Three Things you Must Try in Freezing Temperatures

It’s freaking freezing here. Frost is nothing, this ice and wind has sent even Wisconsinites into a flurry of hibernation activity.

The grocery store was NUTS.

The police and emergency vehicles are out in full force patrolling the highways for stranded vehicles.

The skies are clear blue, but do not be deceived.

With this unique chill comes great opportunities. I highly suggest bundling up and stepping out to try a few of these experiments! Don’t worry, your warm blankets and coco will be right where you left them waiting for you when you come back in (in 30 seconds). These three are easy to do with things you most likely already have around the home. I have included a few links at the end of this article with more extravagant options!

Throwing Boiling Water into the Air

This has been all over the internet lately and a ton of fun! We got our water boiling and brought it right outside in the pot. Fair warning, you will want to make sure you fling the water way up and out from your body and away from other people! Midwesterners have been getting some negative press by burning themselves or family members- don’t be that guy.

Out of our three attempts, the result looked best when the water could get high up and spend more time in the air (more time to freeze, of course). Your best view and photo opportunities will be with the sun behind you, shining on the person doing the hot water toss.

Freeze Frying an Egg

The result of this experiment was slightly underwhelming. We cracked an egg in a frying pan and watched it for about a minute. It took longer than that to “flash freeze” the little guy, so we came back out in an hour to see what would happen!

As you can see, the egg white did thicken up and freeze to look like a fried egg. It almost looks like a raw egg slushy with the crystallization! Upon further investigation, we should have taken the egg out of the refrigerator to warm up before cracking it in the pan outdoors. The fast freeze only happens when there is a steep temperature gradient over a short period of time. There is still time to do this one correctly! “Pro” tip: you will be tempted to use your driveway or the sidewalk. Save yourself the mess (and time outdoors) and use a frying pan!

Frozen Bubbles

Wind chill is colder for a reason people, it was windy where we were attempting to capture these bubbles! For that reason, it was not easy to get a photo of the bubbles before they blew off and crunched up against a nearby fence or tree. The best way I can describe the frozen bubbles would be just that though: crunchy. After a second or two floating through the air, they would hit something and just crumple like bubble gum against your chin.

We had a special little saxophone blower that, despite freezing up every other puff, was adorable and truly enhanced the experience. Needless to say, some sexy saxophone music was played in the house while we warmed it up.

Other Crazy Ideas for Frozen Outdoor Fun

Here are a few ideas that we did not try but sound like so much fun!

• Making maple syrup candy and reviving balloons
• Supercooling water and making ice lights
• Use a banana as a hammer or a frozen towel as a sled

Be cautiously adventurous as you wait for the temperature to level back out!