This is a really fun activity to do with the kids as part of a DIY summer camp at home!- Perfect for a hot day, but I would suggest that you make it and eat it indoors- or the ice you are using to make the ice cream will melt very quickly, perhaps before the ingredients have “frozen”. Here's how to make ice cream in a bag!
How to Make Ice Cream in A Bag
For the ice cream, you'll need:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
And to freeze the ice cream, you'll need:
- 3/4 cup kosher salt
- 2 cups ice
- 1-quart zip-top bag
- 1-gallon zip-top bag
Start by mixing together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl, and then pour the contents into the quart sized zip-top bag.
Prepare the “freezer bag” by putting the ice and the kosher salt into the gallon zip-top bag, and then shake it up a bit to mix. Place the ice cream mixture bag inside of the freezer bag, making sure that both bags are zipped up tightly.
Shake the bag gently for about 10 minutes, trying to keep the ice cream mixture bag surrounded by the ice as much as possible. You might want to wear gloves, oven mitts, or even wrap your hands in a beach towel- so that your hands don't freeze!
After about 10 minutes open up the bags to check- and by then you should have a delicious frozen treat! (If yours doesn't freeze before the ice is melted- try popping both bags in the freezer for 5-10 minutes!)
Such a yummy sweet treat!
Please check out my DIY Summer Camp page for lots of ideas on how to host your own kids summer camp at home!
Here are some more great summer ideas for you:
- Free Family Summer Bucket List Printable
- Free Printable Summer Schedule
- 50 Fun Summer Activities, Crafts, and Field Trips (From Pre-K to Teens!)
- DIY Roller Coaster Ride
- Teach Your Kids How to Play Crazy 8's!
How much do you think your kids would love to make ice cream in a bag?
Addie.S says
I mixed all the ingredients for the actual ice cream and then I put that in the freezer in an airtight container and thought that it would make ice cream. When I went back to see if it was ready to eat, it has soft ice on the sides and liquid in the middle, so I took it out and put it in a plastic bag, In another bag I put the ice and salt and shook it for 10 minutes, in the first 3 minutes of shaking the Ice had already melted, so after the ten minutes was over I put more ice in the bag and put both of the bags in an extra bag and started shaking, I shook it for an additional 10 minutes and still nothing happened so then I put it in the freezer and nothing happened. Did I do anything wrong or is it just me?
Britney Jones says
Thanks for this recipe! It was so fun making it! The ice cream was not only fun to make but was delicious too! The only issue we had was that my daughter accidentally spilled some of the ice cream on the couch when she was eating it. Oh well!
jessica says
you make ice crem good
Rachel says
Ooh I’m gonna do this and crush up double stuf Oreos and add to it! Thanks!
Cathy Shultz says
Grandsons and I made this by video during week 3 of Corvid 19 virus during isolation – mom and dad were both working from home.
We had a blast! The did math, science, gym, working together AND a snack!!
Thank you!
Sharon Rowley says
Love the idea of doing it together via video! Thanks for sharing!