Having trouble getting the kids into the bath? Let’s quickly put an end to that by getting them excited to enter the bath tub: bath time fun with ice cubes is the answer!

It’s funny how simple ideas can be so much fun. And all you need to do is to plan ahead. Make the coloured ice cubes a few hours before bath time and you’re done!

Plunge the ice cubes in the bath and watch the kids play. The vivid colours make the cubes more visible and fun!

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Bath time fun with ice cubes: how?

What do you need?

• food dye in different colours
• ice cube tray & freezer
• bath or tub

Add a few drops to a glass of water and pour this into the ice cube tray. Use a few different colours, just for fun. Put the trays in the freezer for a few hours.

Prepare your bath or tub as usual, filling it with lukewarm water. Get the coloured ice cubes out of the freezer at the last moment. Put them in a container. Then, with the kids ready and interested, plunge a few ice cubes in the water. Save the rest for a little while, so they won’t melt too quickly. After a few minutes give the container, so the kids can feel the ice cubes with their hands, and take them into their baths by themselves.

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Sensory play

While playing with ice cubes in bath is fun by itself, it is beneficial as well. It’s a form of sensory play. The kids can feel the cold ice cubes on their skin, they feel the contrast of the cold melted water and the warm bath water.

Just let them observe and play. They will notice that the ice cubes are melting in the water. “Mam! They’re getting smaller!” Perhaps they could have a closer look. Do the ice cubes leave a coloured trail? Does the bath water change colour? Do the ice cubes in the container melt as fast as those in the bath? Explain about water, liquid, ice, temperatures, freezing and melting.

Next time you can even give them scoops or big plastic tweezers, so you promote motor skills as well!

Not to worry, the bath won’t get too cold (provided you’re not overloading it with ice cubes). Actually, you don’t even need a bath, you may as well use a smaller tub and put it on the table or in the garden.

Now you bath time session turned into classroom.. That’s time well spent.

More ideas

Would you like more ideas for sensory play? In winter, make real snow cones, or play around with cookie dough and Lego any time!

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