Inside: All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. Scroll down to instructional video, science printables, and step-by-step instructions if you want to engage your little ones in a hands-on chemistry adventure that creates delicious frozen treats!
When you are a kid, making ice cream in a bag is like magic.
You become a wizard of unimaginable power, though armed with nothing more than a few basic kitchen ingredients.
As you follow the simple instructions, you watch in awe as the liquid mixture inside the bag transforms into a creamy, yummy delight. It’s a moment of pure marvel as science and imagination come together!
That’s why you absolutely have to make ice cream in a bag with your children before they grow up. And if you have already tried it in the past, today is your chance to experiment with new flavors.
Peppermint? Strawberry?
I really like lemon!
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Edible-science-ice-cream-in-a-bag-Pin-1.png)
More than just fun
The ice cream in a bag activity not only engages your child’s curiosity but also introduces them to the fascinating world of chemistry. They get to witness firsthand how the salt lowers the freezing point of the ice, creating the perfect environment for the ingredients to freeze and turn into ice cream.
By engaging in simple chemistry activities like the Ice Cream in a Bag activity, children are not only having fun but also gaining valuable skills and knowledge. The hands-on nature of these experiments allows them to actively participate in the learning process, making it more engaging and memorable.
As they measure and mix ingredients, they learn about the concept of proportions and ratios. As they observe and feel the changes happening during the ice cream-making process, they witness the transformation of liquid into a solid and understand the principles of phase change. These activities provide a practical and tangible way for children to grasp scientific concepts that might otherwise seem abstract or complicated.
Curiosity
Moreover, simple chemistry activities also foster a sense of curiosity and exploration in children.
As they see the results of their experiments and discover new flavors and textures in their homemade ice cream, they become more curious about how things work and how they can create new combinations.
This curiosity can extend beyond the kitchen and spark their interest in other areas of science, such as physics, biology, or even environmental science. The hands-on experience serves as a launching pad for further exploration and discovery.
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If you want to download our science printables, your kids will also get a taste of the scientific method, making observations, forming hypotheses, and experimenting. This hands-on approach to learning helps them develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of curiosity that will benefit them in all areas of their lives.
The magic of simple chemistry activities lies in the fact that they can be done right at home, with everyday ingredients found in the kitchen. It doesn’t require fancy equipment or elaborate setups.
Are you also looking for a simple (but super fun) playdough ice cream recipe? Here is one that requires two readily available ingredients – flour and store-bought frosting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own Ice Cream
With this easy ice cream-in-a-bag activity, you and your kids can have fun while learning about the science behind freezing and mixing ingredients together.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-1.jpg)
What you need
½ cup heavy whipping cream
Sweetener (we used 2 packets of Monk Fruit in the Raw)
Ice (about 5-6 cups or half a gallon-sized bag)
Salt (~ 1/3 cup)
(optional) vanilla (about 1 teaspoon)
Ziploc bags (1 quart-sized and 1 gallon-sized)
What to do
1. Prepare the Ice Bag
Take the gallon-sized bag and fill it halfway with ice.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-2-1.jpg)
Sprinkle ⅓ cup of salt over the ice cubes. The salt helps to lower the freezing point of the ice, creating a super-chilled environment for your ice cream mixture.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-3-1.jpg)
2. Make Your Ice Cream Mixture
Pour ½ cup of heavy whipping cream into a small bag. We find that half a cup is just a perfect size for one treat. If you want to make more just double the recipe, but prepare to do more shaking 🙂
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-4-1.jpg)
Add one (or, if you really like the flavor, two) teaspoons of vanilla. I should also mention that this is where you can go crazy trying different flavors. We had success with peppermint extract (you can also add crushed candy canes to final ice cream), lemon flavor (and/or lemon zest), and homemade KETO strawberry syrup.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-5-1.jpg)
And sweetener. (You can also use regular sugar, but as you know, multiple sources found that sugar is particularly harmful to the body). We used two packets of Monk Fruit in the Raw.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-6-1.jpg)
Seal the bag tightly, ensuring there are no leaks. This will be your ice cream mixture.
3. Shake the Bags
Place the quart-sized bag with the ice cream mixture into the gallon-sized bag with the ice cream and salt.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-7.jpg)
Seal the gallon-sized bag tightly, making sure it’s securely closed to prevent any leaks.
Now, it’s time to shake things up – literally! Hold onto the top of the gallon-sized bag with a towel (or oven mitt) to protect your hands from the cold, and shake the bag vigorously for about 5-10 minutes. This shaking motion helps to evenly distribute the cold temperature, allowing the ice cream mixture to freeze.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-8.jpg)
After 5-10 minutes of shaking, carefully remove the quart-sized bag from the gallon-sized bag. Grab a spoon and enjoy your homemade ice cream straight from the bag! You can add toppings like sprinkles, chocolate sauce, or crushed cookies to make it even more delicious.
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-12-1.jpg)
You can have a taste test at halfway point, and discuss (and record) the consistency of your mixture and visible changes. The photo above was taken at about the 4-minute mark. The photo below was taken after ten minutes. Do you see the difference?!
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-15-1.jpg)
The mixture is ready when it looks good enough to eat 🙂 Scoop out and enjoy!
![All it takes is a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore, and some basic kitchen ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. #kidsactivities #STEM #handsonlearning #chemistry4kids #chemistryforlittlekids #creativekids #icecream #earlylearning](https://kidminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag-science-experiment-10-1.jpg)
You can also scoop out your ice cream into a pretty cup and decorate it with chocolate pieces, chocolate-covered nuts, mint leaves, or fresh berries.
In the next section, we’ll explore the fascinating science behind this ice cream activity and discover why shaking it up creates such a tasty treat.
The science behind the activity
When it comes to making ice cream in a bag, several science concepts are at play. The first concept is freezing point depression, which is the scientific principle that explains why adding salt to ice lowers the temperature at which it freezes. As we mentioned earlier, adding salt to the ice in this activity lowers the freezing point of water, allowing the ice to become colder than it would otherwise be. This extreme coldness is crucial because it helps freeze the ice cream mixture and turn it into a creamy treat.
Another scientific concept involved in this activity is heat transfer. During the shaking process, heat is transferred from the cream mixture to the ice, causing the mixture to freeze. This transfer of heat occurs because heat always moves from a higher-temperature object (the cream mixture) to a lower-temperature object (the ice). By shaking the bag, we are ensuring continuous contact between the cream mixture and the ice, facilitating the transfer of heat and the freezing process.
Furthermore, the process of shaking the bag introduces mechanical energy into the system. This mechanical energy is transformed into kinetic energy as the ice and cream mixture move and collide within the bag. The collisions between the ice crystals and the cream mixture help break down the ice crystals and promote the formation of smaller, smoother ice crystals, resulting in a creamier texture for the ice cream.
Overall, by incorporating concepts like freezing point depression, heat transfer, and mechanical energy, the ice cream in a bag activity offers a hands-on way for kids to explore and understand these scientific principles.
It’s not just a fun treat to make; it’s a chance to learn about the fascinating science behind the freezing process. So, as you proceed with the activity, encourage the kids to record their observations, questions, hypotheses, results, and conclusions, as it helps them engage with the scientific concepts at play and deepen their understanding.
Add printables
As you embark on this exciting ice cream-making adventure with the kids, make sure to provide them with notebooks, journals, or our printables to document their scientific exploration.
Throughout the activity, the kids can document each step of the process, from the initial mix of ingredients to the moment they finally enjoy their homemade ice cream. By recording their results, they will have a tangible record of their scientific journey. Encourage them to compare their findings with their initial hypothesis and draw conclusions about the scientific principles they have explored.
This will not only enhance their learning experience but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the science behind the delicious treat they are creating.
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