Snow Ice Cream Recipe – Fun Winter Activity for Kids!

If you end up with even a small snowfall, you can scoop up some of that white fluffy snow and make snow ice cream!  This is such a fun activity to do with the kids and they always get a huge kick out of turning the snow into a tasty treat.

I don’t remember making snow ice cream as a kid, but I’m pretty sure these “recipes” have been around for decades (or centuries, even). When the snow starts falling, the kids immediately start begging to head outside and play. They have been known to play for HOURS on end and sometimes I have to round them up and force them to come back inside to warm up for a bit! Keep this easy recipe handy for the next snowfall.  It takes just minutes to make, tastes good, and the kids think it’s awesome. (Plus, I totally think you could count this as some STEM education, don’t you?!)

Easy Snow Ice Cream Recipe

I remember it took me a few years to finally try out this treat with Lily. Finally when she was about 4 or 5 (and in the middle of a VERY snowy winter), we gave it a whirl. It worked! It was fabulous, fun, and easy!

Making ice cream out of snow is a cinch – and it only takes a couple of minutes. One word of advice regarding how much snow to use – the fluffier (lighter) the snow, the more snow you will need. I like to start with about 10 cups of snow, but always keep extra nearby in case I need more. On this day we had a VERY light, fluffy snow coming down so I probably used closer to 15 cups of snow.

I have seen several variations of this recipe online. Some of them use milk (like our version) and others use other dairy ingredients, for example cream or sweetened condensed milk. You can really play around with different recipes and tweak things to your specific taste preference.

Snow Ice Cream Ingredients

To make snow ice cream, you will need:

• 10 cups of CLEAN white snow (possibly more if the snow is super fluffy)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk

How to Make Snow Ice Cream

1.  Place snow in a large mixing bowl.  Sprinkle sugar over the top of the snow.

2.  Slowly add vanilla and milk.  I poured mine down the side of the bowl to melt as little of the snow possible.

3.  Fold ingredients into each other until you get a slushy-ice-creamy consistency.

4. Enjoy immediately!  This sweet treat is especially enjoyed by kids who have played to their heart’s content out in the snow all afternoon!

Storage: Snow ice cream doesn’t really keep very well. It is best enjoyed (eaten!) immediately after making. However, you can attempt to save some for later if you store it in airtight container and stick it in the freezer.

Snow Ice Cream Toppings

Totally optional, of course, but consider adding some toppings to your finished bowl of snow ice cream!

Popular toppings include:

• Sprinkles
• Cherries
• Whipped Cream
• Chocolate Chips
• Chocolate Syrup
• Caramel Syrup
• Cookie Crumbles
• Brownie Bites

If you decide to give this snow ice cream recipe a try, let us know how it turned out for you! If you post a pic on social media, feel free to tag us. We’d love to see your ice cream! 

More Winter Fun with Kids!

We have been at this blog thing for over a decade and have a whole bunch of fun winter themed activities for you to enjoy with your kids! From edible treats to art projects, here are just a few of our very favorites. You can always scroll through our extensive DIY collection for more ideas!

What are some of your family’s favorite winter activities? My kids are usually content to spend hours and hours outside and love to do everything from sledding to snowball fights. We actually lucked out with the sledding hill jackpot when my dad bought a house a few years ago that sits atop a most excellent hill. You can usually find us parked at this house on the days following a big snow because the kids cannot get enough of tubing down the steep bank!

Lily also loves to head out to the barn and tack up her pony, Bun Bun, and go for a chilly ride in the snow!  Those two are such a fun pair to watch and the pony is clearly enjoying herself when she’s prancing all around in the snow! Snow riding is always a fun winter activity over here, though the trick is to get the riding in while it’s only snow covering the ground. Once the melting sets in, the ring snow turns to slush and ice, which is not safe to ride on. Fresh snow is always best – whether your sledding, making snow ice cream, or, apparently, riding a pony in it!

DIY Snow Paint for Kids

After you round up your clean fresh snow for snow ice cream, make a colorful masterpiece with some (very very simple) snow paint!

Make a Hot Chocolate Bar

There’s no better way to warm up from snow fun than a piping hot mug of hot chocolate! Grab our best tips for setting up your own hot chocolate bar!

Roll a Snowman Play Dough Mat

Grab our free Roll a Snowman printable play dough mat for indoor winter-themed fun.

Fluffy Snowball Slime

If the slime craze is still alive and well in your house, try out this fun Snowball Slime recipe!  It’s so light and fluffy!

DIY Indoor Snowball Fight Bucket

Here’s a much warmer alternative to the traditional snowball fight. Bring it indoors with this DIY Indoor Snowball Fight Bucket!

Snowman Donut Snacks! 

Check out these adorable donut snowman snacks! Our post includes the free printable hat file.

String Cheese Snowman Snacks

One of my favorite snacks to send with the kids when it was their turn for preschool snack day – make these string cheese snowman snacks for a fun winter themed snack!

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