How To Make Decorative Ice Gems For Your Yard (With Step-By-Step Images)

This all started out at the local Whole Foods Co-Op and expanded into a sort of obsession quite recently. Originally I saw decorative ice blocks on TV years and years ago, then more recently at the Co-Op I was reminded about them again. So this winter I decided to try my hand at it, but for the life of me could not remember how they'd said they'd done it. Resourceful as I am, and determined (read that as really, really stubborn), I set out to figure things out on my own.

After trying out every container in my boyfriend Donny's house (and realizing every time I wanted to cook or mix something for baking that all the spare bowls and cups were outside in the process of creating ice decorations), I felt there must be another way. My Mom, in her infinite wisdom, hit on filling balloons--pure genius! They're cheap, disposable, and create a beautiful tear-drop shape with a perfectly flat bottom. Thanks Mom!

I live in Northern Minnesota, right on Lake Superior, so will have no problems leaving ice gems outdoors for months on end throughout the winter. These winter decorations are really meant for climates that can sustain cold enough temperatures to be able to enjoy them. If you're somewhere warm and would like to feel a bit more wintry, you can make one and keep it in your freezer until you come visit us! (It's a beautiful winter wonderland, but I won't hold my breath!)

• Water
• Balloons
• Food coloring

• Two days to freeze
• Outdoor Temps < 25ºF / -4ºC

Gently open the balloon with one hand and drop 3-4 drops of food coloring into the dry balloon. Try not to get this stuff on your hands; it does stain skin.

Note: Food coloring is affected by cold, and will therefore settle to one spot in your ice gem. There will not be a uniform color. That said, color adds interest and depth to your creation.

This step certainly isn't necessary, but does add a bit of color in the center of the ice gem. Crystal clear gems are absolutely beautiful as well, so I've been making multiples of each.

Secure the lip of the balloon over the lip of the kitchen or bathroom tap. Hold the lip of the balloon secure with one hand while you hold the weight of the balloon with the other hand.

Fill the balloon with the coldest water you can get from your tap, and fill it slowly. Make sure not the overfill the balloon or you'll get an explosion of colored water all over the place.

Tie the balloon like you'd tie a normal water balloon. Don't worry if there's an air space at the top; it won't matter.

If you can freeze these outside, that's great and is very convenient. Make sure to put something down on the ground underneath all your balloons. Though unlikely if handled correctly, your balloons can burst or even stick to the ground or bottom of the freezer. I use plastic grocery bags outdoors and also inside the freezer.

Make sure balloons rest on a flat surface, since you want the ice gems to have a flat bottom.

Freeze for a day and then gently flip the balloons onto their side to continue freezing. They form ice toward the top of the balloon first, and flipping them onto their sides seems to speed up the freezing process of the bottom half. Continue freezing for at least another day and night to ensure the core is completely frozen.

After two days, check the balloon by gently shaking it back and forth. If you feel liquid sloshing around inside the gem, or see an air bubble moving around inside, put it back into the freezer or outside for another day. There's nothing worse than getting this far, only to have your gem burst open.

Now for the fun part! It's okay to unwrap your gems indoors, but make sure they're not by a heater or out in the warm air for too long.

They start to melt fast, even with body heat, so I take one at a time and place it on a steady, cool surface. I use the kitchen table and a regular-sized soup bowl. Leave the other ones outside or in the freezer until you're ready to unwrap them.

Balance the gem in a bowl and gently remove the outer balloon coating, doing your best not to touch the surface of the gem (which instantly starts it melting.) The balloon and gem might have sharp, icy edges, so be careful. Soon you'll be able to see your very own decorative ice gem for the first time. Each one is different and unique. What will you find?

After each one is unwrapped I stick it back in the bowl and either into the freezer or outside. Leaving them in the bowl makes transport easy and won't get your hands as cold.

Your decorative ice gems should be secured to an outdoor surface to prevent the wind or wild animals from disturbing them. This is very simple and quick to do.

Get a glass of cold water and take it outside with you wherever you want to place your ice gem. Pour half the glass of water onto the surface where you'd like your gem to stay.

Place the flat side of the ice gem onto the pool of cold water. Pour the remaining half cup of water over the top of the gem. This will freeze the gem into place, and will be very difficult to move.

In a few hours, the ice will get more clear, and will permanently set. If it gets snowed on or dirtied, just pour another glass of cold water over it to rinse it off. These layers add a clarity to your ice gems over time, makes them more crystal clear, and ensures they remain fastened to their spot.

If you do want to remove your ice gem, simply pour a little bit of hot water around the base until it comes right off. You can also trickle hot water over the top of the gems to make crazy patterns and pockets, then fill with colored water and let them freeze again.

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