This season, I have loved hands on science activities from Little Bins for Little Hands! They are simple and easy to follow, and typically I have everything on hand, which are all things I look for in something to do with my kiddos! This Ice Melt Activity was a huge hit with Remington! It does take a little prep the day before but its a big pay off!
Supplies:
- Container for ice and treasure (I used a 9×9 Pyrex glass dish)
- Water to freeze
- Treasures (I used pennies, gold coins, pennies, a little cauldron, confetti, poms, plastic jewels and a rainbow of baby puree food lids; anything you have on hand for the theme works!)
- Squeeze bottle (or a turkey baster or eye dropper, even a cup would work)
You will want to freeze your treasures in layers. Start with one treasure and about an inch of water, and stick in the freezer. It took each layer of mine about an hour or so to freeze (it doesn’t need to be frozen solid, just enough to keep its shape and layer on top). Continue this process until your treasure is frozen and the container is full.
The next morning, I pulled the ice block out and ran under warm water to release it. I stuck the big block in a bigger container to contain the mess. Then the fun starts! Have your little add warm water to the ice block to reveal the treasure. We stuck all our findings in another bowl.
We threw some ice melt salt on our block but I am not convinced it made a difference. We did however use alot of warm water, and I often emptied the container of the water that was the melted to relieve Remington’s cold hands and control the mess.
Remington was so excited to find the treasure, see the ice melt before him and sort what he discovered. This could be recreated for any holiday or theme, so let me know below what you changed, and how you and your little enjoyed this activity!
XO, Amanda, The Celebrating Mama