a small percentage prefer to relax alone. 

Manufacturers even design their most popular tubs to seat five or six people, showing just how common group use really is. 

And when it comes to celebrating, hot tubs have become a favorite hangout, over 43,000 champagne bottles are popped in them every year during parties and special occasions. 

Beyond the bubbly, adding games to the mix makes the experience even better. Research suggests that word and memory games in a hot tub don’t just bring out laughter, but also strengthen social bonds and keep the brain active. 

Whether it’s trivia, charades, or silly guessing games, hot tubs provide a cozy, screen-free space where fun flows naturally and connections grow stronger.

Stretching in a hot tub isn’t just soothing, it can be surprisingly good for your body. The warm water helps relax tight muscles and improves joint mobility, making movements easier than on land. 

Research highlighted by the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation (2020) shows that water-based exercise can be especially helpful for those who face challenges with traditional workouts due to age, chronic pain, or limited mobility. 

Gentle stretches in the supportive, buoyant water allow for safer, more comfortable motion while enhancing therapeutic benefits. 

Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic points out that hydrotherapy can reduce muscle tension and stiffness, offering relief and a sense of relaxation. 

For people with arthritis or chronic pain, the combination of buoyancy and warmth reduces pressure on joints and increases blood flow, making stretches that might otherwise be painful much more manageable. 

Incorporating hot tub stretches into your routine is a simple yet effective way to care for your muscles, joints, and overall well-being while enjoying a relaxing soak.

Enjoying drinks in a hot tub adds refreshment and fun. Simple cocktails like citrus spritzers or light mojitos work well. 

Sparkling fruit punches or cucumber-mint mocktails are great non-alcoholic options. Low-alcohol drinks let you sip without feeling heavy. 

Add sparkling water for fizz and keep ingredients simple. Use plastic cups for safety and enjoy a relaxing, playful experience while soaking.

Relaxing in a hot tub is the perfect time to dive into a good book, but traditional paper can’t handle the steam and splashes. 

Thankfully, waterproof and water-resistant reading options are now widely available. E-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite (2024) and Kobo Libra 2, specialty printed books made with synthetic paper or laminated pages, and protective sleeves for your favorite paperbacks make it easy to enjoy reading without worry. 

Synthetic paper, made from durable plastic resin, and laminated pages resist water, tearing, and even chemicals, giving them a much longer life than ordinary paper when exposed to moisture. 

Plastic coil binding adds flexibility and strength, allowing pages to fold flat without damage. While it’s hard to know exactly how many waterproof books and magazines exist, the selection keeps growing, driven by outdoor enthusiasts, parents, and professionals who need durable options. 

With these innovations, you can enjoy your favorite reads in the hot tub, by the pool, or at the beach, worry-free, while choosing eco-friendly, long-lasting alternatives.

Hot tubs are a fantastic way for families to unwind, but enjoying kid-friendly hot tub fun safely is essential. 

Experts recommend keeping the water temperature for children at a maximum of 95°F, lower than the 104°F that adults usually enjoy. 

This helps prevent overheating and keeps young swimmers safe. Children should spend no more than 10-15 minutes in the tub, ideally at temperatures between 98°F and 100°F. 

Taking breaks, staying hydrated, and watching for signs like flushed skin or dizziness adds another layer of protection. 

Beyond safety, supervised water play benefits children’s growth by enhancing fine motor skills, sparking creativity, and teaching teamwork and problem-solving. 

With these precautions, hot tubs can be relaxing for parents while offering kids a playful, enriching experience. 

By turning water time into a safe and memorable family activity, everyone can enjoy fun and relaxation together.

Turn your hot tub into a home spa with essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus. Dim lights or float candles for a calming ambiance. 

Check bath salts for tub safety. While soaking, use face masks or hand scrubs. Add soft music, plush towels, and a warm robe for a luxurious feel. Small touches can make your hot tub session feel like a spa retreat.

Relaxing in a hot tub does more than soothe sore muscles, it can also improve your mental and physical health. 

Research from Brain Sciences highlights that mindful breathing helps lower stress and anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging a calming “rest and digest” state. 

Studies show that guided breathing sessions of at least five minutes, practiced regularly, are most effective. 

Pairing this with warm water immersion enhances the benefits: the heat relaxes blood vessels and reduces blood pressure, while hydrostatic pressure and slow, deep breathing gently lower the heart rate. 

This combination eases tension, calms the mind, and supports cardiovascular health. Healthcare research during the COVID-19 pandemic found that mindfulness breathing meditation significantly reduced stress and anxiety in students, underlining its positive effects on overall mental well-being. 

So next time you sink into a hot tub, take a few mindful, deep breaths you’re giving both your mind and body a relaxing, science-backed boost.

Hot tubs are perfect for candid and fun photos. Use props like floating drinks or colorful towels for playful shots. 

Take selfies with waterproof cases or safely place your device on a ledge. Focus on warm lighting and the cozy atmosphere to make photos visually appealing. 

Experiment with angles to capture the scene. These tips help you create lasting memories from a hot tub soak.

Lighting sets the mood in a hot tub. Waterproof LED lights add color safely. Place candles on stable surfaces away from splashes. 

Arrange lights to highlight seating areas and pathways. Mix floating lights with outdoor lamps for depth. 

Soft lighting creates a warm, inviting, and relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the overall hot tub experience.