Young Scientist: Ice & Snow

Library Type
Public

Description:

Young children ages 2-5 explore ice and snow in a variety of activity stations. 1. Build a Snowman Math Center • Idea Source: The Mailbox • Materials: white play dough (bought or homemade), dice • DIY Playdough Ingredients: 1.5 cups flour, ½ cup salt, 2 Tablespoons cream or tarter, 1-2 Tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon or more of liquid white color or white tempera paint, 1 cup boiling water • DIY Play dough Instructions: Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and white coloring, and begin mixing. Optional: Use a mixer on the lowest setting with a flat beater. Add boiling water as mixing. Add the glitter if using. Mix in well. Knead dough by hand for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Once it is cooled it can be stored in an airtight container or in a resealable bag. • Preparation: If making your own play dough prepare dough. • Instructions: Children roll a die, and build a snowman out of that many “snowballs.” 2. Escape the Ice • Materials: water, ice cube trays, mini erasers (or other small item to freeze in ice), water water, cold water, pipettes and/or spoons • Preparation: Add just enough water to ice cube tray for a bottom layer. Freeze. Add mini erasers, top off with water and freeze. • Instructions: Kids experiment to melt ice with hot and cold water. Ask children which water works best. 3. Fizzy Ice Cubes • Materials: baking soda, water, food coloring, ice cube trays, squirt bottles, vinegar, tin trays or plastic containers • Preparation: Mix baking soda and hot water. Pour into ice cube trays, add 1-2 drops of food coloring, gently stir and freeze. The day of the program put vinegar into squirt bottles. • Instructions: Put ice cubes in the tin trays, one for each child. Children quirt vinegar onto ice cube. Ask children: What is happening? 4. Icy Imaginative Play/Investigation • Materials: water, various shaped containers, cookie sheet, penguin figures and other arctic animals (optional), sliding materials (examples: bottle tops, toy cars, Legos), large plastic or aluminum tray (more than one depending on how many children) • Preparation: Freeze water in a variety of shape and size containers, including a cookie tray. • Instructions: Add the ice to the large plastic or aluminum tray. Children touch and build with the ice. On the cookie sheet children can slide a variety of materials.