It’s cold outside! And it will most likely remain cold for several more months (barring any global warming-induced heat waves). So why not take advantage of the crisp cold air and below-freezing temperatures by making ice charms to hang outside? This fun and very easy activity can be put together indoors or out, depending on everyone’s mood and tolerance for cold. These beautiful sparkling discs are also a great way to provide a few extra treats for your resident winter birds (and squirrels!).

You’ll need:

 Several shallow pie plates or baking pans of assorted shapes

Water

3-foot lengths of colorful yarn

Thin slices of orange, lemon, lime or other citrus fruit

Small evergreen branches or twigs

Wild winter berries (or cranberries from the Co-op)

Any other nuts, seeds, or goodies that strike your fancy

To get started, fill your pans with water to just below the rim. Then circle the inside of each pan with a length of yarn so the yarn gets wet and sinks. Drape the ends of the yarn over the rim and out of the water. Now place fruit slices, greenery, berries, or other goodies in the water inside the yarn circle. Put only a few items in each pan – the clear, empty spaces make the sparkle effect. When it’s below freezing, put the pans outside on a flat surface. When they are solid, work the ice charms out of the pans and hang them by the yarn ends on tree branches outside your window. When your ice charms start to melt, birds and animals will eat up the fruit and berries.

All kids, from toddlers through teens, can have great creative fun experimenting with different colors, shapes, and patterns in making their designs. Older kids may enjoy the challenge of making intricate and detailed pictures inside the discs. And when the sun does peek out from behind the clouds, everyone can enjoy a spectacular sparkle show with the pride of having made it themselves.