Fun Preschool Activity — Ice Painting

Teaching Objective/Before You Begin

Ice painting is a unique and different way to paint. Your child will soon learn how the three basic colors he sprinkles on the paper can change as they mix together into all the other colors in the spectrum. Let him experiment with just two colors at a time at first so he can learn how red and yellow make different shades of orange; red and blue make purple; and yellow and blue make green. Use your color crayons to write these color equations on an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper for a chart to keep near his art supplies so he always has it for reference. For example: Red (write "Red" with the red crayon) and (written in black crayon) Yellow (written in yellow crayon) = (written in black crayon) Orange (written in orange crayon). You can title the chart MY COLOR CHART using any or all of the crayon colors you want. If your preschooler is having trouble recognizing any of the colors, this is an excellent hands-on way to teach him. Remember, repeated practice with your help and words is the quickest way for your child to learn.

Materials Needed

• Water
• Ice cube tray
• Popsicle sticks
• Powdered tempera paint in red, yellow and blue
• Spice shaker containers
• Shiny freezer wrap paper or finger painting paper
• Red, yellow, blue, orange, purple, green and black crayons

Activity Steps

1. Fill the ice cube tray with water.
2. Lean a popsicle stick in each hole and freeze tray.
3. Cover your work area with a plastic table cloth or newspaper.
4. Have your child rub an ice cub all over the shiny, freezer wrap paper. Sprinkle dry paint on the wet paper.
5. As the ice melts into the paint, use another popsicle stick or ice cube tomake designs in the colors.

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