Frozen Toy Excavation
Freeze small toys in a block of ice and let children chip away to discover them.
What You'll Need
- 1Small toys or figures
- 2Large container
- 3Water
- 4Spray bottle
- 5Salt
What You'll Need
Small toys or plastic figures
A large container (bowl, baking pan, or bucket)
Water
Tools for excavation: spray bottle with warm water, salt, spoons
How to Prepare
Place toys in the container.
Fill with water.
Freeze overnight (or 4+ hours).
How to Play
Pop the ice block out of the container.
Give your child tools: warm water spray, salt to sprinkle, spoons to chip.
Let them figure out how to free the toys.
Ask: "Which works best — salt or water?"
Tips
Layer toys at different depths for varying difficulty.
Add food coloring to the water before freezing for extra fun.
Do this outside in warm weather — it's messy but amazing.
Age Adaptation Tips
Toddlers learn through repetition. Keep it simple, expect mess, and let them explore at their own pace. Demonstrate first, then let them try.
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 4 hours of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: small toys or figures, large container, water, spray bottle, salt.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 1-3 years, 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Does this need to be done outdoors?
This activity is best done outdoors where kids have space to move and explore.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
Ratings & Reviews
Sign in to leave a rating or review.
Add to Your Weekly Plan
Schedule this activity into your family's week. It takes about 20 min.
Free account required to save plans
Explore More
Love this activity?
Create a free account and add it to your weekly planner. Discover hundreds more activities matched to your child's age.