This alphabet ice activity is a blast!
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. The only thing better than kids and water is kids and ice. This alphabet ice activity did not disappoint.
My four-year-old and three-year-old will entertain themselves with water play ALL. DAY. LONG.
Typically, the fun begins with water play and slowly progresses to, What can we freeze?. Hours later, they now want to see what they can melt. It is this endless cycle that gives me plenty of time to catch my breath midday.
You see, sensory play is the gift that keeps on giving.
There is no definitive way to play; it offers oodles amounts of inquiry-based learning and gives you that mom break that is truly needed—a win for all.
RELATED: Curious about how to start activities with your kids? START HERE.
This ice play for kids game begins with alphabet ice matching and ends in exploration.
I can read your mind. – Where did you get those fantastic ice trays?
You know I’ve got you covered.
RELATED: Looking for more literacy supplies? These are our favorites supplies to boost alphabet recognition.
Simple Supply List:
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- Alphabet trays
- Food coloring for letters – optional
- White paper roll
Here’s the setup – the night before
I do have one rule. Do you know how you never wake a sleeping baby? Well, think the same with your preschoolers. Never disrupt independent play for something you set up.
Do these simple steps the night before so you have something in your back pocket to pull out as needed.
- Mix water with food coloring so the letter pop.
- Pour water into your alphabet molds.
- Freeze.
- Write the alphabet in random order on your white paper roll.
That’s all! If I could guess how long this takes me, I would say 6 minutes. Multiply that by 5, and that is how long your children will be engaged the following day.
RELATED: You will love this ABC book list by Happily Ever Elephants!
Let’s get matching the alphabet!
Like Breakfast Invitations, I like to let my preschoolers take a look at the setup without me explaining what to do. – This is not easy to do. I have to make a conscious decision to keep my mouth closed.
If your preschooler does not come up with what to do first, simply prompt with:
It looks like you have a lot of letters in front of you! I wonder what we can do with these alphabet ice letters if we pop them out of the ice tray. Let’s take a look at what we have.
Do you see any matches? You’re right! That is an upper case B! Where should we place it?
A large part of teaching children is offering a wide-eyed question about what is in front of them and allowing children to come up with the answers. Ask questions that do not require a yes or no answer.
Once all the ice letters are matched, your preschooler can now play with the ice and investigate how it melts.
RELATED: Be sure to also check out the alphabet rock match and drive and park!
Why introduce letters now with your preschooler?
By Kindergarten, children will be asked to recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
You can begin to explore this no. Expose your preschooler, so letters of the alphabet look familiar upon entering Kindergarten.
Who wants more water play? Find 35+ Water Play Ideas HERE, all in one place.
