These snowy weeks have made it tough to keep my kids occupied. I do not like the TV on constantly. I would much prefer doing a craft with the kids. Here is a fun craft the kids can get really into: ice cube decorations.
All you need is an ice cube tray or even a small bowl. Fill up a bowl ¾ with water and have your kids add food dye to the water. Place a one-foot-long piece of string into the bowl and set it in the freezer.
A few hours later the kids will have decorations they can hang on a tree. The pieces melt over time and the snow below will have a tie-dyed effect.
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My kids will construct these before they go to bed , so they have something to look forward to in the morning. On these frozen days, you can even leave them outside to freeze overnight.
I chose to take on this project earlier last week. My daughter Penelope had fun with this project. Her brother Milo had a bad attitude and, therefore, no fun.
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She's two and she could handle the dye drops. We put a shot glass in the middle of the bowl so we can stick this onto a branch. Once it freezes, run the shot glass under hot water and it will slip loose. You can tie a string through the hole or slip it onto a branch.
We filled an ice cube tray and dyed them green. Penelope said, “Because that is your favorite color Dad.” I couldn't argue with that.
We cut some twine to insert into the ice cube trays. It takes a little effort at first, but once the strings get saturated, they will sink to the bottom and can be frozen easily. Penelope had a great time; she's very fun.
After nap time, Penelope and I went outside and decorated the tree. Actually, I decorated the tree and Penelope pretended to be Ming-ming from "Wonderpets."
She still had fun though.
Give it a try when you are stuck in the house sometime. It's a fun, easy thing to do. Make sure your kids wear something that you do not mind getting messy. Dyed water can be a mess to clean up.
Your kids will probably wind up with dyed hands, but other than that it's a clean project.
The best part is it makes your trees look cool on a winter's day.
Locations to buy food coloring:
- , 1551 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale.
- Acme Market, 1150 Welsh Road, Lansdale.
- , 561 S. Broad St., Lansdale.
- Trader Joe's, 1460 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales.
- Whole Foods, 1210 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales.
