30 Cool Ice Cream Craft Ideas for Kids to Make This Summer

Facebook Email Flipboard Pinterest Reddit

Who says ice cream is just for eating? When the weather heats up, keep kids entertained with these fun ice cream craft ideas. They’re colorful, creative, and just right for little hands. From pretend cones to scoop-themed art, each one adds a playful touch to your summer days.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or librarian, these low-prep projects are a great fit for your activity lineup. They also mix perfectly with other summer crafts for kids, making them ideal for themed weeks, bulletin boards, or simply beating the heat with a little creativity.

A collage of over 15 colorful kids’ crafts featuring paper and painted ice cream cones and popsicles, each with playful faces or creative toppings, with the title "30+ Cheery Ice Cream Crafts for Kids."

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Read our disclosure policy.

Ice Cream Craft Ideas

Torn Paper Ice Cream

Kids can have fun ripping colorful paper into many small pieces. Then, they can spread glue on a cone shape and stick the ripped bits all over it to make it look like a tasty frozen treat. This activity is a simple way for children to use creativity and improve their small hand muscles.

www.craftymorning.com

Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones

You can create a special puffy paint by mixing some basic things you might already have in your kitchen. Kids can then use this paint to decorate paper cones, making them look like they have real, bumpy ice cream on top. The paint that sticks up adds a fun feeling and look to their artwork.

Related: Ice Cream Dot to Dot

www.hellowonderful.co

DIY Giant Ice Cream Popsicle

Go big with oversized popsicle art made from cardboard and paint. Kids can use paint and other decorations to make the cardboard look like a vast and colorful popsicle on a stick. This project lets them create something impressive they can play with later.

Paper Plate Ice Cream

A plain paper plate can easily become a sweet treat by following some steps. Kids can cut out and glue pieces of paper onto the plate to make ice cream and cone scoops. This easy activity lets them use their imagination with different colors and shapes.

www.craftsonsea.co.uk

Paper Bowl Ice Cream

A small paper bowl can be the starting point for a fun and easy art project. Children can use different materials to decorate the bowl to resemble a scoop of their favorite ice cream flavor. This simple project is perfect for little hands to manage and helps them use their imagination during playtime.

Also try: Ice Cream Activity Sheets

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Paper Plate Ice Cream

Kids can make a pretend ice cream treat using a paper plate and some colorful paper. They can cut out different shapes for the cone and the scoops of ice cream and then use glue to stick them together on the plate. This activity is a simple and fun way to create a picture that looks like a tasty dessert.

Ice Cream Handprint

Kids can use the outline of their own hands to create a very special piece of artwork. Adding a paper cone shape below the handprint turns into a fun picture of a frozen dessert. This project becomes a sweet memory that shows just how small their hands used to be.

barleyandbirch.com

Paper Bag Ice Cream Cone

Kids can turn regular paper bags into fun three-dimensional art using supplies you likely have at home. They shape and decorate the bags like ice cream cones with fluffy toppings, experimenting with texture while creating a piece that stands independently.

Related: Ice Cream Tracing Worksheets

www.thecrafttrain.com

3D Paper Ice Cream

By carefully folding and gluing paper in a specific way, kids can make an ice cream treat that looks like it has three dimensions. The way the paper scoops are layered makes it seem like a real ice cream cone. It's a fun activity that helps children learn about different shapes and build something that pops out.

Ice Cream Activity

Creating colorful ice cream is easy with basic materials like paper and glue. Kids can cut and stick layers of different-colored paper on each other to look like several scoops of ice cream on a cone. This project is an excellent way for children to practice cutting and sticking paper.

taminglittlemonsters.com

Egg Carton Ice Cream

Give empty egg cartons a new and fun purpose by turning them into scoops of ice cream for this activity. Kids cut apart the carton sections and decorate them like colorful ice cream on a cone. It's a creative way to recycle materials while making something playful and unique.

Also try: Ice Cream Matching Game

emmaowl.com

Puffy Paint Ice Cream

Part of the fun of this art is making the puffy paint using simple things you can find around your house. Kids can then use this special paint to add bumpy decorations to paper cones. The raised texture makes their artwork feel extra special and interesting to touch.

Ice Cream Puppet

Kids can combine paper bags and sticks to create a fun toy that looks like a frozen treat. They decorate the bag with their designs, then attach the stick to turn it into a playful puppet. This hands-on activity encourages them to use their imagination and invent stories.

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Paper Ice Cream

Kids combine simple paper shapes to create a colorful ice cream picture. They cut cones and scoops from different colored paper and then glue the pieces together to form their designs. This straightforward activity encourages creativity and color play while practicing cutting and gluing skills.

activelittles.com

Cotton Pad Ice Cream

Kids can use soft cotton pads uniquely to create the look of fluffy ice cream scoops. Kids can use liquid watercolors to add color to the pads and then glue them onto a paper cone shape. This activity introduces a fun and different texture and a new way to add color to their artwork.

happyhooligans.ca

Paper Plate Ice Cream

Turn a paper plate, and a few everyday supplies into a mouthwatering pretend ice cream cone. Kids paint styrofoam-ball "scoops" in their favorite flavors, sprinkle on some artful toppings, and top it with a pom-pom cherry for a sweet finish.

Also try: Ice Cream Worksheets

www.seaofknowledge.org

Preschool Ice Cream Activity

Personalize an ice cream cone with your child's name! This activity lets kids build a colorful paper ice cream by stacking lettered scoops that spell their name. It feels like playtime but sneaks in letter practice, making learning as sweet as their favorite treat.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Potato Masher Ice Cream

In this creative project, a potato masher becomes a paint stamper. Kids stamp a fun waffle cone pattern and bright circular scoops using the kitchen tool, then glue on pom-pom "sprinkles" with a cherry on top. It's messy, hands-on, and super sweet art they'll love!

Related: Ice Cream Color By Numbers

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Puffy Paint Ice Cream

Whip up a batch of DIY puffy paint and create the most incredible ice cream cone art. It's easy to make with shaving cream, glue, and food coloring. Kids have a blast swirling on their puffy "ice cream" and decorating each scoop with rainbow sprinkles and a cherry.

www.fantasticfunandlearning.com

Sponge Painted Ice Cream

Paint an ice cream cone masterpiece using sponges and even pom-poms instead of brushes. Little artists dab and stamp paint to make textured scoops and cones. The mix of fun painting tools lets kids explore squishy textures and playful patterns while creating a colorful summer treat.

Also try: Ice Cream Letter Recognition Game

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Scrape Painted Ice Cream

Put down the paintbrush and try to scrape the painting to make a super cool ice cream design. Kids spread and swirl paint by dragging a scraper across the paper, then cut out a cone and scoops from the swirly, marbled colors. The result is a one-of-a-kind ice cream art piece that kids adore creating.

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Handprint Ice Cream

Use your child's handprint to make ice cream cone art for a keepsake as sweet as summer. Trace or paint their hand to form the scoop shape. Add cotton ball "whipped cream" and a sparkly pom-pom cherry on top for extra cuteness. It's an adorable card or memento to treasure.

Related: Ice Cream Pattern Block Mats

www.fantasticfunandlearning.com

Summer Ice Cream Art

Squish, roll, and mold your pretend ice cream cone art using soft modeling clay. Kids shape colorful scoops from Model Magic and press them onto a cardboard cone, then decorate them with beads, buttons, or other fun "toppings." It's a hands-on project that doubles as fine motor play, and the results look good enough to eat!

thekindergartenconnection.com

Letter I Ice Cream

The letter of the week just became extra sweet! Kids turn the letter "I" into an ice cream cone by cutting and decorating it with a paper scoop. They'll glue on bits of color as sprinkles and add a paper cone underneath. It's a fun, memorable way to learn about the letter I – no real ice cream is needed.

www.hellowonderful.co

Cotton Ball Ice Cream

This fluffy cotton-ball ice cream is perfect for kids because they can "scoop" it up without any melting mess. Little ones glue soft cotton balls onto a paper cone and add bits of colorful yarn as sprinkles. It's a sensory delight with its smooth, squishy texture, and it gives kids plenty of scissor practice as they create their cool pretend treat.

thecraftathomefamily.com

Puffy Paint Ice Cream

Are you bored of regular painting? Try this puffy ice cream art that dries with a cool 3D texture! Kids mix shaving cream, glue, and a drop of color to make foamy "ice cream" scoops on paper cones. The fluffy paint dries squishy, making this activity as fun to touch as it is to see.

www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

Bubble Wrap Ice Cream

Combine two art techniques for one incredible ice cream artwork. Kids dip bubble wrap in paint and stamp it to make a bumpy-patterned cone. Then, they spread fluffy homemade paint as the "scoop." Add some sprinkles, and you've got a tactile summer art treat full of color and fun.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Potato Stamp Ice Cream

Who needs store-bought stamps when a potato will do? Kids use a cut potato to print a waffle cone shape and round scoops in paint. They can mix and match "flavors" using different paint colors for each scoop. It's an easy printmaking adventure with a sweet twist that encourages creativity.

www.adabofgluewilldo.com

Popsicle Fine Motor

This fine motor art project turns colorful tissue paper into a refreshing pretend popsicle. Kids strengthen their little fingers by scrunching and sticking bits of tissue onto a popsicle template. The result is a bright, mosaic-like popsicle project perfect for a summertime display (and zero sugar is involved!).

nontoygifts.com

Cotton Pad Ice Cream

Grab some cotton pads and a fork for this inventive ice cream project. Kids drip watery paint onto the pads and watch colors spread into pretty "scoops." They also use a fork dipped in paint to draw a waffle cone pattern. It's a fun blend of art and simple science, and the finished ice cream cones look beautifully tie-dyed.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

11 Fun Read Aloud Ice Cream Books For Preschoolers
18 Colorful & Fun Summer Popsicle Stick Crafts For Kids
28 Colorful & Fun Paper Plate Summer Crafts For Kids

Sam

Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.

Facebook Email Flipboard Pinterest Reddit