Let's Go Ice Fishing!

Does your child enjoy pretending to fish? This activity is a fun way to combine “going fishing” with learning about the concepts of freezing and melting. When your child sprinkles salt on the ice, the top of the ice cube will melt. The string sinks into the small pool of water on the top. When the pool of water refreezes, the string freezes into the water and the child is able to lift the ice cube with the pole. By using salt to melt ice, your child also will also understand why people sprinkle salt on icy sidewalks in the winter

• Small plastic fish
• Small paper cups or an ice cube tray
• Glass of water
• String
• Small dowel or stick
• Salt

1. Have your child put the plastic fish in either an ice cube tray or small cup. Talk about the shape, color or any patterns on the fish.
2. Fill the cup or tray up with water and place it in the freezer. If you live in area where the outside temperatures can reach below freezing, you can also set it outside.
3. When the water is frozen, remove the “fish cubes” from the cup or tray.
4. Have your child put the “fish cubes” in the glass of water. The cube will bob up and down in the water and then float on the top.
5. Help your child place one end of the string from the fishing pole on top of the “fish cube” and sprinkle salt on the ice where the string is touching. Watch as the water melts slightly and refreezes.
6. After about 10 seconds, help her carefully lift the fish cube out of the water with the fishing pole. She caught a fish!
7. When your child has finished catching fish, put the “fish cubes” in a warm spot or under warm water. Watch how the fish comes free from the melting ice once the air or water temperature warms the “fish cube.”

Because this is such a fun activity for both kids and adults, you may want to repeat it on another day or again in a few months for another round of ice fishing!