Ice candles can provide an otherworldly, magical quality to your backyard landscape. (Or put them out front as a winter time decoration at night.) You can make ice candles together as a family to enjoy each other's company and do a fun winter activity.

Making ice candles is fairly easy. All you need to do is create a holder out of ice. When you put little tea lights inside, the frozen ice distorts the light so that it looks a little different. In order to make the candle holder, you will need one tub or bucket (use an empty coffee can or a play bucket from the sand box). You will also need a tin can from canned soup or vegetables or a plastic cup.

First, place the cup or tin can inside the bucket or tub. Place rocks or weights inside the tin can or cup to hold it down. Next, being careful not to get water in the small cup or can, fill the bucket or tub with water. The water line should come to about an inch below the rim of the cup or tin can. This is the basis to form the ice candle holder.

Set the bucket outside on the porch to freeze. While you are waiting, you can play in the snow together as a family. Have a snowball fight or build a snowman. It may take overnight for the water to freeze, so go inside and have some hot cocoa and have a cozy evening.

*When the water is frozen, take out the candle holde*r. If the holder is stuck, run warm water on the outside of the bucket to loosen things up. Once you have the ice candle holder out of the bucket or tub, you can put a tea light or other small candle inside the holder. Set the holders you have outside and light the candles. Make sure everyone has hats and gloves, as well as warm coats. Watch the beautiful candles in their ice holders.