In our household, ice cream is a staple year-round. But there’s something extra special about it on a hot summer day. Add in a way to make it fun and interactive way for kids and adults alike? Perfection! Enter: homemade ice cream in a bag! This delightful activity results in creamy, delicious ice cream and provides a hands-on experience for kiddos.
Making homemade ice cream in a bag offers some of those oh so important benefits for childhood development:
1. **Sensory Exploration: ** The process of mixing ingredients, feeling the texture change as the ice cream thickens, and shaking the bag engages multiple senses, including touch and sight.
2. **Fine Motor Skills: ** Pouring ingredients, sealing bags, and shaking them vigorously require precise hand movements, helping to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Plus, manipulating small items like resealable bags and scooping out the ice cream strengthens muscles in the hands and fingers.
3. **Patience and Persistence: ** Waiting for the ice cream to harden through shaking encourages patience and delayed gratification. Children learn the value of persistence as they continue shaking the bag until the desired consistency is achieved. For my kids, and I’d venture to say most in this instant gratification world, this is a big one.
4. **Scientific Inquiry: ** Homemade ice cream in a bag provides a hands-on opportunity for children to learn about the science of freezing and the principles of emulsion. They can observe changes in state and understand the role of salt in lowering the freezing point of water, all while enjoying a tasty treat. As a food scientist, I love this teaching moment as a way to introduce a few fancy words like freezing point deprivation, emulsion, and foam stability as my kids get older.
Homemade ice cream in a bag is not only a delicious summer treat but also a fun and educational activity. From sensory exploration to fine motor skill development, this hands-on experience offers a myriad of benefits for young learners. So, gather your ingredients, grab some friends or family, and get ready to savor the sweet rewards of homemade ice cream magic!
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream in a Bag
Ingredients
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup salt rock salt or regular table salt
- ice
Instructions
- In a sandwich size ziploc bag, combine half and half, sugar, and vanilla. Seal tightly.
- In gallon size ziploc bag, fill 1/2 to 3/4 with ice. Add salt and give a quick shake to combine.
- Making sure the sandwich bag of ice cream mix is sealed tightly, place the sandwich bag inside the gallon sized bag of ice.
- Using gloves or wrapping the bag in a towel, shake for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove the sandwich bag of ice cream from the ice. Be sure to wipe off the top of the bag to keep from getting salt water in your ice cream.
- Open and enjoy!