Page 3 - Child Care Resource Center

SUMMER 2020
WATER PLAY...(continued)
3. Sink and float experiments with home items
Ask the child to find or choose four objects (that are water proof) around the house. Be sure to ask the child before he/ she places the objects what they think or can guess if the object will sink or float first.
*For infants and toddlers, you will choose the objects, let baby touch and explore the objects. Then let them put it in the water. If the baby doesn’t let it go it’s okay!
4. Making ice sculptures or paintings
a) To make an ice sculpture; help your child pour water
into one or two small bowls. Place the bowls in the freezer
for one day, or until completely frozen solid. Explain to the
child, if they don't know already, that the water will turn
into ice, to use for a cool activity later. Turn the ice block
upside down onto a large pan, or into a large bowl to catch
the melting ice, the flat side will be down. Give your child
a shaker with salt (or if you are okay with an open container of salt, child can use their hands) to shake or sprinkle on the ice. As you and your child sprinkle the salt on the ice, it will begin to melt immediately! The ice formation will depend on where and how much salt is sprinkled.
**Tip: for easy pop out add a wooden popsicle stick to pull ice sculpture out.
*Infants and toddlers can participate, just leave out the salt. They can play with the ice mold until it melts.
b) To make ice paintings; pour water into an ice cube tray and add 4 drops of food color to each cube. You can place a wooden popsicle stick in the tray before freezing for children who do not like touching ice. When the colored cubes are completely frozen, let child use the cubes to paint on paper of their choice or even outside sidewalk.
*Infants and toddlers will try to eat the ice!
5. Making frozen juice or fruit cups
To make juice cups, help child pour the juice into paper
cups. For extra cool effect, add a piece of fruit (watermelon, strawberry, kiwi, orange, pineapple) into the juice. Place the cup in the freezer until completely frozen.
**Tip: if your child does not like frozen treats, how about making a refreshing fruit drink by adding the fruit to their water? You could also have fun squeezing lemons or oranges to make fresh juice with your child.
*Content development areas: Cognitive development (problem solving skills, science, art, math), fine motor (manipulative), skills development, language, sensory stimulation, nutrition focus.
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