This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you click through and purchase via the links I provide.
I started out the Ice Cream Halloween Project with the creation of the ice cream cones that Cruz, my son, will “carry” in his ice cream man tray. I say “carry” because he is one and while he is walking, he is not super steady yet. So, I will be turning our stroller into an ice cream truck . . . more on that later.
Materials needed for Paper Ice Cream Cones:
- Cardstock
- 2.4 inch Styrofoam balls
- Marker
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Tape
- Used tissue paper
- Glue stick
- Hot Glue gun and sticks
- Assorted “toppings”–glitter, pom poms, sequins (whatever suits your fancy)
Step 1: Making the Cones
I made the cones out of brown card stock, which I purchased at Walmart in a package for less than $4. I had some already at home, but not enough in the color I needed. I like to use this card stock for invitations or other paper goods, so it will be put to good use and I felt OK about buying a new package.
Also, coffee was my beverage of choice this morning . . . unfortunately, no Bailey’s, wine or actual ice cream was consumed . . . but I digress . . .
I chose the color of card stock I felt best matched a real waffle cone. #becauseitmatters (to no one but me).
Draw a grid on the paper, marking off every 1/2 in and draw the lines using a ruler. I used a gold marker I had at home. Gold because, its fabulous and well, it’s the marker that I had handy. I cut the full sheet in half, so I had two 5 1/2 inch by 8 inch pieces.
I took the sheet and rolled it into a cone, then used one of the styrofoam balls to make sure the cone was the appropriate fit. The ball should fit so about a 3/4 of it is on top of the cone. Once I had the right size, I taped along the edge. I like to use Scotch Brand Gift Wrapping Tape, because it does hide well on paper. If you haven’t used it to wrap Christmas gifts, you are missing out. It’s just great tape. Maybe I should write a blog post on tape . . . KIDDING!
I trimmed the point at the top of the back of the cone and voila, we are well on our way to ice cream magic friends!
Step 2: The Ice Cream
If you are anything like me, you have used tissue paper stuffed in a used gift bag in your basement. If you are exactly like me, you have a collection of used gift bags, boxes, tissue paper and bows that you are “saving” for some gift wrap emergency. This “stash” of mine, causes endless hate and discontent for my husband, but as I always remind him, you just never know . . . and THIS, folks is that EXACT MOMENT.
Tissue paper makes the perfect “ice cream” because the crinkle makes it look like scooped ice cream with little to no effort on your part, except maybe more crinkling.
I put some glue on the styrofoam ball and then just stuck the tissue paper on, no rhyme or reason really. Just make sure you have enough around the base for a little collar, to create that “just scooped look”.
Lastly, I put some hot glue along the top of the cone and stuck the ball on top. I repeated this with different colored tissue paper and then decorated with poms and glitter paint.
Note: to make the chocolate cone, I used some Kraft Paper. And, I ended up doing two layers of tissue paper on the vanilla and strawberry cones, so you couldn’t see the ball underneath.
And, Ta Da! Paper ice cream cones that look good enough to eat . . . which both of my kids will probably try to do. Or, are possibly doing as I type this. Signing off.
