This is something we do every year in January. The ice sculptures always turn out so cool!
To do this activity, we ask each child to bring in a uniquely shaped piece of ice. We get all kinds of fun ice from creative families. For example, we get ice frozen in balloons, rubber gloves, Tupperware, jello molds, bowls, and cups among other things.
They bring their ice into school and put it in the water table. At play time, we give the children kosher salt to sprinkle on the ice and watch the effects, making little craters in the ice. Then, after the ice has melted a bit, they can use the salt and press two pieces of ice to gether, fusing them together. Their coldness re-freezes the parts that have melted and makes the pieces of ice stick together.
After the children have had some time to create their sculptures, we give them eye droppers (great for fine motor)and liquid watercolor paint to color their creations. The results are beautiful!