Coloring Ice Cubes
Arts & Crafts Activity

Sunday, August 12, 2012
Have you ever tried to paint with ice? Sounds pretty wacky right!? Here is an original arts and crafts activity that will undoubtedly stimulate your child's creativity.

This is what you will need to put together this fun activity
  • Ice tray 
  • Water 
  • Food colouring or powder paint 
  • Paper 
  • Tray 
  • Apron (to protect your child's clothes) or old clothes 
  • Popsicle sticks or toothpicks (optional, but might make it easier for your kiddo to hold the "brrrrrr" cold ice cubes) 

Here's how it's done

To design a painting with the colouring ice cubes, you can proceed with either method A or method B.

A. Pour water into ice tray and add a couple of drops of food colouring in each cavity. Just when the cubes start freezing over enough, insert the Popsicle sticks or toothpicks in. Place a sheet of paper on the tray and hand over one or two coloured ice cubes to your child. Invite your little one to drag the cubes on the sheet of paper. As the cubes melt, they will create some funky, colourful lines and streaks.

B. Prepare clear ice cubes, without using any food colouring. Again, just when the cubes start freezing over enough, insert the Popsicle sticks or toothpicks in. Place a sheet of paper on the tray and sprinkle it with some powder paint. Use assorted colours in order to create some original colour combinations. Invite your kiddo to drag the cubes of ice on the sheet of paper to create different shapes and patterns.

While your child is drawing away his very own masterpiece, comment on his painting techniques or on what he is creating. For example, you can point out how circles are sketched when he or she performs a particular movement, or how his or her doodles makes you think of snowflakes falling from the sky.

Other than being a bucket of fun, this pastime is also tremendously beneficial for children. Indeed, it puts into practice the parental approach and assists in your child's development in many ways.

For starters, you provide immense comforting as you admire your child's artwork and express positive comments about it. In praising his efforts, you help him develop self-worth and encourage him to further explore his creativity.

This artsy activity allows your child to find new imaginative ways to express his creative side. Want more inventive ideas to explore with your child? Try using a feather, pine cones, Q-tips, a piece of crumpled foil, or any other unusual objects you can think of!

Last but certainly not least, an activity such as this one is a terrific learning tool. While it's clearly fun to paint with ice, your child additionally discovers scientific facts, such as the change of state (from solid to liquid and vice versa) and colour combinations.



22 Fabulous Comments:

From PDX with Love said...

This is such a neat idea!! I will have to go find my ice cube tray...!

Sofia

Joanne said...

Great craft! Shared it on pinterest.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a lot of fun, and definitely something different that they will love doing. Thanks for a great idea and post!

Unknown said...

my boys would love this! Will have to try this=]

Melissa said...

What a fun project! Does the food coloring stain?

LaVonne said...

A very fun idea. My four year old would love it!

Unknown said...

This is such a great idea and what a fun summer activity that we can even try outdoors! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try this with my 16 month old =)

Unknown said...

Super fun and great idea for those hot summer days.

OurHopeIsInTheLord said...

I want to try this, thanks for the info:)

LOVE MELISSA:) said...

What a creative idea! Thanks so much!

Happy Little Feet said...

What a great idea. This will be so much fun. Happy little feet. I followed you back. Thanks for the follow!

SOS Mom said...

Melissa, actually, it might... That's why I suggest to dress your little one in old clothes or make him wear an apron. Better be safe than sorry! ;)

Unknown said...

This is such a great idea! I know both my girls would love this! Thanks so much for sharing on the We Made That Linky!

Annabelle said...

Oooh, what a creative idea. When winters get long posts like this come in handy, hoo boy! :)

A Lucky Ladybug said...

What a cute idea! I am sure my boys would love this!!

Amy said...

Love thisand I can't wait to get my hands dirty with my girls! Thank you!

Motherhood on the Rocks said...

What a great idea! I think my daughter would really enjoy this!

Unknown said...

I might have to go and dig out the ice cube tray now. Pretty cool!

Mrs. Stephens said...

This is pretty cool. I know the kids will love this craft. Saving it for thanksgiving day.

Kelly said...

This is a great idea, I know my daughter would love to do this.. Thank you for sharing..

Dusty (To the Moon and Back) said...

I have used ice to help with handwriting before (using it on black paper so the water shows the letters). I hadn't ever thought of using it to paint with! :)

Wendy said...

I think my son would love this! Great idea for the winter months, but also for the summer so they can play and melt them outside!

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