When summer afternoons stretch long and the kids start asking for dessert, I want Costco options that make choosing a treat easy. These seven ice cream picks bring plenty of fun to birthdays, movie nights, and backyard gatherings.
1. Drumstick Ice Cream Sundae Cones Variety Pack – $7.79-$11.99
Birthday duty gets easier with these 16 grab-and-go cones in Vanilla, Vanilla Fudge, and Vanilla Caramel. The chocolate lining, peanut topping, and filled centers make them feel festive without requiring bowls or setup.
Taste: Creamy vanilla gives way to fudge or caramel, with chocolate and peanuts adding plenty of sweetness and nuttiness. The sugar cone stays crisp, while the chocolate at the bottom provides one last rich bite.
Make It Better: Set out all three varieties and let kids choose their own; just keep the rest frozen until serving so the cones retain their crunch.
Parting Thoughts: For parties where easy cleanup matters, this nostalgic variety pack earns its freezer space.
2. Haagen Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars, 3 fl oz, 15-count – $11.99
A crisp chocolate shell makes these 3-ounce bars feel like the fancy option at family movie night. There are 15 in the box, though the rich vanilla, milk chocolate, and almonds may be more appealing to older kids than very picky eaters.
Taste: The vanilla ice cream is dense and creamy, balanced by sweet milk chocolate and nutty almonds. Each bite cracks through a thin coating before melting into the smooth center.
Make It Better: Serve them straight from the freezer with napkins close by—the delicate coating can shed little chocolate-and-almond pieces.
Parting Thoughts: Kids who enjoy nuts and a richer dessert will appreciate this polished take on an ice cream bar.
3. Kirkland Signature Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream, 1/2 Gallon, 2-count – $12.99
I pull out these two half-gallon tubs when kids want to build their own sundaes instead of choosing a packaged treat. The plain vanilla base works for cones, milkshakes, or a toppings station, but the full gallon is a lot for a small household.
Taste: The vanilla flavor is fresh and straightforward rather than aggressively sweet. Its silky, dense, custard-like body holds up well beneath toppings.
Make It Better: Let the ice cream soften slightly before scooping, then give kids a few topping choices so the activity stays fun without becoming chaotic.
Parting Thoughts: A sundae-loving family will get more mileage from this bulk buy than anyone seeking strict single-serve portions.
4. Frosty Peach and Mango Fruit Shaped Ice Cream, 15.9 oz, 6-count – $11.49-$11.69
Realistic peach and mango shapes turn dessert into a small reveal before anyone takes a bite. With three of each flavor in the six-count box, they are especially fun for a playdate or a celebratory after-dinner surprise.
Taste: Authentic peach and mango flavors meet creamy ice cream beneath a sweet white chocolate shell. The outside snaps gently, followed by an ultra-creamy center with a soft-firm bite.
Make It Better: Place each one on a small plate before serving so kids can admire the fruit shape and catch any pieces of the crisp shell.
Parting Thoughts: The playful presentation justifies the splurge when an ordinary frozen treat feels too predictable.
5. Cookie Monster Chomps Ice Cream Sandwiches – $9.97-$19.99
Cookie-loving kids get a familiar character theme and a manageable mini sandwich in one treat. Cookie-crumb vanilla ice cream tucked between chocolate chip cookies fits movie night particularly well, though the 12- or 18-count package may vary.
Taste: The ice cream is rich and creamy, with cookie crumbs reinforcing the cookies-and-cream flavor. Chewy chocolate chip cookies make the sandwich feel softer and more substantial than one made with thin wafers.
Make It Better: Hand these out one at a time from the freezer; the small size makes it easy to offer seconds only when they are genuinely wanted.
Parting Thoughts: For younger kids who struggle with oversized sandwiches, the chomp-size format is a smart match.
6. Chocolate Malted Krunch Ice Cream Cups – $13.99
Little hands can manage these 3.6-ounce cups without drips running down a stick or cone. The 12-pack works nicely for backyard gatherings, and every child receives the same chocolate malt treat.
Taste: Old-fashioned chocolate malt flavor gives the ice cream a deeper, toastier sweetness than standard chocolate. Creamy spoonfuls are broken up by crisp malt-ball pieces for a satisfying crunch.
Make It Better: Add spoons beside the freezer before guests arrive, then bring out only the number of cups you need.
Parting Thoughts: Chocolate-malt families will find these tidy portions both nostalgic and genuinely kid-friendly.
7. Neapolitan Collection Mochi Ice Cream – $11.99
For an adventurous pick that still uses familiar flavors, this 18-count collection wraps strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream in mochi. The bite-sized pieces make a fun tasting activity for kids curious about a different dessert format.
Taste: Classic Neapolitan flavors keep the centers approachable and creamy. Around them, the mochi adds a distinctly chewy exterior that some kids will adore and others may need time to warm up to.
Make It Better: Serve one of each flavor as a mini flight and let everyone rank strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.
Parting Thoughts: Consider this the box for curious eaters, while texture-sensitive kids may prefer a conventional bar or cup.
