Have you ever froze Ice Jewels with your kids? They are simple to make and perfect for winter imaginary play!
We started by filling regular sized balloons with water and liquid watercolors. We placed the balloons outside to freeze overnight. The next morning, the boys and I went outside to check them. Much to our delight, the balloons had split and slid off of the ice. The boys got down to the business of playing right away!
RELATED: Winter Critter Snowman
Winter Ice Jewels
Materials:
- Balloons
- Liquid Watercolors
- Water
Directions:
To make your own Ice Jewels, drip several drops of food dye or liquid watercolors into balloons, then fill with water. Tie and rinse the balloons, then place them outside (or in a freezer) overnight. Please note that as your children play, a small amount of liquid watercolors may get on their mittens.
Ice Jewels will keep as long as temperatures stay cold! My children enjoyed theirs for a long time!
My kids enjoyed pressing the ice jewels into their snow fort. They looked like bright holiday lights in the sun! They also liked towing them through the yard on their sleds. My oldest pretended that he was a dragon, hoarding jewels in his lair. My little one tried to steal them, and ohhh how the dragon would R O A R !
RELATED: Winter Nature Hike
NOTE: Ice jewels are not for throwing.
How do your children like to play in the snow?
Mandy Smith says
Yep, sounds like fun and I’d would like to try! Any prepping tips from your messy experience? Sounds easy…yes *sounds*, haha….so what went “wrong?”
firefliesandmudpies says
Notice how I said fill “high quality” water balloons with water and dye? Tip: You won’t find any “high quality” balloons in the party section at Target . . . But, it is also tricky to place the balloon over the faucet without spilling any dye, high quality balloon or not! So worth it though! When you do it with your kids, post pictures! I’d love to see it!
Mandy Smith says
Thanks! Maybe a silly question but with the balloon themselves being of various color, why do you need to add the food coloring? What happens if you just fill them with plain water and freeze?
firefliesandmudpies says
Not a silly question! Water expands when it freezes (you know this!) and the ice splits the balloons. When we checked on our balloons the next morning, the balloons had already split and come off by themselves. However, you could just use plain water if you didn’t want to deal with the mess of the dye (it came off the boy’s hands by the next day and thankfully, they both have dark winter coats – so any stains have not shown!).
Kierna Corr (@CiarnaC) says
Love this! I made ‘toll hands’ last year with rubber gloves & water & colouring. I also had blood red hands for several days! I think it looks even more effective in the snow!
kitchencounterchronicles says
Wonderful! We made clear ice balls last year and they were so much fun to play with. We even saved a few for summertime play. Thanks for linking up to the Outdoor Play Party
firefliesandmudpies says
I like the idea of saving some for summertime play!
Coombe Mill (Fiona) (@coombemill) says
What a wonderful idea. We don;t have the snow but I’m sure there is a variation on that one! Do join my Country Kids linky too
Katie @ Gift of Curiosity says
These are beautiful! This looks like so much fun, even if it was a pain to prepare! 🙂
firefliesandmudpies says
They really are beautiful, and days later, the boys are still playing with them!
virginia says
I am thinking about using some natural materials to make the dye, rather than food coloring? Might not be as bright though….but less stain, if that matters. What about freezing leaves and other colorful things into the balloons… will experiment
firefliesandmudpies says
Sounds like a great idea! Let me know how it goes!
Roopa says
We make these t play in the HOT summers here in FL. I use washable paints/water colors to make the colored water, that way our dress/hands are not stained 🙂
Mandy says
Thanks for your comment on the washable paints. I have been wanting to ask Melissa if that would work, but just haven’t gotten a chance to get on and ask. The idea looks really fun, but I didn’t want to stain up their coats, clothes, etc.
firefliesandmudpies says
Great idea! I will try that next (the boys have been asking to make them again!). Thanks for the tip!
Hannah @ Making Boys Men says
Love this, just wish it was cold and snowy enough to do the same! I’m featuring you tomorrow on the Outdoor Play Party, thanks for sharing
firefliesandmudpies says
Thank you for the feature, Hannah! Loved your post today!
jenn says
I made these for my preschool class the other day. I think I had the exact same blue dye experience! They loves them and their hands got a bit stained but it did not get onto their lothes at all.