A magical winter craft where water, flowers, and a tiny light freeze into a glowing ice lantern that sparkles like a fairy house.
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This is our winter version of the ice suncatchers, and it is the one that makes guests stop in the doorway.
We fill balloons and buckets with water and leave them outside overnight, then break out the frozen shells in the morning. The trick is to catch them before the middle freezes solid.
At dusk we drop LED tea lights inside and line the path with them. My kids run in and out of the house checking on them until bedtime.
Fill the larger container halfway with water.
Float flower petals and tiny leaves on the surface — press them gently against the sides so they show through the ice.
Place the smaller container inside the larger one and tape it in the center. This creates the hollow space for the candle.
Fill the gap between the two containers with more water, almost to the top.
Freeze overnight, or place outside if the weather is below freezing.
The next day, run warm water over the outside of the large container and twist the small inner cup free.
Turn the lantern upside-down and tap gently until the ice cylinder slides out.
Place the LED tea light on the tray and set the ice lantern over it.
Dim the lights and watch the frozen flowers glow like stained glass.
Use edible flowers like pansies or violets so little explorers can safely touch. For extra color, add a drop of food coloring to the water before freezing.