12 Best Ice Cream Party Ideas for 2022

An ice cream party is a great way to connect with family and friends. It can be a simple gathering where ice cream is the center of attention. An ice cream party is a great summer party that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. There are lots of great ice cream party ideas that make planning really easy.

Little kids love an ice cream-themed birthday party and adults are sure to enjoy a neighborhood ice cream social. Here are some great ice cream party ideas for adults and kids. An ice cream party can be as simple or as grand as you would like. Some of our favorite ice cream parties are just a quick run with cousins to an ice cream shop. It’s an easy and great way to make memories and sticky fingers.

Here are the 12 best ice cream party ideas to help you put extra scoops of fun into your next party.

HOW TO PLAN THE BEST ICE CREAM PARTY

1. PLANNING YOUR PARTY

Every good party starts with a plan. Here are a few details to get you started and organized.

1. Decide on a date for your ice cream party. Did you know that July 17th is National Ice Cream Day? What a perfectly happy day to gather family and friends, eat a sweet treat, and enjoy each other’s company.

2. Next decide on your invitations. Try to get them to your party guests two weeks in advance. Remember schedules fill up fast and you want to give everyone a heads-up, so they will be able to attend.

3. Decided on the menu. What type of ice cream will you have? Which toppings would you like to have available?

4. Purchase any and all serving dishes and paper products. Don’t forget ice cream scoops!

5. Get creative as you decided on which fun games and crafts you would like to have for your guests. Decide on your decorations too. Make time for any of the DIY ice cream party decorations you have decided on.

6. If you would like to give party favors, get those bought or made.

7. Purchase your toppings and ice cream from your local grocery store. Make sure you have enough freezer space.

Check out all these ideas to get the creative juices flowing as you plan and prepare for a fun and creative ice cream party! So many great ice cream party ideas for adults and kids.

2. BEST ICE CREAM PARTY INVITATIONS

Choosing an invitation is a lot of fun. You could DIY an ice cream cone invitation with sheets of card stock and glue. The shapes are simple and easy to create.

I often opt for using a free online template like Canva. Canva has invitations that are simple and cute. It doesn’t take long to fill in the information for your party on the template.

Greetings Island also has ice cream invitation templates. They are easy to use and free to download. They have lots of space for all the essential information, so your guests can be informed and know just what to expect.

After downloading your invitation, you can save on ink and get them printed on photo paper from a local photo center for a high-quality invitation. We use Walgreens. Remember to save your online template file as a jpg for printing. Don’t forget to look for a discount code when ordering online.

If you are thinking about emailing your invitations you could use Evite. They have ice cream party invitations that are easy to customize. Once you have typed in your information you can create an email list and email them right from the website. They keep track of how many people RSVP which is helpful.

If you would like to save time and money you could opt for texting your invitations. I prefer this method, though less traditional it helps speed up delivery. By texting your invitations, you will know each person has received their invitation. This makes it easy for people to RSVP with a quick text back after receiving the text invitation.

3. BEST PARTY DECORATIONS

I would recommend hosting your ice cream party outside. The fresh smells of summer and the lush green grass serve as a great backdrop and minimal decorations are needed. 

Decorations can be a hang-up for some who are trying to decide whether to host a party or not. Don’t fret if you don’t have time for the perfect balloon garland. You can play up your party with lots of décors or keep it simple. Use your strengths and do what feels most comfortable for you.

 Amazon has a great selection of ice cream party decorations. When I don’t have enough time for much, I grab a cute plastic tablecloth for the dessert table with matching ice cream bowls, spoons, and napkins. I love the pastel colors, and it’s great that they all match.

Check Prices for The Ice Cream Tablecloth Here!

If you chose to do a toppings bar it would be a great idea to put the toppings in matching bowls to add to the aesthetic of the party. These white small bowls will make the colorful toppings pop for a perfect ice cream sundae bar.

Check Prices for the White Serving Bowls Here!

Big ice cream balloons are festive. They are sure to make a big statement. Simply blow them up and tape or tie them near your serving table, or the entrance to the party.

Check Prices for Big Ice Cream Ballon Here!

Don’t forget a drink dispenser and cups. I consider them a decoration, there are so many cute drink dispenser styles. Water is a must when serving ice cream.

Check for Prices for Drink Dispenser Here!

Tip: Select a drink dispenser that is easy to use, so children are able to use it.

Balloon Party Decorations

 Balloons are a cheap and easy way to add to your decorations. You can play off of traditional ice cream flavors like mint and chocolate chip or strawberry shortcake and choose balloons that match those colors. Tie the balloons to the chairs, or around the serving area.

 I love these DIY ice cream cone balloons. They are simple to make. Tape a cardstock-rolled piece of paper to the bottom of a balloon to create the perfect ice cream cone decoration. They are adorable and would be a great addition to any ice cream social. For other fun balloon decoration ideas check out our other post.

Other Decoration Ideas

If you are going for a more elegant look, I think these ice cream cone flowers are the perfect centerpiece. Aren’t they beautiful?!

 The look is simple, grab a few extra waffle cones, and place flowers inside the cone. Then place the cone inside a clear glass cup, for a beautiful fresh centerpiece. You could put sprinkles in the bottom of the glass for another pop of color.

A menu board doubles as decoration, and information for your guests. If you have lots of topping options it can be helpful for your guests to have an idea of what flavor combos might taste best together.

4. BEST ICE CREAM PARTY GAMES

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! Let the games begin with a twist on the classic of pinning the tail on the donkey – pin the cherry on top of the ice cream. This game never seems to get old.

One at a time blindfold each child and, spin them around a few times. Give them a cherry with tape on the back and point them toward a poster board with an ice cream cone colored on it. Whoever places the cherry closest to the top wins. This simple classic game is always a hit.

My kids love treasure hunts. Why not send them on an ice cream toppings treasure hunt. Hide the bagged toppings and give the children the first clue. Let the clues lead to different areas of the backyard until at last, they have found the treasure or toppings. They will be excited and ready to add their treasure to their ice cream with the toppings piled high!

Here are some fun riddle clues to get you started.

Mailbox- I bring good news but also hold junk. I am creaky and squeaky and close with a clunk.

Doorbell- When friends come by with news to tell, let them in when you hear the bell.

Car- You’ve done great so far; you’ll find your next clue in the car.

Table- I have four legs but don’t have feet. You use me when it’s time to eat.

Outdoor Party Games

For the adults grab your favorite outdoor games for some friendly competition. It’s always fun to play these relaxed games, while you catch up with each other.

One of our favorites is Kubb. It is a Swedish lawn game that’s been around since the Vikings. It can be played in teams, up to 6 people on a team, and the teams don’t need to be even numbered.

Game time can vary from 5 mins to an hour. Kubb is a blast to play. It’s not difficult to learn and has a chess-like feel.

Check for Prices for the Kubb Game Here!

Kan Jam is also a favorite, originally called Garbage Can Frisbee this game is easy to learn and set up. It feels similar to horseshoes. The object is to be the first to 21 points.

You earn points by deflecting, slamming, or jamming the frisbee into your goal or Kan. If you haven’t played check, it out. It’s a great game.

Check Prices for Kan Jam Here!

Don’t forget the classic Corn Hole. This game continues to be a backyard staple and is always a great time. It is effortless to learn and fun to team up and see who has the best aim.

If you wanted to ramp up the competition, make a quick bracket, so you can really see who the champion of the party is.

Check Prices for Corn Hole Here!

5. BEST ICE CREAM PARTY FAVORS

Everyone loves coming home from a party with a souvenir to remember the good time they had. Having party favors for your guests is never required and often not expected, but it can add to the fun. I love to keep it simple.

Pop Its are all the rage these days. They are so fun to play with and these cute key chain Pop Its would be a hit for a party favor for an ice cream party-themed birthday. Even adults find these little fidget toys amusing.

Check Prices for Pop It Party Favors Here!

Kids love new notebooks. These ice cream-themed notebooks are great and affordable. It’s always fun to have something new to draw or write on. What a fun and simple thing to get to take home and remember all the fun.

 Check Prices for Ice Cream Party Favor Notebooks Here!

These fun mini-ice cream launchers are perfect for a party favor. It’s fun to have a little toy to go home with. These are affordable and would look great in a goodie bag.

Check for Ice Cream Foam Launcher Party Favor Here!

6. ADULT ICE CREAM PARTY IDEAS

Choosing a theme for an adult party makes it memorable. An ice cream-themed party is such a relaxing and light-hearted party idea.

Music is sure to help your party stay festive, check out the ice cream-themed music, or stick to your favorite tunes so people can sing along. Music sets the tone and mood of the party; it can really bring people together and create fun memories and energize the night.

Don’t overschedule your ice cream party. You know your guests best but some may want to just socialize while others may want to have a structured game. Having options is great. For those who would like to play a game having a few set out is a good way to keep everyone entertained.

 Another tip is to pre-scoop your ice cream depending on the number of guests you have invited. You can scoop your ice cream and refreeze it in a muffin tin, once frozen you can pile it back in your ice cream tub. This will help your guest get their ice cream fast and easily.

For a unique ice cream party idea, serve gigantic bowls of ice cream “everything but the kitchen sink” and have groups try to finish their bowl first. Check out this recipe for the Kitchen Sink Dessert from the iconic Disney Beach Club Resort. 

 Most importantly remember to have fun. Don’t forget the reason for the event. Sometimes we can get caught up in the planning and decorating. Have a why in mind and take a deep breath. Gathering and connecting with friends is such a beautiful thing.

7. ICE CREAM PARTY IDEAS FOR KIDS

If you are wanting to focus your ice cream party on kids, serve your ice cream in a cone. This makes it harder to add toppings but licking an ice cream cone with your friends is so much fun! If you are wanting to have toppings and still go with serving it in a cone, you can mix the toppings before scooping them into the cone.

Having extra adults to scoop and mix toppings is ideal and will keep the line moving. If possible, have your ice cream party outside, this will cut down on the sticky floors. Remember to have lots of napkins and wet wipes on hand for easy clean-up.

Ice Cream Kid Activities

Make an ice cream bean bag toss for loads of fun. DIY your own out of cardboard with a cute ice cream cone, or purchase this one. Kids love to move their bodies and be active. This is a great way to keep them entertained and work on some hand-eye coordination.

Check Prices for Bean Bag Toss Game Here!

To keep little hands busy, try this ice cream play dough. It’s edible and fun. With only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to make, this is my kind of party entertainment. What a great sensory play activity.

Some kids love to craft and have a lot of fun doing so. I think it’s a great idea to have a craft table with a coloring page and some markers for those who would like to sit and color. There are so many cute ice cream coloring pages.

For older kids and more structured activities, you could do this Art Hub for Kids tutorial. My daughter and I love Art Hub. The father-daughter duo is so creative and fun.

 If you are feeling ambitious this craft is adorable. It’s definitely more hands-on but doable. I love puppets. Such a cute idea by Handmade Charlotte.

8. BEST ICE CREAM TOPPINGS

You can really go wild with the toppings. This is definitely where your creativity can shine. Some of our favorite toppings are bite-size brownies, cookie dough, gummy worms or bears, toasted coconut, shortbread pieces, Oreos, and chunks of candy bars. 

Fruit as a topping is also a great option. Go for raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas. Get creative and enjoy some new flavor combinations. You never know what you might fall in love with.

Sauces are another fun way to dress up your ice cream. You can buy hot fudge or make your own. There are some delicious homemade sauces out there. This homemade caramel sauce recipe is amazing. We love Mel’s recipes. Check out her salted butterscotch sauce too. YUM!

We have these small squeeze bottles that are great for sauces. Once you have made your homemade sauce pour it into these containers and you’re set.

 Check Prices for Squeeze Bottles Here!

Oh, and don’t forget sprinkles.

9. SERVING DISHES

Amazon has a great variety of serving dishes for your ice cream party. Check out these cute Tulip Clear Glass Dessert Dishes. When you make your own sundae it will look like it came straight from the ice cream parlor.

Check Prices for Tulip Serving Dishes Here!

These vibrant bowls and spoons are sure to please. I love that the spoons are like a small ice cream cone. The colors are great, with something for everyone.

Check Price for Vibrant Ice Cream Bowls Here!

I like these kraft paper disposable ice cream sundae cups. They are a neutral color that will go with any of the decorations you have chosen. It’s always nice to not have to do the dishes. Just toss them in the recycling bin when you’re done.

Check the Price for Kraft Paper Disposable Cups Here!

10. ICE CREAM

The toppings are a fun part of an ice cream party but the ice cream is the star of the show. We love our old-fashioned ice cream maker. It takes patience to get the perfect ice cream but it is always worth the wait. Try this fresh raspberry ice cream recipe.

Make sure you have a large bag of rock salt and lots of ice. You will want to start your ice cream early so you’re not waiting too long for it to be done.

Check Prices for Old Fashioned Ice Cream Maker Here!

 Have you ever made your own homemade ice cream in a bag? Kids love to do things themselves. Making your own ice cream in a bag is easy, with only 6 ingredients and 7- 10 mins of shaking.

The kids will love knowing they created this special treat with their own hands. Even the tiniest hands can help make ice cream. Here is a great recipe with tips for making ice cream in a bag.

When feeding a big crowd, we opt for buying the 3-gallon buckets of ice cream from our local Chef ‘store previously known as Cash N’ Carry. It’s a restaurant supply store that sells to the public. Products can vary at each location but ours carries Tillamook Ice Cream and Cascade Glacier.

It’s delicious, and I have seen a few local ice cream shops selling the same ice cream.

TIP: Make sure you have enough room in your freezer for the large containers.

11. BEST ICE CREAM SCOOP

Don’t forget to have an ice cream scoop. If you don’t already have a favorite ice cream scoop, try one of these. The Gorilla Grip ice cream scoop is easy to hold on to which is key when your ice cream is hard.

Check Prices for the Gorilla Grip Ice Cream Scoop Here!

The Spring Chef ice cream scoop has a unique shape that quickly digs into frozen ice cream. There are so many cute handle colors to choose from. It is a necessity to have an easy scooper or maybe two depending on how many people you are inviting.

Check Prices for the Spring Chef Ice Cream Scoop Here!

Tip: Remember to dip the scoop in a cup of cool water to keep it clean and easy to scoop with.

12. BEST ICE CREAM PARTY IDEAS- SCHOOL

Ice cream parties are great for the classroom or even school-wide. Here are some fun ideas for your next school ice cream party.

You can have each student in the class bring their favorite topping to share. This is a sure way to get a variety of toppings, and lots of creativity.

Ice cream sundaes have so many parts. Try incentivizing reading by connecting each book read to a part of their own ice cream sundae. A scoop of ice cream for each book. Earn your banana, chocolate syrup, and whip cream. Don’t forget the cherry on top.

Keep it educational at your school ice cream party. These ice cream sundae sight words go great with the ice cream party theme. What a fun way to practice reading.

Conclusion: Ice Cream Party Ideas

Well, there you have it, all 12 of the best ice cream party ideas of 2022. I can’t wait to see what memories you make and the relationships you strengthen as you plan and have a successful ice cream party!