Have some cool summer fun with this colorful ice cube painting activity! Kiddos of all ages will enjoy this neat process art using ice cubes! If you’re looking for a new art project for outdoor art or for any time of the year, why not try painting with ice! Find out how to make paint for ice painting below for an easy to set up art project for kids!
Painting With Ice
Painting with ice is a MUST try art project for kids. It works as well for toddlers, as it does with teens so you can include the whole family in the fun. Ice cube painting is also budget-friendly making it perfect for large groups and classroom projects!
Ice paints glide so smoothly over the paper like watercolors once they get going. Perfect for a hot day!
We will show you how to make your own colorful ice paints which are easy to use outside and just as easy to clean up. You can even lay down a plastic shower curtain underneath the project for clean up in a snap. Art is all about getting a little messy anyway!
Check out more fun outdoor art activities!
Why Do Art With Kids?
Children are naturally curious. They observe, explore, and imitate, trying to figure out how things work and how to control themselves and their environments. This freedom of exploration helps children form connections in their brain, it helps them learn—and it’s also fun!
Art is a natural activity to support this essential interaction with the world. Kids need the freedom to explore and experiment creatively.
Art allows children to practice a wide range of skills that are useful not only for life but also for learning. These include the aesthetic, scientific, interpersonal, and practical interactions that can be discovered through the senses, intellect, and emotions.
Making and appreciating art involves emotional and mental faculties!
Art, whether making it, learning about it, or simply looking at it – offers a wide range of important experiences. In other words, it’s good for them!
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce art more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
FREE Printable Outdoor Art Activities Guide
Need a plan to get started? Grab this free outdoor art project guide and use the clickable links (once downloaded) to help set up your next outdoor art project.
Ice Painting
Make sure to explore color mixing too with your ice paints!
Supplies:
- Ice tray
- Water
- Food coloring – primary colors (red, yellow, blue)
- Large tray
- 11 in. X 14 in. white Posterboard
- Plastic Spoon
- Craft sticks (optional to freeze one into each cube as a handle)
NOTE: Food coloring can stain! Dress in your best artist smock and be prepared for a bit of mess.
Instructions:
STEP 1: First you want to make the ice block paint. Pour water into the ice cube tray. Do not overfill or colors may run into other sections. Then add 1-2 drops of food coloring to each section. Place the ice tray in the freezer and freeze the ice completely.
STEP 2: Once the paint is ready, place the poster board on a large tray, and empty the ice cubes onto it.
STEP 3: Use a spoon to spread the ice around. The ice will start to melt and leave colors on the poster board.
Color the whole poster with your ice paints until until no white space is left.
STEP 4. When finished pour the melted ice water into the sink or large container if indoors. Run water over the poster board to get all of the excess water off.
STEP 5. Hang your ice cube art up to dry.
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