Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids

We know it's hot in Houston, but that just means you can indulge in ice cream year-round. Whether it's an after-school treat, weekend break, or an after-dinner outing while savoring those last rays of sunlight, these spots have the best ice cream in Houston for kids.
Need more ways to cool off? Try one of Houston's splash pads or free swimming pools when you're done with your sweet treat.
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Best Ice Cream Shops in Houston for Kids
1. Amorino — River Oaks and The Galleria
Authentic Italian gelato from a Parisian import in Houston? It might sound crazy, but Amorino, located in the River Oaks District and in The Galleria, is the real deal.
Known for: At Amorino, you can choose an unlimited number of flavors in cup and cone sizes from small to maxi. But beware that the line can move slowly—there are many flavors options and some of the menu items are sculpted into Instagram-worthy designs.
Smoosh sells big ice cream sandwiches. Photo courtesy of Smoosh - Custom Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches.
2. Smoosh — Westchase and The Heights
The name says it all—a big scoop of ice cream between two warm, freshly baked cookies. Smoosh has two locations in Houston and offers delivery, so there's never an excuse to ignore your cookie ice cream sandwich cravings.
Known for: At Smoosh, you can completely customize your ice cream sandwich, from picking your ice cream flavor and two cookies (mix and match for the ultimate combo) to the finishing touch: toppings.
3. Nu Ice & Drinks/Nu Cafe — Uptown and Chinatown
It's advertised as "snowflake ice," and with the first bite, you can taste why. The Taiwanese ice confections are intensely cold, light as air, and instantly dissolve in your mouth. This place is a must-try!
Known for: The presentation and flavors are like no other—a plate of shaved ice in flavors such as Matcha Green Tea, Lychee, or Vanilla Milk, garnished with toppings such as red bean, flan pudding, or even Oreos. Portions are mountainous and can easily be shared.
4. Cosmic Ice Cream Co. — Clear Lake/Webster, Pearland, and Spring Branch
All the ice cream at Cosmic Ice Cream Co. is made in-house and features inspired flavors and frequent collaborations with other local favorite businesses (Brennan's Bananas Foster, anyone?).
Known for: Cosmic Ice Cream features its standard line of year-round flavors as well as seasonal favorites that you can sample in a boat of ice cream nachos (two scoops of ice cream with three toppings on a bed of waffle cone chips) or sandwiched in a Cosmic Bar (ice cream sandwich with Fruity Pebbles treats). Parents enjoy the cold brew floats and shakes for an afternoon pick-me-up. Kids go crazy for the Cookie Monster flavor - a bright blue vanilla ice cream blended with homemade chocolate chip cookies so good even the scoop's namesake Muppet would love them.
5. Creamistry — Uptown and Vintage Park
Calling all mad scientists and Top Chef enthusiasts: Creamistry is equal parts fun and flavor.
Known for: The super creamy concoctions are made literally before your eyes as liquid nitrogen is poured over the ice cream base. Toppings and syrup galore add to the fun.
Enjoying Italian Ice from Rita's. Photo courtesy of Cathy Stanley-Erickson via Flickr.
6. Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard — Multiple Locations
For many, frozen custard is nostalgic and evokes memories of small-town fairs or seaside boardwalks. Lucky for you, Rita's frozen custard is a tad more accessible (it can even arrive on your doorstep via certain food delivery apps) and tastes just the way you remember.
Known for: You can choose between a classic cone or sundae, or mix things up and try the custard layered with Italian Ice.
7. Amy's — Montrose and The Heights
This Austin transplant is famous for its creamy concoctions that have been tickling taste buds since the mid-1980s.
Known for: Amy's offers 350 ever-changing flavors, including more unique tastes like Avocado and Sweet Potato (both made with the real thing). You can also get delicious flavor combinations like Almond Amaretto and Blackberry Coconut Lime along with famous staples like Mexican Vanilla and Tiramisu. The fun employees are known to make the experience special with ice cream tosses, dancing, and Instagram-worthy creations.
8. Sweet Bribery — The Heights
At locally owned Sweet Bribery, dessert connoisseurs will find small-batch artisan ice creams in multiple flavors served by the scoop.
Known for: Sweet Bribery doesn't compromise when it comes to using high-quality ingredients to craft its rich flavors. Visitors also love the spectacular plated desserts and frozen treats, including banana splits, a Chocolate Thunder Sundae, ice cream sandwiches, ice pops, and adult-only favorites like frosé and stout floats.
9. Sweet Cup — Montrose and Cypress
If your family enjoys cooling off with gelato or sorbet, Sweet Cup is the shop for you. The business boasts over 200 flavors of gelato, sorbet, and yogurt which are always in constant rotation at their two Houston area shops in Montrose and Cypress.
Known for: Sweet Cup is a Houston ice cream shop known for scratch-made flavors crafted from local ingredients.
10. Cloud 10 Creamery — Various locations
Cool off with handcrafted ice cream delights and sorbets at Cloud 10 Creamery's Houston locations.
Known for: Sophisticated flavors like Earl Grey Lemon and Red Currant Mascarpone are available alongside classics like Butter Pecan and simple yet delicious combos like banana cinnamon. Nutella Cloud Bars and Push Pops are among kid-friendly crowd favorites.
11. Milk + Sugar — Montrose, The Heights, West U
At this ice cream shop, you won't find classic flavors like butter pecan and mint chocolate chip—each modern combination of ingredients is unique and can only be found at M+S.
Known for: With combinations like "cereal milk base and froot loops" and "peanut butter and Oreos," this ice cream shop is adventurous yet kid-friendly.
12. The Gelato Spot — Webster
For unique ice cream flavors in Houston, this Webster hot-spot is a great place to cool down with a scoop (or two) of creamy, authentic gelato. We love to sit on the shared patio and grab a big salty pretzel from Hyde Park to enjoy along with our sweet treats.
Known for: From bold scoops of black sesame gelato and creamy sweet corn and ricotta to refreshing watermelon sorbet and classics like stracciatella, there's always a new flavor or old favorite to dig into at The Gelato Spot.
FAQs
Q: What is the most kid-friendly ice cream shop in Houston?
A: Amy's, Creamistry, and Cosmic Ice Cream Co. are top picks thanks to their kid-friendly flavors, fun presentation, and treats like ice cream nachos.
Q: Are there any vegan or allergy-friendly ice cream spots for kids in Houston?
A: Yes! Most of these fun Houston ice cream shops, like Cloud 10, The Gelato Spot, and Sweet Cup, offer fruit-based sorbet flavors as well as other vegan and dairy-free scoops that are still exciting and for kids.
Q: Which ice cream spots are Instagrammable for a fun photo with the kids?
A: Amorino and Amy's have Instagram-worthy scoop sculptures and creations, while Cosmic Ice Cream Co. features awesome murals and backdrops at each of its locations for out-of-this-world photo ops.
Q: Are there any ice cream shops in Houston that offer custom ice cream cakes or treats for parties?
A: Yes, you can go classic with an ice cream cake from Amy's or custom with fresh-made 9" Cosmic Ice Cream Co. cakes featuring four layers with your choice of cake, ice cream flavors, and toppings. Amorino crafts stunning gelato cakes.
This post originally published in 2016.
Places featured in this article:
Nu Ice & Drinks
The Gelato Spot
Cosmic Ice Cream Co.
Cosmic Ice Cream Co.