20+ Exciting Ice Activities for Kids & Preschool

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Looking for a cool way to keep the little ones entertained? These ice activities for kids are easy to set up, super fun to explore, and perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!

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Whether you’re stuck inside on a hot day or just want a fresh way to add some hands-on fun to playtime, these simple ice activity ideas are sure to inspire. From colorful frozen treasures to DIY sensory play, there’s something here for every curious kid to enjoy!

Be sure to see these Simple DIY Nature Sound Sensory Bottles for Kids and 28+ Fun Summer Sensory Bins & Activities for Kids.

Red, White, and Cool! Easy Ice Cube Activity Kids Will Love

Need a fun and festive way to keep the kids cool this summer? This patriotic ice cube activity is a playful way to explore red, white, and blue while enjoying some sensory fun. It’s easy to set up, perfect for little hands, and a great way to celebrate the 4th of July (or any sunny day) with a splash of color!

Ice Fishing Experiment by Living Life & Learning

Ice fishing is a fun science experiment that teaches kids about beginning chemistry. Using salt to melt and refreeze ice so they can catch cubes with a string is a fascinating process.

Nature Ice Sensory Play by The Mindful Toddler

This fun ice activity is great for little kids, and the supplies are minimal. Prepare nature-infused ice cubes ahead of time, and let kids experiment with different ways of breaking them down.

Frozen Ocean Sensory Bin by Natural Beach Living

Ice play is always fun, and a great sensory experience. Adding in a simple element such as ocean toys helps keep kids engaged and interested.

Ice Painting by Kids Activity Zone

Ice painting is a wild sensory activity that will get kids talking. Painting directly on ice blocks with watercolors opens up all sorts of new options for discussing color theory.

Penguin Sensory Ice Play by Messy Little Monster

Penguins are the perfect companions for ice play! Simply gather a few penguins, ice blocks, and water bowls, and let kids explore this cool, fascinating material.

Stacked Ice Sculptures from Colorful Ice Blocks by Barley & Birch

Set kids up to make outdoor sculptures with a variety of different ice blocks prepared earlier. Make sure to vary the shapes of containers used and colors, to keep things interesting.

Frozen Fractals: A Magical Ice Art & Sensory Play Activity by A Little Pinch of Perfect

Letting kids fingerpaint on ice has two benefits in one. They get to explore how the colors mix and swirl as it melts, and it’s a cool sensory activity for a hot day.

Chalk Ice by The Best Ideas for Kids

Chalk ice is a fantastic sensory activity for little ones, and it’s a breeze to prepare in advance. Simply make the chalk ice cubes the night before, and let the kids enjoy hours of fun as they color with the melting hues.

Ice Transfer Activity by Taming Little Monsters

This fun activity is no-prep, as long as you have some ice cubes in the freezer. Challenge kids to transfer ice cubes from one bowl to another using tools, or just their fingers, to help build fine motor skills.

Disney In Ice Escape Water Table by Lorena & Lennox

Freezing Disney characters (or any beloved character toys) in ice overnight is the first step to sensory fun. Kids will love finding ways to safely free their toy friends from their icy prison.

Ice Magnifying Glass by STEAMsational

While an ice magnifying glass might seem like a daunting task, it’s totally accomplishable. A spherical ice mold and some purified water will work wonders for a unique icy science experiment.

20 Fun Things to Freeze in Ice Blocks by Picklebums

Ice play doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun or beneficial. Let kids try adding different objects to an ice tray, and see how well each one freezes overnight.

Ice Science Project by Little Bins for Little Hands

This simple science experiment uses everyday materials you likely already have at home. Cut squares from different materials, have kids predict which one will melt an ice cube the fastest, and then test their hypotheses to see which material wins.

Nature Ice Ornaments by Fox Farm Home

Create beautiful yard ornaments that will last just as long as the cold temperatures do. Kids can take items gathered from nature to decorate these ornaments.

Colored Ice Cubes by Kids Activities Blog

Colored ice cubes are a fun, easy way to add another dimension to ice play. Check the post for tips on how to get the best-looking ice colors.

Ice and Beads Threading Activity by Hands On As We Grow

Teach kids about patience and repetitive, calming behaviors with this fun ice activity. Freeze small beads inside ice cubes, and then the kids can’t thread them onto a pipe cleaner until they free the beads.

Fizzy Ice Cubes Science Experiment by Lil Tigers

Fizzy ice cubes are a fun twist on the classic vinegar and baking soda experiment. The baking soda is frozen right into the ice cubes for a cool, fizzy result.

STEAM Valentines Salt & Ice Experiment by Red Ted Art

This ice and salt experiment is a great way to introduce kids to basic chemistry. Challenge them to form a hypothesis about what will happen, and then observe the effects when they add salt to an ice heart. 

Dinosaur Ice Rescue by Homeschool Preschool

Oh no, the Ice Age has struck, and all the dinosaurs are trapped in ice cubes! Kids need to work out how to free them from the ice without hurting the dinos inside.

Melting Ice Activity Science Project with Frozen Cars by Little Bins for Little Hands

This ice activity for kids is perfect for a hot day! The challenge? Rescuing their toy cars from a block of solid ice. With squirt bottles of warm water and a little determination, they’ll have a blast freeing their toys from the frozen block.

So there you have it—19+ icy adventures to keep little hands busy and curious minds learning! Whether you’re cooling off on a hot day or just looking for a fun sensory activity, these ideas are easy to pull off and packed with play-based learning. Grab some ice, get a little messy, and enjoy the smiles and giggles that come with it. Stay cool and have fun! ❄️💙