10 Fun Ways to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day 

July 20th is National Ice Cream Day, the perfect excuse to grab your preschooler, pile on the sprinkles, and dive into a day full of sweet, silly fun. 

But where did this delicious holiday come from, you ask? Well, back in 1984, President Ronald Reagan decided ice cream deserved its own spotlight. He made it official with National Ice Cream Month, and gave the third Sunday of July the honor of being National Ice Cream Day. 

We’ve scooped up 10 playful, creative, and educational activities that will make your preschooler’s day as sweet as a cherry on top. From pretend ice cream shops to silly science in the kitchen, here’s how to celebrate one of the yummiest days of the year. 

1. Create An Ice Cream Matching Game 

Cut out cones and scoops from construction paper. Write letters on the cones and matching uppercase or lowercase letters on the scoops. Kids can match them up to build the right ice cream. You can also try numbers, shapes, or even rhyming word pairs. 

Want to add a story? Read Alphabet Ice Cream by Sue Heap for extra learning fun. 

2. Count the Scoops: Sorting and Number Games 

Use pom-poms or colored cotton balls as pretend scoops. Have kids count how many scoops go on each cone or sort by color and size. You can roll a die and let them scoop that many into a bowl for a fun game that sneaks in some math. 

3. Craft Puffy Ice Cream Art 

Let your preschooler design their dream cone using construction paper, glue, cotton balls, and paint. Puffy paint made with shaving cream and glue adds a squishy texture that feels just like real soft serve. 

Top it off with glitter “sprinkles” and googly eyes for extra silliness. 

4. Paper Plate Ice Cream Creations 

Cut paper plates into cones and scoops. Then break out the markers, stickers, and sequins. Kids can stack their scoops high and make up crazy flavor names like Pickle Fudge Swirl or Rainbow Crunch Explosion. 

Pair it with Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems for a laugh-out-loud story about sharing your favorite treat. 

5. Open Your Own Pretend Ice Cream Parlor 

Transform your living room or classroom into a mini ice cream shop. Use felt or foam balls as pretend scoops, stack them in play cones, and let kids take turns being the ice cream maker or the customer. 

Set up a “menu” with flavor signs and prices to practice early reading and counting. Bonus points for aprons and paper hats! 

6. Scoop, Sell, and Serve 

Encourage your child to act out different roles in the shop. Maybe they’re the boss, the cleanup crew, or the ice cream critic with very strong opinions about sprinkle-to-scoop ratio. This builds language, imagination, and social skills while they play. 

7. Easy Homemade Ice Cream 

Did you know you can make ice cream at home without any fancy equipment? Mix 2 cups of heavy cream with 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and a splash of vanilla. Stir in toppings, pour into a loaf pan, and freeze for 4 to 6 hours. Done!. 

Or you can go full preschool science experiment. Add cream, sugar, and vanilla to a zip-top bag. Place that bag inside a larger one filled with ice and salt. Shake it up, and in 5 to 10 minutes, you’ve got ice cream!  

8. Build a DIY Topping Bar 

Set up bowls of sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, fruit, crushed cereal, or graham crackers. Give each child a scoop of ice cream and let them design their dream dessert. 

For a fun twist, spin a wheel or roll a die to pick toppings. “Looks like you’re getting marshmallows and pretzels. Bon appétit!” 

9. Get Wild with Flavors! 

Let your child invent their own flavor. Blend in mashed banana, crushed graham crackers, or even a swirl of jam. Give it a silly name and have a mini taste test. 

Looking for more inspiration? Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons is packed with fun facts and tasty trivia for curious kiddos. 

10. Ice Cream History 101: A Scoop of the Past 

Want to sprinkle in a little learning? Ice cream actually has a super cool history. People have been enjoying frozen treats for over 2,000 years. Wealthy ancient Romans collected snow from the mountains and flavored it with honey, fruit, or juice to create frozen desserts. Imagine how special that must have felt without freezers or grocery stores. You could ask your child, “How do you think they kept the snow from melting?” or “What kind of flavors do you think they used back then?” 

Fast forward a bit, and early American ice cream shops were serving scoops before electric refrigerators even existed. That’s right, ice cream came before freezers. Try asking, “If we didn’t have a freezer, where could we keep our ice cream?” or “Do you think they had sprinkles back then?” These kinds of questions get kids thinking creatively and help them connect what they love today with how it all started. 

Bring the Sweetness to Life with Creative World School 

At Creative World School, we’re all about hands-on learning that’s fun, playful, and packed with imagination. Celebrations like National Ice Cream Day are the perfect chance to mix education with a little mess and a whole lot of joy. 

Ready to find a school that’s as creative as your child? Find a preschool near you and schedule a tour today!