We think the best way to celebrate National Ice Cream month is with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or gelato from one of Boston’s best ice cream shops. It’s like summer in a cup! So the next time your crew is chanting (you know the one) for their favorite summer treat, head to one of these spots families love.

Honeycomb Creamery

Families love this small batch ice creamery in Cambridge, and it’s not just because they have inventive flavors like Horchata, Honey Lavender and Port Cherry Vanilla. We think it’s their sweet take on Taco Tuesday that makes this shop a must-visit on a sunny day. Grab street tacos from your favorite spot for dinner, followed by Honeycomb Creamery’s taco-shaped waffle cone filled with your favorite ice cream and dipped in chocolate for dessert.

Hours: Mon.-Sun., noon-10 p.m.

1702 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge
Online: honeycombcreamery.com

Toscanini’s

When it comes to finding a great scoop of ice cream in the city, you can’t go wrong with Toscanini’s. Started in 1981, this fantastic spot is known for their creamy and flavorful cups of ice cream and their frequently rotating menu of choices. On the can’t-miss list is Toscanini’s Vienna Finger and Tiramisu.

Hours: Weds.-Sun., noon-11 p.m.

159 First St.
Cambridge
Online: tosci.com

Emack & Bolio’s

The rock ‘n’ roll story behind Emack & Bolio’s is almost as legendary as their ice cream. And although the shop’s hours have changed over the years—from après show, late night hours to something more standard—their ice cream still rocks. Whatever flavor you choose, we suggest tricking out your treat with a covered cone (it’s kind of their thing). Get yours with Oreos, Rice Krispies or Fruity Pebbles to earn extra enthusiastic thanks from the kiddos.

Newbury
290 Newbury St.
Boston

North Station
Causeway St.
Boston

Online: emackandbolios.com

Tipping Cow

When it comes to interesting ice cream flavors you can’t find anywhere else, Tipping Cow is the place. Their ice cream is made in-house and families with food sensitivities can always count on it being peanut, tree-nut and sesame-free (psst... they have non-dairy options too). We’re crushing on their original flavors like Goat Cheese and Fig, Strawberry Basil and Sweet Corn.

415 Medford St.
Somerville

525 Western Ave.
Boston
Online: tippingcowicecream.com

Taiyaki NYC

Named for the irresistible fish-shaped waffle cone it’s served in, Taiyaki NYC serves up Japanese-style ice cream your kids will scream for (in the “I scream, you scream” sense of the word). Fish-shaped cone? Check. Unicorn sprinkle topping? They’ve got it. What more could a kid ask for on a swelteringly hot summer day?

119 Seaport Blvd., Suite B
Boston
Online: taiyakinyc.com

Cookie Monstah

Whether you track down one of the trucks, or visit a bakeshop location, you and the kids will be hard pressed to find a tastier ice cream sandwich anywhere else. And if you ask us, it’s the DIY aspect of the treat that makes it so good. After all, if there’s one thing we know kids always want (besides ice cream, of course), it’s to be in charge. Let them choose their favorite cookie and ice cream flavor combo to create the sweet sandwich of their dreams.

Locations in Danvers, Swampscott, Burlington and Needham. Plus food trucks (find out where they’ll be popping up next).
Online: thecookiemonstah.com

FoMu

If plant-based is your jam, FoMu is where you’ll find creamy vegan ice cream to enjoy. All their creative flavors are made in-house and from scratch, and the coconut milk base gives their ice creams a smooth, gelato feel. Although you might be tempted to try the avocado ice cream, don’t neglect the more traditional flavors like chocolate cookie dough, vanilla bean and cold brew ice cream when you go. They’re just as good as FoMu’s more creative flavors.

Locations in Allston, Jamaica Plain, South End and Fenway.
Online: fomuicecream.com

OddFellows

With flavors like Ol’ Dirty Custard, Peanut the Kidnapper and Joe Bananas you might wonder what exactly is in this ice cream. Count on enticing combos that keep you and your little ice cream lovers coming back for more. Beyond these everyday flavors families can take advantage of OddFellow’s summer collection. These ice creams featuring light and fruity flavors are available for pick-up now.

55 Boylston St.
Chestnut Hill
Online: oddfellowsnyc.com

Forge Ice Cream Bar

Go old school with a trip to the Forge Ice Cream Bar. Whatever your hankering for, they’ve got it on their menu. Traditional scoop on a cone? Check. Shakes, ice cream sodas or a root beer float? Your kids can order it here. And if they really want to go bananas, try a Curious George (or an ice cream flight) to share.

626b Somerville Ave.
Somerville,
Online: forgebakingco.com/ice-cream

 

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February 13th is National Cheddar Day. Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is celebrating this very special day with a limited-edition Cheddar Capsule collection—and it includes the 40-pound Tillamook Sharp Yellow Cheddar Mother Loaf.

Tillamook cheddar cheese products all start as 40-pound blocks. The cheese-makers than age the cheddar anywhere from 60 days to a full 10 years. After the cheddar reaches pure cheesy magnificence, it’s turned into a block, slices, shreds, or other Tillamook snacking products. Now you can buy the big block before it gets paired down into tinier bricks and other cheddar creations!

Along with the 40-pound Mother Loaf ($150), the Cheddar Capsule collection includes cheese-inspired thick cut crewneck ($25), party pants ($35), slices bag ($15), snacky koozy ($5), lucky cheddar playing cards ($10), fine cut hat ($35) and varsity t-shirts ($26-$28).

Nab your fave cheddar products from the capsule collection on the Tillamook website, starting Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. PST.

—Karly Wood

photos: Courtesy of Tillamook

 

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It might be fall, but that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to ice cream till next summer. Cold Stone Creamery has turned its classic cake batter flavor jet black and it’s the perfect Halloween treat.

For a limited time you can score the new Boo Batter ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery locations. It’s the same flavor as their cake batter, but with a much spookier color to help celebrate the season.

You can kick things up a notch by ordering the Trick Or Treat Creation, which mixes in some of your favorite Halloween treats, like Halloween Oreos, Kit Kats and M&Ms, with the Boo Batter. Complete the entire dish by ordering it in an orange or black waffle cone.

Don’t wait if you want to get a taste of this sweet treat. It’s only around for the month of October at Cold Stone Creamery locations.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Cold Stone Creamery

 

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Fresh air and fresh fruit. Does it get any better? Farmers Markets are a great way to get outdoors and fill your pantry while teaching your mini shoppers about where their food comes from. We searched the area for the best family-friendly farmers markets that are currently open and serving up farm-to-table delicacies in the DMV.

Arcadia Mobile Farmers Market

Arcadia Mobile Market via The Edible Schoolyard Project

If you want your kids to have a side of kindness with their veggies, check out the Arcadia Mobile Farmers Market. The 28-foot green bus sells locally grown and sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat. There are a number of locations to choose from, like Oxon Run Park on alternating Fridays and Deanwood Rec. Center on alternating Saturdays. But we like the market at Bellevue Library (alternating Wednesdays) where you can pick up veggies and fruit with a side of books.

When: Wed., 3-6 p.m. (alternating weeks)
Where: Bellevue Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW
Online: arcadiafood.org

Eat LoCo Farmers Market

Pexels by Pixabay

Head to this Loudoun County Farmers Market for an afternoon of fresh foods and live music. Every Saturday (year round) you can find everything from gluten free empanadas to farm raised oysters from the Rappahannock River to fresh cut flowers from Sweet Piedmont. EatLoco operates from two locations; the market at One Loudoun is just a walk away from dining, shops and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. 

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Where: One Loudoun, Atwater Dr., Ashburn, VA; Brambleton Farmers Market, Corner of Legacy & Olympia, Brambleton, VA
Online: https://eatloco.org

 

Old Town Farmer’s Market

Marie C. via Yelp

Miniature history buffs will get a charge out of visiting the Old Town Farmer’s Market. Not only is it the oldest continuous market in the good ol’ U S of A, but our first President himself used to send produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here.  There are more than 70 vendors so each member of the family can have fun walking around the market and trying out different things such as having your picture painted by a local artist, grabbing some fresh Amish pastries or checking buying a bundle of gorgeous local flowers. Old, new or seasoned visitor, there really is something for everyone!

When: Sat., 7 a.m.-noon 
Where: Market Square, King St., Alexandria, VA 
Online: alexandriava.gov

Shlagel Farm

Mac O. via Yelp

Strawberries, fresh asparagus, onions, and custom cut beef, pork and chicken await families visiting Shlagel Farm – a taste of the country with a bit of a city market hiding in the barns. Little ones can get their bellies (and faces!) full of strawberries and then head into the market where fresh produce and meat await to be taken home and turned into delicious “farm to table” meals. You can even pick up fresh flowers while you're here. Don't want to leave the city? You can pre-order your produce for pick up at the following local markets: Del-Ray, Cheverly and Greenbelt

When: May-Oct., Sat., 8 a.m.-noon 
Where: 12850 Shlagel Rd., Waldorf, MD
Online: shlagelfarms.com

Bethesda Central Farm Market

Tawfeeq K. via Yelp

Central Farm Market, with over 60 vendors, is known for outstanding prepared food. With three locations, we suggest heading to the Bethesda market for fresh produce and a picnic. Grab your snacks and head to the Caroline Freeland Urban Park for picnicking, located a short five-minute walk down the road. Just beyond are the restaurants and shops along Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues for when your littles get their second wind.

When: Sun., 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. 
Where: Bethesda Central Farm Market, 7600 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
Online: centralfarmmarkets.com

City of Falls Church Farmers’ Market

Phan D. via Yelp

Quite possibly the best market in the area—the American Farmland Trust puts it in its top five medium-sized markets in the country—this market has it all: 50 vendors; local, seasonal events (check the website for current offerings; some programs have been suspended due to COVID), fresh produce and kid-friendly treats. 

When: Sat., 8 a.m.-noon
Where: 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 
Online:fallschurchva.gov

South Mountain Creamery/Karen’s Kountry Store

South Mountain Creamery

Families on the hunt for a fun Farmer’s Market on a random weekday should head up to South Mountain Creamery stat. This place puts the farm in farmer’s market! City kids can check out baby calves (springtime), feed the cows, and even watch Mabel, Bella, Cora, and others being milked! Farm fresh produce, ice cream and other treats are available in Karen’s Kountry store so you can have fresh from the field veggies, direct from the dairy milk, ice cream treats and no-nagging little ones. Sounds like heaven on Earth to us.

When: Where: 8305 Bolivar Rd., Middletown, MD Online: southmountaincreamery.com

—Meghan Yudes Meyers, Hilary Riedemann and Emily Coleman Dibella

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Why settle for boring butter this spring when you can have bunny butter instead? Say hello to Keller’s Creamery Bunny Shaped Salted Butter!

The adorable spread has landed in stores just in time for your Easter brunch. The $3.99 butter comes in a four ounce package and is rich and creamy.

photo: Red Tricycle

Per the Keller’s website, you can shop their products at Albertson’s, Brookshire Brothers, Golub, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Price Chopper, Price Rite, Redner’s, Safeway, ShopRite, Supervalu, Target, Wegman’s and Weis.

Bunny Shaped Salted Butter is only available March and April, so snag a few before next year.

––Karly Wood

 

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Cold Stone Creamery is ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—with a new Lucky Charms themed flavor in a cool Creation and a super-sweet shake!

Treat your kiddos to something special on St. Paddy’s Day (or any day leading up to the holiday) with Cold Stone Creameries latest Creation. The treat starts with a base of Lucky Charms Ice Cream and just gets more and more magical from there.

Along with Lucky Charms Ice Cream, The Ice Cream at the End of the Rainbow Creation includes double the Lucky Charms Marshmallows, whipped topping and gold glitter. Nest your topped treat in a green waffle cone or a bowl.

If your kiddos want something sweet to slurp, the Sprinkled with Charms Shake is also covered in magical Lucky Charms Marshmallows, whipped topping and gold glitter!

Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing at Kahala Brands (the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery) said, in a press release, “Cold Stone Creamery is delighted to partner with General Mills this month to bring the magic beyond the cereal bowl and introduce this limited time flavor.” Schmillen added, “Guests of all ages will enjoy the nostalgia of this combination, and it’s sure to bring some luck your way!”

Both St. Patrick’s Day Lucky Charms menu options are available Mar. 1-31, 2021 in Cold Stone Creamery stores nationwide.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of PR Newsfoto/Cold Stone Creamery

 

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Valentine’s Day is the most loving of all holidays. In celebration of the mass amounts of amore on this special day, Cold Stone Creamery is releasing its top 10 list of most-loved ice cream flavors in 2020.

Using online ordering data, Cold Stone Creamery put together a comprehensive list of the top 10 single flavor picks, the most popular signature Creations, the most ordered Mix-Ins and the top ice cream cakes. The list ranges from traditional faves to candy-like concoctions.

photo courtesy of PR Newsfoto/ Cold Stone Creamery 

Cold Stone Creamery’s top 10 flavors ice cream enthusiasts loved in 2020 include (in order of popularity):

  1. Cake Batter
  2. Chocolate
  3. French Vanilla
  4. Sweet Cream
  5. Cheesecake
  6. Coffee
  7. Strawberry
  8. Mint
  9. Classic Cookie Dough
  10. Cotton Candy

The most popular Cold Stone Creamery signature Creations include Birthday Cake Remix, Chocolate Devotion, Peanut Butter Cup Perfection, Founder’s Favorite, and Coffee Lovers Only. Brownies were the number one Mix-In. The other winning picks include OREO cookies, cookie dough, caramel and fudge. Cookies & Creamery and Tall, Dark & Delicious were the two top ice cream cakes.

Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing at Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, said in a press release, “We know there are all kinds of love—familial, friendship, romantic, self-love… And to celebrate all that love, we’re sharing a list of most-loved ice cream flavors with our guests this Valentine’s Day.” Schmillen added, “No matter what type of love you’re celebrating this Valentine’s Day, we hope to continue bringing people together over our sweet treats.”

Visit Cold Stone Creamery’s website here for online ordering info.

—Erica Loop

 

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What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with a miniature turkey-shaped butter sculpture?

The Keller’s Creamery Turkey Shaped Butter is the perfect accent to your Thanksgiving table and is sure to win plenty of praise. It’s almost too cute to actually spread, but your guests are sure to gobble it up. Hot (cold) tip: remove it from the fridge right before serving so you don’t lose any detail!

Add this one to your grocery list now because it’s sure to sell out once it returns in November. It sells for $3.99 and will be available at major grocery chains like Publix, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Acme and Jewel. It’s salted and promises to serve eight people with buttery goodness.

If you just can’t get enough of this adorable butter sculpture, Keller’s Creamery also makes a Christmas Tree-shaped butter and an Easter Bunny.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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Get ready to game! Cold Stone Creamery is excited to collaborate with Nintendo once again and introduce a trio of new ice cream treats to commemorate the Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary. The Mario-inspired Creation, Shake, Ice Cream Cake, and special edition cups are available at all participating Cold Stone Creamery locations and online ordering until Dec. 15.

“We are thrilled to join together with Nintendo once again to commemorate the Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary with our super-premium ice cream,” said Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands™, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery. “Cold Stone and Nintendo both focus on bringing families together; so gather your loved ones, grab some ice cream, pick up your Nintendo Switch system and let’s start making memories that last a lifetime!”

Mario’s Super Birthday Blast Creation features Cake Batter Ice Cream with Yellow Cake, Bright Blue Frosting and Star Sprinkles. 

Super Mario Bros.

Craving a shake instead? Try out Mario’s Super Star Shake, which features Cake Batter Ice Cream and Bright Blue Frosting with Whipped Topping and Star Sprinkles.

Super Mario Bros.

Lastly, and quite literally the icing on the cake, Cold Stone Creamery also introduces the new Ice Cream Cake, Rainbow Road Rally. Featuring layers of moist Yellow Cake and Cake Batter Ice Cream with Star Sprinkles wrapped in fluffy Bright Blue Frosting.

Super Mario Bros.

In addition to these sweet treats, Cold Stone® will feature four Mario-inspired Gotta Have It cup designs. These collectible cups feature Mario through the years and are available in red, blue, green, and yellow, while supplies last.

“To commemorate the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., we are excited to continue our collaboration with Cold Stone,” said Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “From fun ice levels to delicious ice cream, Nintendo and Cold Stone are offering cool treats this year for people of all ages.”

Cold Stone Creamery is also offering a multi-faceted sweepstakes (Nintendo is not a sponsor, co-sponsor or administrator of this sweepstakes) for fans. Five customers, who enter the sweepstakes, will be awarded a grand prize package that includes one (1) $50 Cold Stone Creamery gift card and one (1) Nintendo Switch Prize Pack that includes one (1) Nintendo Switch system and twelve (12) download codes for digital Nintendo Switch games. The fun will continue for even more fans as one-hundred (100) first prize winners will be awarded a first prize package that consists of one (1) $25 Cold Stone Creamery gift card and one (1) Nintendo Switch Prize Pack that includes one (1) Nintendo Switch system and five (5) download codes for digital Nintendo Switch games. Lastly, as part of Nintendo’s sweepstakes, My Cold Stone Club Rewards® members will receive My Nintendo Platinum Points* throughout the promotion.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Cold Stone Creamery

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There’s nothing like a new indoor spot just for kids. Lucky for families in the Dallas area, a brand-new interactive toy store has arrived, fresh from New York City, and it should be on your must-do list this winter. Welcome to CAMP, where kids can touch, taste, and play to their heart’s content. This unique experience has something for everyone, even parents (hello, cafe drinks!), so get ready to head to CAMP for an unforgettable day of fun. 

What It Is

CAMP is an interactive toy store that fuses rotating hands-on experiences (think mermaid walls, slides and musical bridges) with a toy store that has everything from unique toys you can’t find anywhere else to books, candy, collectibles and even some mainstream licensed products. The coolest part is that every few months, behind the secret door, the exhibits change, so there’s a good chance the whole space will look totally different with each visit. 

Why We Love It

Besides the interactive experiences, there are toys everywhere, and kids are encouraged to play, run and basically try out stuff while they’re in the exhibit hall. There’s also a craft area, and there are different projects every day (there’s an extra fee to participate) that run the gamut from holiday-themed fun to classic things like DIY unicorn nightlights. There’s also a cafe with coffee, ice cream from New York legendary creamery Ample Hills, plus, kids get a token upon arrival, which is good for one snack from the Kroger-sponsored snack center. 

Where It Is

Located in The Hill shopping center on Walnut Hill Lane, the impressive space is accessible from the North Central Expressway. 

9830 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 612-0451

Online: camp.com/locations/4-dallas

—Copy and images by Gabby Cullen

 

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