On ice cream’s very own holiday, a lesson with plenty of samples
Whoever thought ice cream could be educational?
At the Miami Children’s Museum, on ice cream’s very own national holiday, the scoops came with a lesson.
“At the Children’s Museum, we believe we can educate children and their families while having fun,” said Deborah Spiegelman, the museum’s CEO. “So what better way to educate about dairy and dairy products, than through ice cream?”
Sunday was National Ice Cream Day. And with a high temperature around 90 in South Florida, the timing couldn’t have been better.
At the museum, on Watson Island off the MacArthur Causeway, kids got the scoop on the health benefits of dairy. And the lessons showed — on their faces.
The auditorium at the museum bustled with parents chasing their kids, mouths colorfully stained with blue cookie dough, chocolate cake, cotton candy and peppermint flavors.
The museum partnered with Florida Dairy Farmers, who provided the free ice cream, more than 500 scoops, for the celebration.
Other Ice Cream Day festivities at the museum included Design Your Own Cone with shaving cream and other accessories, and Sensory Ice Cream Dough, made our of baking soda, water and food coloring.
Carla Sloan visited the museum with her 6-year-old son, Caleb. Sloan said Caleb couldn’t wait for the party.
“We try to come and support the museum for everything they do,” Sloan said. “And of course if you say to any child, it’s National Ice Cream Day. ... He woke up this morning saying ‘Mommy! Isn’t it today? Today’s National Ice Cream Day!’”
The holiday began in 1984, when President Ronald Reagan deemed the third Sunday in July National Ice Cream Day.
South Florida ice cream haunts and national chains took part in the celebration on Sunday, with discounts and specials.
Concrete Beach Brewery, 339 NW 24th St., created ice cream beer floats for more mature ice cream lovers. Baskin-Robbins offered a free waffle-cone upgrade.
And if you’re bummed that you didn’t get any frozen treats on National Ice Cream Day, you are in luck.
President Reagan also designated July National Ice Cream Month.
This story was originally published July 19, 2015 at 5:09 PM with the headline "On ice cream’s very own holiday, a lesson with plenty of samples."