Ice Paint
Freeze paint on sticks and paint with it as it melts.
- Ages
- 2–8 yrs
- Play
- 15–35 min
- Prep
- 8 min
- Mess
- messy
- Energy
- calm
- Where
- outside
You’ll need
Things you probably have at home.
- an ice cube trayGet it on Amazon
- paint or food coloringGet it on Amazon
- water
- thick paperGet it on Amazon
Optional
- popsicle sticks for handlesGet it on Amazon
- a trayGet it on Amazon
- a towel
How to play
Before you start: Mix strong color into water, pour into an ice tray, and stand a popsicle stick in each cube. Freeze overnight — the sticks stay up once it is slushy.
Pop the cubes out and hand one over by the stick.
Draw on the paper. It is cold and slow at first, then the color floods out.
Swap colors as they melt and watch them blend on the page.
Let two cubes melt into each other on purpose.
Leave the paper flat to dry — it will be very wet.
What it helps with
Keep it safe
- Food coloring stains skin and clothes — old clothes only.
- Cold cubes sting small hands; the stick handle matters.
Make it different next time
- Use white paper outdoors on a hot day and race the melting.
- Freeze cubes without sticks and push them around with a spoon.
Cleanup: Do this outside or on a wipeable floor. Food coloring stains fabric permanently.
Three more like this
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- washable paintto buy
- paper
- a marble or small ball