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Today’s idea is all about ice and making it erode with water! This is a fine motor idea for toddlers and a lesson in erosion for preschoolers. I will also add in there that we experimented with salt while we were at it!
Why you ask? Because salt helps the ice melt quickly! Which equals TONS of fun time.
This activity is going to be prepped the night before. Grab a few balloons, add some liquid food coloring then top off with water tie the ends and freeze overnight. I had mine stacked on top of each other because I want rounder shapes vs the flattening it would get sitting in a row in the freezer.
Once you remove the ice balls from their balloons (just cut it up or use a knife) Sprinkle the salt over the ice balls.
Caution: This is a supervised activity. Ice should never be held against salt covered skin for a continuous period because it can burn. So please make sure when doing this activity that the child’s arm does not rest on something like this.
Next we tried to build a tower of ice. We got as high as 3!
This ice ball even kept some bubbles while freezing!
Next you will need some water and a fine motor dropper.
Start squirting in a certain area to see the erosion in action!
My preschooler loves these kinds of experiments and hands on learning ideas! My toddler is equally fascinated.
Ahh look! We managed to make a hole.
Now because of the salt the ice melted at an extremely fast rate which allowed us to see the erosion in action!
I also love this effect the salt makes! Is it not just gorgeous!
Our next stop with our rather long lasting ice was the kitchen sink for some more rapid melting. I turned the tap on at the smallest steady stream of water and the kids observed what happened to the ice when a steady force was applied vs the slower dropper method. Preschooler learnt and my toddler went ooh, ahh. win win!
The ice melts in no time at all.
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Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
This is a perfect one for a hot day. I love how colorful it is!