How to Host an Ice Cream Social

Hosting an ice cream social is a great way to cool off and have fun during the hot summer. Ice cream is loved by young and old alike so this is a great outdoor party idea for families with minimal work for the host and hostess so they can enjoy the fun too.

Planning and Inviting

Plan you ice cream social in the early evening. The temperature has cooled down and there's plenty of daylight left for the outdoor party. Plan to set up tables for party ingredients under a covering like a shade tree or large umbrellas. If mosquitoes or other evening pests are a problem in your area, plan ahead for Citronella candles and bug spray.

Hosting an ice cream social is easy, everyone serves themselves, so invite as many you outdoor space can comfortably handle. Snail mail, e-mail or call-out the invitation, since this is an informal get-together.

Shopping List

Ice cream tops the list of course, whether you buy the ice cream or make it during the party is your choice, just make a list of all ingredients needed for making homemade ice cream. Have the three basic ice cream flavors - vanilla, chocolate and strawberry - for the party, allow about one pint per guest.

Buy a variety of ice cream cones and waffle bowls (saves on cleanup) and basic flavors of syrup and a few cans of whipped cream.

Sticking with the basic flavors for ice cream layers allows you to get creative with the toppings. Small candies like M&M's, crumbled cookies, brownies, marshmallows along with small fresh fruits like blueberries are perfect topping choices.

Pick up a pack of small skewers and create some tasty skewers for party guests - alternate pieces of chocolates, mini marshmallows and fresh fruit on skewers so guests can grab them for dipping in sauce or ice cream. These skewers make a nice treat for guests who are watching calories or are lactose intolerant.

Purchase a large container of moist baby wipes for easy cleanup of hands and faces.

Get Ready and Have Fun

The night before the ice cream social, place all bowls in the freezer for extra coldness when ice cream is placed in them. Make sure you have plenty of ice on hand too.

The morning of the party, set up three serving stations; one for dipping ice cream, one for saucing and one for toppings. This set up will keep the traffic flowing nicely.

Large containers that can hold ice (coolers, galvanized or plastic buckets, etc.) will be needed to keep ice cream cold. Small crock pots or fondue pots are great to place ice cream sauce in and small bowls will be needed to place each different toppings in.

Just before party time, set everything out except the ice cream and cold bowls (wait until guest arrive for that). Prepare a bowl of cold water to dip scoops in between flavors and place on ice cream serving table and have plenty of cold bottles of water on hand, since ice cream makes everyone thirsty.