Magic Ice Chalk
By: Sophie Booth
As the weather is finally cooling down, why not take the children outside and get them to
engage in messy play packed full of science.
To make ice chalk you will need:
• Corn flour
• Water
• Vinegar
• Ice cube trays
• Large paper
• Baking soda
• Food colouring
• Water
• Spray bottles
• Paint brushes
To make the ice cubes, fill each tray with 1/3 corn flour and 1/3 baking soda, add a cap full of
your chosen colour and fill the rest of the tray with water. Mix the ingredients together until
well combined and put in the freezer overnight.
Fill a few spray bottles with vinegar and head outside with the frozen ice cubes, paper and
paint brushes.
Release the ice cubes from their tray and have the children spray the cubes with the vinegar.
The baking soda and the vinegar cause a reaction and will fizz, melting the ice cube and
making the colours run. The more they are sprayed the more colour is released, creating a
running paint effect. Children can also use the paint brushes to dip into the melting ice and
paint pictures.