we had a counter-top ice cream maker for while, but found we were eating way too much ice cream! fun to experiment with flavors and recipes...and then eat all that deliciousness! and yes, we did share lots with friends. but still, my husband's cholesterol spiked, and we had to quit. if you're able to tolerate cream and yolks, it's a great summer project for the family.
we have had wonderful luck making frozen dessert without the cream (which is probably no help to you, since you have a dairy!). just smush up a couple of cups of watermelon (no seeds) and spread it out in a shallow pan. freeze, stirring every once in a while with a fork so it doesn't make a brick. spoon into a pretty glass, admire and enjoy!
when my kids were young, i always bought up the bags of over-ripe bananas at the market to make banana pops. pretty easy: peel the banana, put a popsickle stick into one end, corn-dog style, lay them on a shallow pan and freeze. sweet, creamy, delish!