Ice Treasure Tray

What you need

• a plastic tub
• a big plastic bauble with the cap and hook taken off
• one chunky toy, too big to fit through a toilet roll tube
• a tray
• a cloth

How to do it

1. Tip the ice block out onto the tray yourself and sit down beside it with your toddler.
2. Touch the ice together and say "cold!", then let them pat it, push it and slide it round the tray.
3. Hold the ice up to the window for a moment so the bauble inside shines through.
4. Drip a little water on top with your fingers and watch the ice go shiny and slippery.
5. As it melts, help them pull the toy and the bauble free, then warm hands in the cloth.

Why it matters

Cold, slippery ice with something shiny inside is a whole new feeling for little hands, and they keep touching to find out more.

What they're learning

Touch

Cold, wet and slippery are big new feelings to explore with their hands.

Looking closely

Seeing the bauble shine through the ice keeps their eyes on it.

Cause and effect

Warm hands and water make the ice melt, and they get to watch it happen.

What to look for

Watch for them pulling their hand back from the cold, then reaching in again. Stay close, nothing in mouths. Bits of ice count too.

A tip

Short goes are best: a few minutes on the ice, then warm hands in the cloth. Mop drips as you go so the floor stays dry.

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