Nothing is more “cool & refreshing” than ice cream on a hot summer day. Bike rides to Dairy Queen are classic, but why stop there? Get creative and throw an ultimate summer bash with all things ice cream.:)

COMMENTS WELCOME….at the end of this post, submit your own ice cream party ideas or fun memories to share with readers.

NOTE: July has a few days focused on ice cream.  Below is the dates for 2017

July 1st – Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day

July 7th – National Strawberry Sundae Day

July 16th – National Ice Cream Day

July 17th – Peach Ice Cream Day

July 23rd – Vanilla Ice Cream Day

Here’s 10 easy ice cream party ideas to cool off your summer….

1. Simple homemade ice cream

Rather than simply eating ice cream from the store you can have a fun, educational experience making your own. It may sound like too much work in the heat of summer, but its actually very easy, even for your little ones! All you really need is heavy whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, a bowl, a whisk and some space in the freezer. While mixing, add your favorite toppings like chocolate syrup or M&Ms.

> Serve it simple. Call your friends for a quick “impromptu” ice cream party on your front porch.  Focus on the “food and fellowship” rather than decorations and a “perfect party.”

*Check out this awesome recipe here > http://www.kevinandamanda.com/easy-homemade-ice-cream-without-a-machine/

2. Ice cream floats

Indulging in an ice cream float is one fabulous way to stay cool on a hot summer afternoon. It can be traditional with vanilla ice cream and root beer or opt for something more innovative. Try out vanilla ice cream with lemon-lime soda and pop rocks for a truly exciting flavor that’s also fun for kids.

> For the adults, serve it with cold glassware. You can have people bring a bottle of chilled soda and you provide the glassware and ice cream.

3. Build your own sundae

You can’t go wrong with building your own sundae. Spread out multiple flavors of ice cream and toppings and let your party guests go wild. To take it up a notch, turn the sundae-making into a contest!

> For a fun twist, serve it with fun containers of different sizes and shapes.  Have others bring a favorite topping or just have them bring cookies.

4. Edible ice cream bowls

When you’re spending the whole day outside in the hot summer sun, dealing with cones can get pretty messy. Rather than serving ice cream in a normal bowl, serve it in one you can eat! The options for this are deliciously infinite but a couple popular ones include a brownie bowl as well as a cookie dough bowl.

*Check out this recipe for “Easy Homemade Brownie Bowl Sundaes” > http://www.theforkbite.com/easy-homemade-brownie-bowl-ice-cream-sundae/

> Serve the edible bowls in a huge bowl or container “ready to grab” and fill.  Offer a variety of flavors and let them self-serve their ice cream in their eatable bowls.

5. Balloon bowls

Not only do balloons make lovely party decorations, they can be a crucial part of your summer dessert recipe as well. Give each party guest a balloon to blow up and cover in liquid chocolate. Then, let the chocolate balloons chill and harden. When they are finished, pop the balloon and gently remove the plastic from the chocolate bowl. Make sure to put some vegetable oil on the balloon first so that the balloon can easily slide out.

*Here’s specific instructions on how to create chocolate bowls > http://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/family/diy-edible-chocolate-ice-cream-bowls

> Serve with helpers.  As this can be a little daunting the first time, have some helpers lined up to assist your guests so that everything is fun and stress free.

6. Throw a guilt-free ice cream social

When you’re looking for a slightly healthy alternative to ice cream try freezing some yogurt! Mix equal parts yogurt and cool whip with the fruit of your choice and make sandwiches with graham crackers. Put the graham cracker sandwiches in the freezer for an hour and eat alone or stick on to a scoop of ice cream.

SIDENOTE: Below are some sugar-free “guilt-free” home-made ice cream recipes

Sugar-free Low Carb Ice Cream (No Churn) – 4 Ingredients

Sugar-Free, Low-Carb Chocolate

Low Carb Butter Pecan Ice Cream

> Make two or three flavors ahead of time.  Again, simplicity is better. Buy some disposable bowls.  Just prepare two or three flavors to offer instead of trying to complicate the process.  Offer two simple toppings: strawberry and fudge are two favorites. *Check out Easy Breezy Strawberry Syrup (sugar-free) and *Easy Sugar Free Hot Fudge Sauce

7. Ice cream photo booth

Make your own photo booth with ice cream parlor decorations. Create ice cream inspired arts and crafts to decorate the set or order magic printables here > https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/248710302/print-yourself-icecream-shoppe-party.

For a cute nostalgic feel take pictures on a polaroid camera and give a photo to each guest as a party favor. If you don’t have access to polaroids, take the photos digitally and send them out by email with an attached “Thanks for coming” note a week later.

> Serve simple ice cream cones.  Designate someone who is fairly good with taking photos to take snapshots of kids eating their ice cream cones (always a fun shot) and other fun ideas like couples offering their mates a lick of their ice cream or feeding each other ice cream.

8. Ice cream crafts

You’d be surprised at all the amazing ways you can get artsy with ice cream in mind. Try making ice cream cone hats with cones, hot glue, and headbands. You can use all sorts of fun things to add pizzazz, from rhinestones to cotton balls.

For another easy yet effective craft, try out ice cream cone balloons. All you need to do is tape brown construction paper, rolled into a cone shape, to blown-up balloons. Release your ice cream cone balloons into your living room to provide a decorative atmosphere when your guests retreat inside for some air conditioning.

SIDENOTE: (For more ideas on ice cream craft ideas, check out Pinterest HERE)

> Dish out ice cream balls ahead of time. Place them in a huge container to keep in the freezer until ready to serve. This is a great “no hassle” way to serve ice cream so that you can focus on the crafts.

9. Ice cream music video

Similar to the ice cream photo booth, you can get creative and decorate your own music video set in the back yard. You could do a 50s diner themed video complete with root beer floats or a superhero themed video with superman ice cream. The possibilities are endless! If you have basic video editing skills you can burn the videos onto DVDs and send them out to your guests later as gag holiday gifts.

*Check out “Madeline’s Ice Cream Parlor” for some really cute ideas!  Heidi threw an “old fashioned” ice cream party for her daughter.

> Try a potluck ice cream party at the park. Have everyone bring their own favorite flavor in a small cooler bag. To create a music video: Select someone who is good at taking videos with their phone.  Use a good video editing app to edit the videos and add some favorite music.

10. Party favors

Ice Cream Tote Bags, Party Favor Bags, Assorted Designs (12)  (*My amazon referral link)

Of course, no party is complete without some fun giveaways. Websites like Amazon are actually chock-full of ice cream paraphernalia and toys. Give out ice cream shaped bubbles or cute ice cream bowls.

For a more personal touch make your own party favors rather than buying them. Try your hand at Popsicle stick picture frame making to go along with your photo shoot Polaroids. Your guests will have something to remember the fun day and will undoubtedly be looking forward to your next summer party.  I hope at least one of these ice cream party ideas have sparked an idea for your next fun get together. 🙂

> Serve an ice cream cake for an easy, fun quick-serve.  You could also have guests put their names on little paper-shaped ice cream cones to toss them in colorful bowl for a drawing of ice cream related prizes.

God bless you and your family,

Rhonda White

P.S. – Check out the July 4th ideas – 4th of July Decorations, Food and Activities