I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!
Who doesn’t love ice cream (except those with allergies and who are lactose intolerant :-)). Even though we tend to eat more during the hot summer months, ice cream is readily available year round.
Most kids love ice cream. Mine sure do. We tend to have some in the freezer all the time, although the kids know they cannot eat it every day. I also tend to buy ice creams that are already a serving size like cones, bars or sandwiches. That way I know my kids won’t over do it like they would if they had to scoop out ice cream from a container. Even though they know not to take too much it’s way too tempting for them not to.
Did you ever wonder if kids would crave something, like ice cream, as much if they had to “work” for it? What if kids had to make the ice cream themselves every time they wanted some. Do you think they would want ice cream that often?
I have seen plenty of appliances and gadgets on the market that allow you to make fresh ice cream at home. Most come with a hefty price tag that makes it almost not worthwhile.
There is a less expensive option to make your own ice cream at home. It’s called Mugz Ice Cream Makers. Mugz come with everything you need to make fresh, homemade ice cream, including a tiny spoon and recipe booklet.
Mugz are available in four different characters: Penguin, Dog, Polar Bear and Seal. They are pretty cute too. We have the Penguin.
Using the Mugz to make ice cream is pretty simple. Just add ice and salt to the bottom part of the container. In the top part add milk or cream and anything else you want to flavor your ice cream. Then screw both pieces together and then shake like crazy for around three or four minutes. The result – approximately four tablespoons of ice cream.
I know, most people are saying “Only 4 tablespoons?”. Yes, that is correct.
There are pros and cons to the Mugz Ice Cream Makers.
Pros
– Fresh ice cream anytime you want it.
– The ability to create your own flavors, or invent new flavors.
– Easy to use.
– Easy to clean.
– Children of all ages can make their own ice cream (younger ones will need parental assistance).
– A cheaper option then most other homemade ice cream makers.
– Portion control since you can only make a little bit.
Cons
– It makes only around 4 tablespoons of ice cream, which is a “tease” to ‘tweens through adults.
– Sometimes you have to shake upwards of 5 minutes or longer (I don’t know why – might be the ingredients).
– Often the ice cream came out too soft, almost like melted soft serve.
I don’t know if this is a pro or a con but I liked using the Mugz to make slushies rather then ice cream (my kids did too). We use whatever juice we have in the house, even Orange Juice.
Here is a brief video to give you a better idea of how Mugz work.
For younger children (10 and under) this would probably be the perfect. For ‘tweens and teens it’s not as exciting. My teen lost interest in it after a few times (but she uses it to make slush). My ‘tween kept interest in it a bit longer, now he doesn’t use it as much because he says, and I quote, “It’s too much work“. I guess for them they would like to see a bigger “payoff” (more ice cream) for all the shaking they have to do.
On a side note all that shaking is good exercise. 🙂
On a scale of 1-5 I’d give Mugz a 3. It has it’s good points and it’s bad points. I’m on the fence with this one as far as if I really like it or I don’t. I guess you’ll have to decide that for yourself.
Mugz are available online at various retail locations.
For more information visit www.GeospacePlays.com. While you are there check out all the other cool toys they carry. You can also follow them on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/Geospace and Twitter, www.Twitter.com/GeospacePlay.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.