This post may contain affiliate links which means we may be paid for products you purchase through our links. See our full disclosure for more.

What happens when you give away free ice cream?

A few summers ago (more like 10- yikes!), our family turned ourselves into a neighborhood ice cream truck. We loaded up a cooler with frozen treats, attached a homemade menu, and headed out to surprise people with free ice cream. What happened next was one of our favorite summer memories.

Kids grinned from ear to ear. People who were having a hard week suddenly had a reason to smile. And our family learned something important: service can be fun. Create your own ice cream truck and start sharing some cold sweet treats with people in your neighborhood with these tips and free printables.

Save this for later, pin it now

Who Could You Visit?

The beauty of this activity is that it can be adapted to fit almost any group. As a family, you might visit:

Elderly neighbors
A widow or widower nearby
Families who recently moved in
A friend going through a difficult time
Someone who helped your family recently

As a ministering effort, consider stopping by:

Sisters you've missed seeing at church
A family who has been struggling
Someone celebrating a birthday
A new member
A family you want to reconnect with
Your assigned ministering families

For youth groups, Relief Society, Primary, or ward activities, divide into small groups and send everyone out with coolers and treats. You could visit homes, parks, community helpers, or members who would appreciate a little extra encouragement. It's amazing how far a simple popsicle can go.

Make It Feel Like a Real Ice Cream Truck

Part of the fun is creating the experience.

Our free printable Ice Cream Truck Kit includes signs, menus, treat wrappers, cone wrappers, and decorations to transform an ordinary cooler into a miniature ice cream truck experience.

Kids love helping assemble the wrappers and menus. Youth groups can decorate wagons or bikes. Families can let younger children hand out menus while older children serve the treats.

You don't need anything fancy. A wagon works so does a stroller or a bike. We taped our decorations on to the windows of our mini van.

Frozen Treat Ideas

Of course, there are all sorts of great frozen treats to hand out. And our wrappers will work well for many of the ones out there. However, you don’t have to stop at ice cream and popsicles. Try some non-ice cream options as well for those that have different preferences or dietary needs:

Cup of Nugget Ice
Italian Ice Cups

Bottled water
Sparkling water
String cheese
Fruit snacks
Frozen grapes in a cup

It’s always best to hand things out with wrappers when you can for those with allergies or other concerns. Plus it’s more sanitary.

The Ice Cream Menu

Part of the fun is coming up with fun names for your menu too- just be sure to explain what each one really is. Here’s a few fun ideas:

Cool Cruiser – Popsicle
Neighborhood Freeze – Ice Cream Sandwich
Summer Scoop – Drumstick
Frosty Friend – Dreamsicle
Chill Cup – Nugget Ice
Ministering Mist – Frozen Lemonade
Kindness Cone – Any cone treat

At the end of the night, don't be surprised if your children start asking when they can do it again (and if they can eat the leftovers). Because what happens when you give away free ice cream?

You create smiles, conversations, and connections. And sometimes, you discover that the people being blessed aren't just the ones receiving the treats. They're the ones handing them out too.

Grab the Free Printable Ice Cream Truck Kit

Ready to create your own neighborhood ice cream truck? Download the free printable kit and start planning a sweet service project your family, ministering companionship, youth group, or Primary children will remember all summer long. Our free printable kit includes a planning sheet, wrappers, ice cream truck sign, and a menu sheet.

Market