1. Push-Ups
Push-Ups were the ultimate kid snack that made eating ice cream fun and interactive. You’d peel back the cardboard top and push the ice cream up with the stick, sometimes squeezing out too much and making a mess. They came in fruity flavors that tasted more like sherbet, and just the right amount of tang made them refreshing on hot afternoons. Kids loved how easy they were to eat without a spoon, though you always ended up with sticky fingers by the time you got to the bottom.
The best part was the bright orange tube featuring the Flintstones, which made the whole thing feel like a toy. There was something special about pushing the ice cream out just a little at a time, like you were stretching it out as long as possible. They weren’t just about taste, they were about the whole experience of playing while you ate. For a lot of people, Push-Ups are the definition of childhood summers.
2. Pudding Pops
When Bill Cosby was the spokesperson in the commercials, Pudding Pops suddenly seemed like the coolest frozen snack you could buy. They had the creamy texture of pudding, but frozen into a neat little bar that melted slower than ice cream. Flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and swirl gave you the kind of choice you didn’t always get in popsicles.
They felt more indulgent than a regular popsicle, almost like you were sneaking dessert before dinner. The taste was smooth, rich, and totally different from other frozen snacks in the freezer aisle. For kids in the ’80s, Pudding Pops were an absolute must-have and seemed like they’d be around forever. Now, people still talk about them like a lost treasure from childhood.
3. Screwball
The Screwball was a weird but wonderful creation that combined ice cream with candy in one package. It looked like a regular cone-shaped treat, but hidden at the very bottom was a gumball waiting for you. That little surprise made finishing your ice cream a kind of mission, because who didn’t want candy as a reward?
The ice cream itself wasn’t anything fancy, usually soft and a little artificial, but kids didn’t care. The real fun was getting down to the last bite and discovering the gumball treasure at the tip. Even if the gum was rock-hard at first, it didn’t matter. The Screwball was about the thrill of the hunt, and every kid who tried one remembers that feeling.
4. Choco Taco
Choco Tacos were the kind of treat that always made you smile when you saw them at an ice cream truck. They took the familiar taco shape and replaced the shell with a waffle cone, then stuffed it with vanilla ice cream and fudge. The whole thing was dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with peanuts for good measure. It was crunchy, creamy, and chocolaty all at once.
The shape made it feel special, like you were eating dessert disguised as dinner. For years, they were a beloved option at gas stations and convenience stores, too. People were heartbroken when they disappeared from shelves, with fans even starting petitions to bring them back. Choco Tacos have become one of the most-missed frozen novelties ever.
5. Astro Pops Freeze
Astro Pops were already a popular candy, so when they became a frozen treat, kids thought it was out of this world. The layered colors of red, green, and yellow looked bright and exciting, especially on a summer day. Each layer had a slightly different fruity flavor, giving you something new to taste as you worked your way down.
Unlike other popsicles, Astro Pops were sharp and pointy on one end, which made them memorable but also a little dangerous. Parents would warn kids to be careful, but that just made them more appealing. They were both playful and refreshing, with a look that stood out against more ordinary options. People who had them still remember that rocket-shaped burst of flavor.
6. Ice Cream Sandwich Wafers with Sprinkles
The classic ice cream sandwich got an upgrade when companies started rolling the sides in colorful sprinkles. Suddenly, you had the familiar chocolate wafers and vanilla ice cream, but with a rainbow crunch that made it even better. It wasn’t just about eating ice cream, it was about having a little party in your hands.
The sprinkles added a pop of color and texture that made these feel more festive than the standard version. For kids, they felt like the kind of treat you’d get at a birthday party or a special occasion. They didn’t last long in the freezer once you spotted them. To this day, people look back on them as one of the happiest twists on an old favorite.
7. Viennetta
Viennetta wasn’t your average frozen treat, it was the “fancy” dessert that families brought out for special occasions. It had layers of creamy vanilla ice cream stacked between thin, crisp chocolate sheets that cracked dramatically when you sliced into it. The presentation alone made it feel like something straight out of a restaurant, not your freezer at home.
It was marketed as elegant, but plenty of kids loved it just as much as adults because it was so different from a regular ice cream bar. The texture mix of smooth ice cream and crunchy chocolate layers made every bite memorable. For a while, it was everywhere, from dinner parties to holidays, until it quietly faded from shelves. People still talk about Viennetta like it was the dessert that made everyone feel a little fancy.
8. Eskimo Pie
Eskimo Pies were one of the original frozen treats, and for decades they were everywhere. They were simple, just a block of vanilla ice cream coated in a thin layer of chocolate. That simplicity was exactly why they worked, because you knew exactly what you were getting every single time.
For kids, they were easy to hold and not quite as messy as other chocolate-covered bars. They were an ice cream truck staple, and for many people, they were their first introduction to a chocolate-dipped ice cream treat. Even though they stuck around for years, they eventually faded out as flashier novelties took over. Still, the nostalgia for Eskimo Pie runs deep.
9. Fudgsicle Twist
Fudgsicles were always a classic, but when the Twist version came out, it felt like a fun upgrade. Instead of just chocolate, the twist combined chocolate with vanilla or other flavors swirled together. It was still icy and fudge-like, but the new look made it stand out from the original.
These were the ones kids grabbed when they wanted something familiar but not boring. The flavor mix made each bite feel a little different, and the swirl pattern was fun to look at before you ate it. They weren’t as common as the original, so spotting one felt like a treat. Today, the memory of Fudgsicle Twist is enough to make people crave one again.
10. Bomb Pop Jr.
The red, white, and blue Bomb Pop was iconic, but the mini version, Bomb Pop Jr., was especially loved by younger kids. The smaller size made it easier to handle without it melting all over your hands. Each layer had its own fruity flavor, and the patriotic colors made it feel festive during summer holidays.
They were the kind of treat you saw at parades, fairs, and Fourth of July cookouts. Parents liked them because they were less messy than the giant version, but kids loved them just the same. It was one of those snacks that instantly reminded you of childhood summers. The Bomb Pop Jr. may be gone, but the memory of sticky fingers and stained lips lives on.
11. Good Humor Toasted Almond Bar
Good Humor’s Toasted Almond Bar was one of those treats that felt fancy when you bought it from the ice cream truck. The creamy vanilla center was covered in a layer of almond-flavored coating and crumbs. It had a sweet, nutty flavor that stood apart from chocolate-heavy options.
For adults, it was often the go-to pick when they wanted something a little less sugary than candy-filled bars. Kids sometimes skipped it for brighter, fruitier pops, but those who tried it remember how good it was. The crunch of the almond coating paired perfectly with the smooth ice cream inside. It quietly disappeared, but fans still wish it would come back.
12. Mickey’s Parade Ice Pops
These Disney-themed popsicles were shaped like characters such as Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, making them a huge hit with kids. The shapes alone made them more exciting than a standard bar, and the fruity flavors sealed the deal. For many, they were the closest thing to bringing Disney magic into your own backyard.
They often came in multipacks, so every kid in the neighborhood had their favorite character. Half the fun was trying to see if the popsicle really looked like the character on the box. They didn’t always, but that was part of the charm. They were playful, colorful, and totally unforgettable.
13. Drumstick Super Cones
Drumsticks are still around, but the oversized Super Cones were the dream version for kids who always wanted more. They were loaded with extra ice cream, more fudge, and sometimes double the chocolate coating. The best part, as always, was the solid chocolate chunk at the very bottom of the cone.
Super Cones felt like an indulgence, the kind of thing you saved for a really hot day or a special reward. They were almost too big to finish in one sitting, but kids gave it their best shot anyway. Having one in hand made you feel like you’d won the ice cream lottery. They may not be in freezers anymore, but they definitely earned their legendary status.
14. Big Stick
Big Stick was a popsicle that packed bold, tropical flavors into a tall, swirled bar. With its bright stripes of pineapple and cherry, it stood out instantly in the ice cream truck lineup. The flavors worked together perfectly, tangy and sweet, and it was one of those treats that quenched your thirst as much as it satisfied your sweet tooth.
Because of its size, it lasted longer than most popsicles, which was a big win for kids on a hot day. Parents liked it too, since it wasn’t overly heavy or creamy. It became a summer tradition for many families, especially on trips to the beach or pool. Big Stick may be gone now, but its tropical flavor combo is still remembered fondly.