Amp up your sweet summer treat with a fun and fab ice cream social for friends of all ages!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! And if sitting down to a big bowl of the sweet stuff just isn’t going to cut it, then we suggest you go all out. An ice cream social is the perfect excuse for gathering friends and family for an afternoon of fun in the summer sun. Ready to host your own ice cream social? Here’s everything you’ll need!

 

Ice Cream Social Invitation

First things first: Spread the good word that you’re hosting an ice cream social! Sure, you can send an email to friends and family but these personalized invitations are way cuter if you ask us! Ice Cream Social Invitation, The Printable Holiday, see website for details.

On the big day, use an ice cream maker like this one from Hamilton Beach to whip up creamy homemade ice cream. This handy kitchen appliance will deliver ice cream in as few as 20 minutes. Best of all, it makes ice cream, frozen yogurt, custard, sherbet or gelato. 1½ Quart Ice Cream Maker, Hamilton Beach, $56.99.

After you’ve made your own homemade ice cream, you’ll need somewhere to store it. This stylish storage tub is just the solution you’re looking for. Its long, narrow design makes it easy to store inside narrow freezer shelves and the rubber bottom means it’ll stay in place as you scoop ice cream out of it. Ice Cream Storage Tub, Williams-Sonoma, $19.95.

When it’s time to scoop and serve, delight your guests with this adorable ice-cream inspired ice cream scooper. We can’t think of a more adorable addition to the table at your ice cream social! Ice Cream Lovers Ice Cream Scoop, Favors and Flowers, $6.04.

Ice cream looks and tastes so much better when topped with fun sprinkles! And while rainbow-coloured and chocolate sprinkles are fun, especially for kids, we love this grown-up take on sprinkles from Wilton, in a pretty palette of pearls. Pearl Sugar Wilton Sprinkles, Cute Tape, $4.80.

Your ice cream social will be reminiscent of days long gone by when you serve up ice cream in these pretty pastel paper cups. They look like something straight out of an ice cream parlour from the 1950s and will add a beautiful touch to your gathering. Pastel Striped Ice Cream Cups (Set of 12), thebakersconfections on Etsy, starting at $11.47.

In keeping with the somewhat retro theme, these molded glass ice cream dishes also call to mind the ice cream parlours of decades past. Filled with scoops of your favourite flavour of ice cream and topped with sprinkles or fresh fruit, mini sundaes will look as good as they taste. Parlour Ice Cream Dish, Crate and Barrel, $3.50.

These disposable wooden spoons are fully customizable so they’re perfect for your party because you can have them made to suit your theme exactly. Choose the colours, the patterns and the personalized message that appears on the spoon’s handle. Wooden Ice Cream Spoons, ModParty on Etsy, $26.98.

If you’re serving milkshakes at your ice cream social, you’ll definitely need to have some straws on hand. These striped paper straws in a variety of colours are just what you’re looking for. 50 Striped Paper Straws, Not On the High Street, $10.73 USD.

Really get into the spirit of things and add some ice cream inspired decorations to your ice cream social setting. This paper garland will add a touch of whimsy to your fabulous fete. Ice Cream Honey Comb Decorations, Not On the High Street, $7.98 USD.