There is nothing that I love better than a good, happy,
intentional mess! I love art projects with a little too much hands-on and a
little too much paint/markers/dye to be an indoor job. My current obsession is
ice chalk. I've found awesome experiments to make your own sidewalk chalk with
your little one, but compared to ice chalk…that was just a stroll in the park,
wearing your Sunday best! If you're looking for a lot of fun with just as much
mess…here is the general idea for you!
Ice chalk is the perfect combination of art and science;
giving your children (and self) a cold, melty version of your childhood
favorite! This helps children wonder about the phases of water, as well as
provides chilly sensory stimulation for the little ones who aren't quite there
yet, developmentally.
All you need for this hot afternoon science – color
explosion is water, cornstarch, your coloring of choice (food coloring,
washable paint, or Kool-Aid all work well), and freezing molds! My favorite
freezing molds are the different shaped ice cube holders: they create small ice
chalk pieces in fun shapes, easily held by little hands.
Mix equal parts corn starch and water. Add your coloring of
choice (to the degree of color that you prefer), pour your mixture into your
trays, and pop them into your freezer to solidify.
Once solid, head outside with your melty treasures! Be sure
that you and your children are all in “mess-friendly” clothing, because there
will be a mess! You can draw with your chalk or you can leave them in spot to
watch them melt into rivers of color, and everything in between!
Posted on Jul 30 2013 10:39AM
By LIFamilies
