Ice Cream Day is an end-of-the-year classroom tradition that kids never forget! It’s sweet, exciting, and the perfect way to celebrate all the hard work your students have done, without losing engagement when attention spans are running low. Pairing ice cream–themed centers with ice cream books is an easy way to keep the learning going, while leaning into the excitement of the season. In this post, you’ll find favorite ice cream books for kids, along with simple ways to turn Ice Cream Day into a meaningful (and manageable!) classroom celebration using hands-on activities, centers, and a mysterious twist that keeps students learning right up until the last days of school!

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End of the Year Ice Cream Day at School

After reading all of your favorite ice cream books, it’s the perfect time to turn that excitement into a sweet and memorable classroom experience!

Hosting an Ice Cream Day is a fun way to celebrate the end of the year, while still keeping students engaged, learning, and working together.

With The Ice Cream Shop Mystery, students complete 6 or 8 ice-cream-themed challenges as they solve clues, eliminate suspects, and figure out who took the sundae supplies.

This Ice Cream Day mystery fits perfectly into an ice cream theme and gives students plenty of opportunities to collaborate, problem-solve, and stay focused—all while having fun.

Teacher tip: If the mystery component feels like too much, you can absolutely skip it and use the activities as stand-alone ice-cream-themed math and literacy centers instead. They’re just as engaging and make for a fun, low-stress ice cream day in the classroom.

Grab the Ice Cream Day Escape Room centers & activities here!

Pair The Ice Cream Shop Mystery with any of the following fiction or nonfiction ice cream books!

Fiction Ice Cream Books for Ice Cream Day

War at the Ice Cream Store by Cheryl DaVeiga

In “War at the Ice Cream Store,” Bully Vanilli rules the freezer while poor Mustachio Pistachio is always left behind—until one night a bullying prank goes too far and sparks an all-out ice cream showdown! Packed with silly songs, over-the-top action, and plenty of giggles, this sweet story serves up an important message about kindness and acceptance in a way kids will absolutely love.

The Ice Cream Shop by Saffia Abdul-Haqq

In “The Ice Cream Shop,” little readers are invited on a sweet and sensory-filled adventure through a colorful world of frozen treats. Written in cheerful, rhythmic rhyme, this engaging read-aloud captures the excitement of a trip to the ice cream shop while building early language skills and imagination.

The Tallest Ice Cream in the World by Stuart Gudgeon

In this ice cream book, one imaginative kid sets out to build the most towering, sky-high ice cream creation ever—stacked with wild flavors and colorful scoops that just might reach the clouds! This playful, pun-filled story is bursting with humor and creativity, inviting kids to dream big while celebrating all their favorite flavors. It’s a sweet and silly read-aloud that’s sure to have your students giggling and shouting out their top ice cream picks!

Princess Sophie’s Ice Cream Flight by Valencia Blake

Join Princess Sophie on a delightful, rhyming journey around the globe in search of exciting new ice cream flavors. From Cape Town to Antarctica, each stop introduces sweet surprises and a taste of different cultures, making this story both fun and educational.

Wemberly’s Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes

When Wemberly is given a red, white, and blue ice‑cream star (a popsicle‑style treat), she worries it might drip on her dress and feels concerned that her beloved doll won’t get any. With a creative solution and a lot of patience, she lets the ice cream melt into bowls so she and her doll can share it together.

Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream by Rob Scotton

Splat the Cat is off on a field trip to an ice cream factory. Splat is thrilled to choose a treat—but quickly feels overwhelmed by all the flavors and choices. As he worries about picking the “perfect” one, the story humorously captures that very kid-relatable fear of making the wrong decision. In the end, Splat learns that it’s okay to take a chance—and that ice cream is pretty great no matter what flavor you choose.

Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree by Angela Henderson

Isaac loves the sugar maple in his yard, and he feels a little sad when its branches stand bare in the winter. He decides to give the tree a special gift—and is amazed when the tree returns the favor the next morning, showering him with balls of…ice cream! But with spring on the horizon, how long will the magic last in this fun ice cream book?

The Ice Cream Vanishes by Julia Sarcone-Roach

The Almost Amazing Squirrel and their trusty assistant, Bear, are back with a hilarious adventure in making snacks—and ice cream—disappear! From the award-winning creator of “The Bear Ate Your Sandwich,” this picture book follows Squirrel, an expert at vanishing acorns, as they attempt the ultimate trick: making ice cream disappear. When Squirrel leaves a cone on a hot rock and it mysteriously vanishes, only one explanation makes sense—Squirrel must be a magician! Determined to master the feat, Squirrel and Bear follow the ice cream truck and put on a show the whole forest will remember.

Scoop the Ice Cream Truck by Patricia Keeler

Scoop the Ice Cream Truck has spent countless summers serving vanilla cones across the city, but as new, fancier trucks arrive with jumbo sundaes, waffle cones, and dozens of flavors and toppings, Scoop starts to feel outdated. Hoping to fit in, he attempts a redesign—but his old frame can’t handle the upgrades. Through the challenges, Scoop discovers the value of being himself and learns, with a little help from friendship, that he doesn’t need to change to be special.

Pete the Cat Screams for Ice Cream! by James Dean

The Just Chillin’ ice cream truck is rolling through town, and Pete the Cat is more than ready for a chilly treat! He races off as fast as he can to catch it before it’s gone—but along the way, his friends need a helping hand. As the day slips by, Pete must decide what really matters most. This sweet ice cream book follows Pete as he learns that being kind is always the coolest choice of all.

Is This Your Favorite Ice Cream? by Ryan Rucker

In “Is This Your Favorite Ice Cream?,” Rae and her dad travel from shop to shop, tasting unique ice cream flavors and making memories along the way. Choosing a favorite isn’t just about the taste or texture—it’s about the joy of sharing a scoop with the people you love. This sweet, heartwarming ice cream book reminds readers that ice cream is even better when it’s part of cherished moments together.

Ice Cream Town by Margaret Buckley

“Ice Cream Town” by Margaret Buckley is a sweet early reader that takes kids on a whimsical tour of a town made entirely of ice cream! In this rhyming Step 2 reader, young adventurers can imagine riding an ice cream train, dipping into an ice cream lake, or playing in an ice cream park—all in a place where the sweetest dreams come true.

Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by H.A. Rey

In this ice cream book, Curious George visits an ice cream shop and becomes fascinated by how ice cream is made and served. When an unexpected problem pops up, George uses his curiosity and problem-solving skills to help out—leading to an ice cream–themed surprise that makes everyone smile.

Unicorns Love Ice Cream by Ben Okon

“Unicorns Love Ice Cream” by Ben Okon is a silly, imaginative picture book all about—what else?—unicorns and their obsession with ice cream! Unicorns love every flavor, color, and topping they can find, but things get hilariously out of hand when their ice-cream-loving fun starts causing trouble. With playful humor and bright illustrations, the story delivers a lighthearted message about moderation and problem-solving, making it a fun, engaging read for young kids—especially during an ice cream–themed classroom day.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems

Gerald the Elephant is thrilled to have an ice cream—until he starts worrying whether he should share it with his best friend, Piggie. As Gerald overthinks the pros and cons, time ticks by… and the ice cream begins to melt.

Ice Cream Face by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

For this ice-cream-obsessed kid, no meal feels complete without a scoop (or two!). He adores ice cream in every flavor and form—but waiting for it? Not so much. Watching others enjoy their cones while he’s stuck in a long line brings out his very best grumpy, impatient face. Thankfully, that frustration doesn’t last forever. Once his turn finally comes and he gets his ice cream, the frown quickly melts away into pure joy. This gentle, relatable ice cream book explores the big feelings kids experience during everyday moments, all centered around a beloved frozen treat.

Good Luck, Ice Cream Truck! by Sorche Fairbank

The excitement of waiting for the ice cream truck turns into a full-on celebration when eight other trucks arrive—everything from a dump truck and fire truck to a garbage truck and cement truck! This lively picture book highlights vehicles, community, friendship, and, of course, delicious ice cream. With cheerful illustrations by Terry Runyan and playful call-and-response text by Sorche Fairbank, “Good Luck, Ice Cream Truck!” is sure to delight preschoolers and young readers who love things that go!

Ice Cream Soup by Ann Ingalls

“Ice Cream Soup” by Ann Ingalls is a fun, beginner‑reader ice cream book that answers the question “What happens when you add too many toppings to an ice cream cake?” with a silly, rhyming tale about how it turns into a goopy, yummy ice cream soup! Designed for early readers with rhythmic text, simple words, and picture clues, this Level 1 book makes reading feel like a sweet treat and is perfect for kids who are just starting to read on their own.

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sis

Told as a series of letters from a child to his grandfather, this ice cream book shows how summer days filled with ice cream can still be packed with learning. As the child enjoys different flavors and summer adventures, he also practices reading, math, and even world history. The book cleverly weaves fun facts, illustrations, and humor to show that learning doesn’t stop when school’s out.

Nonfiction Ice Cream Books for Ice Cream Day

How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag by Barbara Alpert

Did you know you can make ice cream right inside a bag? This book walks kids through the process with simple materials and easy, step-by-step directions. Along the way, young readers discover the science behind the sweet treat, turning a hands-on activity into a fun and tasty learning experience!

From Milk to Ice Cream by Bridget Heos

In this ice cream book, curious kids discover the fascinating journey of ice cream from farm to freezer. This engaging nonfiction read follows the process step by step—introducing dairy farmers, sugarcane growers, and factory workers along the way—so children can see how everyday ingredients become their favorite frozen treat.

From Milk to Ice Cream (Start to Finish) by Stacy Taus-Bolstad

Young readers explore the journey from farm to frozen treat as they discover how milk is transformed into delicious, frosty ice cream. By following each step of the food production cycle—from milking the cow to enjoying a sweet scoop—this engaging nonfiction book makes science and real-world processes easy to understand and fun to learn.

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons

Like the previous ice cream books, “Ice Cream: The Full Scoop” is a kid-friendly nonfiction book that explains how ice cream is made—from farm to freezer. Gail Gibbons walks young readers through the process step by step, starting with milk from cows, then showing how ingredients are mixed, flavored, frozen, and packaged. With clear text and detailed illustrations, the book also shares fun facts about different ice cream flavors and treats, making it a perfect pick for curious kids during an ice cream–themed unit or Ice Cream Day at school.

The Curious Kid’s Book About Ice Cream by Wendy Adams

“The Curious Kid’s Book About Ice Cream” is a fun, fact-filled introduction to one of the world’s most beloved treats, perfect for curious kids ages 4–8. With colorful illustrations and simple, engaging text, this ice cream book takes young readers behind the scenes to explore how ice cream is made, its history, and why people everywhere love it. Kids will learn what ingredients make ice cream creamy and smooth, how it freezes, the story behind cones and sundaes, the many flavors from classic to wacky, and even what causes—and cures—“brain freeze.”

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better by Glenda Armand

Augustus Jackson: The Father of Ice Cream tells the inspiring story of Augustus Jackson, an African American entrepreneur and culinary pioneer. Born in 1808 in Philadelphia, Augustus dreamed of becoming a professional cook. At just twelve years old, he traveled to Washington, D.C., where he began working in the White House and eventually served as a cook for Presidents James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson. This beautifully illustrated picture-book biography celebrates his determination, skill, and lasting contributions to the world of ice cream.

The Scoop on Ice Cream by Bonnie Williams

“The Scoop on Ice Cream!” by Bonnie Williams is a fun, fact‑filled nonfiction ice cream book that takes young readers through the cool history of everyone’s favorite frozen treat. Kids can discover surprising ice cream facts—like how immigrants to Ellis Island were served ice cream as part of their first meal and how influential figures such as George Washington spent big on ice cream in the 1790s—while learning how ice cream became a staple in America and around the world. The book also includes extra sections on geography and science, plus a fun quiz to test what readers have learned.

Curious About Ice Cream by Bonnie Bader

“Curious About Ice Cream” by Bonnie Bader is a fun, nonfiction picture book that answers all kinds of questions kids might have about everyone’s favorite treat. It explores where ice cream came from, how it became so popular—especially in the United States—and interesting facts about ice cream culture and consumption. Developed with the food curators at the Smithsonian, this visually engaging book uses simple text and visuals to satisfy curious readers who want the scoop on ice cream’s history and appeal.

Let’s Find Out About Ice Cream by Mary E. Reid

Similar to the other nonfiction ice cream books, “Let’s Find Out About Ice Cream” by Mary Ebeltoft Reid is an informative nonfiction book for young readers that shows how everyone’s favorite frozen dessert goes from ingredients to the final treat. Using clear, simple text and real photographs, it takes kids on a “field trip” through an ice cream factory to explain the step‑by‑step process of how ice cream is made and delivered—from the farm to the store.

Vicki Cobb’s Why Does My Ice Cream Melt?: Smart Answers to STEM Questions

In “Why Does My Ice Cream Melt?,” kids discover the science behind ice cream—and learn all about the states of water, including the water cycle. Accomplished author and educator Vicki Cobb makes STEM fun and engaging with bright illustrations, simple language, and step-by-step experiments. Young readers will be so captivated by the activities and explanations that they won’t even realize how much they’re learning!

More End of the Year Activities

Make counting down to the last day of school fun and stress-free with these FREE ABC Countdown Calendars!

If you love this end of the year Ice Cream Day, you will also love this Beach Day!

Another end of the year theme day students love is Glow Day! Check out the math, literacy, and science Glow Day activities here!

You could also bring the fun of a pool party into your classroom! It’s sure to make a big splash with your students. Check out all the classroom pool party activities here!

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