Tag Archives: water play small world play

early education & play, play

Play Activities with Ice

11 Comments

How did you get them in there?
How did you get them in there?

We need something to bash them out - let's try a spoon.
We need something to bash them out – let’s try a spoon.

Look, I broke a piece. The fish is coming out.
Look, I broke a piece. The fish is coming out.

I made a hole - grab the fish.
I made a hole – grab the fish.

Help it's sticking to my hand, what do I do now. Can you pull it off?
Help it’s sticking to my hand, what do I do now. Can you pull it off?

Look, I broke it in half - I can see a penguin.
Look, I broke it in half – I can see a penguin.

Ice mummy! I love ice. Bash, bash , bash.
Ice mummy! I love ice. Bash, bash , bash.

We've found all the animals, can we have more ice? We added crushed ice from the ice machine on the fridge.
We’ve found all the animals, can we have more ice? We added crushed ice from the ice machine on the fridge.

This is a great activity for water trays in pre-school settings but works even better outside, if you are in a cold climate set up a water tray outside and let nature do its work.

Other Ideas and Questions to ask Children

  • Add colour to the ice using food colouring or bath colours. Using a dark colour so the children have to guess what is hidden in the ice.
  • Put a small amount of warm water into the tray. Add the coloured ice. What happens to the water? What happens to the ice.
  • Sprinkle glitter into water – leave it in the freezer or outside overnight. What happens when it melts?
  • You are not allowed to bash the ice, how else could you get the animals out?
  • Can you find any more ice in the garden?
  • What would happen if we froze a leaf or berries?  If we hang them from a tree how long will they take to melt? What happens when they are melting?
  • The ice sticks to your gloves, what else will it stick to? Why does it only stick to some things?