Any ideas for something other than the Blizzard Maker?

[sandgrace]

My DD6 has been begging for the Blizzard Maker for Christmas, but it's gotten some really bad reviews. Does anyone have any ideas of something somewhat like it that I can get her? TIA!

 

[amy-momofthree]

Snow cone maker?

Yeah, ds wanted the blizzard maker and when I looked it up, it said you had to buy those packets for it??

 

[binab]

If you go the snowcone route, I recommend the Hamilton Beach Icy Treats maker. Target has it and it's awesome! DD7 got one for her birthday. She wasn't happy at first - she wanted the blizzard maker too. We use it all the time and now she tells me it was her favorite gift! We make our own syrup (full and sugar-free both) using the recipes on allrecipes.com.

 

[Dizneydaz]

This summer I bought something similar to the Magic Bullet for us to make smoothies in. It's made by Bella and is very similar to the Magic Bullet. We love it. We made so many smoothies this summer. And if you use ice and milk (and ice cream) you can make blizzards as well.

What I like to to, for myself, is start with ice and ice tea and then add frozen fruit. Mangos and blueberries are great. I even froze some surplus peaches and have been using that as well. Freezing melon works great too!

I also have used it to make my DM iced coffees. She really likes them with caramel syrup.

We already have a snow cone maker so we don't use it for that. I also make some of my own syrups. It's so easy. Make simple syrup and add flavorings. I really liked the one we made with cinammon. So did DD11 and her friends. I also buy the flavored syrups from Cost Plus World Market.

Oh, and I got a really good deal at Kohls on it. It was on sale plus I got Kohls Cash back. I think it was less than $25 on sale.

 

[poohs4me]

Our DD wants one of these Blizzard makers as well, but the reviews are horrible. So I was looking at a soft serve ice cream machine, but they seem expensive. Not sure what I am going to do either

 

[mom2d&b]

My kids wanted the Blizzard maker too. They are getting DQ gift cards instead.

 

[Mkaz]

My son has this on the top of his Christmas list. I know the reviews weren't good, but I bought it anyway. I bought it from Target for $14.99 using the $10 off coupon from the toy book (matched with a sale). I wouldn't pay $30 for it though.

Maybe a Ninja prep would be the way to go. My sister has one and her kids love it.

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I second the Ninja, we just got one and it is great for smoothies & milkshakes. I'm sure you could get the right consistency for a Blizzard with a little playing around. A 7 year old would need supervision using it, my 13 year old cut herself on the blades. So they do need to be very careful.

Allison

 

[Ashlander]

Have you seen the Babycakes Cupcake Maker? My daughter is going to love this! I'm happy about it because I think she will be able to start doing some cooking on her own - she is 7. She has mastered making scrambled eggs in the microwave and I hope this will keep her away from wanting to do more using the stove or oven. She is my independent one and wants to cook on her own.

 

[Order66]

One year I bought my kids an ICEE maker. I threw it out after a month. Once you added the ice it was too cold and heavy and wouldn't spin.

We have a milkshake maker. Walmart has a cheap one, around $20. I put in ice cream, milk and whatever "blizzard flavor" they want. Instant Blizzards and the kids like them better than DQ since they are real ice cream rather than soft serve.

regards

 

[StephMK]

Have you seen the Babycakes Cupcake Maker? My daughter is going to love this! I'm happy about it because I think she will be able to start doing some cooking on her own - she is 7. She has mastered making scrambled eggs in the microwave and I hope this will keep her away from wanting to do more using the stove or oven. She is my independent one and wants to cook on her own.

Thanks for posting that! I saw an ad for it the other day but couldn't remember what it was called to look it up. DD10 has the EZ Bake Oven on her list but I think I might get this instead. I want to get toys while she still asks but I have done the EZ cakes w/her older sis- yuck. This will be fun but more practical! I offered just using the regular oven but she wants her own method.

She does have the EZ Bake decorating pen & that is kind of fun. The regular decorator is hard for her to squeeze. That would be cute to give w/the cupcake maker.

OP - DD10 also wants the blizzard maker. Ugh on advertising these toys that get such bad reviews! I like the idea of the blizzard/milkshake maker though.