As you get into the swing of back-to-school, it can be helpful to do activities at home with your child that not only offer a fun way to bond, but also enable them to learn something valuable. This ice cream making activity combines lessons about the importance of sharing while creating a sweet treat that the whole family can enjoy.
For this recipe, you’ll need one pint-size resealable plastic freezer bag and one gallon-size resealable plastic freezer bag (or a sealable plastic tub). You’ll also need:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice cubes
- 1 cup salt (kosher or rock salt)
Now for the fun part!
- Step One: Help your child combine the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and zip it up tightly.
- Step Two: Fill the gallon-size bag or sealable plastic tub with ice and salt.
- Step Three: Using gloves or a towel to protect your hands from the cold, show your child how to put the sealed smaller bag inside the larger bag or tub and close it up.
- Step Four: Demonstrate to your child how to shake and shake to make ice cream! It will take about five minutes until the cream hardens. During this step, you can take turns shaking the bag, teaching them why it’s important to give others an opportunity to be part of the process.
- Step Five: Take the smaller bag out and rinse the outside.
Once the ice cream is ready, encourage your child to divvy it up into bowls and share it with a friend, sibling, or family member, emphasizing the importance of generosity and why sharing helps create lasting relationships.