A Cool Contest: Frozen T-Shirts Explained

A frozen T-shirt contest is a game played to cool off during hot weather. It is a fun, interactive, and engaging activity that can be played by kids, teens, and adults. The objective of the game is to be the first player to successfully put on a frozen T-shirt. To set up the game, you need to soak T-shirts in water, wring them out, fold them, and then freeze them overnight. On the day of the game, each player must try to get into their frozen T-shirt, with the restriction of not using sharp objects or damaging the shirt. The first player to fully put on the frozen T-shirt, with their head and arms through the appropriate holes, is declared the winner.

How to prepare the t-shirts

Preparing the t-shirts for a frozen t-shirt contest is simple, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the game is enjoyable for players.

Firstly, gather enough t-shirts for each player or team. If you're putting players into groups, a group of three to four people is recommended. If players are working individually, you will need more t-shirts. It's important to ensure the t-shirts are similar in size and material so that no player or team has an advantage.

Next, soak the t-shirts in water. You want them to be completely saturated, but be sure to wring them out so there isn't too much excess water. If the t-shirts are too wet, they will be challenging to thaw and wear. After soaking, fold the t-shirts neatly and uniformly, checking that each has a similar amount of moisture.

Now you're ready to put the t-shirts in the freezer. Place each t-shirt into a gallon-sized freezer bag and squeeze out any remaining air and excess water. Seal the bags and lay them flat in the freezer. Leave the t-shirts to freeze overnight or for at least several hours. If you're transporting the frozen t-shirts to another location, use a cooler filled with ice to keep them frozen.

When it's time to play the game, take the bags with the frozen t-shirts out of the freezer and distribute them to the players or teams. The objective of the game is for players to be the first to successfully put on the frozen t-shirt, with their head and arms through the appropriate holes. Players can use whatever methods and items they choose to thaw the t-shirts, unless specific rules are set beforehand. For example, you might restrict players to using only items found outdoors, or ban the use of water, microwaves, or other appliances.

Rules and restrictions

The rules and restrictions of a frozen t-shirt contest are what make the game challenging and competitive. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• The game should be played outdoors to avoid making a mess indoors.
• Each player must have their own frozen t-shirt.
• The t-shirts should be soaked in water, wrung out, folded neatly, and placed in freezer bags before being frozen overnight. This ensures that no team has an advantage over another due to variations in freezing time.
• The game area should be restricted by marking lines with tape or other markings. All players must stay within this designated game area.
• At the start of the game, each player must try to get their frozen t-shirt out of the bag, unfold it, and thaw it enough to put it on.
• Players are not allowed to use sharp objects, and the shirts must remain intact without any tears or holes.
• The first player to fully put on their frozen t-shirt, with their head and arms through the appropriate holes, wins the game.
• To make the game more challenging, restrict the use of liquids or machines (such as microwaves, heaters, or dryers) for thawing the t-shirts.
• For a team game, it is recommended to have no more than 4-5 players per team to avoid crowding.
• It is important to plan ahead and freeze the shirts well in advance, preferably a couple of days before the game, especially if playing on a hot day.
• Prizes can be given to the winners, such as a t-shirt or bragging rights.

These rules and restrictions will make the frozen t-shirt contest a fun, challenging, and competitive activity for players of all ages.

Prizes

For children, small prizes or treats can be a great reward and make the game more enjoyable. For example, the Portsmouth Public Library offered a "big prize" to the fastest shirt-thawer, with "smaller prizes" for those who were slightly slower. The library did not specify what these prizes were, but they can be tailored to the interests of the children participating.

For adults, prizes can be more substantial, such as a free T-shirt or other merchandise. Bragging rights are also an important aspect of winning a frozen T-shirt contest, regardless of age. At the Phelps County Fair, winners received a T-shirt and the prestige of being the fastest.

When planning a frozen T-shirt contest, it is important to consider the value of the prizes and whether they will encourage players to participate. The prizes should be enticing enough to spark competition, but not so extravagant that they detract from the main purpose of the game, which is to have fun and cool off.

Game variations

The frozen t-shirt contest is a versatile game that can be adapted to suit different ages, group sizes, and environments. Here are some variations to consider:

Team Game or Individual Challenge

The game can be played either in teams or as an individual challenge. For teams, groups of three to four players are recommended, with each team receiving a frozen t-shirt. Alternatively, each player can receive their own frozen t-shirt and play against each other. This option may be more suitable if you have a large group of players and enough t-shirts and freezer space.

Setting Restrictions

To make the game more challenging and competitive, consider setting some restrictions on how the t-shirts can be thawed and unfolded. For example, prohibit the use of water, other liquids, or machines like microwaves, heaters, or dryers. Additionally, restrict players to specific areas and disallow the use of sharp objects to maintain the integrity of the t-shirts.

Thawing Variations

You can vary the level of difficulty by adjusting the thawing process. For an easier version, especially for kids, remove the t-shirts from the freezer 30 minutes to an hour before the game starts to allow them to start thawing. For a more challenging version, add extra water to the freezer bags, resulting in thicker ice coatings that will take longer to thaw.

Tools and Resources

Depending on the environment and group dynamics, you can set rules about what tools and resources players can use. For instance, restrict them to items found outdoors or allow the use of household items like hot water or hair dryers.

Age-Specific Categories

If you have participants of varying ages, you can organise separate contests for each age category. This ensures a fair competition, as younger players won't be at a disadvantage against older, possibly stronger, participants.

How to play

A frozen T-shirt contest is a fun game to play in hot weather, and it can be played by both adults and children. It's a great icebreaker, and it's super easy to set up and play. Here's how to play:

Preparation:

First, you'll need to gather some old T-shirts—enough for each player or team. It's recommended to use old T-shirts because they can sometimes rip when frozen. Next, soak the T-shirts in water, getting them completely saturated. Then, wring them out so there isn't too much excess water. If they're too wet, they'll take longer to thaw and the game will be less enjoyable. After wringing them out, fold the T-shirts neatly and uniformly, making sure each has a similar amount of moisture. Then, place each T-shirt into a gallon freezer bag and lay the bags flat in your freezer. Leave them overnight to freeze.

Setting up the game area:

You can choose to restrict the area players have to work with by marking lines or using tape to create an arena. This will be the game area, and players must stay within this area during the game.

Playing the game:

On the day of the game, take the frozen T-shirts out of the freezer and give one to each player or team. The objective is simple: players must thaw out, unfold, and successfully wear the frozen T-shirt. The first person or team to do so wins! To wear the T-shirt successfully, players must have their head, arms, and torso fully inside the T-shirt as if wearing it normally.

There are no limits to how players can thaw the T-shirts, and they will likely get creative. Some methods include using a blow dryer, hot water, a microwave, or even the sun. However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind. Players are not allowed to use sharp objects, and the T-shirts must remain intact without any holes or tears. Additionally, players must stay within the designated game area at all times.

Variations:

You can tweak the rules to make the game more challenging or less difficult, depending on the players. For a greater challenge, add extra water to the freezer bags, creating a thicker layer of ice around the T-shirts. You can also restrict players to using only items they can find outdoors. To make the game easier, especially for kids, remove the T-shirts from the freezer 30 minutes to an hour before playing so they start to thaw.

Frequently asked questions