Giant Ice Marbles

How cool are these GIANT ICE MARBLES!? I'd seen pictures of something similar before, but never a "how-to" on making them. Figuring it couldn't be too hard to do, we gave it a try! There is definitely a list of things not to do we quickly found out. Haha! Hopefully I can help you avoid such mistakes! These GIANT ICE MARBLES are just beautiful in the snow!

Materials needed:

-regular sized balloons

-food coloring

-warm water

-below freezing temps

First, put 5-10 drops of food coloring in a balloon. Next, fill with warm water and tie off with a knot. Do not try putting food coloring in last...your hands may become dyed blue for a day or two if you do. Make sure to use warm water instead of cold...it helps the coloring spread evenly around the entire balloon. If you fill the balloon to only mid-capacity it will help make the marble round as a ball. Before tying the knot, very carefully let any air residing just above the water line out of the balloon...simply do this by loosening your grip on the mouth of the balloon until a bit of water starts to leak out. 

Now, it's time to put the balloon outside. Placing the balloon partially on its side (like the balloon pictured on the far right) and in snow is best...helps it keep a nice round shape rather than flattening out. 

Leave the water-filled balloon outside in below freezing temps for 36 to 48 hours. Even if the temperature is in the single digits, one night is not enough for the entire balloon to freeze. As you can see with this one, the water in the center will flow right out. 

Finally, after the water is completely frozen, cut and remove the balloon from your GIANT ICE MARBLE. Beautiful!!!