This Charming Ice Cream Craft is the Perfect Year-End Keepsake

As the school year winds down, it’s the perfect time to reflect on all the fun, learning, and memories made along the way. And what better way to do that than with a scoop of creativity? Our “This Year Has Been a Real Treat” Ice Cream Craftivity is a fun, hands-on activity that lets students reflect on their year and celebrate everything that made it special.

Why Crafting and Writing Go Hand-in-Hand

Crafting and writing together are like peanut butter and jelly, each is great, but they’re even better together! When kids get to make something while expressing their thoughts through writing, it lights up different parts of their brains. They’re not only building fine motor skills but also practicing sentence structure, reflecting on their experiences, and building confidence in their work.

Activities like this also allow students to slow down and think about what they’ve accomplished and what made the year memorable. That reflection is so powerful. It boosts self-awareness, promotes gratitude, and helps them end the year on a positive note.

A Fun End-of-Year Keepsake

The Ice Cream Craft perfectly blends meaningful and fun. Students finish the sentence, “This year has been a real treat because…” and then create their own adorable ice cream cone to accompany it. It’s great for bulletin boards, hallway displays, or as a sweet addition to student portfolios or memory books.

This activity works beautifully in classrooms, homeschool settings, or even as a fun at-home project with parents. It gives kids a voice while letting them tap into their creative side. Plus, who doesn’t love ice cream?

What’s Included in the Ice Cream Craft

This easy-to-use PDF includes everything you need to make the craftivity stress-free and fun:

• A clear photograph of the completed craft for easy reference
• Step-by-step directions to guide you through setup and assembly
• Templates that can be copied directly onto colored cardstock or construction paper for students to cut out themselves
• Labeled templates that can be xeroxed onto cardstock, pre-cut by the teacher, and traced by students. These labels include the name of the pattern, the color to use, and how many to cut (example: “Body – Cut 1 Red”)

You don’t need fancy supplies, just print, cut, color, write, and glue. It’s simple, low-prep, and high-impact. Your students will be proud of their work, and you’ll love seeing their sweet responses.

You’ll also get multiple writing prompts so you can use this craft in different ways depending on your schedule or classroom needs:

• This year has been a real treat because…
• Next year is going to be a real treat because…
• My summer is going to be a real treat because…
• Some cool things I’d like to do this summer are…
• This school year was cool because…
• Next school year will be cool because…

Want to see how to create this cute ice cream craft? Check out the video below!

Why Kids (and Teachers) Love The Ice Cream Craft

Kids love anything that feels creative and personal, and this craft does both. They get to reflect on their favorite memories and share what made their school year so special, whether it was a new friend, a field trip, or learning something they never thought they could do.

Teachers love it because it’s meaningful and manageable. It’s the kind of activity that wraps up the year with heart and a little fun, without adding a ton to your full plate.

How to Use This Ice Cream Craft

There are so many fun and flexible ways to use this activity. Try it as:

• A study tool for the letter “i”
• A fine motor skills practice activity
• A colorful classroom bulletin board or hallway display
• A fun station during small group time
• A craft to pair with a book, worksheet, or themed activity
• A reward project or class party activity

The book Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons is a great story to pair with an ice cream activity!

This craft is perfect for a quick, creative wrap-up activity or something more meaningful to send home.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for one last activity before summer break or a parent looking to celebrate your child’s growth this year, you’re doing a fantastic job. This year might have had its ups and downs, but you guided your kids through it with love, creativity, and resilience.

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