How to Host a DIY Ice Cream Parlour Party at Home

An ice cream party is the easiest crowd-pleaser there is: every guest builds their own sundae, nobody complains, and it works for five-year-olds and grown-ups alike.

Honest note: our party decorations and cards are designed and printed in the UK. The Ninja CREAMi is a recommendation from elsewhere.

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The churning station

  • Ninja CREAMi. The Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl turns frozen bases into ice cream, gelato, sorbet and soft-serve-style swirls at the touch of a button. The Stone Gold finish looks good enough to leave out on the worktop.
  • Let each child pick a flavour and press the button - it becomes part of the fun.
  • Bases need freezing for about 24 hours first, so make them the day before.

Set up the parlour

  • Colourful paper decorations and bunting - Shop the range
  • A toppings bar: sprinkles, chocolate buttons, fruit, sauces and wafers.
  • Paper cups and cones, with a chalkboard 'menu'.
  • Name cards so everyone knows whose sundae is whose.

Games and extras

  • Blindfold flavour-guessing.
  • Best-sundae competition with a prize.
  • Freeze dance with an ice cream van tune.

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Found your words? Now find the card

Shop party items Birthday cards Pin badges Greetings cards

How to write it so it lands

  • Bases need freezing for about 24 hours first, so make them the day before.
  • Check guests' allergies before choosing toppings.

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We make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house. These are from other shops we rate, and buying through the link costs you nothing extra.

Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl Ice Cream Machine, Stone Gold product photo

Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl Ice Cream Machine, Stone Gold

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Frequently asked questions

How much ice cream do I need per child?

Allow two small scoops each, plus a little extra for seconds.

How do I stop ice cream melting at an outdoor party?

Serve in the shade, churn in small batches and keep bowls in the freezer until needed.

Do you sell the Ninja CREAMi?

No. We design and print greetings cards, enamel pin badges, art prints and party decorations in the UK. The Ninja CREAMi is a recommendation from elsewhere - only the things linked to our own shop are ours.

What is a good example of how to host a DIY ice cream parlour party?

"Let each child pick a flavour and press the button - it becomes part of the fun." is one of 10 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

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