Freezing and Melting Toys in Ice - Such a simple, fun science investigation for kids on a hot day! I absolutely love this investigation because it’s so easy to set up, keeps the kids entertained for ages and covers so many learning topics, all at the same time! It can also be easily adapted to suit a range of age groups and form the basis of a more formal experiment (rather than investigation) later. In terms of knowledge and understanding; the kids are investigating how water turns to ice and then melts again (changing materials from liquid to solid to liquid again). They’re also using their thinking skills to try and solve problems and free their toys. They’re observing, making predictions, noticing cause and effect, experimenting with combining materials to make a change (e.g. salt and water/sugar and water added to ice). Plus, they’re also exercising their gross and fine motor skills in bashing and chiselling at ice with the hammer and spoons and squirting their water using the squeezy droppers. This activity also presented the opportunity for us to discus solar energy again (how the heat from the sun was speeding up the melting process) and to raise the subject of meting points and the impact soluble impurities have on this (melting point depression - the reason adding salt to the roads in winter helps melt the ice). How much of the ‘science’ you include with this activity is up to you and will vary, depending upon the age of the child(ren) involved. To see the full details of exactly what we did, check out our Facebook page @ThreeBeansPlaytime #threebeansplaytime #3beansplaytime #learningathome #learningathomeisfun #homelearning #homelearningfun #homelearningideas #lockdownlearning #eyfsideas #learningthroughplay #tufftray #tufftrayideas #melting #kidsscience https://www.instagram.com/p/CAeSC9kn1wl/?igshid=yxjencszjdyg