ICE ORNAMENT VARIATION: Snow Molds

ICE ORNAMENTS MADE FROM SNOW MOLDS

One Way to Make a Mold

Dig a hole in the snow. Line with a bag. Pour in the water.

It can be fun for young kids to see an object get stuck in the ice. If you wish, find something to put in the water.

Freezing times vary with the weather. Pull the ice ornament out of the bag once frozen.

Ice Ornament

Another Way to Make a Mold

Dig a shape in the snow. Line with aluminum foil. Be careful not to make the shape too skinny. 

Pour water into the mold. Placing a string in the mold will make it easier to hang up the ornament.

Ice Ornament

Objects can be embedded in the ice.

Toy embedded in the ice ornament

This variation of making ice ornaments uses snow as a casting mold. Casting ice ornaments in snow introduces young children to some of the basic principles that are used in casting sculpture. Casting is a process used by artists who work with materials such as glass, cement, ceramics and metal.  For this method of making ice ornaments, the mold is created by carving out a shape in the snow and lining the shape with either aluminum foil or a plastic bag. Lining the shape is necessary to prevent the water from soaking into the snow. Kids can experiment with the shape, size and depth of the snow mold.

ICE ORNAMENTS

Ice Ornaments

Ice Ornament Setup

This batch of ice ornaments will be made with recycled packaging plastic, water, food coloring and string. 

Ice Ornament Setup

Placing the plastic containers in a brownie pan helps contain  spills. 

Adding Food Coloring

Pouring into the Molds

Experimenting with Color

Adding String

Adding string now makes it easier to hang the ornaments once they are frozen. 

Ready to Freeze

Ready to Freeze

Frozen

The ice ornaments are now ready to pop out of the mold. How long it takes to freeze depends on the weather.

Popping out the Ice

Because these are flexible molds it is possible to push them out by bending the plastic. If the mold is rigid, run under hot water if necessary to loosen the ice.

Ice Ornaments

Ice Ornament

Making ice ornaments is a perfect snow day activity to do with young children. Made from common household materials, they are fun, easy, and inexpensive. They can be made with almost any container that can hold water including recycled plastic, milk jugs, bags, balloons, cups, bowls, ice cube trays, and more. Ice ornaments are a great opportunity for young kids to learn about color, light, mass, volume and the way water turns into ice. Experiment and enjoy!