Freezing and Melting Activities | Ice and Ice Cream | Science Bucket List For Kids Part 5

Welcome to part 5 of the Summer Science Bucket List. This is a big one, so make sure you read it completely. Freezing and melting are perfect for summertime fun. It's hot, and you are craving something cold. We will even integrate some wintertime science knowledge.


At Kimberly Scott Science, we aren't afraid when kids say, "I'm bored." Boredom is an opportunity to give kids a spark they can take further. It can feel hard to come up with activities that are fun, meaningful, and expand into explorations that keep them occupied.

That's where this Summer Science Bucket List comes in.

This series is packed with simple, hands-on science activities kids can actually do at home, at camp, in daycare programs, or during summer family time. Most activities use easy-to-find supplies, encourage curiosity, and create memories kids talk about long after summer ends. For older kids, it can lead to independent exploration or deeper investigation with friends.

The Best Part?
Kids won't even realize how much science learning is happening while they play, build, splash, explore, and experiment.
This is Part 5 of the Summer Science Bucket List series, and we are going to explore ice and ice cream!  Yum!!!!!


1.  Dangle Ice on a String:
What Does Salt Do to Ice?
🌧 Rainy Day Friendly 🔴 Messy Fun 🧪 STEM Challenge
🟢 Low Prep 

Kids Explore:

Freezing and Melting

How Salt Affects Ice

Temperature

Energy Transfer (Heat)

The Science of Ice Cream


💓Why Kids Love it:

They will feel like magicians while only using a few simple materials. They like timing how long the ice cubes dangle. They can easily expand further and try different things.


💕Why Parents and Teachers Love it:

Supplies are super simple and inexpensive. You can easily modify supplies and set up quickly. A great last-minute exploration.


Try This:

How well do different strings dangle ice? Does the type of salt affect how well a piece of string can pick up an ice cube?


Materials:

Ice Cubes, Cup of Water, String, Salt. That's It!!!! 



Want to learn more about heat energy? (Thermodynamics)

Check out this amazing list of ideas to expand your summer fun. Energy transfer is everywhere.



Looking for a full activity, head over to our Teachers Pay Teachers store. Everything is ready to go, allowing students to practice the scientific method and participate in an ice-fishing STEM challenge. 



2.  Save a Popsicle: Insulation Activity

🌧 Rainy Day Friendly 🔴 Messy Fun 🧪 STEM Challenge
🟢 Low Prep 
Kids Explore:
Freezing and Melting
Temperature and Energy Transfer (Heat)
Insulation


💓Why Kids Love it:
First of all, it uses popsicles. We know that means eating at the end. Kids get to design and solve a problem. They can keep trying and coming up with new ideas.

💕Why Parents and Teachers Love it:
Supplies are flexible. We love experiments where kids get to use scrap materials. It allows kids to learn from failures and try new things in an enjoyable way.

Try This:
Can you keep the popsicle frozen for 1 hour without a freezer?
 
Materials:
Popsicles, Paper, Cardboard, Plastic Containers, Scrap Materials, Styrofoam, Bubble Wrap, anything you find around the house or classroom.


Want to explore more food science activities with kids?

Make butter, explore milk, and more with these unique food science explorations.


Looking for a full activity, head over to our Teachers Pay Teachers store.

We took a different twist with this popsicle STEM challenge to meet NGSS. Kids must design a shade device that will save the popsicle. It ties in energy transfer, the Sun's heat, and insulation. Definitely Memorable!

3.  Make Ice Cream in a Bag

🌧 Rainy Day Friendly 🔴 Messy Fun 🧪 STEM Challenge
🟡 Medium Mess
Kids Explore:
Freezing and Melting
Temperature and Energy Transfer (Heat)
Insulation
Ice Cream Making

💓Why Kids Love it:
Well, you get to eat it!!! They will love shaking the bag and enjoying the yummy treat.

💕Why Parents and Teachers Love it:
It makes for an extra special day. Many love it as a special end-of-year or summer activity. It isn't as hard as they think.

Try This:
How long do you have to shake a bag of melted ice cream to freeze it? Can all salts help freeze ice cream?

Materials:
Ice Cream Mixture (See recipe link below or use your own.), Plastic ZipLock Bags, Towels, Ice cream, Salt, possibly other salts to test.


Click for free recipe.


Looking for a full activity, head over to our Teachers Pay Teachers store. 

Do you want something that teaches the science of ice cream and includes an easy mini ice cream-in-a-bag activity? This reading passage with activities is a great way to keep kids learning over the summer.



Check out the rest of our summer science bucket list series to get kids moving, exploring, creating, and asking questions about the world around them. Be sure to save this post to find quick activities for every week of summer.



Let's get started!

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