Here are a few ice play ideas
we’ve recently pinned to our Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/ccacentralmo.
Magnetic Ice Fishing: For a fun way
to use your magnet play materials, put a magnet in each segment of an ice cube
tray, add water, and then add a few drops of food coloring. Once the ice is frozen, take the ice outside,
or add it to your sensory table, and let children explore using the magnetic
wands.
Ice Boats: To make the boats, freeze larger chunks of
ice in re-purposed containers (yogurt containers work well). Add food coloring or liquid watercolor to the
water before freezing. When the ice is
about halfway frozen, add a “sail” from paper taped to straws or
toothpicks. Let children play with the
ice boats in the water table and explore the floating, melting, color mixing,
and more.
Monster Ice: This can be done using ice cube trays for
smaller “monsters” or larger containers for big ones. Cook some spaghetti, and then make it
different colors with food coloring. For
each “monster” add wiggle eyes and spaghetti “hair” to the ice cube tray, then
cover with ice and freeze. Children can
play with the “monsters” outside and explore the feeling of the frozen
spaghetti thawing.
Ice Chalk: Mix one part cornstarch and one part baking
soda with two parts water and a few drops of liquid watercolor. Freeze in ice cube trays, and then let the
children draw with the ice chalk on the sidewalks. For an extra thrill, put some vinegar in a
spray bottle, and let them spray their drawings and watch the chalk fizz.
Jell-O Ice: You can freeze Jell-O cups purchased from the
store, or mix up a box of Jell-O and put it in the freezer rather than the
refrigerator. This makes a colorful,
yummy-smelling, and non-toxic sensory play material.
