Plopping some ice cube trays into your play environment as loose parts gives kids a chance to bump up against lots of interesting ideas, experiences, and concepts. They can be used in water play and sensory play. They can make ice blocks or mud blocks with them. They can stuff them with play dough. They can use them for sorting and organizing. Plus, they can even be used to make ice for all your play and beverage-cooling needs.

And we’re living in an amazing world where you can easily acquire ice cube trays of diverse and exciting styles. Pac-Man ice trays, Tetris ice trays, and LEGO Guy ice trays. Ice trays to make ice in all shapes and sizes.

[Begin Old Man Rant]

Far back in my youth, I recall aluminum ice trays that you had to wrestle into submission before they’d give up the ice. Half the ice freed from their clutches went to soothing wounds from the ice-removal battle, the rest went in your drink.

Later, Mom upgraded to plastic ice cube trays. The battles were less intense, but the cubes were still boring. I’d sit there on a hot summer day drinking strawberry Kool-Aid from a Flintstones glass, dreaming of one day making spherical ice cubes or ice cubes shaped like that ghost chomping yellow guy in the video game they’d just installed at the 7-11. Kids today have it so easy with their silicone ice cube trays. And don’t get me started on ice-makers.

[/End Old Man Rant]

Back to loose parts. Quietly add some ice cube trays to your play space, then step back and watch how kids decide to use them. They may use them to make pretend ice–or muffins–in the dramatic play area, they may use them as blocks, they may fill the slots with counting bears or beads. They may ask to make real ice cubes. They may ask, “what is this?” because they’ve never seen an ice cube tray. No matter how they choose to use them, they’ll be learning.

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