Use ice or frozen gel packs to keep things cold. 2. Wrap items in insulated bags or wraps. 3. Place a layer of ice or frozen gel packs at the bottom of the cooler, then place items on top. 4. Cover the cooler with a towel or blanket to help keep the cold in. 5. If possible, store the cooler in a shady spot out of direct sunlight. 6. Add more ice or frozen gel packs as needed. 7. Pre-chill items before putting them in the cooler if possible. 8. Use dry ice if you need to keep things cold for an extended period of time.