Ice Painting for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Ice painting is an engaging, colourful, and hands-on activity that’s perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. It combines art, sensory play, and learning in a fun way that’s easy to set up. Just remember to prepare the ice paints ahead of time so they’re frozen and ready to go when it’s time to play.

What You’ll Need

• Ice cube tray or mini muffin tin
• Water
• Food colouring 
• Popsicle sticks or Duplo blocks or figurines
• Card or watercolour paper

Instructions to Make the Ice Paints

1. Fill the ice cube tray or mini muffin tin with water, but don’t overfill. Add plenty of food colouring to each section (at least 10 drops) — more drops means brighter colours.
2. No need to stir — the colour will settle at the bottom, which is perfect for painting.
3. Insert popsicle sticks or Duplo blocks or figurines into the tray.
4. Pop in the freezer. If your Duplo blocks don’t reach the bottom, fill the tray partway and freeze. Then add the blocks, more water, and freeze again.
5. To easily remove the paints, place the tray’s bottom in warm water for a few seconds. Avoid twisting the tray to prevent cracking the ice.

Ice Painting Time! 

Pop on your child’s Craft Apron, then set up (preferably outside), with card or watercolour paper and let your child explore. Preschoolers will enjoy blending colours and creating patterns. Younger toddlers can focus on the sensory aspects and motor skills as they move the handles to paint.

Why Ice Painting is a Must-Try Activity

• Colour Mixing: Watch as colours combine to create new shades, encouraging creativity and providing an opportunity to talk about how colours work.
• Fine Motor Development: Holding and maneuvering the popsicle sticks or Duplo handles to paint strengthens the small muscles in children’s hands and fingers. These are the same muscles they’ll use later for writing, cutting, and other fine motor tasks, making this activity both fun and foundational for skill-building.
• Learning Through Play: Ice painting combines sensory play with artistic expression. Children engage their senses through the coldness of the ice, the vibrant colours, and the process of moving paint across paper. It’s also a great way to introduce early colour recognition and concepts like cause and effect as they watch their creations take shape.

Mixing colours, making designs and watching the ice melt into patterns makes ice painting an engaging and rewarding activity. It’s a great way for kids to enjoy creative play while building essential skills.

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