Ball Toss Ice Cream: A Fun DIY Treat for Families

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup whole milk (or flavored milk)
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re looking for a sweet way to combine family fun and dessert, Ball Toss Ice Cream is the perfect activity. This easy homemade ice cream recipe uses simple ingredients, a few zip-top bags, and a lot of tossing around! It’s part science experiment, part playtime, and part tasty treat.

Unlike traditional ice cream machines, this method uses ice and rock salt to freeze the creamy mixture while you toss it back and forth. Kids love it because they get to play ball—and everyone enjoys the reward at the end: smooth, delicious ice cream.

Supplies Required

  • 1
    2 quart-sized zip-top bags
  • 2
    2 gallon-sized zip-top bags
  • 3
    Ice
  • 4
    Rock salt
  • 5
    Newspaper
  • 6
    Heavy-duty tape

Instructions:

  • 1
    Prepare the Ice Cream Mix
  • 2
    In a quart-sized zip-top bag, combine milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla.
  • 3
    Seal tightly. Place inside another quart-sized bag to prevent leaks.
  • 4
    Set Up the Ice Bag
  • 5
    Place the double-bagged mixture inside a gallon-sized zip-top bag.
  • 6
    Fill the bag with ice and sprinkle generously with rock salt.
  • 7
    Seal and place inside a second gallon-sized bag for extra protection.
  • 8
    Wrap and Tape
  • 9
    Wrap the big bag in several layers of newspaper.
  • 10
    Use heavy-duty tape to secure and shape it into a ball.
  • 11
    Play and Toss!
  • 12
    Toss the ball back and forth for 15–20 minutes.
  • 13
    The movement helps the ice and salt freeze the mixture into ice cream.
  • 14
    Unwrap and Enjoy
  • 15
    Carefully unwrap the bags, remove the ice, and scoop out your homemade treat.

Roughing It Easy

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