Nature and Ice: A Simple, Sensory Play Activity
Perfect for curious little ones, this ice block adventure combines natural exploration, sensory discovery, and creative play in a way that’s sure to captivate.
What You’ll Need
- A loaf or lasagna pan
- Water
- Freezer
- Nature materials of your choice: flowers, grass, leaves, pinecones, sticks, pebbles, shells, etc.
How to Set It Up:
Gather Your Natural Materials
Take a nature walk to collect items like leaves, flowers, and small sticks. Set aside a few for later use.
Create the First Ice Layer
Partially fill your pan with water and freeze it until solid.
Add Nature to the Ice
Arrange your collected items atop the frozen layer. Get creative with how you position them!
Add the Final Ice Layer
Fill the remainder of the pan with water to cover your natural items. Freeze until completely solid.
Prepare for Play
Remove your finished “ice chunk” from the pan and place it on a tray for easy exploration.
How to Play:
Start Exploring
Encourage your child to touch and observe the ice and the items frozen inside. How do the textures feel? How do the objects look under the ice?
Compare and Contrast
Place your remaining (unfrozen) natural items next to the ice block. Talk about how they feel, look, and behave differently when frozen.
Play Your Way
Let your child’s imagination lead! They might pretend they’re archaeologists uncovering treasure, scientists experimenting with ice, or artists inspired by the shapes and textures.
Why Play This Way?
Suspending nature in ice creates an irresistible invitation for exploration. Kids are drawn to the sensory experience of cold, wet ice and love the challenge of uncovering the hidden treasures inside.
This activity helps children:
- Strengthen observational skills.
- Explore textures and temperature.
- Engage in open-ended, imaginative play.
Better with a Book
At L•M•N•O•Play!, we love pairing play with a great story. These books are the perfect companions for this icy adventure:
Let’s Go Explore
by Mimi Chao
Tiny, Perfect Things
by M.H. Clark and Madeline Kloepper
Enjoy watching your child discover, experiment, and explore with this simple yet captivating activity. Who knew a block of ice could offer so much fun and learning?
