How To Make An Ice Painting: A Preschool Art Activity

April 21, 2026

Jump to Guide·Print Guide·Leave a Review

Bowl of pastel colored ice with a watercolor palette in the background.

This ice painting is a fun preschool art activity for kids that also works with toddlers, kindergarteners, and older kids. It’s easy to set up and budget friendly, as it only uses ice and watercolors. Kids will love exploring how the watercolor paint moves and changes on the ice as it begins to melt. It’s the perfect art activity for outside play, rainy days, or parties and celebrations.

I love doing this ice painting to teach my kids about color mixing. It offers them a calm and hands-on way to learn while having fun. When we do this art activity outside I also set up this water balloon splatter painting activity for them. Although it is messy, the kids absolutely love it and it allows them to enjoy screen-free play outside.

Watercolor palette with colorful round paints beside a bowl of ice on a light blue surface.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy for details.

What You’ll Need For This Ice Painting

Ice cubes
Watercolor paints
Paintbrushes
A shallow tray
Cup of water

This art activity uses simple supplies that you already own for a hands-on sensory activity that allows kids to calmly learn and play.

How To Set Up This Preschool Art Activity

Hand holding a paintbrush over a triangular watercolor palette with bright paints on a mint surface.

Invite kids to dip their brush into the watercolor paints.
Paint directly onto the ice cubes. Watch as the color spreads and softens on the cold surface.
Encourage them to mix colors right on the ice. The melting creates beautiful blending effects.
Let them explore freely. They can dab, swirl, layer colors, or make patterns.

an ice painting art activity - Hands paint ice cubes in a bowl using colorful watercolors from a palette on the left.

Benefits Of This Ice Painting

Colorful ice cubes in a bowl, with a rainbow paint palette in the background.

This ice painting preschool activity for kids has many developmental benefits including:

Sensory play (cold, wet, changing textures)
Fine motor skill development
Creativity and open-ended exploration
Early science concepts (melting, color mixing)
Focus and calming play

Art Books To Read

Add these art books to your schedule to introduce kids to art concepts, expressionism, and being creative. They pair perfectly with this art activity and will get kids excited to create their own art!

Sabrina Hahn’s Art & Concepts for Kids 4-Book Box Set: ABCs of Art, 123s of Art, Animals in Art, and Bedtime with Art

$39.99