Looking for a simple, fun, and engaging activity that keeps the kids busy while sparking creativity? Look no further! This easy summer project can be customized to fit any theme, and that’s what makes it so exciting! We chose ocean animals this time, but with so many options, it was hard to decide. The best part? It kept the kids entertained for at least half an hour, and when the ice melted, they had a bunch of new toys to play with!
Materials You’ll Need:
- Small figures or toys
- Silicone molds
- Food dye (optional)
Step 1: Pick and Fill Your Molds
Start by letting your little ones choose the toys or figures they want to freeze. I love using silicone molds from the craft store because they come in all kinds of fun shapes, which lets you get super creative depending on the theme. Whether you’re freezing ocean animals, dinosaurs, or even little fairies, the options are endless! Watching the kids choose which figures go into which spots was half the fun. They crammed some molds so full of ocean animals that when we pulled them out of the freezer, little fins and tails were sticking out everywhere, making it even more exciting (and easier) to break the ice!
Step 2: Fill with Water
Here’s a little tip: if possible, try putting your filled silicone molds in the freezer first, then pour the water in after. It helps avoid the struggle of moving a mold full of sloshing water into the freezer without spilling. If that doesn’t work, don’t worry—it’s not impossible to transfer them to the freezer carefully, but this trick makes it a bit easier!
Step 3: To Dye or Not to Dye?
This step is totally optional! Adding a little food dye can be fun, but we found that leaving some uncolored made the toys inside even more visible and added a cool effect. If you do choose to add dye, just a small amount goes a long way. We’re already planning to do this again with a pink theme next time!
Step 4: Time for the Fun!
Once the molds are fully frozen, it’s time to release your creations! The kids loved pulling out each ice block and seeing how the animals turned out inside. It’s such a fun sensory experience, too—holding the cold, slippery ice in their hands, feeling the smooth surfaces, and seeing their favorite animals stuck inside the frozen water. They were so excited to help “free” them! We set up a separate bucket of water for them to “rescue” their animals once they broke them free from the ice. You can even give them a kid-friendly hammer or let them get creative—my kids ended up throwing them on the ground to break the ice, which worked just as well!
Why We Love This Activity
Not only is this activity simple and fun, but once you have a set of silicone molds, it’s pretty much free! The kids can play with their frozen treasures again and again, and each time you switch up the theme, it’s like a whole new adventure. Whether you’re inside on a hot day or out in the yard, this is a perfect way to occupy little hands and minds while keeping things mess-free.
We will definitely be doing this many more times! Have fun, and don’t forget to share your creations with us by tagging @mothers.company or using #motherscompany so we can see your outcomes and celebrate together!
xoxo,
Star