Is there anything more universally loved than ice cream? Whether you are a fan of classic vanilla, rich chocolate, or a towering cone of rainbow sherbet, ice cream is the ultimate symbol of joy. But let’s face it—real ice cream melts, gets sticky, and disappears way too fast!
That is why we have gathered a collection of 20 Cool and Creative Ice Cream Crafts for Kids. These projects are calorie-free, mess-free (mostly!), and guarantee hours of creative fun.
Did you know there are actual holidays dedicated to this frozen treat? Mark your calendars because the first Saturday of February is “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.” Yes, you read that right—it is the one day of the year where a scoop of rocky road is an acceptable morning meal! Later in the year, on September 22nd, we celebrate Ice Cream Cone Day.
Speaking of cones, the history of the ice cream cone is fascinating. While there are debates about who did it first, the general consensus is that early cones were actually waffles rolled by hand. Eventually, machines were invented to handle the demand, and the crispy, crunchy vessel we know and love took over the world.
Whether it is the middle of a hot summer or a snowy winter day, these crafts are perfect for preschoolers, toddlers, and older kids alike. So, grab your glue sticks, your glitter (the sprinkles of the craft world), and let’s get scooping!
Why Ice Cream Crafts are Great for Development
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about why these specific crafts are good for your little ones.
- Color Recognition: Ice cream flavors come in every hue. This is a great way to teach pastel colors versus bold colors.
- Fine Motor Skills: Scissor cutting, gluing “sprinkles,” and folding paper cones all help strengthen little hands.
- Sensory Play: Many of these crafts utilize textures—puffy paint, cotton balls, and felt—which are excellent for sensory processing.
The Ultimate List: 20 Ice Cream Crafts for KidsWe have categorized these projects to help you find the perfect one for your supplies and age group.
Paper and Cardboard Creations
1. The Classic Handprint Ice Cream This is a wonderful keepsake. Trace your child’s hand on brown construction paper to make the “cone.” Then, cut out scoops of ice cream from colorful paper. Glue the handprint fingers-down, and stack the scoops on top of the palm. It looks like a five-scoop delight!
2. Paper Plate Swirls Take a paper plate and paint it your favorite flavor color. Once dry, cut the plate in a spiral from the outside in. Glue the center of the spiral to a cardboard cone. When you hold the cone, the paper plate uncoils into a bouncy soft-serve swirl.
3. Cupcake Liner Scoops Do you have leftover muffin liners? Flatten them out or leave them slightly crinkled for texture. Glue them onto a piece of paper in a stack. Draw a triangle cone at the bottom. This is one of the easiest crafts for toddlers.
4. Origami Cones For older children who enjoy a challenge, simple origami techniques can turn a square piece of brown paper into a 3D cone. Stuff it with tissue paper “ice cream” for a cute desk decoration.
5. Accordion Fold Popsicles Cut a popsicle shape out of cardstock. Take long strips of colored paper and fold them back and forth (accordion style). Glue these bouncy strips onto the popsicle base to create a 3D, textured treat.
Sensory and Texture Crafts
6. Puffy Paint Ice Cream Art This is a favorite! Mix equal parts white school glue and shaving cream. Add a drop of food coloring. When kids paint with this mixture, it dries 3D and puffy, looking exactly like real whipped ice cream or soft serve.
7. Cotton Ball “Vanilla” Scoops Cut out a cardboard cone. Give the child a handful of cotton balls. Let them glue the fluffy balls onto the top of the cone. They can leave them white for vanilla or use watercolors to dab them gently, turning them into strawberry or blueberry flavors.
8. Shaving Cream Marbling Spray a layer of shaving cream into a tray and drop in liquid watercolors or food dye. Swirl it with a toothpick. Press a paper ice cream cutout into the foam and scrape it off. You are left with a beautiful, marbled pattern that looks like “Superman” or “Rainbow” ice cream.
9. Sandpaper Cones To explore textures, cut the triangle cone shape out of coarse sandpaper. It mimics the rough, crunchy texture of a waffle cone. Pair it with smooth satin fabric or glossy paper for the scoops to teach the difference between rough and smooth.
10. Sponge Stamped Cones Cut a clean kitchen sponge into a circle. Dip it into paints and stamp “scoops” onto paper. The pores in the sponge create a bubbly texture that looks just like frozen sorbet.
Upcycled and Recycled Projects
11. Egg Carton Cones Cut the individual cups out of a cardboard egg carton. Flip them upside down—these are your scoops! Paint them bright colors. You can stack them or glue them to a flat triangle piece of cardboard. Don’t forget to glue a red bead on top for a cherry.
12. Toilet Roll Popsicles Flatten a toilet paper roll and staple one end shut. Insert a popsicle stick into the stapled end. Paint the roll bright colors. You can even wrap a strip of brown paper around the middle to look like the peel of a mesmerizing orange creamsicle.
13. Bubble Wrap Printed Cones Don’t throw away that packaging! Paint a piece of bubble wrap brown. Press it onto paper to create a print. Cut this print into triangles. The bubble circles look exactly like the grid pattern on a waffle cone.
14. Coffee Filter Tie-Dye Flatten a white coffee filter. Let kids draw on it with washable markers. Spray it with water and watch the colors bleed and blend. Once dry, these make beautiful, ethereal scoops of ice cream.
Wearable and Fun Décor
15. The Ice Cream Necklace Using air-dry clay or salt dough, fashion small cones and scoops. Poke a hole through the top before they dry. Once hard, paint them and string them onto yarn. It’s a sweet accessory for creative kids.
16. Giant Balloon Garland Blow up 12-inch balloons in pastel colors. Roll large sheets of brown kraft paper into giant cones. Tape the balloon into the cone. String these up for an instant ice cream party decoration!
17. Felt Plushie Magnets Cut simple shapes from felt. Sew two cone pieces together and stuff lightly. Do the same for the scoop. Glue a magnet to the back. These are soft, cute, and perfect for holding artwork on the fridge.
18. Button Mosaic Art Draw a large outline of a sundae on a canvas. Give the kids a jar of old buttons. Have them glue the buttons inside the lines to fill the picture. It’s like a mosaic and is great for color sorting.
19. Popsicle Stick Easel Ice Cream Glue three popsicle sticks into a triangle (the cone). Glue a paper circle on top (the scoop). The gap in the middle of the sticks can be backed with paper, or left open to frame a small photo of your child!
20. Footprint Cone Keepsake Similar to the handprint craft, but using a foot! Paint the child’s foot brown and stamp it. The heel is the scoop and the toes are the bottom of the cone (or vice versa depending on the shape!). It’s a silly sensory experience that giggling kids love.
A Spotlight Tutorial: How to Make “Puffy Paint” Ice Cream
Since it is one of the most popular crafts on our list, here is a detailed step-by-step guide to making Puffy Paint Ice Cream art. This creates a 3D effect that looks good enough to eat (but please don’t!).
Supplies Needed:
- White school glue (PVA glue)
- Shaving cream (the white foam kind, not gel)
- Food coloring
- Cardstock or heavy paper
- Paintbrushes
- Small bowls for mixing
- Real sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cone: Draw or cut out a brown triangle and glue it to the bottom of your cardstock. You can use a brown marker to draw crisscross lines for the waffle pattern.
- Mix the “Ice Cream”: In a small bowl, mix roughly equal parts glue and shaving cream. It doesn’t have to be exact—just aim for a fluffy consistency.
- Add Color: Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to the mix. Stir gently. Make a few different bowls for different flavors (Pink for strawberry, Green for mint, Brown for chocolate).
- Paint: Scoop a generous amount onto the brush and dab it onto the paper above the cone. Do not brush it flat! You want to leave it thick and gloopy so it stays puffy.
- Toppings: While the paint is still wet, shake real rainbow sprinkles or glitter on top. They will stick as it dries.
- The Wait: Let it dry overnight. The water will evaporate, but the foam and glue will hold the air bubbles, keeping the texture raised and soft to the touch.
Conclusion: A Sweet Treat for Everyone
Crafting with your children is about more than just the end result; it is about the giggles over sticky fingers, the decision-making process of choosing the “flavor” (color), and the pride they feel when displaying their work on the refrigerator.
These 20 ice cream crafts offer a variety of ways to celebrate, whether it is for a specific holiday like Ice Cream Cone Day, or just a random Tuesday afternoon. They encourage creativity, reduce screen time, and—best of all—they won’t give you a brain freeze!