Here’s the scoop! Children learn a great deal through play, and what’s more fun than playing with ice cream!

Some good times to set up ice cream dramatic play center include learning about the letter “Ii”, or during the summer when it’s hot outside and your students might get the chance to experience the ice cream truck for the first time.

Here’s are some ideas on how to set up an Ice Cream themed dramatic play center

Setting up the Shop

Begin by collecting and making props to support the theme:

All things on this list are not required – just ideas of things to look for that might work for you and your classroom. If you plan enough time ahead you can ask parents for donations.  

• ice cream scoop
• ice cream cups
• tissue paper to make ice cream balls
• spoons
• bottle of sprinkles
• red pom poms for cherries
• containers for ice cream, recycled or create your own
• empty containers or old glue bottles for whip cream, caramel, strawberry and chocolate syrup
• cash register
• play money 
• 2 graham cracker boxes or boxes similar in size (hold the ice cream cones and popsicles)

For Dress-up include

• Apron
• Ice cream server hat
• Bow tie

Making ice cream

There are a number of options to “make” ice cream but I prefer the fast, cheap and clean option best – out of tissue paper.
Decide what flavors of ice cream you plan to use and find paper or tissue paper that matches the color of the ice cream. Crumble each paper into balls. This can be a shared activity to get students involved by helping.
For the cones, draw diagonol lines on brown construction paper and roll into a cone shape (or you can get a waffle cone template in my resource pack).

Make a space for play

Once your props are created, set up the center make a space where students can take orders (cash register, clipboard), scoop ice cream (hold ice cream containers, and toppings), and sit at a table to enjoy their ice cream purchases.

Think of ways to incorporate math and literacy

Create order forms that encourage them to write.

Label all props with pictures and words so students begin to recognize letters/words have meaning 

Make menus with prices and use the cash register with play money to encourage counting

Create open ended ice cream templates and place in the literacy or art center to encourage students to make their own props.

If you’re interested in learning more about setting up an Ice Cream Shop themed dramatic play area, you can get all of the ready made printables and ideas at my store.