Colorful Ice Building Blocks for Kids

Building blocks made from ice? Why not? I love using ice. You can add color, sparkles, toys to be excavated or even chalk to it! Now the kids can explore the intricacies of architecture (or, at least the basics) through it.

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After making a batch of color-infused ice cubes to paint with, I thought, “Why not do something different with them?” Sure, letting the cubes melt into flowing water colors is artsy fun, but it isn’t the only thing the kids can do with cubes. Stacking them into towers or making mini forts combines art with science and math.  Your child is the engineer, figuring out what patterns and structures allow the icy building to stand. At the same time he needs to predict what the ice will do (in terms of changing states of matter – i.e., melting). As the ice begins to melt, the structure will change. This means your child needs to make a few adjustments.

When he’s all done building he can move the cubes to find the colorful prints left behind or just use them to create his own masterpiece!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        Ice cube tray

·        Food coloring

·        Water

·        Paper or cardboard

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Drip a few drops of food coloring into each compartment of the ice cube tray.

2.     Carefully mix water in. Pour it slowly or use a dropper so that the colors don’t spill.

3.     Freeze the cubes.

4.     Pop the ice out.

5.     Place a piece of thick paper or cardboard on a sturdy surface, such as a table.

6.     Start stacking! Your child can create any type of stack that he wants with his building blocks made from ice. Make a single tower, a pyramid or a more elaborate piece of architecture. You can also freeze different sizes or shapes of cubes (we used larger square cubes and standard-sized ones).

Before the ice melts try out a few different building techniques. Alternate colors or size of ice.

Are you looking for more icy art? Follow my science and art Pinterest board for ideas!

 

Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Preschool Art and Science Activities on Pinterest.