Ice Art with Salt and Watercolors

Watercolor Ice Art - Water Science for Kids

We love making art with ice, so when I saw this cool ice art from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas I knew we had to try it.  

How to Create Ice Art with Salt and Watercolors

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Supplies:)

• liquid watercolors (food coloring would also work)
• salt
• pipettes
• ice

Directions:  I filled a large bowl with water and left it overnight in the freezer.  Note:  Depending on your freezer temperature and where you place the bowl it might take longer than overnight to freeze such a large amount of water.

I pulled the container of ice out of the freezer before setting up the bath, so that the ice easily slid out when I was ready for it.  I set it in the tub with the flat side down.  The rounded part made the perfect canvas for our ice art.  First thing when JZ (5) stepped into the bathtub he wanted to feel the ice with his feet.

I instructed the boys to spread salt over the ice.  They loved hearing the ice crack as the salt was absorbed.

Then they got to work creating their ice art.  Using pipettes they dripped watercolors directly onto the ice.

The focus here was art, but I love when we can combine art with building fine motor skills.

We have explored the science of salt and watercolors many times (Easter Eggs, Fireworks and Turkeys), but this was the first time we combined it with ice art.  The results were amazing.

Watercolors are probably my favorite art medium.  (If I had to pick just one.)  Watching the colors blend and spread intrigued me every bit as much as the boys.  Next time I might just have to make a block of ice for myself!

J-Bug also enjoyed dripping watercolors directly onto the bathtub floor.  

The excess water from the melting ice made the colors swirl and blend beautifully.

When the ice was almost completely covered in color the boys dumped the rest of the watercolors on top leaving our ice art in shades of blue, green and purple.  This art exploration was a great way to study color blends and learn about dominant colors when J-Bug asked me where all of the pink went.

Then we were left with a fun sensory experience.  JZ and J-Bug loved running their fingers through the salt and ice and feeling the ice crumble a bit as they touched it.

After playing with the ice sculpture for a bit they were ready to fill the tub with hot water.  It was cool watching the hot water change colors.

The more water they added the more the colors changed, and the ice rinsed clean as the water touched it.

For more ways to explore color theory follow me on Pinterest.

More Art with Watercolors:

Erupting Watercolor Paints ~ Painting with Rain ~ Homemade Watercolors Made from Flowers