23 Easy & Fun Ice Cream Cone Crafts for Kids
Who doesn’t love ice cream? These delicious frozen treats aren’t just for eating—they make for incredibly fun craft projects too! As a mom of five in a blended family, I’m always on the lookout for creative activities that keep little hands busy and imaginations active. Ice cream cone crafts have become a staple in our household, especially during those hot summer days when we need indoor activities. Whether you’re looking for a quick afternoon project, a preschool activity, or a rainy day solution, these ice cream cone crafts will bring smiles all around! Did you know that creating art projects like these can help develop fine motor skills and spark creativity in children of all ages? So grab your craft supplies and get ready for some sweet, no-melt fun with these 23 delightful ice cream cone craft ideas!
Cotton Ball Ice Cream Painting
Let kids dip cotton balls into pastel-colored paint and stamp them onto paper to create fluffy ice cream scoops. Use a real waffle cone or a paper triangle as the cone base. Sprinkle glitter or tiny paper confetti on top for a fun “sprinkle” effect. Add googly eyes and a smiley face for a cute character cone. A simple and sensory-friendly painting craft that’s perfect for little hands!
Puffy Tissue Paper Ice Cream Cone
Cut colorful tissue paper into small squares and let kids crumple them into tiny balls. Glue them onto a cardstock ice cream cone to create a puffy, textured look. Layer different colors for a multi-scoop cone or mix colors for a swirled effect. Add pom-poms on top as cherries. A bright, hands-on craft that looks almost good enough to eat!
Ice Cream Cone Garland
Make a string of mini ice cream cones using pastel-colored cupcake liners as scoops. Glue them onto paper triangle cones and attach them to twine or ribbon. Decorate each scoop with stickers, buttons, or glitter sprinkles. Hang it in a playroom, birthday party, or summer event for a fun decoration. A colorful, festive garland that brings ice cream fun to any space!
Fluffy Pom-Pom Ice Cream Cone
Use large, colorful pom-poms as ice cream scoops and glue them onto a felt or paper cone. Stack them up to create a triple scoop tower. Add small beads or rhinestones as sprinkles. Use a tiny red pom-pom as a cherry on top. A soft and fluffy craft perfect for preschoolers!
Felt Ice Cream Cone Plushie
Cut felt pieces into cone and scoop shapes and sew them together to create a tiny stuffed ice cream plush. Fill it with cotton stuffing for a soft, squishy effect. Decorate the scoops with embroidered sprinkles or fabric paint drizzles. Add a loop on top to turn it into a keychain or ornament. A sewing craft that makes a cute, handmade gift!
3D Cardboard Ice Cream Stand
Build a mini ice cream stand using cardboard boxes and decorate it with painted stripes and a sign. Make cones from rolled-up construction paper and scoops from foam balls. Kids can pretend to sell different flavors by painting each scoop a different color. Add paper “menu boards” and play money. A fun pretend play craft that doubles as an imaginative game!
Paper Mache Ice Cream Cone
Create a realistic, jumbo ice cream cone using paper mache over a balloon for the scoop and a rolled paper cone. Let it dry and paint it strawberry, mint, or chocolate colors. Add craft sprinkles or glitter for a realistic effect. Display it as a fun summer decoration. A messy but exciting craft that makes a great room décor piece!
Ice Cream Cone Confetti Popper
Create a DIY party popper shaped like an ice cream cone! Roll a paper cone for the base and attach a balloon inside filled with confetti. Glue a tissue paper “scoop” on top to hide the confetti. When kids pull the balloon, the confetti bursts out like a fun ice cream explosion! A perfect craft for birthdays, celebrations, or just for fun!
Ice Cream Cone Wall Hanging
Make a colorful wall hanging using fabric or felt ice cream scoops. Cut out several different flavored scoops and stack them in a fabric cone. Add embroidered sprinkles, pom-pom cherries, or lace “whipped cream” details. Hang it with a wooden dowel and twine for a cute room decoration. A sweet, handmade craft that doubles as adorable home décor!
Ice Cream Cone Bookmark
Make ice cream-shaped bookmarks using felt, cardstock, or foam sheets. Cut out colorful scoops and layer them over a waffle cone-shaped base. Add a tiny ribbon or tassel at the top for a fun twist. Personalize them with kids’ names, glitter, or tiny hand-drawn details. A practical and adorable craft that keeps reading extra fun!
Stained Glass Ice Cream Cone Suncatcher
Use colored tissue paper and clear contact paper to create a beautiful ice cream cone suncatcher. Cut out a waffle cone base from brown cardstock and fill the scoops with torn tissue paper in pink, green, and blue. Stick it to a window and watch the light shine through the “flavors.” Add black marker lines for extra detail. A bright and colorful craft that looks magical in the sunlight!
Ice Cream Cone Finger Puppets
Make tiny ice cream cone puppets using felt and small wooden craft sticks. Cut out different flavored scoops and sew or glue them together. Add googly eyes, tiny mouths, and pipe cleaner arms for a fun character effect. Kids can put on their own puppet show using their ice cream friends! A playful craft that sparks storytelling and pretend play.
Watercolor Drip Ice Cream Art
Let kids paint ice cream scoops with watercolors and then tilt the paper so the colors drip down like melting ice cream. Use a brown paper triangle for the cone and a real waffle texture stamp. Add gold glitter sprinkles for an extra touch. Experiment with different “flavors” by mixing colors. A beautiful and unique painting activity that looks like real dripping ice cream!
Ice Cream Cone Shaped Piñata
Create a mini piñata in the shape of an ice cream cone using cardboard and tissue paper. Fill it with mini candies, stickers, or tiny toys. Cover the scoops with fringed tissue paper layers for a fluffy look. Let kids break it open at a birthday party or summer event. A hands-on craft that turns into a fun-filled activity!
Glow-in-the-Dark Ice Cream Cones
Paint foam ball scoops with glow-in-the-dark paint and attach them to paper or plastic cones. Decorate with glow-in-the-dark stickers and tiny dots of neon paint. Place them under a blacklight or let them charge in the sun, then watch them glow at night! Add a tiny glow stick inside the cone for an even brighter effect. A fun nighttime craft that turns into a glowing decoration!
Ice Cream Cone Paper Plate Mask
Turn a paper plate into a giant ice cream cone mask! Cut out eye holes in the middle of the scoop. Decorate with paint, tissue paper, and pom-poms for sprinkles. Attach a craft stick or elastic band so kids can wear it. A silly, oversized craft that makes for great dress-up fun!
Ice Cream Cone Maracas
Fill plastic Easter eggs with dried rice or beans and glue them onto rolled paper or felt cones. Decorate the eggs with paint, glitter, or sequins to look like ice cream scoops. Secure with washi tape or glue, then shake them to make fun music! Perfect for kids’ dance parties or DIY music fun. A musical, hands-on craft that makes noise in the best way!
Ice Cream Cone Bowling Game
Create DIY ice cream bowling pins using empty water bottles filled with pastel pom-poms. Attach paper cones to the top and decorate with stickers. Use a soft, small ball (like a yarn pom-pom) as the bowling ball. Set them up and see who can knock over the most scoops! A craft that turns into an active game for playtime fun!
Ice Cream Drip Slime
Make homemade slime in different “ice cream” flavors like strawberry pink, mint green, and vanilla white. Store them in small waffle cone cups for pretend play. Add tiny pom-poms, beads, or fake sprinkles to look like toppings. Let kids stretch, squish, and “serve” their own ice cream creations. A sensory-friendly, gooey craft that’s tons of fun!
Ice Cream Cone Dreamcatcher
Create a dreamcatcher in the shape of an ice cream cone! Use a metal hoop for the scoop and wrap it with pastel yarn. Make the cone out of woven brown yarn or paper strips. Hang beads, pom-poms, or felt “sprinkles” from the bottom. A whimsical craft that makes the sweetest bedroom decoration!
3D Ice Cream Cone Pop-Up Card
Make a handmade pop-up card with a surprise ice cream cone inside! Cut out an accordion-folded paper scoop that pops open when the card is unfolded. Use a textured waffle-print paper for the cone and add tiny sticker sprinkles and a paper cherry on top. Decorate the front with a fun summer message like “You’re the Coolest!” A perfect craft for birthdays, thank-you notes, or just spreading sweet summer joy!
Ice Cream Cone Bath Bombs
Create fizzy, ice cream-shaped bath bombs using a mix of baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils. Mold them into scoops and place them in real or paper waffle cones. Add dried flower petals or cosmetic glitter for a touch of fun. Once dry, kids can drop them in the bathtub and watch them fizz like magic! A soothing, spa-like craft that makes bath time extra fun!
Edible Ice Cream Cone Bird Feeder
Coat a real waffle cone in peanut butter or honey and roll it in birdseed. Attach a string or pipe cleaner at the top so it can be hung from a tree. Let kids decorate it with tiny dried fruit “sprinkles” for the birds. Once hung outside, birds will enjoy pecking at their delicious ice cream treat! A nature-friendly, outdoor craft that helps feed wildlife in a creative way!
Ice cream cone crafts are more than just fun activities—they’re opportunities for learning, bonding, and creating memories with your children. From simple paper projects to sensory experiences, these 23 sweet crafts can be adapted for any age group, occasion, or learning objective. The best part? Most of these ideas use materials you already have at home! As a busy mom juggling a blended family, I’ve found these crafts to be lifesavers on days when we need something engaging that doesn’t involve screens. Why not try one of these ice cream cone crafts this weekend? Your kids will love the creative process, and you’ll love watching their imaginations scoop up the fun! Don’t forget to share your creations with us in the comments!