Setting up a melting ice activity is a great afternoon play and learning activity for kids! There are so many things you can freeze into a big block of ice. Kids love to rescue all the frozen goodies learning a little bit about science along the way. This melting ice activity will really keep them busy any time of the year! Check out all our easy kid’s science ideas for great play.
Melting Ice Activity and Car Rescue for Kid’s Science
Easy Melting Ice Activity and Science Experiment!
Melting ice is such a simple but important water science activity for young children. We make our water science experiments playful like this frozen car rescue! Ice melt experiments are neat for kids to see the change happening. Our frozen car rescue keeps the fun and learning exciting as each car is rescued! We have tons of great ideas for ice melting sensory science play here.
Frozen Car Rescue Set Up
This frozen car rescue is simple to make! All you need is a handful of cars and a milk carton. Cut the top off of your milk carton, add a few cars and a small amount of water. Pop it into the freezer and keep repeating in small layers until you have filled the milk carton! This way your frozen car rescue has plenty of cars to find until the very end.
SUPPLIES:
Freeze cars in layers in a milk carton to make our frozen car rescue activity!
When your block is frozen solid, tear away the milk carton. Place it in a container.
This frozen car rescue melting ice activity and science experiment is awesome for encouraging fine motor skills. Give your child eye droppers, squeeze or squirt bottles, and basters to melt the ice. I set out a large bowl of warm water as well.
Although this makes a great independent play opportunity, adults have been know to enjoy it too. If you are sitting with your child, this is a great opportunity to encourage observation skills. What do you see? What do you fee? What is happening?
Frozen car rescue is a great chance to talk about reversible change!
Make sure to feel the ice and explore with your hands too! Our frozen car rescue is a multi-sensory experience.
Why not count the cars when you are finished to add some math to the hands-on learning experience
Makes great indoor and outdoor science sensory play for all ages to enjoy! We love melting ice activities all year long. Cool in the Summer for outdoor play and great indoor activity for the Winter.
Melting Ice Activity for Early Learning Play
FUN ICE MELTING IDEAS. Click photos.
Wanda Tracey
February 22, 2016 at 9:14 pmThis is a great idea to teach them hands on about ice.I think when they see it and how ices melts it would sink in and stick with them.
littlebins
March 28, 2016 at 8:54 amHands-on is the best!
Nicole
December 15, 2016 at 10:41 pmLove this – currently creating our ice block – outside, because it is 8 degrees out!
I think I may put the block of ice in the bath tub, so that the mess is contained! 🙂
Joanne Davis
December 17, 2017 at 9:51 pmI have used plastic letters and items that begin with that letter as a fun way to build beginning sounds foundations. You can also use objects that rhyme. I have also added salt for children to practice using a spoon. Discussion of how salt is used on the sidewalks and the roads occurs naturally. I place the frozen ice in a container for easy clean up.