Figure Skater Ice Painting for Preschoolers

12/5/2022

Figure Skater Ice Painting for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are going to love this ice skating themed art experiment! Preschoolers are fascinated with icicles, ice cubes, and figure skaters, and who says we can’t turn that curiosity into an art experience? Figure skater ice painting combines the fun aspects of ice painting with the fascination of ice skating.

Figure skater ice painting allows preschoolers to conduct process art as they glide across the paper with their vibrant ice cubes. Watch their imaginations come to life as they flip, jump, and move the ice skater across the paper. Frozen skater ice painting makes the perfect addition to a winter sports theme.

Materials:

Ice trays
Food coloring, assorted colors.
Craft sticks
Plastic wrap
Heavy paper
Pictures of ice skaters
Scissors
Glue or tape

*Teacher tip: This activity serves as a great two-part lesson as you can teach preschoolers about mixing colors and how the process of freezing while allowing them to play a role in the creation of this project.

Note: You can complete this activity the day before to allow for extra freezing time.

Let's Begin!

Start by filling the ice cube tray with water. We used a tray with six spots that made for thicker cubes but you can use any tray that you have.

Next, add 6 drops into each section or 12 if you are using a bigger tray. This is a great opportunity to assign different students the task of adding in the drops. This step serves a great opportunity to remind preschoolers to observe what is happening.

Then, stir with a craft stick to ensure the color and water mixed adequately. Save the craft sticks as you will use them again in a later step.

Cover the ice cube tray with plastic wrap and puncture a hole in each color with the craft stick.

Place in the freezer until frozen solid, it’s a great activity to complete one day and finish the next so you can ensure the ice cubes are frozen. Nothing worse, than pulling them out to find they aren’t completely frozen!

Remove from the freezer, take off the plastic wrap and remove each cube from the tray keeping the stick attached.

Next, to create the figure skater you will add a little spot of glue to attach your picture of the figure skater.

*Teacher tip: You can use preprinted photos or prior to the activity have your students pose in different ice skating positions to use those pictures for your activity! Gross motor work- bonus!

Preschoolers will gently skate along the paper creating a colored piece of art as they go.

This process art activity allows preschoolers to get a glimpse of ice skating while mixing colors and having fun creating their own piece of art. It's so fun to watch the colors mix together as the ice slowly melts onto the paper. A fun activity to include during the winter months.