What could be better than ice cream on a hot day and doing a science experiment?
An ice cream science experiment, of course!
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Ice Cream Experiment
Your little one’s senses will be tingling while making ice cream in a bag!
The different temperatures that are felt, the sights, smells, and of course taste will all come into play!
What an awesome sensory experience for your little one.
Sensory play is important for your little one because it helps to build pathways in your child’s brain.
It also helps your child to learn about the world around him and shows that food that is usually bought at the store can also be made at home.
This ice cream experiment is a great way to bring in states of matter.
The ingredients start out as liquids but when they are cooled down they turn into a solid.
But what happens if they are left out after they are a solid?
They become a liquid again!
This is called a reversible change.
Ice cream can go from a liquid to a solid and back to a liquid.
Science should be fun!
It is even better when it is also tasty and it requires your little one to expel extra energy!
Pouring and measuring are two things that most children enjoy.
They are always eager to help out in the kitchen.
By doing this ice cream experiment you are not only making a tasty treat but you are also getting to spend quality time with your little one.
By spending quality time together it helps to bring you closer to each other and to make a more secure bond.
When you have a secure bond, your child will trust you even when things get tough.
If you are looking for more ideas about ice cream, be sure to check out our Homeschooling Preschool Curriculum.
This ice cream in a bag activity is part of Week 43: Ice Cream.
Why Does This Work
When water gets cold enough it freezes like when you make ice cubes.
When it gets warm enough it melts like how your popsicle melts on a hot day.
By adding the salt to the ice, it makes the ice melt faster because the salt lowers the temperature that the ice freezes at.
You will see the ice quickly melting because within a few minutes the ice has already reached that new temperature!
While the ice is melting, the creamy mixture inside the other bag is freezing.
They are trying to get to the same temperature.
When you shake the bag, it helps to move the cream around to touch all of the cold ice and ice water.
It also helps to add in air which makes the ice cream fluffy.
Items Needed
- 2 gallon size zip top bags
- 1 cup half and half creamer
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ice
- 1/3 cup ice cream salt
- ice cream toppings of your choice
- oven mitts
How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag
1- Collect items needed. There is a printable of these directions if that is easier to follow.
2- Using one of the zip top bags, add in the half and half creamer, sugar, and vanilla extract. Get all of the air out of the bag and seal it tightly shut.
3- In the second zip top bag, add in ice until it is half way full. If you are unsure, add more!
4-Add the salt to the ice.
5- Keeping it sealed, place the first zip top bag with the half and half creamer, sugar, and vanilla extract inside the bag with the ice. Remove all of the air from the ice bag and seal it shut.
6- Put on oven mitts. The ice gets very cold because of the salt!
7-Shake, shake, shake the bag for about 8 minutes. Check periodically for leaks. You may want to double bag the outside.
8- Take the ingredient bag out of the bag of ice. Rinse it off with cold water to get the salt off of the bag.
9- Open the ingredients bag and stir gently.
10- Scoop the ice cream into bowls. Add your toppings and enjoy!
Ice Cream in a Bag
This is a great way to make a tasty treat and to have your kids use up some extra energy with all the shaking that is needed.
Make this to enjoy on a warm and sunny day or use it to cheer your kids up on a rainy day.
Either way, it is sure to be a win!