Ice Cream Cone Craft

We’re balancing out all the yummy ice cream eating by making a not-so-yummy-tasting, but fun to make ice cream craft! This is a simple  Ice Cream Cone Craft that is appropriate for children ages two and up.

WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THE ICE CREAM CONE CRAFT

white construction paper/pieces of cardboard
brown construction paper triangles
shaving cream
glue
spoons
bowls/small plastic containers
tempera paint
small beads/buttons/cut up straws/small pom poms

HOW TO MAKE THE ICE CREAM CONE CRAFT

Prior to introducing the activity cut triangle (ice cream cone) shapes. Next mix equal parts shaving cream and white glue. Add small amounts of paint to make different ice cream flavors. We made green, yellow and kept some white. If your children have long attention spans feel free to include them in this part, otherwise make it ahead of time. Put each mixture into a plastic bowl or small container with a few spoons. Put small beads, buttons or cut up straws in bowls to use as pretend ice cream toppings. Red poms poms would make great cherries!

Give each child a piece of construction paper (or cardboard piece) and brown paper triangle. Introduce the activity by telling your children that today they are making pretend ice cream. “We are going to have so much fun! Today you get to make your own pretend ice cream cone! Hmm, what flavors will you add to your cone?” Demonstrate how your child can use the shaving cream mixture to glue the cone to the paper and then scoop the different “ice cream flavors” to make their very own cones. Don’t forget the toppings!

Like with all children’s art projects it is important to focus on the process of the art rather than the end result. Rather than beginning statements with “I like” or “It looks like a” focus on what your child is doing. “Look at the way you pile the green ice cream on top of the yellow.” “Charlotte, your hands are mixing the ice cream all over your paper. Back and forth, back and forth. How does it feel?”

Charlotte’s ice cream cone craft is a perfect example of the importance of ‘process over product’. During most art projects Charlotte focuses on the sensory aspect of art. Specifically, how each art mediums feels. As Charlotte worked she quickly put down the spoon opting to use her hands. For over a half hour (huge for a two year old) she moved the shaving cream mixture around her paper, adding beads and buttons and the more of the shaving cream mixture. Occasionally I would check in with her to see if she needed a new paper to which she could reply, “No, I’m still working”. Finally she declared “All done!” only to look at her paper one second more and say “Hold on, and a cherry on top! Done.” To an adult eye Charlotte’s art work could easily look like not much, a mess. Looking closer through a child’s lens Charlotte’s art work has deep meaning. Charlotte made a delicious ice cream cone with a cherry on top!

Once your child is done lay flat. Let dry overnight. Once dry hang on the wall. An easy way to promote literacy is to label your child’s work with his name. Your child will love seeing her work displayed!

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