It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, colored ice is  always a hit with kids. But in summertime, a water bin filled with colored ice cubes  is just the best for cooling sensory play for kids of all ages.

It’s perfect for keeping the kids cool and refreshed on a hot, summer day!

Summer is awesome and so are the fun summer activities to keep your kids cool and having fun in the backyard!    

One of our favorite ways to pass a warm summer morning is to make colored ice cubes and add them to a big bucket of cold water.  

It keeps everyone cool, and it’s so much fun to scoop, pour, mix and stir while the ice cubes slowly release their color into the water.

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Ice Play with Colored Ice Cubes

Supplies Needed

• ice cube trays – or you could use small plastic cups and containers to make the ice
• cold water
• food coloring – if you prefer natural food coloring alternatives <–check that out
• Baking sheet
• Plastic storage bags
• storage container, large bucket or water table (a large salad or trifle bowl works well too)
• bowls and cups
• various kitchen instruments: scoops, funnels, tongs, spoons, basters, ladles, sieves and strainers, etc.

Thrift shops and second-hand stores are great places for picking up ice cube trays in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Popsicle molds and small, shaped plastic containers are super for this too.

How to Make Colored Ice

Step 1

It’s best to start freezing your ice several days in advance so you’ll have lots on hand for your activity.

Step 2

I fill several ice cube trays and small plastic containers with water, add a drop or two of food colouring to each section, and load them all onto a baking sheet.  

Step 3

I place the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze until solid which usually takes about 8 hours.

Step 4

I transfer the colored cubes into a plastic bag which stays in the freezer, and I begin again.  

Repeat Until You Have As Many Colored Ice Cubes as You Desire

I’ll do this over and over until I’ve accumulated a supply of several hundred colored ice cubes.  This way, the kids can enjoy a whole morning of play!

Ice Play Sensory Activity

When we’re ready to play I take a large, clear storage bin out to a shady area of the yard and I fill it with very cold water.  

The colder your water is, the longer your ice cubes will last.  The colored ice cubes will make the water even colder.  

You’ll be surprised at how long the ice will last, even on a hot day.

I set the kids up with all kinds of kitchen utensils and instruments: large and small bowls  for scooping the ice into, ladles, sieves, tongs, wooden spoons etc.  

Anything goes really.  

I just rummage through my kitchen drawers and cupboards until I’ve come up with a wide variety of instruments for them to play and experiment with.

Let’s Play with Colored Ice Cubes

Dump in a batch of ice, and let the fun begin!  

My guys can spend an entire morning playing with an activity bin like this.  

They scoop, they pour, they strain, they sort.  

The mix potions and they make soups, ladling out bowls for everyone and pouring their concoctions from one container to the next.

It’s fun to watch the colour leach out of the ice cubes and colour the water as they play.

Hours of splashing, exploring and learning.  What a wonderful way to spend a hot summer morning.

You may even get a chance to sit back and put your feet up while your kids are kept cool and happy!

If you’re looking for another great way to play with colored ice, check out our ice painting activity!  That’s another one you’ll want to try this summer!

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More Ice Fun from Kids Activities Blog

• Make play doh ice cream…homemade play dough fun.
• This best icebox cake recipe is fun to make and eat!
• Brrrr…help kids learn how to read a thermometer with this fun printable activity and craft.
• Make eyeball ice cubes for a fun prank at home.
• Make an ice cream recipe using blender!
• Our favorite cotton candy ice cream doesn’t require a churn or fancy equipment.
• These ice crafts are cool crafts and fun winter crafts for toddlers and beyond.
• If you are near a Gaylord hotel this winter, check out Ice! <–We have some fun details about Ice this year and in the past.
• Ice cream cone coloring page.
• Frozen toys for toddlers…genius!

Did your kids love the colored ice cubes? Is this one of their favorite ways of ice play?