Inside: A great “how-to” for this frozen paint summer art project. A perfect outdoor painting opportunity for all ages.

Summertime = all the art outside. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve got a great process for doing art inside my house, but that doesn’t mean I won’t take EVERY CHANGE to move it outdoors the moment the sun shines.

Frozen paint has always been one of our most favorite activities, but today: it got the boot outside to be one of our summer activities.

And we were so into it. Frozen paint and summer days are MFEO (made for each other).

RELATED: Looking for more outdoor activities for kids? Check out my list!

It looks amazing but trust me: Frozen paint is EASY to make

As much as I hate this part though, you have to plan ahead for this activity.

I KNOW. I DON’T LIKE THAT AT ALL. I’m more of a “fly by the seat of my pants/do activities when we need activities” kind of gal.

But this is worth it.

In fact, I usually make this on a day when things are going just fine and I have a minute or two of peace in my kitchen. Then I bust it out on a not-so-good day, I’m a hero, and point for team Past Susie.

Let’s get going with the how-to:

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Let’s do this:

Step one: Squirt paint into the ice cube trays. Fill each slot half full.

Step two: Top with water and stir.

Step three: Cover with foil.

Step four: Cut a slit in the top of the foil over each slot and add in a stick.

Step five: FREEZE.

Frozen Paint Summer Art is surprisingly simple to set up

When you are ready to use the frozen paint, peel off the foil, crack the tray, and remove each little paint-sicle.

PRO TIP: Set a few of the frozen paint cubes on a plate with a touch of warm water.

Lay down some white butcher paper and let your child go for it: this is summer painting at its finest. There’s no goal here – let your child paint however they want to paint.

This is a summertime process art activity

Process art is a fancy way of saying “art that doesn’t have an outcome.” When a child uses paper plates to make a craft of a turtle or colors in a coloring book, those activities have predetermined outcomes.

Process art is the opposite: it’s art with not goal.

This art with frozen paint has no outcome: just let the child paint what they want to paint.

Frozen Paint Summer Art is such a great activity

Make up a batch of frozen paint today and get it into the freezer. Future you will be happy that you’ve got this activity ready to go on just the summer day when you need it.