Tuff Spot – Ice Ice Baby

Last Updated on 14 May 2020 by Colette Burgess

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A while ago I mixed up some food colouring and water and froze it in pretty ice cube containers from Ikea. It has been sat in the freezer ready and waiting ever since.

I had explained to Ben and Chloe that we were going to be playing with ice on the tuff spot but I didn’t really say any more than that as I wanted them to take control of the experience themselves.

When I handed the ice trays to Ben the first thing he said was “How are we going to get it out?” I told him that was up to them and he quickly started to bang the trays and bend them successfully knocking the ice cubes out all over the tray.

Once they had the cubes out on the tray it didn’t take them long to dive headlong into a full sensory exploration of the ice quickly moving from investigating it with their fingers to trying to taste them and then sticking their feet in!  (I can understand them wanting to taste them because of the appealing colours but they were just plain water really so nothing exciting going on there.)  Chloe was keen to have some paper as she obviously expected them to leave coloured marks – perhaps this something I will investigate for her another time.

Ben spent quite a lot of time putting the ice cubes back into the tray – looking at the way they fitted and how this changed as the ice melted.

There was a complete degeneration into utter silliness – which I must admit was started by me – when we were all dropping ice cubes down each other’s backs!
The ice kept them occupied until it melted – and as such was very easy to clean up! Pour away the water and wipe up some footprints off the floor. Job’s a good ‘un as they say!
Next time I want to try adding other things to the ice – different colours, scents, glitter, sequins, possibly some small world toys!   Have you tried ice play with your children?

Update: 

Lots of people have asked where our Tuff Spot came from so I thought I’d just add the link in for the one we bought: Tuff Spot from Amazon – this was the best price I found at the time but it’s worth shopping around!

Author

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  • Colette Burgess

    Colette Burgess is an experienced primary school teacher and has lived in Manchester for most of her adult life. She is married to Dave and they have three children aged 10, 12, and 14.
    Colette has been writing about days out and adventures in Manchester and beyond including day trips and short breaks in the UK and holidays abroad since 2012.
    Colette and her family love festivals, camping and generally being outside.

16 thoughts on “Tuff Spot – Ice Ice Baby”

  1. Such amazing pics and looks lot of fun! Going in my sensory to do list 🙂 I love how you mentioned you wanted kids to take control of the experience 🙂 xx

    Reply
  2. Lol sounds like lots of fun! We did this last summer and used a big old sheet in the garden for some fab ice cube painting! Definitely worth a try! xx

    Reply
  3. ooohh this is fun! Water, ice on a warm weather = happy son. Will try to do this. I have new egg mould so I can use that! #MMWBH

    Reply
  4. Not only did I find that post educational but please oh please…where did you get that black plastic thing they were playing in?? Utterly genius! #MMWBH

    Reply
  5. This is so great and something I have yet to try with my children. I think a tuff spot needs to be purchased first. Great post Hun, thanks so much for linking up to #MMWBH

    Reply

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