Ice lanterns are a beautiful and hands-on winter activity that kids will love making. Whether you have cold winter temperatures outside or are using the freezer indoors, this balloon ice lantern experiment is an easy way to explore freezing, states of matter, and reversible changes while creating glowing winter art.
With just a few simple supplies, kids can turn water into icy works of art that light up the night—making this activity perfect for home, classrooms, clubs, or outdoor winter play.
Build Your Own Ice Lanterns
Ready to turn science into a glowing masterpiece? Ice lanterns are a fun way to explore the freezing process while combining creativity with simple science. Kids will enjoy watching water freeze into solid ice and then using their lanterns to decorate outdoor spaces after dark.
💡 These ice lanterns also make a great addition to Winter Solstice activities.
Supplies Needed
- Large balloons
- Water
- Liquid food coloring
- LED battery-operated flicker lights
How to Make Ice Lanterns with Balloons
STEP 1
Add about 4 drops of liquid food coloring into each balloon.
Optional: Mix the food coloring into water first if that’s easier to pour.
STEP 2
Carefully fill each balloon about â…“ full with water.
TIP: Remove the balloon slowly from the faucet so the water and coloring don’t splash out.
👉 If you have extra balloons, kids will love making icy dinosaur eggs too!
STEP 3
Tie off the balloons and place them outside to freeze overnight.
No snow or cold weather? You can freeze them in the freezer instead.
STEP 4
Once fully frozen, carefully cut and remove the balloon from the ice.
💡 Place LED lights in shallow holes in the snow, along a walkway, or on a flat surface. Set the ice lanterns over the lights and watch them glow!
Science Behind Ice Lanterns
Water is a great example of matter because it exists in three states: solid, liquid, and gas.
- Liquid water freezes into solid ice
- When warmed, ice melts back into liquid water
- The substance stays the same—H₂O
Ice lanterns demonstrate a physical (reversible) change. Water freezes and melts without changing its chemical composition. This makes ice lanterns a simple and engaging way to explore how temperature affects matter.
💡 After making ice lanterns, try a Hot Chocolate States of Matter activity for a fun (and tasty) extension!
NGSS Guiding Questions
- What happens to water when it freezes?
- How does temperature affect the state of matter?
- Why is freezing considered a reversible change?
- Where do we see freezing and melting in the real world during winter?
Winter Activities and Science Experiments
These winter science experiments are great for preschoolers through to early elementary grades! Check out some of our favorite winter science activities below:
More Fun Winter Activities for Kids
- Create coffee filter snowflakes
- Grow crystal snowflakes
- Explore snowflake salt painting
- Find a winter science experiment
- Try a winter art project
- Play with real snow activities
Printable Winter Solstice Pack
Explore the winter solstice with STEAM! Perfect for the classroom, clubs, home, or just for fun! Full directions and pictures are provided for each STEAM activity. Print and GO!
