We're always reaching for cold treats to cool us off during the hot months of summer. Well it might just be the perfect time to include a science lesson as you make your cold treat this season. This homemade slushie recipe is perfect for kids and adults alike. Continue reading for instructions on how to make homemade slushies at home using science and materials already found in your home; no blender required!
In this science experiment, salt and ice help the juice to freeze very quickly. Adding salt to the bag of ice creates a freezing point depression, which makes the temperature at which the water freezes lower than regular water. The juice will start to change from a liquid to a solid. It's chemistry! If you've ever made ice cream in a bag, it's the same principles.
Instructions
What You'll Need:
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- 2 cups of your favorite juice
- 2 cups ice
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 gallon-sized plastic bag
- 2 quart-sized plastic bags
- Food coloring (optional)
What You'll Do:
- Pour 1 cup of juice into a quart-size plastic bag. Add about 8 drops of food coloring into the bag (optional). Seal tightly.
- Pour another cup of juice into the other quart-size bag. Add about 8 drops of another food coloring into the bag (optional). Seal tightly.
- Put 2 cups of ice, 1 cup of water, and 1 cup of salt into the gallon size bag.
- Add both quart-sized bags into the larger bag with the ice, water, and salt. Seal the gallon-sized bag tightly.
- Shake the bag for 5 minutes or until you see your juice looking slushy! Be careful: your hands might start to feel cold! Wearing gloves or oven mitts will help if your hands get cold.
- Remove the two quart-sized bags. Your juice should be slushy! Open and enjoy!
Looking for more ways to make science engaging and relevant for your students? Mobile Ed’s STEAM Museum uses fun and practical activities in the museum to teach kids K-6 about science, technology, engineering, art, and math. In this fan-favorite program, students have up-close and hands-on experiences with:
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- Programming
- Robotics
- 3D printing
- Structures
- Conservation of energy
- Problem-solving
- Team building
For more information about our science programs, check out our website.
Project inspired by: Little Bins, Little Hands