Ice cube play
Another hot day coming up and don't know what to do with your kids? Put some ice cubes in the freezer overnight and let them play with it. Not only will it cool them off, but they will also have lots of fun with it! An activity that is quick to set up, inexpensive and also suitable for the really young ones.
Age
From 6 months and up
What you need
Ice cube trays
Water
Food colouring (optional)
Jar
A large container
Lolly pop sticks
Aluminium foil
Cups
White paper
Preparation
Mix water with food colouring in a jar and pour it in an ice cube tray (multiple colours is most fun). Put it in the freezer overnight.
NOTE: if you there are babies or toddlers involved in the play, do this activity with drinking water as there is a good chance the little ones will put the ice cubes in their mouth!
You can also paint with ice cubes. For that you need to put some aluminium foil over the coloured ice cube tray and stick some lolly pop sticks in it. Then put it in the freezer.
Set up a play station with a large container and some cups. Best to do this outside as there will be some water to be spilt. Or alternatively do it in the bath tub to keep the mess to a minimum.
Your kids are going to be wet so have them wear a swimming suit, clothes that are ok to get wet or nothing.
Play
For simple play put the ice cubes in a container and let the kids touch and feel the cubes. If you have multiple coloured cubes put them in cups and watch and learn what happens when the cubes melt and the colours change. Add a scoop, spoon, or tongs so they can pick up the cubes and toss them around.
Give the kids that would like to paint some paper and the ice cubes on a lolly pop stick. Let them use their creativity and experiment colouring with a few sticks at the same time. These masterpieces can be later incorporated into other art work, like a card to send off to family or friends.
Add-ons for more fun play
Clean up
Not much to clean up, only some melted water to put down the drain and a few cups and ice cube trays to wash up.
Educational
Some various lessons can be learned from this activity depending on the age of your child. Kids can learn all about the concept of freezing and melting. And it is also great sensory play, the cold and slippery feeling make it fun for the kids to do. For the really young ones this a good exercise to develop the fine motor skills. Letting them try and grab the cubes can be difficult.
Or teach the kids about mixing colours. When you have multi coloured ice cube put them into a tray together and watch the water change colour when the cubes melt.
Age
From 6 months and up
What you need
Ice cube trays
Water
Food colouring (optional)
Jar
A large container
Lolly pop sticks
Aluminium foil
Cups
White paper
Preparation
Mix water with food colouring in a jar and pour it in an ice cube tray (multiple colours is most fun). Put it in the freezer overnight.
NOTE: if you there are babies or toddlers involved in the play, do this activity with drinking water as there is a good chance the little ones will put the ice cubes in their mouth!
You can also paint with ice cubes. For that you need to put some aluminium foil over the coloured ice cube tray and stick some lolly pop sticks in it. Then put it in the freezer.
Set up a play station with a large container and some cups. Best to do this outside as there will be some water to be spilt. Or alternatively do it in the bath tub to keep the mess to a minimum.
Your kids are going to be wet so have them wear a swimming suit, clothes that are ok to get wet or nothing.
Play
For simple play put the ice cubes in a container and let the kids touch and feel the cubes. If you have multiple coloured cubes put them in cups and watch and learn what happens when the cubes melt and the colours change. Add a scoop, spoon, or tongs so they can pick up the cubes and toss them around.
Give the kids that would like to paint some paper and the ice cubes on a lolly pop stick. Let them use their creativity and experiment colouring with a few sticks at the same time. These masterpieces can be later incorporated into other art work, like a card to send off to family or friends.
Add-ons for more fun play
- Building ice sculptures with the ice cubes.
- Toss a few ice cubes in the paddle pool or bath tub for the kids to play with.
- Add salt to the play and watch what happens!
- Built an Artic sensory play with ice cubes, fake snow, plastic play penguins, fish, bears etc.
- On a hot day write letters with ice cubes on the pavement.
- Add some plastic animals or other small toys into the ice cube trays before you put them in the freezer. Fun to see if the kids understand how to get them out.
Clean up
Not much to clean up, only some melted water to put down the drain and a few cups and ice cube trays to wash up.
Educational
Some various lessons can be learned from this activity depending on the age of your child. Kids can learn all about the concept of freezing and melting. And it is also great sensory play, the cold and slippery feeling make it fun for the kids to do. For the really young ones this a good exercise to develop the fine motor skills. Letting them try and grab the cubes can be difficult.
Or teach the kids about mixing colours. When you have multi coloured ice cube put them into a tray together and watch the water change colour when the cubes melt.