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Ice chalk – a frozen sensory art experience!

14 Comments Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade

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This ice chalk activity is a perfect example of how artistic exploration and sensory play can often go hand in hand. After all, so many art mediums provide kids with a wonderful sensory experience at the same time! In the case of ice chalk, kids get to experience the cool feel of frozen chalk in their hands, the gooey feeling of melting ice, and the fun sensation of having dried corn starch stick to their fingers.

Ice chalk - a frozen sensory art experience kids will love! Get outdoors and try this activity with your kids today! #sensoryplay #sensoryart #outdoors #giftofcuriosity || Gift of Curiosity

When I first heard about ice chalk from Reading Confetti, I knew I had to make it for my kids. I made ice chalk by combining 1 part corn starch with 1 part water dyed with our Colorations Liquid Watercolor Paint. The I poured the mixture into a muffin tin and placed it in the freezer for a few hours.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

Once the mixture was frozen, I popped the ice chalk pieces out and placed several on a tray to take outside.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

On the particular day we did this, it was in the 90s outside so the chalk began to melt very, very quickly.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

When drawing with the ice chalk, the colors were not initially very vibrant, but they quickly became darker and more vibrant as the chalk dried.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

The cold sensory experience provided by the ice chalk was fun for the kids. QBoy experimented by putting his feet on the cold chalk.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

The melting ice chalk left thick puddles of colored cornstarch behind, which was a beautiful sight on our driveway.


Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

QBoy enjoyed using his fingernail to scratch the cornstarch puddles off the driveway.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

He ended up with a beautiful pile of dried chalk.

Ice chalk - art with a frozen sensory twist! || Gift of Curiosity

We have often played with sidewalk chalk, but this was our first experience with ice chalk, and it was wonderful! As you can probably tell from the pictures, however, the kids were in definite need of a bath by the time we were done!

More summer resources for learning and fun

More summer posts from Gift of Curiosity

  • Rainbow bubbles
  • Watermelon oobleck
  • Hidden ice treasures
  • Sun prints art activity
  • Summer printables pack
  • Summer do-a-dot printables
  • Watermelon printables pack
  • Watermelon do-a-dot printables
  • Camping do-a-dot printables
  • Ice cream I Spy
  • Ice cream Sudoku


Looking for more summertime activities? Check out my Summer Activities for Kids page and my Summer Activities board on Pinterest.

Follow Gift of Curiosity’s board Summer on Pinterest.

Filed Under: Toddler, Arts and Crafts, Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, Sensory Tagged With: sidewalk chalk, ice chalk

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Reader Interactions

14 Comments

  1. Growing Up Madison

    July 21, 2013 at 7:58 am

    Just pinned your ice chalk. This looks like something I would enjoy doing with Madison as well She loves to color. Just hope she doesn’t try to eat it. I’m assuming that it is pretty safe but still would prefer it not to happen. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie

      July 21, 2013 at 8:52 am

      If she’s likely to put it in her mouth, you might want to use food coloring instead of liquid watercolors. Everything else in the recipe is safe for consumption!

      Reply to this comment
  2. Stephanie

    July 23, 2013 at 6:55 am

    Looks fun and messy, just how kids like it! This is great for the summer, we may try it when it is over 100 again.

    Reply to this comment
  3. Sara Ella

    July 23, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    My 5 year old would love this! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply to this comment
  4. Gena

    July 25, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Oooo–that’s messy! But fun. 🙂
    –Gena

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie

      July 25, 2013 at 11:12 am

      Oh yes, it definitely required a bath afterward!

      Reply to this comment
  5. Carla

    July 25, 2013 at 8:18 am

    This looks like so much fun!! Isn’t corn starch the best?! I just shared this on my PreschoolPowolPackets Facebook page–thanks so much linking it up at Teach Me Tuesday!!

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie

      July 25, 2013 at 11:13 am

      You’re right! I mean, who knew there were so many amazing uses for cornstarch?

      Reply to this comment
  6. Mary @over40andamumtoone

    July 27, 2013 at 10:48 am

    What a great idea – never seen that before #CountryKids

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie

      July 27, 2013 at 11:37 am

      Thanks! My kids loved it and I still have several more ice chalks in the freezer for another day. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  7. Coombemill - Fiona

    July 28, 2013 at 2:19 am

    A fun messy play activity with a cooling effect too! Thanks for sharing your ideas and photos with Country Kids.

    Reply to this comment
  8. Debs

    July 29, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    Fun post! Thanks for linking it to Tuesday Tots. I’ve featured it this week on Learn with Play at Home. 🙂

    Reply to this comment
  9. CabotMama

    July 24, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    This idea looks so awesome for the hot summer we’re suffering thru! However, did it stain the driveway or did it wash away easily? I let the kids do the ice painting on the front porch this morning, using Crayola washable watercolors and cookie sheets. Now my porch is covered in blue plaint splatters – even after scrubbing with soap & brush.

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie SG

      July 24, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      Gosh, we did this last year so I don’t recall exactly, but I know that we no longer have any staining on the driveway. I’m sorry that I really can’t say how long it took to wash away though. 🙁

      I certainly hope your porch will clean up well with a bit of time.

      Reply to this comment

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