Little Discoveries
Ice Treasure Rescue
Free toys frozen in ice using salt, warm water and a spoon.
Ages 3 to 5
30 minutes
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Get ready
Freeze the toys in water the night before.
What you’ll need
Small plastic toys, a container, water, salt, a cup of warm water and a spoon.
Let’s play
1. Freeze the toys in a container of water overnight.
2. Pop out the ice block onto a tray.
3. Give your kid salt, warm water and a spoon, and ask which will work fastest.
4. Rescue every toy and line them up.
Your part in the adventure
Narrate the rescue like a sports announcer.
What they’re discovering
They’re testing ideas about melting and noticing cause and effect.
Before you begin
Use toys too big to swallow and wipe up meltwater so no one slips.
Keep the idea going
Freeze colored water for a rainbow ice block.
Every child is different. Adjust activities for their age and abilities, and stay close by. These are play ideas, not medical or developmental advice.