Activity Overview
Add a bit of a science lesson to a traditional dessert treat tonight. Kids of all will enjoy this mess free, fun and easy way to make your own Ice Cream in a Baggie. Investigate the science of changing states of matter, the properties of ice and salt and chemical reactions while you make a yummy treat for the family to enjoy.
You will see the salt melting the ice because the addition of salt lowers the melting point of the ice. During the ice cream making process, the ice turns from a solid into a liquid and the milk and sugar mixture turns from a liquid into a solid. This is one of the rare times that you can encourage the kids to play with their food.
Materials Needed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup half/half
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups ice
1 tbsp salt
2 sandwich size Ziploc bags
1 one gallon size Ziploc bag
1 hand towel or gloves to keep fingers from freezing, too.
How to Do It
- Put one small Ziploc bag inside another.
- Add the milk, half/half, sugar, and vanilla to the inside bag.
- Seal both bags securely, removing excess air.
- Add 2 cups ice and 1 tbsp salt to large bag.
- Place small bag inside and seal let the kids shake themselves silly.
- Ice cream will be soft and ready to eat in 5 to 10 minutes.
