Ice Cube Science Experiments With the Water Cycle

Ice Cube Science Experiments: Simple science experiments bring excitement and discovery to the classroom. Ice cube experiments are a classic activity for teaching young learners about the water cycle, states of matter, and chemical reactions. This hands-on activity is perfect for younger children but can be adapted for older children to explore more complex ideas like the freezing point of water, melting point, and heat energy. These simple science experiments set little learners up for success with these more complex ideas down the road. 

Ice Cube Science Experiments Materials Needed

• Ice cube tray
• Paper cups or plastic containers
• Warm water and cold water
• Food coloring (red, blue, or yellow)
• Bowl of water
• Piece of ice
• Piece of string
• Sprinkle salt
• Tiny tool (like a dropper or spoon)
• Recording sheet
• Insulated containers
• Sunny day

Step-by-Step Ice Cube Science Experiments

1. Freezing the Ice:

• Begin with an ice tray filled with plain water or colored water using food coloring.
• Freeze overnight in insulated containers for better results.

I have used ice cube trays or plastic cups before. If we are running low on time, the ice cubes with food coloring that are already frozen can be a time saver. I prefer to start with cups with water but don’t feel like you have to.

2. Observing the Melting Process:

• Discuss the freezing point of water (32°F or 0°C) and how ice cubes form.
• Remove the ice cubes from the tray and place them on a sunny day in a new cup. If you used a cup to begin with, use this.
• Encourage students to predict how fast ice melts in warm air versus cold water. My students love to put a cup in the window and in other places around the room.

3. Exploring the Melting Point:

• Place a piece of ice in different conditions:
  • In warm water.
  • In salt water.
  • On top of the ice cube, sprinkle salt to mimic icy roads and discuss how salt affects the melting process.
• Observe the melting ice and record how the temperature of the water changes.

Another option is to allow students to combine their ice cubes with another student’s ice cube that is a different color in a cup. Very often, my students predict that one color will layer another color, but most students do not know they colors will mix. To ensure I don’t forget whose cup is whose, I layer the cups with students’ names.

4. Fun with Fizzy Ice Cubes:

• Mix baking soda with food coloring and freeze the mixture.
• Pour vinegar over the fizzy ice cubes for a colorful chemical reaction!

5. Ice Cube Experiment with String:

• Lay a piece of string on top of the ice cube. Sprinkle salt and wait a few seconds.
• Lift the string to demonstrate the salt’s effect on the ice and discuss how icy roads are cleared in winter.

6. Evaporation in Action:

• Pour an amount of water into paper cups. Add food coloring for visibility.
• Mark the liquid water level with a line on the recording sheet and observe how warm air causes evaporation.

You also take those cups with ice that has evaporated (aka that now contains water) and mark the water line with a permanent marker and the date. Students can see the effects of evaporation over time. How much fun is this for Ice Cube Science Experiments!

Key Concepts to Discuss

• States of Matter: Explore how ice (solid) melts into liquid water and evaporates into gas.
• Heat Energy: Discuss how the sun and hot water transfer energy to melt ice.
• Combination of Materials: Compare how different materials (plain water vs. salt water) impact the melting process.
• Chemical Changes: Observe how vinegar and baking soda create a reaction.

Ice Cube Science Experiments Extensions for Older Children

• Use insulated containers to test how different materials affect the melting point.
• Create homemade ice cream using a salt and ice mixture to demonstrate freezing point depression.
• Study the South Pole’s icy environment and compare it to the melting process in your experiment.

Lesson Plan Ideas

• Include these activities in a states-of-matter unit or as part of your science fair project.
• Adapt for varying skill levels by simplifying for younger children or challenging older students to measure the degrees F of the water and ice.
• You can tie in these Ice Cube Science Experiments by grabbing these All About Water Print & Play Pack here on SK Online and here on TpT.

Why This Activity Is a Great Way to Learn

These ice science experiments provide hands-on activities that make abstract concepts tangible. From the melting process to chemical reactions, students learn by doing—a cornerstone of the scientific method. This activity ties into essential lesson plans while sparking curiosity and engagement.

Get ready to make science cool, colorful, and memorable for your students!

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