It’s hot outside. Really hot… and you would really like just to sit inside next to the AC but the kids want something fun to do… outside! Well, luckily we’ve got just the thing to keep them occupied and cool: science experiments!
What do you do when you feel like you’re going to melt? Play with ice, of course!
Here are a few of our favorite icy cold projects to keep you and the kids cool!
Chalk-sicles!
What You Need
- Popsicle molds
- Regular ice cube trays or small paper cups work well, too!
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Food coloring
- Dish soap (optional but highly encouraged)
- Toothpicks or the backs of spoons – to blend colors in the molds
What You Do
- Mix cornstarch and water in equal parts in a large bowl
- Pour mixture into different molds, ice cube trays, or paper cups.
- Drop a drop or two of dish soap and add many drops of food coloring into each section or cup.
- Here’s an awesome opportunity to discuss primary, secondary, and tertiary colors!
- Mix colors well — or leave them swirled! They’re your chalksicles – make them however you’d like!
Variations:
In the ice cubes or cups, replace half (or more) of the cornstarch with baking soda while creating.
While playing with the chalksicles, spritz them with vinegar!
What do you think will happen? Make a hypothesis (that’s your guess) and then… test your guess!
NOTE: The chalksicles look a bit watery when you’re first drawing with them, but as they dry, the colors become bolder!
Ice sculptures
What You Need
- Milk cartons, large ice cream tubs, other containers in which you can freeze water
- Squirt bottles [Dollar Tree sells quite a few sizes and styles] – or –
- Recycle your water bottle with squirt tops!
- A large plastic tub or aluminum tray
What You Do
- Create large blocks of ice by filling containers and freezing for a day (or more)
- Add food coloring into the water as you’re freezing it to make colorful sculptures!
- Another option is to buy a big block of ice at a local store that sells block ice.
- Fill spray bottles with water
- Options: using multiple bottles, try some variables:
- leave one plain water
- add salt to another
- Put very cold water in one
- Put very warm water in another
- Add food coloring to bottles
- Options: using multiple bottles, try some variables:
Why Does This Happen?
Ice will melt to water when the temperature is lower than freezing or 32^ F. The hotter it is outside, the faster the ice will melt. Saltwater lowers the freezing point of water even more, so spraying – or shaking – salt or a saltwater solution onto the block of ice will increase the melting!
NOTE: Food coloring can stain, so this is a project for your “messy science clothes” – also, the water in the tub will be very salty and is bad for plants. Don’t dump it out on your grass – go to an area where there isn’t living plants or to an outdoor drain.
Ice isn’t just frozen water; it’s a great tool for learning science!
What Matters For Kids is excited to share seasonal and fun blog posts about bringing science into everyday life at home for families. Check out the blog for more fun science ideas!