Homemade Ice Chalk

While school is back in session for many, we are still dealing with the heat of summer. Midweek it is supposed to be 88º here in New York. I am definitely planning on hitting up the sprinklers in the afternoon, and perhaps enjoy some ice-cold play with homemade ice chalk! ​

Are you looking for a fun way to beat the heat?

Earlier this summer I made a batch of homemade ice chalk. I ♥ ice chalk!
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I love it for many reasons but here are two really good reasons: it's easy to make using items you likely already have in your kitchen & it is so much cool summer fun!

I brought our ice chalk to the park in a Tupperware container inside a cooler bag. I also brought a squirt bottle for water to wet the surface (the chalk works better on a wet surface). ​

I love the way the colors melt into each other.

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Of course, Digby joined us for the our ice chalk fun in the park. Since goop is one of his favorite it makes sense he would like ice chalk too!  ​

On our first trip to the park we used a little less than half of our batch. I also took home the container and put it in the freezer so we will have a chalk ice block to explore at another time.


The remaining melted ice chalk creates a goop-like substance that Little Miss F enjoyed very much.

You will get dusty with cornstarch & baking soda during this play, but it rinses off really easily.

Hope you all enjoy making your own ice chalk fun!

With older children you can also bring vinegar in water bottles or squirt bottles to create a bubbling, frothy experience to the activity. It's similar to making your own colorful volcano explosions.

Here is the recipe to make ice chalk:

Materials:
Baking soda
Cornstarch
Food coloring for liquid watercolor
Water
Ice cube trays

Here are the steps:
Using one part cornstarch one part baking soda and two parts water mix together. Add food dye or liquid watercolor. (I wanted mine to be taste safe so I used food dye).

To make my trays I used ¼ c. cornstarch, ¼ c. baking soda, & ½ c. water. This mixture filled 1 row of ice cubes. To make a full tray I would double all-using ½ c. baking soda, ½ c. cornstarch, & 1 c. water.

Pour into ice cube trays to let freeze. ​
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Below are the before & after photos  of the liquid & frozen chalk.

For older children, there are great science connections to ponder, why does the ice work better on a wet surface? Does this have to do with water molecules? The ingredients also separate when frozen creating beautiful stripes. This too offers an opportunity to explore a bit of science. Why do the ingredients separate, creating different levels? Potential density lesson!?

Safety Reminders: Adult supervision is highly recommended for all of the activities, ideas, and materials featured on this blog. As parents, guardians, and caregivers, you know your children best and your own comfort level with the different suggested activities. Littleredbarn is not responsible for any injury or damage from reproducing the activities, materials, or ideas from this blog.