Ours is actually during school, in fact it was last Thursday before the long weekend. We stick to the ice cream stuff only. The kids come out during their "snack" time (it's a K-3 elementary) and get their choice of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry with cherries, whipped cream, sprinkles, fudge or strawberry topping. It's very simple and it's the most loved event of everything we do!

I think too that you don't need too much going on other than the ice cream. We make our cones free to our students and parent pay a minimal price...we bring in a local ice cream place and then introduce the PTO board while everyone is there...Just to serve and eat takes about an hour and I'm not sure you want it to go much longer. You can put on nametags with grade information so parents can sort of sit together....but much of this is spontaneous fun. Of course you can do other things...but I'm just saying the Ice Cream social part stand pretty effectively on it's own...
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We decided to turn our ice cream social into a fundraiser. We hold ours at Cold Stone Creamery and they give up a % of all sales that night not just our school. The parents and all the volunteers enjoy it as there isn't anything for us to do but enjoy the ice cream. The teachers volunteer to serve the ice cream. You can get a something for their or to go. We do pretty well at this and everyone has fun.

I agree with RobinD. I wouldn't make this a costly event. Dollar stores are the way to go.

Hi EVPTO- There are LOTS of discussions/threads on these boards about ice cream socials. Try " searching" this very topic.. and you may get some immediate answers today.. while everyone else is out BBQ-ing!

I think it is wise to NOT rent a bounce house, for the reasons you mentioned. ( not to mention you pay for it rain or shine, unless you work out a deal with the rental place ahead of time).

I think it's wise to focus on family fum that doesn't cost a lot of money.. get chalk, bubbles, hula hoops, jump ropes.. and let them experience old fashioned family fun.

good luck!

How big does everyone go for the ice cream social? This is our first one in years as a newly reactivated PTO. I would like to make it a big event with lots of fun for the kids because they have not had the benefit of the PTO for so long and to make a big first impression. We have a clown in our small town, I thought about seeing if she would perform or "roam" and I also considered renting those large blow-up obstacle courses or a rock wall/slide. Would this be an insane thing to spend our money on? I hate to set a precidence for years to come when we may not have the funds but I would also like to plan a big event and have people take notice hoping to boost activity. Has anyone ever done this?