Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter

Table of Contents

• Materials Needed
• Instructions
• Extended Learning Ideas
• More Winter Sensory Activities

Materials Needed

1. 4 tsp Gelatin Powder
2. 3 cups boiling water
3. 3 cups milk
4. Large container
5. Blue food coloring
6. Water
7. Polar animal toys
8. Spoons, bowls, cups and other sensory bin tools you have on hand

How to Make an Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter

Make the Icebergs

1. In the large container, mix the gelatin powder into the boiled water until the powder is completely dissolved.

2. Add the milk into the container. Stir until completely mixed and then place the container in the fridge overnight to set.

Another option is to mix white paint in with the water instead of using milk. While this isn’t a taste-safe option, it will work and may be easier for some.

Make the Water

3. In a new container, place approximately 4 cups of cold water and a few drops of food coloring. Mix until the water is completely blue.

If the water isn’t as vivid as you would like, add more food coloring until you get the shade you want.

You also don’t need to worry about the food coloring staining the children’s hands. Since it’s only a small amount in a large tub of water, there is no effect on hands or clothes.

Extended Learning Opportunities

If you want to, make this an opportunity to talk to your students about climate change.

Add warm water into the bin and watch the icebergs melt. As the icebergs get smaller and smaller your kids will see how there is less space for the polar bears to call home.
After seeing how climate change impacts the polar ice caps, next you can discuss ways we can help. This is a great opportunity to talk about recycling, growing your own food, renewable energy, and more.

How far you go into these topics depends on how old your students are and their level of understanding. However, even toddlers will enjoy learning about growing their own food and recycling, even if they don’t completely understand why it’s important.

My kids loved this sensory bin more than I expected, which was a wonderfully pleasant surprise. The toy animals were put aside fairly quickly and instead, my kids were making “soup”.

They also enjoyed breaking up the icebergs with their hands and watching it squelch between their fingers.

In the end, a good 30 minutes later, the icebergs were completely smashed and still holding a lot of their attention.

My only warning is to either do this sensory bin outside or on a tiled floor. The icebergs are sticky when they melt, so if they spill onto your floor you’ll have a sticky mess to clean up. Placing a towel under the table will catch 90% of any accidents and save you a lot of stress.

Winter Sensory Activities

Sensory activities for kids are my go-to activity all year round. But they become even more important during the winter months when playing outside isn’t always an option. Here are some of my favorite winter-themed sensory bins for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

1. Winter Sensory Bottles
2. Winter Forest Sensory Bin
3. Polar Animals Sensory Bin
4. Cotton Ball Winter Sensory Bin
5. Snow Floam

For more ideas, visit 25 Winter Sensory Activities.

Winter Activity Pack

Educational Printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Winter.

Get it Here!