Ice Cream Lacing Cards to Enhance Fine Motor Skills

It doesn’t take much to get preschoolers excited, especially when bright colors and sweet treats are involved. These Ice Cream Lacing Cards were a big hit in our home, and I knew I had to share them with you. They’re fun, colorful, and a great way to sneak in a bit of learning during the summer.

For more warm-weather fun, check out my list of Summer Worksheets for Kids. We’ve used so many of these over the years, and they’ve become staples in our summer learning time.

Today, I’m giving you the scoop on these cute lacing cards, how we use them, and why they work so well for preschool and kindergarten kids. I also included a few fun facts about ice cream, because who doesn’t enjoy trivia while teaching?

a photo showing three Ice Cream Lacing Cards

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Uncommon Facts About Ice Cream

These are fun tidbits that I shared while my kids were working through their cards. It was a great way to keep their attention while their hands were busy.

The first ice cream cone was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Some people use liquid nitrogen to freeze ice cream instantly for a super-smooth texture.
There’s a museum dedicated entirely to ice cream, and yes, it has sprinkle pools.

Recommended Ice Cream Books

If you’re planning an ice cream-themed week, I definitely recommend adding some engaging picture books about ice cream to your read-aloud stack. They make for the perfect combo with this printable.

Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise I’m Your Ice Cream Truck The Little Ice Cream Truck (Little Vehicles, 4)Ice Cream Face The Ice Cream Shop: Interactive Learning Book Ages 2-6 Years Old Ice Cream Soup (Step into Reading)

one design included in the Ice Cream Lacing Cards

What age are lacing cards for?

Lacing cards are ideal for preschool and kindergarten-aged children. My youngest loved them around age 4, especially when I sat with her and helped thread the yarn through the holes.

These types of activities support developmental milestones without putting pressure on them. They’re simple, mess-free, and ideal for quiet time, travel bags, or morning table work.

Our Favorite Summer Printable Packs

We rotate through different summer-themed packs, and I like to mix these lacing cards with pretend play printables and motor skill bundles. They all continue to learn new things during the warmer months.

What skills can kids learn from this printable?

While the cards are super cute, they also work on necessary early learning skills. Here’s what kids are gaining while they lace:

Fine Motor Practice: Holding the string and threading it through small holes helps strengthen finger muscles.
Hand-Eye Coordination: Following the outline of the shape with a string takes concentration and builds accuracy.
Pre-Writing Skills: These movements prepare the hands for pencil control when it’s time to write.

Ice Cream Toys to Add to Your Lessons

If you want to expand the fun beyond paper activities, some fantastic toy options complement an ice cream theme. Great for pretend play after working on the cards.

LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart Deluxe (Frustration Free Packaging), Pink Lehoo Castle Ice Cream Toys for Toddlers 3-5, Toys for 3 4 Year Old Girls, Play Ice Cream Counter Shop Playset for Kids, Gift for Girls Boys 3 4 5 6 Year Old JoyCat Ice Cream Preschool Learning Activities Counting and Color Sorting Set Stacking Toys for Kids 3-5, Safety Fine Motor Skills Toy, Math Learning Resources Easter Basket Stuffers for Toddler 30PCS Libaregria Montessori Toys for 3+ Year Old, Ice Cream Magnetic Color and Number Maze, Wooden Puzzle Activity Board, Learning Educational Toy for Toddler 3 4 5, Toys Idea Christmas Boy Girl zhiwuzhu Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers,Montessori Toys,Preschool Learning Activities,Peg Puzzle with Ice Cream Shape and Color Number Matching Educational Toys Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Wooden Magnetic Puzzle Play Set, 16 Magnet Pieces with Scooper, Wooden Play Food Toy for Boys and for Girls Ages 2+

Ice Cream Fine Motor Activity Supplies

Here are the simple supplies you’ll need to use these lacing cards:

Printer (I have this one)
Paper
Hole punch
Yarn or shoelaces
Laminator or cardstock (for durability)
Scissors

I have an HP printer 8710, but it’s no longer available. It’s been running well for years now. Look for another HP Instant Ink-ready printer so that you can use their program to send you ink cartridges whenever your printer gets low on ink.

What’s included in the fine motor ice cream craft for kids?

Purple ice cream cone with sprinkles and a cherry

This card features a soft purple ice cream scoop in a classic cone, topped with a pink cherry and colorful sprinkles. It’s one of the most popular with my daughter—she always picks this one first.

Pink ice cream cone

A simple but adorable pink ice cream in a cone. This one is a great starting point for kids new to lacing.

Yellow and green popsicle with sprinkles

This fun mix of citrus colors has a popsicle stick instead of a cone, which my kids found extra interesting. It also includes sprinkles, adding more detail for little fingers to follow.

Chocolate ice cream in a flat-bottom cone

The classic chocolate scoop is perfect for any child who says that’s their favorite flavor. The flat cone shape gives a nice variety to the pack.

Purple, yellow, and blue triple scoop in a flat cone

This colorful triple scoop card was my son’s favorite. He thought it looked “like a party ice cream” and took his time carefully stitching around all three scoops.

Fun Summer Activities to Try

If your kids enjoy seasonal themes as much as mine, there are tons of other summer ideas you can explore together.

Science Experiments with Ice Cream
Ice Cream Activities for First Grade
Ice Cream Books for Preschoolers
Splat the Cat Ice Cream Book Companion by Homeschool Preschool
I is for Ice Cream Handprint Craft by Homeschool of 1

These types of resources have helped me create themed weeks that don’t feel like school but still keep our rhythm going.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to stop during the summer. These summer lacing cards have become part of our easy, go-to activities when we want something simple and engaging.

I hope they bring as much fun to your home as they have to ours.

Ice Cream Lacing Cards