You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Summer in Florida is hot, and going from the house to the car and back heats your body from the outside in. Cool off this summer with a refreshingly easy idea your children are sure to appreciate – homemade ice cream! July is National Ice Cream Month, and the Catholic schools in Orlando have a few ideas on how you can plan time creating a fantastic snack while learning a little bit of science along the way.Creating Traditional Ice CreamIf you have an old-fashioned ice-cream chest with a crank handle, look online for information on how much rock salt, ice, cream, and flavorings you need to create a batch of ice cream. Newer models of ice-cream makers are self-churning – just add the ingredients and let them do the rest! Oster, KitchenAid, and many other brands offer different sizes and models depending on your needs.Ice Cream via PlayIf you want to add a little fun into your ice cream making, consider this cool SoftShell Ice Cream Ball. Add the ingredients to the inner portion of the ball, place ice and rock salt in the outer portion, and roll the soft, rubber ball back and forth to your children until the ice cream hardens. If you like soft-serve, eat a little sooner!Science Project Ice CreamUsing equipment around the house, you can create a newfangled version of old-fashioned deliciousness. To make individual servings of ice cream, grab a gallon-sized zip-top storage bag and a pint-sized zip top bag. Add 1.5 cups of half-and-half, a tablespoon of sugar, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla to the small bag. Place 1.5 cups of ice and ¼ cup rock salt in the large bag, add the small bag, and pour 1.5 cups of ice and ¼ cup rock salt on top of the small bag. Wrap the large bag in a kitchen towel and shake. Prepare as many bags as you have children willing to shake them and you can all wiggle around the kitchen together. As you shake, explain a few scientific concepts to your children concerning freezing points: the freezing point of water is 32°, but the cream you added requires a lower temperature than that to freeze into ice cream. The rock salt lowered the freezing point, so the cream solidified! By the time you finish the lesson (in two to three minutes), your ice cream should be ready to eat.No matter which method you choose, the results will be delicious. Add fruit as a garnish or mint in place of vanilla for a fresh flavor. You can also experiment with various types of soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk for a plant-based, lactose-free treat. Enjoy your summer with your children before they return to their Catholic school in Orlando. For information on more summer ideas, read our blog page or call the Diocese of Orlando at 407-246-4903.