The sticks do not have to be entirely vertical. Fill shaker containers with powder tempera paint. Cover the work area with newspaper. Have the children rub their ice cubes across shiny freezer wrap or finger painting paper. Then let them sprinkle on some dry tempera paint.
Children love to watch as the ice melts into the color.
Dots can be made by picking up the applicators and then pressing them down on the paper. To create pastel colors, carefully pry the sponge applicator tops off bottles fo white shoe polish and add a few drops of food coloring. When the shoe polish is gone, wash out the container and refill with a watery tempera paint. Have the children finger print directly on a waterproof surface such as a table top or inside a lunch tray. After they have created pictures or designs, let them press paper on top of their paintings to make prints.