When temperatures drop, it’s time for ice experiments! Ice science experiments are a fun part of any STEM activities that you can do in the classroom or at home. Kids will have a blast with these ice cube experiments and ice melting experiments to learn with fun science experiments for kids from temperature changes, how frost is formed, to the states of matter of water!
There is no end to the scientific learning you can do with ice science experiments!
The Most Fun Ice Science Experiments for Kids
These science experiments all feature ice in some way and they are fun to try any time of year!
Most of the experiments on this list are suited for elementary kids, but preschoolers and middle schoolers can learn from these experiments, too!
Fun Facts About Ice
Here are some fun facts about ice that you will find interesting and can share with your students.
What is ice?
Ice, when typically thought of, is frozen water. But any liquid that can turn into a solid when cooled below the freezing point (0°C or 32°F) is technically ice no matter what it is made out of.
How much of Earth’s surface is covered in ice?
The surface of the Earth is covered by an astonishing amount of ice. Approximately 10 percent of the planet’s land area is covered in glaciers, ice caps, and permanent snowfields. This includes both land-based and sea-based ice, with the majority located in Antarctica and Greenland. Additionally, polar regions have floating sea ice that covers large areas of ocean during winter months.
How does ice form?
Ice formation occurs when the temperature of water drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). When this happens, the molecules in the water slow down and start to form a crystal lattice structure. This lattice structure continues to grow until it becomes a solid block of ice.
As the temperature drops further, more molecules join the lattice, making it larger and denser. This process is what creates frozen water, or ice!
How long does it take for ice to freeze?
We all know that water freezes at 0°C (32°F). But how long does it take for a glass of water to turn into solid ice?
That depends on several factors including the temperature of the environment and the size of the container. Generally speaking, it takes anywhere from two to four hours for a glass of water to freeze completely, and it takes about one hour for an ice cube tray to freeze in a home freezer.
Supplies for Ice Science Experiments
You may want to have these supplies on hand before you start doing your ice experiments!
The Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsBall Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces (4-Pack)
Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil, 32 Ounce
Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick & Rich Shaving Cream 10 Oz (2 Pack)
Alka-Seltzer PFY BXAS50 80659297 Antacid and Pain Relief Medicine, Two-Pack (Pack of 50)
Kadaon 10X Handheld Magnifier Antique Mahogany Handle Magnifier Reading Magnifying Glass for Reading Book, Inspection, Coins, Insects, Rocks, Map, Crossword Puzzle
BORAX 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster, Powder, 4 Pounds
Fine Ground Celtic Sea Salt – (1) 16 Ounce Resealable Bag of Nutritious, Classic Sea Salt, Great for Cooking, Baking, Pickling, Finishing and More, Pantry-Friendly, Gluten-Free
McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Food Coloring – 12 Color Vibrant Cake Food Coloring Set for Baking, Decorating, Fondant and Cooking – Upgraded Liquid Concentrated Icing Food Color Dye for Slime Making, DIY Crafts – .25 fl. oz. Each
30% Pure Vinegar – Home&Garden (1 Gallon)
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 5 lb
Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)
Winter STEM Classroom Sets
If you don’t have time to gather the supplies yourself, you’ll love these winter science experiment kits for the classroom!
Most of these fun experiment boxes are designed for elementary school, but many of them touch on middle school science topics as well.
Our Favorite Water Science Kits
Here are some of our favorite water science kits that you can turn into ice science too!
- Water science kit for early elementary
- Water filtration science experiment
- Air and water power science kit
- Clean water science kit
- Water rocket kit
20+ Crazy Ice Science Experiments and Tricks to Try
Try these fun ice science experiments in the winter or any time of the year!
These ice science experiments are the perfect way to learn about ice in the winter or cool down during the summer! There are so many cool ways to learn with ice!
How to Make a Magnifying Glass from ice. Transform an ordinary ice cube into a magnifying glass in this ice cube experiment!
Learn how to make frost with this frost in a Can Science Experiment. Transform ice cubes into frost with this ice melting experiment.
Here you can learn how to make hot ice. You don’t need freezing temperatures to make ice!
With this adult supervised experiment, kids will learn How To Burn Ice. Using just a few ingredients and safety items, this easy experiment will have kids wanting to know the science behind burning ice.
Super Cool Science Experiments with Ice!
Here are even more fun ice science experiments to try at home or in the classroom!
Oil and Water Science experiment What happens to oil when it is frozen?
Here are 22 ice activities for preschool that provide learning and sensory fun!
Did you know that it’s possible to make ice crystals really fast? Learn how to make instant ice crystals the fast way here!
Making frost in a jar is one of my kids’ favorite ice science experiments to repeat. It takes just a few minutes and is tons of fun for kids of all ages.
Did you know it is possible to make an rainbow tower of ice? Learn how to make an instant ice rainbow here and try it for yourself.
Create Instant Ice in just 5 minutes! Cool experiment to create ice instantly. Kids learn about “snap freeze” and how crystals are triggered to form.