Colored Ice in the Play Pool

Baby Sensory Play with Ice

Last summer we enjoyed a variety of sensory fun in our play pool including using water beads, mixing paint, shaving cream, and water balloons.  We had so much fun that I didn't even have a chance to write about all of our activities.  I know it's still cool out in many places, but with summer just around the corner I wanted to post a few favorites from last year.  One of the most simple sensory play ideas for summer is playing with colored ice.

How to Make Colored Ice for Sensory Play

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Supplies:

• water
• ice cube trays (we have these and these)
• liquid watercolor paint or food coloring

Directions:  I add the coloring to the ice tray before filling with water to get a more even disbursement of color.  I used food coloring instead of liquid watercolors, because I knew they were likely to taste the ice.  I try to plan ahead and make colored ice the day before I want to set it out for play, so it is good and solid when we are ready.  In fact, during the warmer months I almost always have colored ice or frozen paint in my freezer.  It drives my husband a little crazy, but he loves me and puts up with it.

My twins had just turned one when I set up this invitation to explore colored ice in the play pool. I filled the pool with water then put the container of colored cubes inside the water.  When I set up water play for babies or toddlers I never put them into the water.  I wait until they show an interest.  Some children feel vulnerable in water, especially cold pool water.

Peanut surprised me by splashing around immediately and reaching for the ice.  He is usually more cautious with water play.

He loved dropping ice cubes into the play pool and watching the changing colors as the ice melted.  Playing with objects in water is a great activity for tracking and developing fine motor skills in young children.

No surprise here, Tank was more interested in tasting the ice.

More summer sensory play ideas for babies and toddlers:

• Water Sensory Bin for Babies
• Water Play with Balls
• Toddler Color Mixing Lab

I hope it goes without saying to never leave young children unattended near water.  When our play pool is filled with even a small amount of water our children are supervised at all times.

Peanut splashed all afternoon in the newly green water.

For more baby sensory play follow me on Pinterest.

More ways to play with colored ice:

Kool Aid Ice ~ Ice Paint ~ Glowing Ice