The ice cream shop

AREA SETUP

Thematic poster-Ice cream shop

(Open thematic poster-Ice cream shop) Print, laminate, and decorate the walls of your daycare with all kinds of posters.

Educa-decorate-Ice cream shop
(Open educa-decorate-Ice cream shop) Print, cut out, and laminate. Use the illustrations to decorate the walls of your daycare and set the mood for the theme.

Educa-theme-ice cream shop

(Open educa-theme-Ice cream shop) Print and laminate the elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group while decorating your daycare.

Garland-The ice cream shop
(Open garland-The ice cream shop) Print. Let children decorate the garland. Cut it out and hang it within your daycare or near your daycare entrance.

CIRCLE TIME

Interactive circle time-Ice cream shop

(Interactive circle time-Ice cream shop) Plan ahead and collect several boxes of frozen treats (cones, Popsicles, ice cream bars, sherbet, ice cream cookies, etc.). Arrange the boxes on a bookshelf close to your circle time area or role play area. Attach 2 large sheets of light blue cardboard to the front of your bookshelf to represent freezer doors, like the ones seen in grocery stores. You can draw door handles near the center of the doors. During circle time, invite children to discover the contents of your ice cream shop freezer. Let them pick and choose among the frozen treats to spark a discussion.

I am talking about ice cream shops…with a puppet

Use a puppet to encourage children to speak about various subjects related to the theme. The puppet may help those who are shy to participate. It can also represent a useful tool for those who struggle with language. One thing is certain, the puppet will make circle time interesting for all!  

A treasure hunt to discover the theme

(Open educa-decorate-Ice cream shop) Print and laminate. Set the pictures on items throughout your daycare. Invite children to search for them. Together, name the illustrated items. Encourage children to try to identify the theme.

To introduce your theme, greet children with a cone filled with frozen yogurt or serve it to them as a snack during circle time. Display pictures of children eating frozen treats on the walls of your daycare. Set up an ice cream shop in your role play area.

Educ-chat-The ice cream shop
(Open educ-chat-The ice cream shop) Educ-chat is a game that is made up of several different illustrations which represent subjects, verbs, and objects. They can be used to help children make complete sentences and enrich their vocabulary. Print, cut out, and laminate the cards. Make three different piles (subjects, verbs, and objects). Ask children to pick three cards, one from each pile. Have them "read" the sentence. The sentences will sometimes be quite silly, but you are sure to have fun. You may also choose to place the cards yourself and have children "read" the sentences.

PICTURE GAME

The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with your group. Use them to decorate your daycare or a specific thematic corner. (Open picture game-Ice cream shop) Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a Ziploc bag or in your thematic bin.

ACTIVITY SHEETS

(Open activity sheets-Ice cream shop) Activity sheets are suggested for each theme. Print and follow instructions.

WRITING ACTIVITIES

Writing activity-I like ice cream shop

(Open writing activities-I like ice cream shop) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

Writing activities-C like cone

(Open writing activities-C like cone) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

Stationery-The ice cream shop
(Open stationery-The ice cream shop) Print. The stationery can be used to communicate with parents, in your writing area, or to identify your thematic bins.

Educa-nuudles-The ice cream shop

(Open educa-nuudles-The ice cream shop) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don't have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

Word flashcards

Use the cards to spark a conversation with your group or in your reading and writing area. They may also be used to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Ice cream shop) (Open giant word flashcards-Ice cream shop) Print. sundae, cone, slushie, banana split, frozen yogurt, milkshake, chocolate, caramel, candy, peanuts, frozen treat, strawberry.

Ice cream scoop toss

You will need the lid of a cardboard box (for example a box of paper). Set it upside down on the floor and, using hot glue, glue 10 flat bottom ice cream cones in the lid (one row of 4, one row of 3, one row of 2, and a single cone at the bottom) to form a triangle. (Open ice cream scoop toss) Print and cut out the small, numbered cones and set one under each cone to represent the number of points children can earn. Children must try to toss ping pong balls in the cones to score points. When they succeed, they keep the small card that was under the corresponding cone. Replace it with another card. At the end of the game, help children add up their points.

Story and memory game-The ice cream shop
(Open story and memory game-The ice cream shop) Print, cut out, and laminate the illustrations. Place them on the floor or table, face down. Children take turns picking three cards and inventing a story in relation to the illustrations. Variation: Print two copies and use the cards to play a memory game.

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

Game-This is my spot-The ice cream shop
(Open game-This is my spot-The ice cream shop) Print two copies. Laminate and cut out the cards. Glue one copy of each card on the table using adhesive paper. Drop the other copies in a bag. Children take turns picking a card to determine their spot at the table for the day. You may also use the cards to determine naptime spots or for your task train.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

Ice cream cone constructions

(Open ice cream cone constructions) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Invite children to use flat bottom ice cream cones and regular cones to reproduce the different structures illustrated on the cards.

Ice cream cone race

For this activity, you will need 2 small plastic containers, 2 ice cream scoops, and a dozen flat bottom ice cream cones. You can keep extra cones on hand in case some cones are cracked during the game. You will also need several ping pong balls. Set an equal number of ping pong balls in each plastic container to represent scoops of ice cream. Divide your group into 2 teams. Give each team one container of ice cream, 1 ice cream scoop, and 6 cones. When you give the signal, children from each team must work together to prepare 6 ice cream cones and serve them to imaginary customers at the opposite end of the room. A child picks up an ice cream scoop (ping pong ball) using the spoon and sets it on a cone that another child is holding. The child holding the cone must then go set the cone on a counter or table at the other end of the room. If the ice cream falls off the cone, the child must return the ping pong ball to the container and they must start over. The first team who successfully serves 6 ice cream cones wins. To increase the level of difficulty, you can write numbers 1 to 6 on the ping pong balls and ask chidlren to prepare their cones in numerical order.

Ice cream cone decorating

(Open ice cream cone decorating) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Each child takes a card and presses modeling dough inside the ice cream outline. You can ask them to fill the shape using modeling dough of the corresponding color. Next, they can press sequins, buttons, dry cereal (Froot Loops for example) in the “ice cream” to represent candy. The quantity of candy pieces must correspond to the number printed on each cone.

Crafty game-Make your own ice cream cone

(Open crafty game-Make your own ice cream cone) Print and laminate the document. Cut out the ice cream cone and press it on a cookie sheet or on a wall. Cut out the ice cream scoops, numbers, and cards. Set the cards face down on the table. Children take turns picking a card, counting the ice cream scoops, and setting the correct number on the cone. Next, they add ice cream scoops to reproduce the illustrated cone.  

Modeling dough activity placemats-Ice cream shop

(Open modeling dough activity placemats-Ice cream shop) Print and laminate. Let children pick a placemat and provide modeling dough. Encourage them to use the dough to fill or reproduce the shapes that are on their placemat.

Lacing-The ice cream shop
(Open lacing-The ice cream shop) Print, laminate, and punch holes where indicated. Give children a shoelace or ribbon they can use to lace the shapes.

Modeling dough ice cream cones
Encourage children to use modeling dough to form balls (scoops) or cylinders. Use cone-shaped glasses or small cardboard glasses to represent ice cream cones. Children will be happy to fulfill your every order.

From one sundae to the next
You will need several red pompoms, plastic spoons, and small bowls. Fill two bowls with cherries (red pompoms) and set them at one end of your daycare. Deposit two empty bowls at the other end of the daycare. Divide your group into two teams. Using the spoons, children must transfer the cherries to the empty bowls without dropping them. The first team to have transferred all its cherries to the other bowl wins.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Giant cones
Provide sidewalk chalk and invite children to draw giant ice cream cones in your driveway or parking lot.

Ice cream stand
With the children in your group, paint a large box using bright colors. Cut a window out of the front of the box. Children will enjoy taking their friends' ice cream orders in their very own ice cream stand.

Ice cream obstacle course
(Open giant ice cream scoops) Print and laminate the ice cream scoops. Set them on the ground throughout your yard. Encourage children to hop from one scoop of ice cream to the next and name the different flavours.

MUSICAL AND RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

Frozen drums
Ask parents to help you collect several empty ice cream containers. Using wooden spoons, their hands, or small plastic spoons to bang on the containers, let children create a variety of rhythms.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Printable patterns

(Open printable patterns-Ice cream shop) Print the cards showing frozen treat patterns. Pour a small quantity of different colors of poster paint (colors must correspond to those of the illustrated frozen treats) in aluminum pie plates and set a sponge in each one. Children take turns picking a card and pressing the sponges on a paper banner to reproduce the illustrated pattern. Name the colors as they work. You can invite children to work as a team to reproduce the different patterns and continue the patterns until they reach the end of the banner. At the end of the activity, children can draw sticks or cones under each frozen treat using a marker. Display the banners on a wall for the duration of the theme.

Measuring at the ice cream shop

(Open measuring at the ice cream shop) Print the different cards. Invite children to set large pastel-colored buttons (to represent scoops of ice cream) from one extremity to the other of each object to “measure” it. Next, whenever possible, repeat the exercise using real objects and compare the results.

Frozen treat bingo

(Open frozen treat bingo) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards on which frozen treats are drawn. Also print one bingo card for each child. Pick a frozen treat and show it to the group. Invite children to name the shape and color of the frozen treat. Next, they try to find this shape on their bingo card. Those who see it on their card must trace the outline of the shape using a crayon corresponding to the color of the frozen treat. The first child who colors 3 frozen treats in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins.

Coloring hunt and seek-Ice cream shop

(Open coloring hunt and seek-Ice cream shop) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Children pick a card and find and color the item using the correct color.

Game-Four cones

(Open game-Four cones) Print, glue the cards on opaque cardboard and cut them out. Arrange all the cards upside down on the floor or table (so you can’t see the illustrations). Children take turns rolling a die. Every time a child rolls a “1”, he can turn a card. If he doesn’t already have this cone in front of him, he keeps it and places it in front of him for everyone to see. The first child who has collected all four cones wins.

Sundae assembly

(Open sundae assembly) Print and laminate the various pieces. Children must first find the elements illustrated on a card and use them to prepare a sundae.

Homemade puzzles-Ice cream shop

Collect pictures related to the theme from grocery store flyers, books, etc. and cut them once or twice to create 2 or 3-piece puzzles. Give each child a puzzle piece and hide the other pieces. Each child must find his missing pieces and complete his puzzle.

Symbolic play set-Ice cream shop

(Open symbolic play set-Ice cream shop) Print the various documents (coins, loyalty cards, menu, order forms, opening hours). Distribute the cards. Create displays of ice cream shop items that are for sale. Print, laminate, and cut out the coins and paper bills and have fun playing ice cream shop with your group. Beyond the printable material, do not hesitate to add the following items: ice cream scoops, empty ice cream containers, bowls for sundaes, cones, giant pompoms or balls of tissue paper to represent ice cream, a cash register, crayons, etc. 

Junior Sudoku-The ice cream shop
(Open junior Sudoku-The ice cream shop) Print and laminate the board game and cards. Attach Velcro to each card (or simply use the game with a dry-erase marker). Children must place the cards on the board while respecting traditional Sudoku rules; there mustn't be two identical cards on the same vertical or horizontal line.

Educa-duo-The ice cream shop
(Open educa-duo-The ice cream shop) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must use a dry-erase marker to draw a line between items that go together.

Educa-symmetry-The ice cream shop
(Open educa-symmetry-The ice cream shop) Print. Children must color the bottom picture (black & white) to make it look exactly like the top picture (in color).

Educ-pairs-The ice cream shop
(Open educ-pairs-The ice cream shop) Print. Children must draw a line between identical items or color identical items using the same color. For durable, eco-friendly use, laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

Educ-trace-The ice cream shop
(Open educ-trace-The ice cream shop) Print for each child. Children must trace the lines with the correct colors and then color the corresponding items using the same colors.

Educ-same and different-The ice cream shop
(Open educ-same and different-The ice cream shop) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must circle the illustration that is different in each row.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Giant cones with a partner

Divide your group into teams. Help each child form a cone using a large piece of brown paper. Inflate several pink, white, and mint green balloons to represent scoops of ice cream. Each team picks an ice cream flavor. Children work with a partner and try to toss and catch their scoop of ice cream using their “cone”.

Role play-Ice cream shop

(Open role play-Ice cream shop) Print and laminate the different name tags and thread each one onto a ribbon or string so that children can wear them around their neck. Distribute the name tags to attribute different roles to the children in your group. Print and laminate the thematic items (ice cream cones, milkshakes, ice cream flavors, etc.). Press them on items using adhesive putty. Create ice cream shop displays. Print, laminate, and cut out the coins. Children will have fun pretending they are ice cream shop employees or customers.

Our giant sundae

Invite children to work together to decorate a giant sundae. Using hot glue, secure a large pastel-colored beach ball in a bucket or clean white garbage can to represent ice cream. Using double-sided tape, children can glue a red balloon on top to represent a cherry. Next, children can press colorful Post-It notes cut into strips all over the beach ball to represent sprinkles. Crumpled pieces of tissue paper can also be used to add an additional pop of color. Using permanent markers, they can draw details, such as coulis. Encourage children to cut a giant spoon out of colorful cardboard and glue it on their sundae.

EARLY SCIENCE/MANIPULATION/EXPLORATION

I can make my own ice cream
(Open creative recipe-I can make my own ice cream) Print.

Ingredients for the small Ziploc bag:

• 1 cup of 3.25% milk
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• • 1 teaspoon of vanilla (or 1 tablespoon of chocolate liquid syrup)

Ingredients for the large Ziploc bag:

• 2 to 3 cups of crushed ice (enough for the bag to be half full)
•  6 tablespoons of coarse salt

Steps:

1. Pour the milk, sugar, and vanilla (or chocolate syrup) in the small Ziploc bag.
2. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible.
3. Deposit the small Ziploc bag in the large Ziploc bag.
4. Add 6 tablespoons of coarse salt.
5. Fill the large bag with crushed ice until it is half full.
6. Encourage children to manipulate and shake the bag for 5 to 10 minutes. Have children work in teams of two so their arms don't get tired.
7. Open the bag and enjoy your delicious soft serve ice cream.

Shaving cream or ice cream
Cover your table with a vinyl tablecloth and empty tiny mounds of shaving cream on it along with a few drops of food coloring if you want to create other "flavors". Let children manipulate the shaving cream like finger paint.

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

Refreshing smoothies
You will need a variety of frozen fruit and orange juice. Have children choose the fruit they prefer and add fruit pieces to the jar of your blender. Add orange juice and mix until your smoothie has the desired texture.

Sundae bar
Prepare small bowls containing a variety of sundae toppings: strawberries, cherries, candy pieces, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, caramel, etc. Give each child a bowl of vanilla ice cream and let them add their favorite toppings.

Special snack
Purchase a variety of frozen treats at the supermarket. Before snack time, arrange them in a portable cooler. Carry it outside and shout: "Ice cream! Ice cream!" Children will love picking their own treat.

Cake in a cone
(Open creative recipe-Cake in a cone) Print.

Ingredients:

• Store-bought cake mix or homemade cake
• 18 flat-bottom ice cream cones

Steps:

• Prepare cake as indicated on package.
• Arrange the cones in an oven-safe pan or on a cookie sheet.
• Pour the cake mix in the cones until they are ¾ full.
• Bake in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Spread icing over the cakes once cooled. Decorate with candy pieces or chocolate chips.
• Enjoy!

Homemade ice cream

(Open creative recipe-Homemade ice cream 2) Print.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fruit, mashed
• ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 cups of 35% cream

Steps:

1. Pour all the ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Mix using an electric mixer.
3. Pour the mixture in ice cube trays.
4. Set the ice cube trays in the freezer for approximately one hour. Remove the ice cube trays from the freezer and stir each cube with a stick (this step is essential to avoid having the fat remain at the surface).
5. Leave the ice cube trays in the freezer for another two hours.
6. Serve the ice cream in small bowls.

ARTS & CRAFTS

My frozen treat

(Open my frozen treat) Print the model and invite children to trace it on a colorful piece of Fun Foam. Next, they draw zigzags, curved lines, designs, etc. using glitter glue or markers. Provide Fun Foam shapes (stars, circles, etc.) that they can add to their frozen treat to represent candy. Once they are satisfied, have them glue a large Popsicle stick behind their frozen treat. Hang them from the ceiling to decorate your daycare. 

My ice cream truck

(Open my ice cream truck) Print a truck for each child. Have them cut out and decorate both trucks. Help them cut out the windows and the bottom part of the panel that opens to serve ice cream. They glue the trucks on either side of an empty tissue box. Children will enjoy playing with their ice cream truck.

Puppets-The ice cream shop
(Open puppets-The ice cream shop) Print the models on heavy paper. Have children cut them out and decorate them. Attach Popsicle sticks to the back of each model to make puppets. 

Models-The ice cream shop
(Open models-The ice cream shop) Print. Use the models for various crafts and projects throughout the theme.

Stencils-The ice cream shop
(Open stencils-The ice cream shop) Print and cut out the stencils. Children can use them to trace or paint items related to the theme.

Original sundae
You will need a small disposable bowl for each child. Have children glue cotton balls inside their bowl to represent ice cream. Once the glue is dry, pour brown poster paint in a squeezable bottle. Children will enjoy pretending to drip chocolate syrup over their ice cream. Have them glue a red pompom on top to represent a cherry and add a plastic spoon.

My cone
(Open my cone) Print several copies so each child can prepare his/her own cone. Have children cut out the circles and triangles after coloring them to represent their favorite ice cream flavour. When they are done, have them assemble their cone on a piece of construction paper.

Frozen circles
(Open sundae circles) Print. Have children cut out the bowl and circles. Help them assemble the bowl on a piece of cardboard and complete the craft by adding the three scoops of ice cream and the cherry on top.

COLORING PAGES

Complete the drawing-The ice cream shop
(Open complete the drawing-The ice cream shop) Print for each child. Children must draw the missing elements.

I am learning to draw-An ice cream cone
(Open I am learning to draw-An ice cream cone) Print and laminate the model sheet. Invite children to practice their drawing technique on the model sheet. When they are ready, they can try to draw an ice cream cone on their own.

Coloring pages-Ice cream shop
(Open coloring pages theme-Ice cream shop) Print for each child.

SONGS & RHYMES

(Open songs & rhymes-Ice cream)

Ice cream

By: Patricia Morrison
Sung to: You are my sunshine

I love sundaes
With all the toppings
I love ice cream cones
One scoop, two scoops
Sometimes it's chocolate
Sometimes vanilla
Please don't let my ice cream melt away

Have fun!

The Educatall team