Activity
Place snow, ice cubes, and frozen peas (or something similar) on a tray and allow baby to explore through touch. As baby explores, describe their reactions. For example, “I see that you are surprised by how cold the ice is! Brrr. I wonder what else is cold?”
For comparison, add other items of varying temperatures and textures to the tray—warm playdough, a banana, a warm washcloth, a familiar toy—and narrate as they explore each item. Watch closely, as some small items present a choking hazard.
Materials
The materials for this activity are endlessly adaptable and will depend on what you have access to. As always with babies, watch carefully so they do not ingest anything harmful. Some suggestions:
- Ice cubes or shaved ice
- Bags of frozen veggies
- Whole fruit
- Warm washcloth
- Warm playdough
Skill Building
This activity provides a fun sensory experience and helps to build vocabulary and brain connections.