Mind Body Soul Summer Activity for the Mind: Ice Cream in a Bag

Ice Cream in a Bag!

Ice cream is a cool and refreshing treat on a hot summer day and what better way to enjoy it than to add a science twist! With some simple kitchen items, your child will be able to shake, shake, shake his or her way to a yummy treat!

MATERIALS:

1 cup half and half

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp sugar

Ice

¼ cup salt

Strong ziploc bags- 1 small, 1 large

Spoon

Winter gloves (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pour half and half into the small ziploc bag.
2. Add vanilla and sugar to the small bag.
3. Seal the bag firmly removing excess air. 
4. In the large bag, fill halfway with ice.  
5. Add salt to the large bag with ice.
6. Add the small bag inside the large bag. Fill the remaining space of the large bag with ice. Seal the bag.
7. You may want to put on your gloves. Your hands may get cold for this step.  
8. Shake the bag for 6-8 minutes.  
9. Remove the small bag from the large bag. Rinse off the outside of the small bag, to prevent any salt from entering inside.  
10. Open the small bag. Mix up the ice cream mixture until smooth. Taste and enjoy!

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

This experiment works because of the ice used. To make the ice cream, you need to lower the freezing point of the ice so it can freeze the cream. Have you ever seen trucks spreading salt during an icy snowstorm?  Salt causes the ice on the roads and sidewalks to melt. When salt and ice mix, the freezing point of the ice is lowered. And so, ice cream in a bag can be made!

Thanks to our sponsor, National Grid.