As Cheekwood’s Tots program is temporarily suspended, we are sharing today’s activity for parents and tots to activate at home. Use our files to create your own icicles, then share your work with us by tagging @cheekwood on Instagram and using #cheekwoodtots!
Here’s what you’ll need:• Liquid glue
• Wax paper
• Glitter
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Twine
Directions:1. Spread the liquid glue in a thick layer on the wax paper. You can go ahead and shape it into icicles if you want.
2. Swirl paint and glitter into the glue using a paint brush or toothpick. Use cool colors (blue, green, purple) for a chilly effect.
3. Let the glue dry.
4. Peel the glue off the wax paper. If you didn’t shape your icicles, use scissors to cut out icicles. Make a hole at the top to string twine through.
5. Hang your icicles for wintery decorations.
Try pairing the activity with one of these books:
Stella, Queen of the Snow by Marie-Louise Gay
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Big Tracks Little Tracks
Ask your explorer: • Have you ever seen an icicle? Where?
• How do you think icicles from? How did you make your icicles?
• Can you name the cool colors? Why would you want to use cool colors to make icicles?
An Additional Project: Salt Crystal SnowflakesYou will need: Salt, glass jar, pipe cleaners, clothes pin
Heat water in a pan. Once it starts to boil, add in salt until crystals begin to form on surface of the water. You will need more salt than you think. Pour into the glass jars. Cut your pipe cleaners into a few pieces and twist together in center so they look like snowflakes, leaving one piece of snowflake longer than the others. Clip a clothespin on the top to help it hang in the jar. Place in a sunny window for a few days. Remove and let dry before hanging up as a decoration!