Break the Ice

The basic idea

If you think it’ll be cold overnight, together fill a bucket or tray of water and leave it outside. In the morning when you’re both up, you can check in on it together.

Over to you, wee one

Some wee ones might like smashing the ice with their shoes or a stick – just make sure they’re wearing proper shoes and won’t fall too far! Other wee ones might prefer turning it into a mini ice-skating rink with small toys or natural materials. Follow their lead and let them decide what to do with the ice.

Cheeky bonuses

• Learning about change: one of the building blocks of STEM
• Seasons and weather
• Outdoors play and engaging with nature even on a chilly day!

Variations

• If you don’t have outdoors space, go hunting for frozen over puddles when you go for a walk
  Leave some small toys or natural materials in the water overnight for them to excavate
  Put some drops of food colouring into the water to make your ice different colours (see Ice Surprise for more ideas!)

And remember…

If your wee one doesn’t like getting too cold, plan ahead. Make sure you’re both wrapped up warm before you go play in the cold and have some dry clothes ready for when you get back!