This is such a fun and beautiful activity! The salt lowers the freezing point of water. The ice starts to melt, making liquid water. Salt dissolves in the water, adding ions that increase the temperature at which the water could re-freeze. As the ice melts, energy is drawn from the water, making it colder. Salt is used in ice cream makers for this reason. It makes the ice cream cold enough to freeze. Pretty cool hey!
If the kids don’t care to much for all of that sciencey stuff, this still makes for an interesting, non toxic and fun activity.
To make your own you will need:
Bowls for making the ice (I used plastic containers)
A tray to do your experiment on (we used the lid off a sensory/storage bin)
Water
Food colouring
Salt
Step 1
Take your containers and fill them with water – allow them to freeze overnight
Step 2
Once frozen, empty out your frozen moulds onto the tray
Step 3
Sprinkle a handful of so of salt over the top of your ice. The kids loved it when they noticed how quickly the salt started to melt the ice and enjoyed watched the rivets appear!
Step 4
Take your food colouring and drop little droplets all over the top of the salt & ice…watch how the colour highlights the patterns, tunnels & rivets the salt makes in the ice.
These ice sculptures catch the sunlight so beautifully too! This was such a fun activity for my kids, I hope you give it a try too!
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wow kids love to play in ice cube new activity lovely