Painting on Ice

We had so much fun exploring ice as we are trying to stay cool this summer!  Today we decided to do a little outdoor painting project.  The kids thought that Painting on Ice was so much fun and watching the colors pool as the ice melted was beautiful.

What you will need to create your own Ice Painting:

• A block of ice ~ we froze ice in Tupperware containers the night before, but you could by a large block of ice as well.
• Water Colors ~ we used our little watercolor cakes, but liquid watercolors would work great too.
• Paint Brushes
• Trays are not necessary, but it did help keep the ice from slipping off the table.

The set up was simple.  I set the ice blocks on the trays, handed the kids the paints and brushes and let them create. Simple invitations to create are the best.  Just let the kids explore and have fun!

One of the kids made an ice sculpture before he started painting.  Love it!

I love that as the ice blocks melted, it took the color with it.  The kids had a continually fresh canvas to paint on.

Even out littlest artist had a blast.

Rainbow of melted colors.

The kids loved watching the cools pool and run off the ice as it melted and they were presented with a blank canvas again.  The vibrant little swirls of color make me smile.

You can also do this activity in the dark.  The kids had so much fun painting in the dark and creating this amazing Glowing Ice Painting.

Summer fun after dark!

I would love to hear your favorite way to play with ice!  We are always looking for fun ideas to say cool in the summer.