Playing around with water probably feels like something you’d do in the summer. Whether you’re having a water pistol fight or making a fountain for your rock garden, it’s great to mess about with water in the sun.

When winter comes around it is usually time to cosy up indoors, of course.  But you can still have plenty of fun when it comes to water. In this article we’ve listed some of the more popular fun family activities you can get involved with indoors – none of which are particularly expensive but all will entertain you and the kids for hours on end.

Blizzard in a bottle

A winter sensory bottle is easy to make but looks great. And fun-wise, it keeps on giving – even when complete. To make some blue glitter glue, a cylindrical water bottle and foil snowflakes.

Pour out a little water and replace the same amount with glitter glue so that the water turns blue. Now add the snowflakes, put the top on the bottle and shake it. Voila. There is your blizzard right there. Glue the lid on and leave to set. Afterwards, shake at your pleasure.

Ice cave for small toys

Create a super icy cave for small action figures or dolls Playmobil-size by filling a balloon full of water with a teaspoon of liquid food colouring. Tie a knot in the end and pop it in the freezer.

After around six hours remove the balloon, which should now be solid on the outside to squeeze without breaking. You should also be able to hear some water inside when you tip it.

Hold the balloon over a sink and peel it away. The remaining water in the balloon should break a little of the ice – creating a gap for the little toys to fit inside.

Ice wreaths

These ice wreaths look fantastic when hung outside the house and are perfect for this time of year when it’s cold and they’ll last longer.

To make an ice wreath you’ll need a Bundt cake pan (the type with the hole in the middle). You’ll also need to go out and collect items from nature such as pine cones, berries, pine needles, rose hips etc – this is definitely a fun part. Finally, get a bright red, long ribbon for hanging your ice wreath when it’s ready.

Arrange your items inside the cake tin and fill it with water. Now put the tin in the freezer (or outside if the temperature is low enough). Once frozen, sit the pan in hot water for a bit as this makes it easier to release the wreath. Once it’s out, attach the ribbon and hang it to a gate, tree, porch – anywhere you want to cheer people up seeing it.

@MollyMoo_ie: “From colourful melting ice experiments, to frozen ice castles, ice caves and pretty ice sun catchers for your garden, there are oodles of ice crafts inspiration to take you right through the winter months.”