Fun Family Activities | 17 May 2017Summertime Crafts: Ice Chalk Share article facebook twitter google pinterest Sidewalk chalk has been a summer pastime for what seems like forever. In Chalk on the Wild Side we see how to take sidewalk chalk and add a new element… ice. Nothing beats playing with ice chalk on a hot summer afternoon, because the warmer the weather, the better it works. Frozen chalk makes a great art, science, and sensory experience because it melts into puddles of oobleck. Get ready to get messy! INGREDIENTS 1 cup warm water 1 cup cornstarch Food coloring or liquid watercolors Dishwashing detergent SUPPLIES Bowls Spoons Measuring cup Ice cube tray or silicone molds Stir together the water and cornstarch. Keep mixing until the cornstarch is incorporated and the liquid is completely smooth. Divide the mixture evenly into bowls, one for each color of ice chalk you’d like to make. Stir a few drops of dishwashing detergent into each bowl. This step is optional, but it will make cleanup easier later. Tint each batch using either food coloring or liquid watercolors. Use plenty of color because it will lighten as it freezes. HOW IT WORKS Oobleck is a substance made from cornstarch and water. It’s called “non-Newtonian” because its viscosity, or flow, changes. Sometimes it acts like a liquid, and sometimes it acts like a solid. Oobleck got its name from a Dr. Seuss book called Bartholomew and the Oobleck. Immediately pour the liquid into an ice cube tray, and place it in the freezer until the ice chalk is solid. The cornstarch may settle slightly while it’s in the freezer, but it won’t affect how the ice chalk works. Once frozen, pop the ice chalk out of the trays and it’s ready to use. At first it may look like your ice chalk won’t work for drawing on the pavement, but as it dries, the colors will become more vibrant. Have fun experimenting with the melting times of your ice chalk, and explore the ways you can mix the colors. Buy from an Online Retailer US: Playing with chalk has never been so fun–or so messy! Chalk on the Wild Side is the second title in Art Camp, an art series geared toward adults who want to engage in creative play with the children in their lives. Designed to introduce young artists to a variety of art methods and techniques in fun, fresh, and inviting new ways, this addition to the series encourages parents and their kids to play outdoors with an assortment of chalk recipes and interactive games and activities. The first half of the book details a bevy of chalk recipes, from glow-in-the-dark chalk, fizzing chalk, and scented chalk to chalk foam, chalk goo paint, and ice chalk. Readers will then discover a variety of activities and ways to use their favorite chalk recipes. From classic games to 3D chalk projects such as chalk volcanoes, chalk powder bombs, chalk rockets, chalk hair dye, and more, parents and children alike will be delighted by the multitude of exciting ideas. Playing with chalk has never been so fun–or so messy! Chalk on the Wild Sideoffers parents an opportunity to allow their children the freedom to express themselves in colorful, new ways–with a medium that easily washes away clean. Share article facebook twitter google pinterest If you have any comments on this article please contact us or get in touch via social media.
