Seems that we are the ice people, over here! We have ice activities of all kinds: giant ice cube excavations, little animal ice cubes, ice balloons, and now this!
Ice is a luxury during the summer months, and we’re taking advantage.
But before I go any further, let me just say this about safety: feel free to modify this activity to conform to your own safety standards, but please refrain from comments about how dangerous, careless, and shocking it is that I let my children wield such things as hammers and meat mallets and other grown-up tools. I am aware of the risks of injury, and rest assured that my children are not running around unsupervised with machetes in our back yard (though let it be known that in some cultures, it is expected that a child of 3 or 4 know how to wield a machete and be able to split open fruit in this way… unsupervised). In fact, I strongly believe that showing our children how to use real implements gives them an enormous sense of self-confidence and ability. Be there for them, make sure they are aware of the danger (this meat mallet is heavy, guys, so be careful of your toes, your fingers, and your brothers), but let them learn. Show them that you trust their judgement. You may be surprised by how competent they are, and how careful they are. Kids are smart. If given the opportunity, they will respect tools and have the sense to be careful with them.
And that aside, let’s get to the fun!
All you need are some ice cubes and a nice strong object to smash them with! We used a meat mallet, clearly. 
They took turns smashing ice cubes and comparing the sizes of the chunks. They also found it very interesting to look at the ice crystals with a magnifying glass. So many fascinating shapes and sizes! 
Happy smashing!
I think you’re a great mom, who does a wonderful job of supervising her children while allowing them to grow. Don’t let the haters change you from doing what you do so well…… I look forward to your posts and tales about your three sons! Thanks!!
Ha! I love that you handed your boys a meat mallet. You are one sure of yourself mama, and it will surely help your boys become independent, confident men. We let our kids help (very supervised) with the power drill, gardening hoes, and a variety of other potentially hazardous activities. How else do they learn?
Tooooootally. Helicopter parenting is one of my biggest pet peeves and tends to create entitled, frightened and kids that aren’t self aware. The entire point is to guide them into becoming independent, free-thinking, functional adults. I don’t understand over scheduling them into exhaustion, shoving them into interests, allowing no time for creative play or problem solving. My best moments were roaming free in my neighborhood, building forts, digging holes, catching bugs, imagining tunnels and secret places. I feel like modern parents take all the fun out of being a kid.
Dude. Smashing stuff with a hammer is one of the most awesome childhood activities. My brother and I used to find all kinds of seeds and rocks and just spend time breaking them up with a hammer.
I don’t know if that makes us sound like our childhood was laid back and awesome, or like we’re just really mentally simple. Heh.
“The urge to destroy is also a creative urge.”
Pablo Picasso
Ha! Such an awesome Mom. Lucky boys! 🙂
Perfect, Angie! I’ll go grab some plates!
what an awesome activity! i love the comparisons of the various sized shards, and especially examining them up close. fun and educational all at once.
and i’m so with you about trusting your kids and allowing them to learn and fully function. already, my 12 month old baby MUCH prefers the adult version (say, a purse) to the toy version of something. and as long as nothing poses a huge threat since she’s still pretty little, i let her play away!