Keep the kids entertained and cool this summer with the muffin cup ice cube game! It’s a fun and easy way to keep them laughing all day long!
Smashing Ice Fun For Toddlers – Outdoor Game Idea
The temperatures are rising in Wyoming & we are scrambling to keep entertained. That’s how I came up with this “breaking ice fun for toddlers” activity.
Since I’m trying to save a few bucks and gas this summer, our backyard is the main attraction. We got privacy, tons of space, free admission & no rules. Plus pjs are a mandatory attire.
Recently I let lil man play with ice. Yup…you read that right. I let him play with ice. In fact, I gave him a hammer & told him to have at it. It was a cheap {practically free} and somewhat of a learning lesson because of the colors/letters I included.
I call it “Smashin Ice Fun For Toddlers.” Because – well… that’s exactly what we did. We smashed ice cubes and discovered letters hiding in them. Best part? No mess and we can do this over & over until the snow comes this winter. It was a win win for both of us!
Want to do this “smashin’ ice fun” activity with your toddler? Here is what you need:
ICE FUN MATERIALS:
- Silicon Muffin Cups or Ice Cube Trays
- Tap Water From The Sink
- Small Plastic Toys – one to three per ice cube container
If you have small kids, look for age appropriate/non-choking toys. Please always supervise your children during this activity.
I personally prefer the silicon muffin cups for this activity because the ice literally just slips out of them. I know they can be a bit pricey depending on where you get them from but I use them for a TON of crafts, as well as baking. In my opinion, they are a great investment beyond the game idea I’m sharing today.
Also for plastic toys, the best place to shop is Dollar Tree. I went with plastic letters but you could do Army men, plastic bugs etc. But before you run out to grab stuff, raid your kid’s toys for small trinkets. They probably won’t even notice & possibly fall back in love with those small toys.
RELATED —> Popsicle Stick Ice Cream
THE DIRECTIONS:
- Lay out your muffin cups on a clean cookie sheet.
- Place plastic toys in each muffin cups in a random way.
- Then fill muffin cups with water but leave a little room on top, so the ice can expand.
- Stick in freezer and let it freeze for about two hours.
- Once completely frozen, pull out of freezer. Grab a hammer & safety goggles if you have them.
- Have your child help you remove the ice cubes from the silicon muffin cups.
- Place them in a pile on the ground.
- Now are you ready for a smashin’ good time? Just hammer & smash away until the ice is completely broken. Even throw them on the concrete to break them apart. Then have your child identify each thing that comes out of the ice cubes. Point out colors, shapes & turn it into a game.
RELATED —> Hanging Clothes Activity
And that is it for this smashin ice fun for toddlers activity! Super easy to do, right? Just collect your items {toys/muffin cups} and do it all over again!
So on that note, what fun outdoor activities have you been up to lately? Share with us on our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram to see! I can’t wait to be inspired by YOU!
BTW – you can pair today’s activity with our paper plate ice cream truck tutorial for an epic day together! Happy crafting, my friends!
Smashin Ice Fun For Toddlers
- Silicon Muffin Cups or Ice Cube Trays
- Freezer
- 1 Small Hammer
- 1 Goggles
- Tap Water
- Small Toys and Trinkets
Instructions
- Lay out your muffin cups on a clean cookie sheet.
- Place plastic toys in each muffin cups in a random way.
- Then fill muffin cups with water but leave a little room on top, so the ice can expand.
- Stick in freezer and let it freeze for about two hours.
- Once completely frozen, pull out of freezer. Grab a hammer & safety goggles if you have them.
- Have your child help you remove the ice cubes from the silicon muffin cups.
- Place them in a pile on the ground.
- Now are you ready for a Smashin' good time? Just hammer & smash away until the ice is completely broken. Even throw them on the concrete to break them apart. Then have your child identify each thing that comes out of the ice cubes. Point out colors, shapes & turn it into a game.
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