Frozen Frog-Shaped Toys for Cool Drinks
Article Title: Sensory Play with Toy Frog Ice Cubes: A Frogging Good Time for Young Explorers
In a playful twist on sensory play, a creative parent named Jessica decided to freeze toy frogs into ice cubes for an engaging, frog-themed activity. This unique idea was inspired by Play Train!'s post on "Rescuing Toy Trains from Ice."
To create this captivating setup, Jessica used small, plastic or rubber toy frog figurines, an ice cube tray, and water (optionally colored with food coloring for added visual interest). She then placed the mixture in a large tray or sensory bin, providing various tools for exploration, such as spoons, droppers, small spray bottles with warm water, wooden sticks, or a plastic pestle and mortar for tapping or smashing.
The activity took place in a bath, with the frozen frog cubes plopped into the water. As the cubes began to melt, the child, known as F, showed interest in poking around in the bowl containing the frog cubes [2]. Initially, F was intrigued by the frozen frogs, but soon realized they were cold and lost interest [6]. Some of the frozen frog ice cubes were even allowed to melt outside, where F could observe and touch the cold ice cubes, describing the texture and watching the ice melt to gradually reveal the frog inside [1][3].
As the ice cubes melted, F had the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities. Using droppers or spray bottles filled with warm water or salt, F experimented with how to melt the ice faster and free the toy frog, introducing concepts of temperature, melting, and states of matter (solid to liquid) [3]. Fine motor skills were enhanced as F used tools like spoons, mini mallets, or pestle and mortar to carefully chip away the ice to rescue the frog [4].
Once the frogs were freed, F engaged in imaginative play, such as "pond life," hopping frog movements, or storytelling using the frogs and natural sensory items like leaves, grass, or colored sand [1][5]. Language and observation skills were promoted as F described what he felt and saw as the ice melted, developing his sensory language [5].
The activity concluded with simple explanations about ice, water, freezing, and melting, enhancing early science understanding in a hands-on way [6]. This setup blends sensory stimulation with science concepts and play, making it a rich early learning experience.
Materials: - Small toy frog figurines (plastic or rubber, safe for children) - Ice cube tray or silicone molds shaped like frogs or standard cubes - Water (optionally colored with food coloring for visual interest) - Large tray or sensory bin to contain the activity and catch meltwater - Tools for exploring the ice: spoons, droppers, small spray bottles with warm water, wooden sticks, or plastic pestle and mortar for tapping or smashing - Optional: natural items like leaves, grass, or colored sand for added sensory layers
[1] Sensory Play Ideas, (2021). Frog Sensory Bin. Retrieved from https://sensoryplayideas.com/frog-sensory-bin/
[2] The Imagination Tree, (2014). Frog Sensory Play. Retrieved from https://theimaginationtree.com/2014/06/frog-sensory-play.html
[3] Little Bins for Little Hands, (2015). Frog Sensory Bin. Retrieved from https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/frog-sensory-bin/
[4] The Artful Parent, (2018). Frog Sensory Play. Retrieved from https://theartfulparent.com/2018/03/20/frog-sensory-play/
[5] The Educators' Spin On It, (2016). Frog Sensory Play. Retrieved from https://theeducatorsspinontit.com/2016/03/frog-sensory-play.html
[6] Teach Preschool, (2015). Frog Sensory Bin. Retrieved from https://teachpreschool.org/2015/03/frog-sensory-bin.html
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