For the last month we watched a lot of things happening on Ice due to Winter Olympics. It was sure a fun way to discover some new sports, new words, even new colors, new rules and of course new kind of fun.
We don't have ice outside where we live and I haven't seen any ice-skating rinks either, so we decided to make one ourselves by simply filling up a container with water and placing it in the freezer (or you could do it outside if you get freezing temperatures). For extra effect we added carton Olympic rings that we used it for my toddler's sensory activity.
We did ours in a kind of small pan just to try it out, but I think the bigger pan/container you use (keeping in mind you can freeze it outside) the more fun ice play will be.
Ice Play Ideas
There are endless opportunities on how to play with this MINI ice-skating rink:
- we made mini gates from mega blocks for ice hockey game, used plastic bottle tops as hockey pucks and got some small teaspoons as sticks. We tried to follow ice hockey rules a little, but mostly kids came up with their own rules. As always!
- we got some marbles rolling on ice. It was super fun for my toddler to catch them while they were rolling around fast on ice.
- we put little toy animals for some storytelling which surprisingly made into a very funny activity for everybody (including me).
- just touching ice with their little fingers was fun enough for them. As the ice started melting both kids were carefully examining and surprised of the process when the ice turned into water. Make sure to keep some towels around, because there might be some puddles around.
What the kids learned
My preschooler learned more about ice hockey and we added few new vocabulary words such as: ice hockey sticks and hockey puck.
It was a great sensory activity for both of them, while touching the ice and then experiencing melting ice right in their hands.
Kids also practiced some motor skills while catching little marbles.
I hope this post inspired you to have some ice play at home with your kids.
`Free Bag Topper Printable
What we did this month related to Winter Olympics
The famous Homemade skis
Olympic puzzle for toddlers
Olympic Sensory activity
For more Olympic activities (including some ice play) please visit my Olympic Pinterest board.
Jamie @Hand Made Kids Art says
What a great idea! I know my 4 year old and 2 year old would love the opportunity to "play on ice".
Tammy says
Great ideas! I'm going to do this for sure! Thanks for the idea1
Susan says
I love this idea! I am going to use it in my OT sessions, adding more fine and visual motor skills by having the kids copy a design for the Lego goals, and then work on isolating fingers as the hockey stick. Thanks!