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Winter Science Experiments and STEM Challenges for Kids

January 2, 2019 By Emma Vanstone 20 Comments

Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to really embrace winter and all the exciting science activity opportunities the cold weather opens up. I’ve put together a fun and easy collection of winter science experiments perfect for cheering up a dreary January.

Easy Winter Science Experiments

Ice Experiments

All my children love playing with ice, there is something about it being cold and slippy that really appeals to them. There are endless different ways to explore ice and melting, and all make a great winter science experiment.

Firstly, how about trying a super simple melting activity to learn about changes of state.

Discover whether ice melts faster in hot or cold water with our fishing activity. This is one of my favourite winter science experiments, but is also great for summertime too. All you need to do is freeze a plastic fish or other small counter in a cube of ice along with a piece of string. Tie the other end of the string to a stick and you have your very own ice fishing rod!

ice fishing winter science experiment

Try some ice painting, this is another very simple activity. Just freeze a sheet of ice and paint over the top. Children can paint, wipe the ice clean and paint again!

Painting on ice - winter science activity for toddlers

We love these pretty ice decorations. Is it cold enough for them to freeze outside without

ice decorations

Play with ice in a balloon. This activity is very simple and fun for even very little children. You could even make the balloon into a snake like we did.

Try these super fun ice volcanoes from Reading Confetti.

How about these frozen hands from Little Bins for Little Hands?

Make some seasonal ice. We made this one for Autumn. I added some pinecones and leaves before leaving the water to freeze.

Autumn ice - ice made with leaves and pinecones

How about this sparkly version? You could try to find ways to make it melt faster? Try using warm water or salt to speed up the melting process.

Bowl of sparkly ice - ice experiment for toddlers

We had lots of fun with our baking soda ice cubes and loved this frozen vinegar idea from Inspiration Laboratories.

baking soda

Move wire through ice. A grown up might have to help with this one, and you don’t have to use a large a piece as we did.

This ice chalk from Growing a Jeweled Rose looks great too.

Try to make your own frost. This one is always a very popular in our house, watch as the frost appears on the side on the can. For some extra fun try decorating the can to look like a snowman!

Winter science

Colour mixing with fruity ice. This one is good for summer as well, you can make fun slushy drinks and see what colours you end up with.

Fruity ice - ice experiment for kids

What about making some hot ice?

The Artful Parent has a gorgeous melting ice, salt and watercolour experiment.

Finally, and this is my favourite. Investigate how to get a toy car to move across a sheet of ice. How do you think you could stop the car slipping?

Snow Experiments for Kids

If you’re lucky enough to have some snow, how about making a snow volcano? You’ll just need snow, red food colouring, baking soda and vinegar.

Baking soda Volcano

Snowman Science Experiments

Find out how simple circuits work with this easy playdough light up snowman.

Snowman Circuit

Learn about forces with our super simple snowman catapult!

Snowman catapult

If you don’t have snow, try to make your own snow. We’ve got three easy recipes for you to try.

Sensory snow

Do you have any other winter or icy science ideas for us?

Which is your favourite winter science experiment?

Easy winter science experiments for kids #winterscience #scienceforkids #scienceexperimentsforwinter #iceexperiments
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Filed Under: Chemistry for kids, Early Years Science, Key Stage 1 Science, Preschool Science, Seasonal Science, Sensory and Messy Play, Winter Science Experiments Tagged With: fun ways to play with ice, Ice play, ice science, making science fun for kids, Science for children, Science for kids, Winter activity ideas, Winter Science

Previous Post: « Things to do with leftover Candy Canes
Next Post: How do Polar Bears stay warm in winter? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie @ Gift of Curiosity

    December 31, 2012 at 3:42 am

    These are some fantastic and original ideas for playing with ice. I especially like the ice in a balloon and seasonal ice activities. I look forward to trying some of these out with my kids!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      January 8, 2013 at 10:30 pm

      Let us know how you get on. x

      Reply
  2. Amycha

    December 31, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Great ideas to keep kids busy during winter months. Thank you

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      January 8, 2013 at 10:31 pm

      Glad you like them.

      Reply
  3. TheBoyandMe

    January 4, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    Brilliant, thank you!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      January 7, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you. xxx

      Reply
  4. Capture by Lucy

    January 8, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Wow I just found your post through Coombemill! We had great fun with dino ice this week!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      January 8, 2013 at 10:30 pm

      ooooh dino ice sounds good. x

      Reply
  5. Angela

    January 17, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    Love this! We just played with ice for a sensory activity the other day!! We’ll have to try these ideas sometime! http://teachingmama.org/winter-sensory-play-day-3/

    Reply
  6. Fi

    January 18, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Great fun! we’ll be giving some of these a try for sure. We msde ice paints last week which were great fun!

    Reply
  7. elizabeth wheeler

    January 21, 2013 at 11:47 am

    We make ice boats!
    1. Grab a not-too-deep, plastic container of any shape
    2. Grab a mast – we like to use large wooden popsicle sticks as they are not so harmful to the environment, but some people use a drinking straw
    3. Make a sail to fit your mast – as simple or elaborate as you like. We use paper or cardboard and tape it to the mast
    4. Pop a small ball of modelling clay or blutac into the base and secure the mast upright
    5. Fill the container two thirds with water – we often add some food dye, this looks amazing as the boats melt, especially if you can convince your small people to let the water alone so it stays very still and flat (in this case, you get another science lesson as you observe currents and eddies)
    6. Freeze then sail in a bathtub or splashpool or even a baby bath

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Some fun with ice - Freezing - Science Sparks | Science Sparks says:
    January 1, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    […] Don’t forget to check out our other ice play ideas here. […]

    Reply
  2. Science for kids - science play | Science Sparks says:
    January 8, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    […] I is for Ice – we have some fantastic ice experiments in this round up. […]

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  3. Playing With Ice | TheBoyAndMe says:
    January 9, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    […] Sparks has got a fantastic selection of ice play activities which are great fun for this time of […]

    Reply
  4. Weekend Reads 1.19.13 | Not Just CuteNot Just Cute says:
    January 19, 2013 at 8:12 am

    […] Ice Play Ideas {Science Sparks} […]

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  5. toddler ice play | Science Sparks says:
    February 17, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    […] Don’t forget to check out our other ice experiment/play ideas here. […]

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  6. Snow & Ice Activities for Kids - In Lieu of Preschool says:
    February 26, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    […] by Learning to Play and Playing to Learn3.  10 Cold Kids’ Activities by Reading Confetti4.  Ice Play Ideas by Science Sparks5.  Colored Snowballs by Life with Moore Babies6.  Color the Snowman Buttons + […]

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  7. Kitchen science says:
    April 27, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    […] all about ice and it’s properties with these fun […]

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  8. Make Frost - Science for kids says:
    November 4, 2013 at 9:39 am

    […] See here for more ice experiments. […]

    Reply
  9. The Ultimate Winter Bucket List! - The Minnesota Mama says:
    November 6, 2019 at 12:35 am

    […] Check out a couple of the coolest winter science experiments I found! Winter Science Activities For KidsWinter Science Experiments and STEM Challenges […]

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