Get ready for giggles, wobbles, and some serious teamwork! This ridiculously fun activity turns a classic picture book into an interactive game that teaches sharing without feeling like a lesson.
Spoiler alert: Your little ones will be begging to play this again and again.
If you’re a parent or teacher looking for a game that actually works to teach social skills (while keeping preschoolers thoroughly entertained), you’ve just hit the jackpot.
This activity is perfect for playdates, classroom circle time, or those afternoons when you need something engaging that doesn’t involve screens.
Why This Game is a Total Winner
Here’s the thing: preschoolers are still figuring out this whole “sharing” concept. It’s not always easy to convince a three-year-old that giving up their toy (or ice cream!) is a good idea.
But when you turn sharing into a game with paper cones, bouncy balls, and lots of laughter? Suddenly it’s not a chore – it’s an adventure.
This activity is inspired by Mo Willems’ beloved book Should I Share My Ice Cream?, where Gerald the Elephant wrestles with whether to share his treat with his best friend Piggie.
The book is hilarious, relatable, and the perfect jumping-off point for your own sharing game.
Best for: Preschoolers (ages 3-5), playdates, classroom activities, rainy day fun
Time to Play: 15-20 minutes
Players: 2+ kids (works great with pairs or small groups)
What You’ll Need
Here’s the beauty of this activity – you probably have everything already!
Copy of Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems (Trust us, it’s worth adding to your collection if you don’t have it yet)
Beige or tan cardstock (or heavy paper that can hold its shape)
Black marker
Ruler
Lightweight plastic balls (ball pit balls work perfectly, or you can use ping pong balls, small stress balls, or anything that fits inside your cone)
Pro Tip: If you don’t have beige paper, white works just fine! Let the kids color waffle-cone patterns on it as a bonus craft activity before you start the game.
How to Make Your Ice Cream Cones
The setup is so simple you’ll have these ready in under 10 minutes. Here’s your foolproof guide:
1. Draw your waffle pattern.
Take a sheet of cardstock and lay it flat with the longer edge horizontal.
Use your ruler and black marker to draw horizontal lines about 1 inch apart across the entire sheet.
Then draw diagonal lines going one direction, followed by diagonal lines going the opposite direction – creating that classic waffle-cone crisscross pattern.
2. Roll it into a cone.
Starting at one corner, roll the paper into a cone shape.
Make sure the opening at the top is wide enough for your ball to fit through easily – test it out!
The pointed end should be closed (or nearly closed) so your “ice cream” doesn’t fall out the bottom.
3. Secure with tape.
Once you’ve got the perfect cone shape, tape the overlapping edge securely.
Add an extra piece of tape at the top rim if needed – these cones are going to see some action!
4. Repeat. Make one cone for each child who will be playing.
Fun Variation: Let the kids help with the drawing part! Little ones can practice their fine motor skills by adding the lines (they don’t have to be perfect – wonky waffle cones are just as fun).
How to Play: The Sharing Game
Alright, here’s where the magic happens!
1. Read the book first.
Gather your kids and read Should I Share My Ice Cream? together.
As you read, pause to chat about how Gerald is feeling. Ask questions like “Do you think Gerald wants to share?” and “How do you think Piggie feels?”
This sets the stage for understanding sharing as something that makes everyone feel good.
2. Talk about sharing.
After the story, have a quick (and age-appropriate!) discussion about friendship and sharing.
Keep it simple: “Gerald learned that ice cream is even MORE fun when you share it with a friend. Today we’re going to practice sharing our ice cream – just like Gerald!”
3. Hand out the cones.
Give each child their own paper ice cream cone.
Place one ball (the “ice cream scoop”) inside one child’s cone to start.
4. Pass the ice cream!
Here’s where it gets exciting.
The child with the ice cream says, “Would you like to share my ice cream?” and then carefully tilts their cone to pass the ball into their friend’s cone.
No hands allowed – the ball has to transfer directly from cone to cone!
5. Keep it going.
Once the ice cream successfully transfers, it’s the new person’s turn to offer to share.
Continue passing the ice cream around the circle (or back and forth if there are just two players).
6. Celebrate the teamwork.
When the ball drops (and it will!), resist the urge to jump in immediately.
Encourage kids to work together to retrieve it and try again.
This builds problem-solving skills and shows that mistakes are just part of the fun.
Pro Tip: For an extra language and manners boost, encourage kids to say “Would you like to share my ice cream?” when offering, and “Yes, please!” or “Thank you for sharing!” when receiving. You’re sneaking in social skills without them even realizing it!
Why Kids (and Adults!) Love This Game
It’s challenging without being frustrating.
Transferring that wobbly ball from cone to cone takes concentration and coordination – but it’s totally doable for preschoolers. You’ll see their faces light up with pride every time they succeed.
It teaches cooperation.
Both kids have to work together to make the transfer happen. The giver has to aim carefully, and the receiver has to position their cone just right. It’s a beautiful little lesson in teamwork disguised as play.
It reinforces positive social skills.
By literally practicing the act of sharing (and using polite language while doing it), kids internalize these behaviors in a way that lecturing never could.
It’s adaptable for any group size.
Playing with just two kids? Perfect! Have a classroom of 15? Set up multiple sharing stations with pairs or small groups working together.
Classroom & Playgroup Adaptations
Teachers and group leaders, this one’s for you! Here’s how to level up this activity for your setting:
Circle Time Version:
Have all the kids sit in a circle, each with their own cone.
Start with one ball and see how many times the group can successfully pass it all the way around without dropping it.
Keep count and try to beat your record!
Relay Race:
Divide kids into teams. Each team has two cones and one ball.
Partners stand a few feet apart and pass the ice cream back and forth a certain number of times.
First team to complete the challenge wins!
Color Sorting Challenge:
Use different colored balls and matching colored cones (or mark cones with colored dots).
Kids have to share the “correct” color ice cream with each other – adding a cognitive element to the game.
Ice Cream Shop Dramatic Play:
Set up a pretend ice cream shop where kids take turns being the shop owner and the customer.
The owner “serves” the ice cream by passing it cone-to-cone, and customers practice asking politely and saying thank you.
What If the Ice Cream Gets Stuck?
Here’s a secret: the “failures” are actually the best part. When the ball doesn’t transfer smoothly or drops on the floor, it opens up a beautiful teaching moment. Encourage kids to:
Ask for help. “My ice cream is stuck! Can you help me?”
Offer help. “That’s okay! Let’s try again together.”
Laugh it off. Modeling a positive attitude when things don’t go perfectly is one of the most valuable lessons we can teach.
These little moments of collaborative problem-solving are where the real learning happens – and they’re what make this activity so much more than just a game.
Extending the Learning
Want to squeeze even more out of this activity? Here are some ideas:
Math Connection
Count how many successful passes your group can make in a row. Create a chart to track improvement over multiple play sessions.
Literacy Connection
After reading Should I Share My Ice Cream?, have kids create their own story about sharing something special. What would they share? With whom? Draw pictures to illustrate.
Social-Emotional Follow-Up
During snack time later that day, create opportunities for kids to practice “real” sharing (passing napkins, offering to share a toy during free play, etc.) and praise them when you notice it happening.
Why This Activity Works for Busy Parents & Teachers
Let’s be real: you don’t have hours to prep elaborate activities. That’s why this one is a keeper.
Minimal prep: 10 minutes of cone-making, and you’re good to go
Reusable materials: These cones last! Store them in a folder or envelope and pull them out whenever you need a quick activity
Multi-skill development: You’re hitting sharing, turn-taking, fine motor skills, social language, and hand-eye coordination all at once
High engagement factor: Kids genuinely LOVE this game and will ask to play it repeatedly (which means more practice with those sharing skills!)
Perfect for Any Occasion
While this activity pairs beautifully with National Ice Cream Day in July, don’t limit yourself! It’s fantastic for:
Back-to-school season: Help new classmates get to know each other
Playdates: Give kids a structured activity that encourages positive interaction
Indoor recess: A lifesaver on rainy days
Birthday parties: Set up an ice cream-themed game station
Any random Tuesday: Sometimes you just need a fun activity that works
Final Scoop
Teaching preschoolers to share doesn’t have to involve tears, timeouts, or long-winded explanations they won’t understand.
Sometimes all you need is a paper cone, a bouncy ball, and a whole lot of encouragement.
This Pass the Ice Cream game transforms an abstract concept – sharing – into something tangible and fun.
Your kids (or students) get to physically practice the give-and-take of sharing while building their motor skills and confidence.
And the best part? They’ll be having so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning.
So grab that cardstock, roll up some cones, and get ready for an afternoon of giggles, teamwork, and zero-calorie ice cream.
Trust us – this is one activity that both kids and grown-ups will want to play on repeat.
Pro Tip: Take photos of your kids playing this game! There’s something absolutely precious about watching little ones work so hard to share that “ice cream” without spilling it. These are the moments worth capturing.
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