Ice Cream
LESSON 6
Children will explore the science of freezing, discover the importance of salt, and enjoy making ice cream in a bag.
Ingredients for ice cream:
Half and half OR whole milk and heavy cream
Sugar
Vanilla extract
Toppings or mix-ins of choice (sprinkles, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, caramel, hot fudge, oreos, etc.)
Small sealable plastic bags (sandwich-sized)
Large sealable plastic bags (gallon-sized)
Ice
Rock salt
*If you are dairy free, I highly recommend heading to Pinterest or Google to find a recipe that will suit your needs.
Materials
Gather materials
Familiarize yourself with the steps of making ice cream in a bag.
Prepare a clean and accessible workspace.
Preparations
Guide children through the steps of making ice cream in a bag, emphasizing the science concepts involved.
Encourage curiosity by asking questions about the freezing and melting process.
Support children in practicing fine motor skills and coordination during the activity.
Encourage children to observe the changes in the mixture as it transforms into ice cream.
Objectives for Teachers
Children engage in a hands-on activity, creating ice cream in a bag, applying their knowledge of ice.
Children explore the science behind freezing and melting while making a delicious frozen treat.
Children enhance fine motor skills and coordination through the process of making ice cream.
Children practice basic culinary concepts by discussing the role of each ingredient in making ice cream.
Objectives for Children
Collect and Connect
Practice saying the poem together with the actions you came up with.
Jack Frost!
Who comes creeping in the night,
When the moon is clear and bright?
Who paints tree leaves red and gold,
When the autumn days turn cold?
Up the hill and down he goes,
In and out the brown corn rows.
Making music crackling sweet,
With is little frosty feet.
Jack Frost!
Activity Flow
Begin by revisiting the concepts of freezing and melting discussed in previous lessons. Ask children to recall what happens when water turns into ice and vice versa.
Introduce the idea of making ice cream in a bag. Discuss briefly how ingredients freeze to create a tasty treat.
Lay out the ingredients and let children observe each component. Allow them to measure and pour ingredients into a small plastic bag: 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup whole milk, OR 1 cup of half and half, 1/4 cup sugar, and a drop of vanilla extract.
Seal the small plastic bag securely, ensuring minimal air inside. Fill a large plastic bag halfway with ice and add a generous amount of salt. Place the small sealed bag with the ice cream mixture into the larger bag of ice. Then add more ice to the large bag until it is full.
Encourage children to shake the bags, mimicking the churning process of making ice cream. Consider playing a song or two to add a musical element, inspiring them to shake or dance to the rhythm of the music.
Discuss why salt is added to the ice and how it affects the freezing point. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, allowing the ice to melt at a lower temperature than it normally would. This process is crucial for making ice cream because it ensures the mixture freezes while creating a smooth and creamy texture.
After about 5-10 minutes of shaking, check the consistency of the ice cream. Once ready, remove the small bag from the larger bag full of ice. Carefully open the small bag, add optional toppings if desired, and enjoy the homemade ice cream straight from the bag, or put it in a dish for serving.
As you eat, discuss the experience. Ask questions like:
What happened to the liquid mixture inside the bag as you shook it?
How did the ice and salt contribute to the freezing process?
