Ice Ball Experiment in Winter
It's cold outside. Your breath looks like fog. Perfect weather for an ice experiment. You fill a balloon with water. At first, it feels soft. Then you place it outside. And the cold works its magic. Hour by hour. The water freezes. Very slowly. The next day, a surprise awaits. A round ice ball sparkles in the light. Inside, you see small bubbles. Trapped air. Frozen in the water. This is nature in action. This is how you learn: water can be liquid, solid, and later liquid again. Winter is not just cold. Winter is exciting.
What you'll need
- Balloons
- Water
- Outside: Frost
How it works
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Hold the balloon over a bowl. Fill it with water. Tie the balloon securely. Place the balloon outside on the ground or in the snow. There must be frost. Alternatively, you can put it in the freezer. Let the balloon sit for several hours or overnight. The water will freeze.
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Carefully cut open the balloon. Now you hold an ice ball in your hand. Take a close look at the ice. Do you see bubbles? Do you feel the cold?
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Press your ice balls together with some snow. Outside, they will freeze together easily. Can you make a small snowman?
What kids learn from this
- Curiosity & scientific thinking
- Imagination & social connection
