Ice Cream Making Games

Ice Cream in a Can

• There are several ways to make ice cream. While the most traditional method includes using an electric ice cream maker, empty coffee cans can be used to achieve the same result. First, obtain two clean, empty coffee cans, one 1 lb. can and one 3 lb. can. Next, mix all the ingredients in the small coffee can. For plain vanilla ice cream, use 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of light cream, 1/2 a cup sugar and 1 tsp. of vanilla. Close the container, wrap the seal with duct tape, and place in the larger coffee can. Pack ice and 1 cup of salt around the smaller can, seal the larger can with duct tape and give it to your kids to shake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, open and scrape the sides of the can. Reseal, and shake for another 10 minutes. During the shaking process, kids can do several things. First, they could have a competition to see who can shake the can hardest for 1 minute. They can also take turns rolling the can back and forth on the floor. Have a competition to see who can roll the can the farthest across the room. Another idea is to set up empty 2-liter bottles like bowling pins. Have a bowling game, where the kids must roll the can into the pins. If several children are present, have them gather in a circle. Start music, like musical chairs, and have each kid shake the can three times and pass it to his neighbor. Whoever is shaking the can when you stop the music has to leave the circle. Continue playing until one player wins.

  No matter how children roll the can, make sure it keeps moving at all times.

Making Games out of the Toppings

• If using a traditional ice cream maker, kids can still have fun out of the ice cream making process. Place the toppings for ice cream, including nuts, crushed Oreos, M&Ms, sprinkles, marshmallows and chopped candy bars, in small little bags. Hide them all over the house. Tell the kids that whatever toppings they find they can put in their ice cream. This scavenger hunt could take 20 to 25 minutes, about the time necessary to freeze the ice cream.