There’s something magical about ice cream that makes every child’s eyes light up whether it’s a messy cone on a hot summer day or a scoop-shaped craft that brings a smile.
Ice cream isn’t just a treat, it’s a symbol of fun, imagination, and pure joy. That’s why we’ve gathered 23 sweet ice cream craft ideas that go way beyond the freezer.
These playful projects let kids scoop, sprinkle, and swirl their creativity into colorful cones, sundaes, and more. From puffball scoops to painted cones, every idea here is designed to spark giggles, fine motor skills, and endless pretend play.
#1. Pom-Pom Ice Cream Garland
This cheerful pom-pom ice cream garland looks sweet enough to eat! Each cone is topped with a fluffy yarn scoop and finished with a little red pom-pom cherry.
Perfect for party decor, classroom displays, or a playful summer project, these cones hang beautifully on twine and add instant charm to any room.
Materials Needed:
- Yarn in various colors (for pom-poms)
- Small red pom-poms (for cherries)
- Brown construction or craft paper (for cones)
- Twine or string for garland
- Hot glue gun or craft glue
- Scissors, tape, ruler
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Wrap yarn around your fingers or a fork to create a fluffy pom-pom.
Step 2: Roll brown paper into a cone and secure with tape or glue, then draw waffle lines with a marker.
Step 3: Glue the pom-pom into the cone opening, then top with a small red pom-pom.
Step 4: Finally, attach a loop of yarn to the top and string it onto your garland.
#2. Silly Ice Cream Face Plates
These adorable paper plate ice creams are bursting with personality. Each one tells a story whether it’s the sleepy blue scoop or the cheerful yellow cone with daisy sprinkles.
This craft is a fantastic mix of simple supplies and maximum creativity. You can mix and match emotions, toppings, and colors to create a whole cast of cone characters.
Kids love giving each scoop its own name and mood. It’s a project that turns a regular afternoon into a giggle-filled ice cream party.
Materials Needed:
- 1 paper plate per ice cream face
- Colored markers
- Craft paper (about 5×7 inch triangles with a waffle pattern)
- Assorted decorations: googly eyes, pompoms, mini bows, confetti, buttons, etc.
- Scissors
- Craft glue
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut out a small wavy edge at the bottom of the plate to mimic melting ice cream.
Step 2: Flip the plate over and decorate the back with a silly or cute face, you glue on googly eyes, draw smiles, or add sparkly cheeks.
Step 3: Add sprinkles using confetti, buttons, or foam stickers. Then you glue a cone-shaped triangle to the bottom of the plate so it looks like a delicious cone.
#3. Balloon Ice Cream Garland
This balloon ice cream garland is everything cheerful summer parties should be. It’s a clever way to dress up your walls or dessert table with something that feels both whimsical and celebratory.
The best part is that you don’t need fancy tools or crafty expertise. Just a few everyday materials, and you’ll have a backdrop that makes people smile the second they walk in.
Materials Needed:
- 5 small pastel balloons
- 5 foam cones (about 6-8 inches tall)
- Colored tissue paper
- Red mini pom-poms
- Paint pen
- Glue gun
- Twine
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Inflate the balloons to a small size, just enough to resemble an ice cream scoop. Then draw sprinkles using a paint pen in fun colors.
Step 2: Cut tissue paper into ruffled strips and glue them around the rim of each cone.
Step 3: Attach the balloon to the top of the cone using glue, then glue a red pom-pom on top for the cherry.
Step 4: Once dry, attach twine to the back of each cone and hang them evenly spaced along the string.
#4. Colorful Ice Cream Scoop Collage
This vibrant and tactile craft turns cotton pads into scoops of ice cream stacked onto a paper cone. It’s simple, mess-free, and a great way for kids to learn about color coordination and fine motor skills.
Materials Needed:
- Printable ice cream cone base
- 5-6 cotton pads
- Washable markers
- Small cup of water and a paintbrush
- Glue stick
- Safety scissors
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Color the cotton pads using markers or watercolors. If using markers, lightly brush with water to blend the colors and create a soft, tie-dye look.
Step 2: Let the cotton pads dry completely before gluing.
Step 3: Arrange them above the cone like stacked scoops and glue them in place, starting from the bottom.
Step 4: Optional, you can add glitter glue, sequins, or even paper sprinkles for extra flair.
#5. Painted Paper Mache Ice Cream Cones
These playful paper mâché ice cream cones are a delight to make and a total mood booster. Perfect for classroom art, summer parties, or even whimsical room décor, they allow you to mix colors, textures, and a bit of joyful chaos.
Furthermore, each scoop becomes its own sweet personality from sprinkles to chocolate drizzle. If you’ve got kids or students to engage, this messy, hands-on craft is pure magic.
Materials Needed:
- 6 small paper cups
- Crumpled newspaper (1-2 sheets per scoop)
- Masking tape
- Paper mâché paste (flour + water mix)
- Acrylic paint in assorted colors
- Small brushes and palette
- Red pom-poms
- Glue
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Crumple newspaper into ball shapes and secure them with tape, stack one to three scoops for variety.
Step 2: Dip newspaper strips in paper mâché paste and wrap each scoop. You should let them dry completely (overnight is best).
Step 3: Once dry, paint each scoop using bold, bright acrylic colors. Next, you add toppings like sprinkles, syrup drizzles, or dots.
Step 4: Glue each scoop to the paper cup base, then top with a red pom-pom cherry for that final touch.
#6. Cardboard Tube Popsicle Craft
These delightfully colorful popsicle crafts are made from, you guessed it, recycled toilet paper rolls! They’re cleverly folded to mimic real popsicle bars and decorated with bright paint, foam, or pom-pom sprinkles.
You can add a popsicle stick and suddenly you’ve got a summer-themed craft that looks good enough to eat (but definitely don’t).
I believe it’s a fun way to reuse cardboard while encouraging creative play and design skills. Perfect for classroom art projects or a birthday party craft station.
Materials Needed:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Acrylic paints (various colors)
- Paintbrushes
- Craft glue
- Popsicle sticks
- Decorative extras: foam shapes, mini pom-poms, sequins, glitter glue
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Flatten the cardboard roll slightly and press in the top and bottom edges to create a soft popsicle bar shape.
Step 2: Paint each roll using bright colors. Let dry completely before adding details.
Step 3: Use paint, glue-on dots, or glitter glue to decorate the ice cream surface. You should get creative like making fudge swirls, sprinkles, or fruit chunks.
Step 4: Glue a popsicle stick into the open end.
#7. Sponge-Stamped Ice Cream Craft
Bright, cheerful, and full of fun textures, this ice cream craft uses sponges as stamps to create a colorful summer treat on paper. It’s a fantastic way to explore color mixing and patterning while letting kids express their creativity freely.
Materials Needed:
- Sponges
- Washable paint (in 3-5 vibrant colors)
- Paper plate
- White paper
- Brown construction paper
- Scissors and glue
- Marker or paint pen
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut triangle-shaped cones from brown paper and draw criss-cross lines for a waffle effect. Then glue to the bottom of your white sheet.
Step 2: Dip sponges into paint (one color at a time) and lightly dab onto the paper above the cone to create a big scoop.
Step 3: Continue layering colors to create a fluffy, swirled ice cream look. Let kids mix and blend freely as it’s part of the charm!
Step 4: Set aside to dry completely. You can hang them up as sweet, summer-inspired artwork.
#8. Glitter Ice Cream Cone Ornaments
These sparkling, sugar-sweet cones aren’t edible but they’re almost irresistible to look at.
Whether you’re decorating a summer birthday party, creating playful party favors, or making whimsical ornaments, this DIY project adds a bright burst of fun. You’ll feel like you’re scooping up joy with every colorful flavor.
Materials Needed:
- 3 glittery foam balls (about 3″ diameter)
- 3 sheets of patterned cardstock
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- String or ribbon (6″ per ornament, optional)
- Scissors
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Roll each cardstock sheet into a cone shape and secure the edge with hot glue.
Step 2: Carefully glue one glitter foam ball into the opening of each cone.
Step 3: Attach a loop of string to the top if you want to hang them. Let everything set completely before displaying or gifting.
#9. Colorful Sponge Popsicle Craft
These sponge popsicles are a burst of summer fun!
Using kitchen sponges as the base, kids can transform them into glittering frozen treats with pom-poms, foam stickers, sequins, or anything sparkly from the craft bin. The result is a vibrant sensory-friendly project that looks adorable and feels squishy in little hands.
Whether used as pretend play food, a party centerpiece, or just a rainy-day craft, these popsicles are sure to bring smiles.
Materials Needed:
- Clean rectangular sponges
- Large craft sticks
- Hot glue
- Mini pom-poms, sequins, or foam stickers
- Optional: scissors, glitter, paint pens
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Choose a bright-colored sponge and trim if necessary for popsicle shape.
Step 2: Glue a craft stick into the center of one short end of the sponge. Let dry securely.
Step 3: Decorate your sponge popsicle with pom-poms, sequins, or sparkly stickers.
#10. Rainbow Foam Ice Cream Sensory Play
This colorful setup looks like a dreamy ice cream parlor, but it’s actually a sensory play station designed to spark creativity and tactile exploration. Using fluffy foam or shaving cream dyed in pastel rainbow shades, kids can scoop, swirl, and “decorate” their pretend ice cream with mini pom-poms that mimic sprinkles. It’s vibrant, messy, and magical—a perfect outdoor activity for summer parties, preschool learning, or simply a sensory-rich afternoon at home.
Materials Needed:
- Unscented shaving cream or DIY foam soap
- Food coloring or washable paint
- Mixing containers
- Plastic cups or bowls
- Scoops and spoons
- Mini pom-poms for sprinkles
- Tray or sensory bin for easy cleanup
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Divide shaving cream into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each. Mix gently to get those dreamy pastel shades.
Step 2: Fill a large tray or bin with the colored foam. You can swirl or layer them to mimic real ice cream texture.
Step 3: Set up a “topping station” with mini pom-poms and let the kids use scoops to serve their creations into plastic cups.
Step 4: Encourage imaginative play—maybe they’re running an ice cream shop or creating the wildest sundae ever.
Step 5: Once finished, clean up is easy with water and paper towels or a quick rinse outside.
Tip: Always supervise young kids closely, especially if using real shaving cream—remind them it’s not edible.
#11. Ice Cream SUMMER Popsicle Craft
This cheerful ice cream stick banner instantly brings sunshine to any corner of your home or classroom. Each popsicle is painted in happy hues, spelling out SUMMER in the most adorable way.
Whether you’re decorating for a party or simply crafting with the kids on a lazy afternoon, this project is sweet, simple, and satisfying.
Specially, the best part is that you can personalize the colors or message to fit your vibe, think names, greetings, or even a countdown to vacation.
Materials Needed:
- 6 jumbo craft sticks (4.5 inches long)
- 6 cardstock (approx. 3 x 2 inches)
- Acrylic paints (6 colors of your choice)
- White vinyl letter stickers
- Paintbrushes
- Hot glue gun
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Paint each popsicle top in a different pastel or bright shade.
Step 2: Use letter stickers or a white paint pen to write one letter of “SUMMER” on each popsicle.
Step 3: Attach a jumbo craft stick to the back of each painted piece with glue. You should hold in place for a few seconds to secure.
Step 4: Line them up and admire your pops of joy. You can glue them to string for a banner or display them individually on a shelf.
#12. Egg Carton Ice Cream Shop
This charming pretend ice cream shop is made entirely from recycled materials, and it’s as sweet as it is clever. The cones are crafted from trimmed egg carton compartments, topped with fluffy pom-poms or cotton balls to mimic scoops of ice cream.
Plus, kids can get creative by mixing flavors and even making signs like a real dessert stand. It’s the kind of craft that invites imaginative play long after the glue has dried, ideal for a rainy day or a sunny afternoon market game.
Materials Needed:
- 1 egg carton (preferably with deep cups)
- Scissors
- Acrylic paint (tan, pastel, or any cone colors)
- Pom-poms (various colors)
- Craft glue
- Small paper
- Markers or crayons
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut out individual cone shapes from the egg carton, these will be your ice cream cones.
Step 2: Paint the cone sections and let them dry completely. Then glue 1-3 pom-poms or cotton balls on top of each cone. You can mix colors for fun flavors.
Step 3: Add smaller pom-poms or beads as sprinkles if desired.
Step 4: Finally, use the egg carton base as an ice cream display stand, and decorate it with a handmade sign.
#13. Drip-Dyed Cotton Pad Ice Cream Craft
This creative, hands-on project lets kids use droppers to color cotton pads that mimic scoops of ice cream. It’s a brilliant way to explore color mixing, fine motor skills, and sensory play all at once.
Materials Needed:
- Pre-cut paper ice cream cones
- 3-5 round cotton pads per cone
- Liquid watercolor
- Droppers
- Tray or plastic sheet
- Glue stick
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Glue 3-5 cotton pads above each cone to create your base scoops.
Step 2: Fill small jars with diluted food coloring or watercolor paint in different colors.
Step 3: Let kids use droppers to gently squeeze color onto each cotton pad. You can watch them absorb and blend beautifully.
Step 4: Set aside to dry completely before displaying or gifting.
#14. Recycled Ice Cream Cone Art with Bottle Caps
There’s something beautiful about turning the simplest leftovers into art and this bottle cap ice cream cone project proves it. Using just a few recycled materials, you can create colorful, cheerful cones that are perfect for classroom crafts or rainy day fun at home.
Also, every piece feels unique, and the textures from the cardboard, marker lines, and bold cap colors pop so beautifully. Plus, it’s a playful way to talk about reuse and creativity with kids.
Materials Needed:
- 3 plastic bottle caps per cone
- 1 triangle cut from cardboard (about 4-5 inches tall)
- Black or dark blue marker
- Colored construction paper
- Craft glue
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut out a triangle from a scrap cardboard box to form the cone base. Then draw crisscross waffle lines using a marker to make it look more realistic.
Step 2: Glue the triangle to the bottom half of your construction paper.
Step 3: Arrange and glue three bottle caps above the triangle, overlapping them slightly like scoops of ice cream.
Step 4: Let everything dry flat before displaying your delicious creation.
#15. Foam Pool Noodle Popsicle Garland
This clever little project turns humble pool noodles into an eye-catching garland that looks good enough to eat.
You’ll love how easy it is to create these oversized popsicles, they’re perfect for birthday parties, summer decor, or classroom displays. Each one adds a burst of color and texture, and the best part is that o mess, no melting.
Materials Needed:
- 1 pool noodle (standard 2.5-3 inches diameter) in each color you want to use
- Sharp serrated knife
- Jumbo craft sticks
- Hot glue gun
- Twine or string
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut the pool noodle into 4- to 5-inch sections using a serrated knife. You can try to make each slice clean and even.
Step 2: Insert a jumbo craft stick into one end of each section. Then add a dab of hot glue inside the slit to secure it if needed.
Step 3: Arrange your popsicles on a flat surface in the order you want them to appear on the garland.
Step 4: Thread a piece of twine through each one by poking holes near the top or attaching with glue to the back. Hang it wherever you need a cheerful splash of summer.
#16. Mini Pom-Pom Ice Cream Necklaces
Interesting, these playful little cones are part accessory, part art project and all joy. Made from colorful pom-poms and mini paper or felt cones, they dangle from vibrant strings and are finished with cheerful beads.
Whether you’re crafting with kids or making party favors for a summer celebration, these adorable necklaces add a sprinkle of fun to any day. You can even turn them into keychains or bag charms if necklaces aren’t your thing.
Materials Needed:
- Small pom-poms (various colors and sizes)
- Colored paper
- Craft glue
- String
- Scissors
- Assorted plastic or wooden beads (optional)
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut triangles out of paper or felt, then roll each into a cone shape and secure with glue.
Step 2: Glue one to three pom-poms on top of each cone to resemble scoops of ice cream.
Step 3: Cut a string to your desired necklace length and thread it through the top of the cone using a needle or glue it to the back.
Step 4: Add colorful beads along the string to enhance the design. Let everything dry completely before wearing or gifting your cute creation.
#17. Gummy Worm Ice Pops
These icy treats look like something straight out of a kid’s dream with vibrant gummy worms floating inside clear popsicles. They’re perfect for backyard parties, summer birthdays, or just a fun afternoon in the kitchen.
Moreover, every bite is a cool surprise, with chewy candy and sweet juice blending into one irresistible frozen snack.
Materials Needed:
- 1 1/2 cups clear fruit juice (like white grape or lemonade)
- 12-15 gummy worms
- Ice pop molds (standard size, makes about 6)
- Popsicle sticks
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Pour a small layer of juice into each mold and drop in a few gummy worms.
Step 2: Freeze for 30 minutes to keep the worms from floating.
Step 3: Fill the molds to the top with the remaining juice and insert the sticks.
Step 4: Freeze until solid (about 4-6 hours). To release, you can run the mold under warm water for a few seconds.
#18. Bubble Wrap Ice Cream Painting
This project turns bubble wrap into an unexpected and fun painting tool!
I believe kids will love creating colorful, textured scoops of ice cream with recycled materials. It’s an easy, mess-friendly craft that sparks creativity and introduces printmaking in a playful way.
Materials Needed:
- Bubble wrap
- Empty cardboard rolls (like TP rolls)
- Rubber bands
- Washable paint (variety of colors)
- Paintbrushes
- Brown construction paper
- White paper
- Glue stick
- White marker
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut out triangles from brown paper and draw criss-cross lines to mimic waffle cones. Then glue onto your white sheet.
Step 2: Wrap a square of bubble wrap over one end of a cardboard roll and secure with a rubber band.
Step 3: Dip the bubble wrap into paint (you can use a brush for even coverage), then stamp onto the paper above each cone to create scoops. Mix colors and layer for a deliciously bright look!
Step 4: Let dry and display your adorable, pop-art-inspired ice cream masterpieces.
#19. Playdough Ice Cream Cone Craft
These adorable ice cream cones are made from playdough and topped with beads and buttons for a sweet touch of sensory fun.
In addition, this is a fantastic hands-on craft for toddlers and preschoolers that encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
Materials Needed:
- Brown construction paper
- Playdough
- Plastic beads and assorted buttons
- Glue (optional)
- Marker
- Blue construction paper (optional)
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut a triangle from brown paper and draw a waffle cone pattern using a dark brown marker.
Step 2: Shape playdough into scoops and gently press them onto the top of the cone triangle. Then mold the bottom edge for a soft-serve look.
Step 3: Press in colorful beads or buttons to act as sprinkles. You can also add a larger red button at the top as a cherry.
Step 4 (Optional): Mount your creation onto a colored background and add doodles, stamps, or your name!
#20. Textured Sprinkle Ice Cream Cone Craft
This sparkly, sensory-rich project turns simple craft supplies into a 3D scoop-tacular delight! Using textured materials and lots of glitter, kids can design their own ice cream masterpiece that pops off the page.
Materials Needed:
- Construction paper (background + brown cone)
- 3 pre-cut paper circles per cone
- School glue
- Shredded tissue paper, craft foam crumbs, or flour
- Sequins, confetti, or glitter
- Crayons
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut out a triangle for the cone and draw a criss-cross waffle pattern using a white or metallic pencil.
Step 2: Glue 3 scoops (paper or cotton pads) above the cone.
Step 3: Apply glue on each scoop, then sprinkle different textures like glitter, foam bits, or flour for a deliciously diverse look.
Step 4: Add extra sparkle with confetti or sequin sprinkles. Let everything dry completely.
#21. Egg Carton Ice Cream Sundaes
These pretend sundaes are so colorful and fun, they look good enough to eat but they’re actually made from upcycled egg cartons, paint, tissue paper, and pom-poms!
Specially, this craft is perfect for a summer-themed craft day or pretend-play dessert shop.
Materials Needed:
- Egg cartons (cut into rows of 3 or 4 cups)
- Tissue paper
- Acrylic paint in bright colors
- Paintbrushes
- White glue
- Small red pom-poms
- Colored paper or confetti
- Scissors
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut a section of the egg carton to serve as your sundae tray.
Step 2: Crumple tissue paper into balls and place one in each cup to act as scoops of ice cream.
Step 3: Paint the scoops in various colors and let them dry. Then add glue to the top and sprinkle on paper confetti or sprinkles.
Step 4: Finish each scoop with a red pom-pom cherry.
#22. 3D Paper Ice Cream Cone Craft
This adorable 3D paper cone project pops right off the page. It’s bursting with color, texture, and playful details, making it a perfect classroom or at-home summer art activity for kids.
Materials Needed:
- Blue cardstock
- Brown paper
- Colorful craft paper
- Pompoms
- Paper straw
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Colored paper scraps
- Compass (optional)
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Cut a triangle out of brown paper and draw crisscross lines to mimic a waffle cone. Then glue the cone onto your background paper.
Step 2: To make each scoop, cut 4–5 circles of the same size from colorful paper. Now you fold them in half and glue the halves together to form a 3D sphere, then attach each one to the cone.
Step 3: Add colorful pompoms around the scoops for extra texture.
Step 4: Finish with a paper straw and sprinkle the background with small paper strips as confetti.
#23. Hanging Ice Cream Cone Decorations
These charming hanging ice cream cones look like something out of a sweet summer dream. With pastel fabric scoops and delicate frilly toppings, they make perfect party decor for birthdays, baby showers, or ice cream-themed celebrations.
Materials Needed:
- Foam or paper cones
- Soft fabric (pastel shades)
- Tissue paper
- Ribbon
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Cotton stuffing
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1: Wrap your foam or paper cone in patterned paper if desired. Then secure with glue.
Step 2: Stuff the fabric with a small amount of cotton batting to create a round scoop. Then you pull the edges tight underneath and glue it to the top of the cone.
Step 3: Cut a strip of crepe or tissue paper, ruffle it slightly, and glue it around the base of the scoop to mimic drips or whipped cream.
Step 4: Attach a ribbon loop to the top for hanging.
