You don’t need expensive art supplies to make beautiful pictures. Substitute coloured ice for paint, and craft sticks for paintbrushes, and see what cool creations your child dreams up!
Suitable even for those just a few months old, the use of food colouring in this activity makes the ‘paint’ safe to eat in case they put it in their mouths.
Some other developmental benefits for infants:
- It encourages creativity as they are free to paint all kinds of patterns and shapes.
- It provides sensory stimulation, such as looking at bright colours and exploring how ice feels on their skin.
- It develops fine motor skills through holding, and painting with, the craft sticks.
- It promotes family bonding. Sit next to Baby and have fun creating your own ice painting while supervising the activity.
ICE PAINTING
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Food colouring (in various colours)
- Ice cube tray
- Water
- Craft sticks (or tongue depressors)
- Old newspaper
- White paper
Infants may be too young to help with preparation, but their older siblings (if you have a bigger family) can assist in making ice cubes and filling the tray.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS
- Add a few drops of food colouring into an ice cube tray. Use one colour for each slot.
- Carefully pour water over each slot.
- Mix food colouring and water in each slot with a craft stick. Leave the sticks in and freeze for 4 to 6 hours (or overnight).
- When ready to use, remove tray from the freezer. Let thaw for a few minutes until the cubes are loose enough to pull out.
- Cover the work surface (e.g. table or floor) with newspaper. This will protect it from stains.
- Place a sheet of white paper on top. Your child can now start painting!
