Question

What happens to the molecules in water as it freezes?

Answer 1

They slow down

Answer 2

The hotter something is, the faster the molecules

Answer 3

@heathred is on the right track. There is less vibration and hence they slow down in movement. Meaning that the ice has less kinetic energy than that of gaseous water or liquid.

Additionally, you want to note that water also takes on a more defined shape, as that is what defines a solid.

Notice how they are very scattered in gas phase, and more closer in liquid, and they actually take a shape in solid?
This is a very rough model of what i am doing, so it is not to represent how it actually occurs.
The solid line just means they are bonded (hydrogen bonds)

Answer 4

It actually looks a little something like this. Again, this is a model, but a relatively more detailed model. (this is for ice - solid water)