This week’s Toy Rescue: Ice Sensory Activity is one of my and my 6-year-old’s favorite play activities. It not only helps build hand & muscle coordination but also invokes a playful need to save their toys from a big block of ice.
We love sensory activities, especially ones that can be taken outside when a change of scenery or fresh air is needed. In Florida it’s always hot, so ice and water activities are always a hit in my house. This particular one—Toy Rescue: Ice Sensory Activity— also tends to draw the neighbor kids over if I set it up outside, and it’s always a hit!
Related: DIY Rock & Gem Mining Activity
Toy Rescue: Ice Sensory Activity SET UP
Grab one or two sandcastle molds and fill them with water. Toss a handful of small waterproof toys in and freeze overnight. Remove the molds from the freezer and free the ice block from the mold. Set it in a plastic tray or bin shallow enough for the ice block to be exposed and deep enough to catch excess water.
Toy Rescue: Ice Sensory Activity PLAYTIME
When my son was younger, I used the hottest tap water from the faucet to melt the ice block. Now that he’s older, I do boil water but turn it off just a few minutes before it actually bubbles. This way the water is hotter than faucet temp but not scalding. Pour the hot water into a shallow glass bowl, a Pyrex baking dish, or squeeze bottles. Set out a small bowl of cheap salt and a spoon to help melt the ice. When using a shallow glass baking dish I set up a variety of droppers to suck up the hot water. A squeeze bottle may be a better choice for younger kids.
Related: Under the Sea Sensory Bin
As toys become exposed pull them out of the ice block until they are all free!
HAVE FUN!
Related: Fizzy Shapes Kids Science Experiment
Materials Needed:
- 1-2 Medium Sized Sand Castle Molds
- Misc waterproof toys
- Droppers (for older kids)
- Squeeze Bottle (for younger kids)
- Shallow Glass Container for Hot Water
- Iodized Salt (the cheap kind)
- Spoons
- Activity Tray
Directions:
- Place 1-2 sandcastle molds in an activity tray.
Fill sand castle molds with water and add whatever small toys you want. - Place tray (with molds) in the freezer overnight.
- Remove from the freezer and release ice from the molds. Set them in the activity tray.
- Depending on the age of your little one(s), use either the hottest water from your sink faucet or boil water. Pour into a shallow glass container.
- Using droppers, suck up the hot water and drop over ice to melt it and save your toys trapped in the ice.
- You can also spoon salt over the ice and drop water on it to speed up the process.
What are your favorite water/ice sensory activities? Have you tried this Toy Rescue: Ice Sensory Activity? Please pin and share.
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Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!
When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
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