Frozen Paint Ice Cube Art

Washable paint in 3-4 colors

Ice cube tray

Popsicle sticks or craft sticks

Large paper

Tape

A tray or cookie sheet to contain drips

Mix washable paint with a small splash of water in each ice cube tray compartment. Use different colors for variety.

Place a popsicle stick upright in each compartment. Aluminum foil pressed over the top of the tray helps hold the sticks in place.

Freeze the tray for at least four hours or overnight. The paint needs to be completely solid.

Pop the frozen paint cubes out of the tray by running warm water briefly along the bottom.

Tape a large piece of paper to a tray or cookie sheet to contain the melting paint.

Hand your toddler a frozen paint cube by the stick handle and let them rub it across the paper.

The paint melts as they draw, leaving increasingly vivid, watery color trails. The artwork changes as the ice cube shrinks.

The popsicle stick handle is key. It keeps little fingers warm and gives a good grip for toddlers who struggle with traditional brushes.

This is a fantastic hot weather activity. Take it outside and let everything melt into the paper in the sun.

Start with two contrasting colors and add more as your toddler gets comfortable with the technique.

The art goes through beautiful phases — first it is light and icy, then it deepens and flows as the paint melts. Each moment looks different.

Make extra frozen paint cubes and keep them in the freezer for quick art sessions on busy days.