It’s National Ice Cream Month! There’s no better time for an ice cream social than July—summer’s in full swing, the days are long, and everyone’s in the mood for something cool and sweet. Whether you’re hosting a group of kids, your family and neighbors, or even treating your staff to a midday break, a DIY ice cream party is always a hit.
My two daughters love ice cream as much as I do, and it’s become one of our favorite ways to bond and unwind. There’s just something joyful about piling on toppings and debating who built the better sundae. You can create that same fun with your family, friends, or team—it’s simple to pull together, but leaves everyone feeling like they were part of something special.
Setting Up Your Ice Cream Social
Start by picking your space—your backyard, patio, kitchen island, or even a shaded park table. You don’t need much, just a flat surface to create your sundae station and enough room for guests to mingle. Add a pop of summer color with a tablecloth or string lights, and you’ve already set the mood.
When it comes to invites, get creative! You can send out digital invites with fun ice cream graphics or hand out mini invites printed on popsicle sticks. Just make it feel light and fun!
As for the setup, offer a variety of ice cream flavors—vanilla and chocolate are always safe, but something like cookies and cream or strawberry adds a fun twist. Then bring on the toppings. Think sprinkles, fudge, crushed cookies, marshmallows, mini candies, caramel sauce—you name it.
To keep things easy, our Ice Cream Box has all the essentials ready to go: bowls, waffle cups, napkins, an ice cream scoop, and a whole lineup of toppings. The only thing we don’t include is the ice cream itself, because shipping frozen treats in July just isn’t practical. But that gives you the chance to pick your favorite flavors and even accommodate any dairy-free or allergy-friendly options your guests might need.
If you’re hosting outside, take a few extra precautions to keep things from melting too fast. Use a cooler with ice packs to store the ice cream until it’s time to serve, or place the tubs in a tray filled with crushed ice. Have plenty of napkins and wet wipes on hand—sticky fingers are part of the fun, but it’s nice to stay prepared!
To really make your social shine, add a few simple activities or games that suit your crowd. For kids, you can set up a decorate-your-own sundae contest or an ice cream trivia game. Adults will enjoy a “blind taste test” of mystery flavors, or a photo booth with fun ice cream-themed props. And don’t forget music—a summer playlist in the background adds instant good vibes.
Here’s to a Summer Full of Sweet Memories!
What I love most about an ice cream social is how easy it is to tailor it to any group. It can be laid-back and low-key, or festive and full of energy. You don’t need to overthink it—just good ice cream, happy toppings, and the people you love hanging out with.
So whether you’re planning a family night, a staff appreciation treat, or just a fun excuse to get friends together, an ice cream social is the sweetest way to celebrate summer. And if you want to make it all a little easier, grab one of our Ice Cream Boxes—we’ve done all the prep so you can focus on the fun.
Scoop, smile, repeat!
