Five Fun Summertime Treats to Make Together!

Nothing is sweeter than making a treat with a Little Brother or Little Sister. Here are four inexpensive summer projects that you and a young person can make together, in the kitchen or on the front porch! 

Homemade Ice Cream

If you’ve never made homemade ice cream with a hand-crank ice cream maker, here are two things you need to know. First, your arm will get tired from cranking, so take turns! Second, it’s worth it — we guarantee ice cream never tastes better than when you crank it yourself on a hot day. You probably know someone already who has an old hand-crank maker in their basement or garage, so ask around and follow the directions. You’ll be glad you did!

Sun Tea

Most people have made ice tea the usual way, by boiling the water and then letting it cool. But you and a young person can make sun tea by putting tea in cold water, covering it, and leaving it outside and letting the sun do its work. Try mint leaves … or sassafras root … or a little bit of orange peel … or different kinds of tea … or anything you like. Try adding a cinnamon stick!

Snow Cones

Snow cones are easiest to make if you have an ice shaver. You might want to ask around. But if you don’t you can still make a “slushy.” Crush ice in a blender or use a bag and a hammer (watch those little fingers). Now, what to use for syrup? How about fruit juice? Or use some powdered drink mix using only half the water. Cool and sweet!

“Kool Aid Pickles”

Yes, you read that right! Kool Aid Pickles are popular with children throughout the Mississippi Delta region. We can’t promise you’ll love the taste, but what young person wouldn’t like to experiment with making some? And you might just discover a new taste treat. Here’s how:

• Take a big pickle jar and dump half of the brine out, leaving the pickles
• Fill the rest of the jar with your favorite Kool-Aid flavor (extra strong)
• Let them soak for a week and try them next time you get together with your young person. Sweet-sour-crunchy and fun!

(Or maybe it’s a Delta thing?)

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