As kids, the unmistakable jingle from the ice cream truck marked the official start of summer. The second it reached our ears, we’d drop whatever we were doing and dash outside, clutching crumpled dollar bills, hoping we wouldn’t miss it. That feeling of pure, unadulterated joy can’t be replicated by today’s gelato shops or gourmet soft serves. Here are a few nostalgic ice cream treats that bring back all the sweet, sticky memories of childhood that we’ll never get back—but also never forget.

Choco Taco

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The Choco Taco was a whole event. It featured a taco-shaped waffle cone packed with vanilla ice cream swirled with fudge and covered in chocolate and peanuts. It was everything good about a sundae wrapped up in a convenient, portable shell. These were rare to find, and that made them even more special.

Strawberry Shortcake Bar

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Good Humor’s Strawberry Shortcake Bar had the perfect mix of textures. A creamy strawberry center, a smooth vanilla layer, and that legendary crumbly coating—every bite was a little slice of summer. It wasn’t the flashiest treat on the menu, but it didn’t need to be. If you wanted something sweet, refreshing, and downright satisfying, this was the one you reached for.

Bubble Play

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Part popsicle, part chewing gum–Bubble Play was sort of like a test of strategy. It was shaped like a baseball mitt with a gumball in the center that challenged kids to keep the gum safe while finishing the cherry-flavored ice pop. Few managed to avoid dropping the “ball,” but the attempt was half the fun.

Chipwich

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The Chipwich always seemed like a genius idea—two chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream sandwiched in between. But they were deceptively tricky. The cookies were often rock-hard or too soggy, and the chocolate chips loved to jump ship. Still, when you got a perfect Chipwich, it was simply delicious.

Firecracker Popsicle

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Nothing screamed summer more than a red, white, and blue Firecracker Popsicle. The cherry, lemon, and blue raspberry layers were an explosion of flavor. It was practically a requirement for Fourth of July celebrations, and the bright colors were the closest we got to edible patriotism. Plus, the brain freeze was worth it.

Creamsicle

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On a good sunny day, the Creamsicle felt like a refreshing drink. It had orange sherbet on the outside and vanilla ice cream on the inside—just the perfect balance of tangy and creamy. The drip race against time only made it more exhilarating.

Looney Tunes Ice Pops

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These character-shaped pops were always a gamble. Although Bugs Bunny, Tweety, and other favorites looked picture-perfect on the packaging, they were often cross-eyed or missing a feature in real life. Still, the gumball eyes were a nice bonus, and the wonky faces made them all the more whimsical.

Screwball

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Screwballs–cherry-flavored slush in a cone—were a treasure hunt for most of us. The gumball at the bottom was the prize for finishing the icy treat, and it was always a race to see who could get to it first without biting through the paper cup.

Push-Up Sherbet Treats

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The Flintstones Push-Up Treats were as fun to eat as they were delicious. As you pushed the plastic stick at the bottom, the cylinder-shaped sherbet slowly revealed itself. But they weren’t without their challenges—when the mechanism jammed, you had to improvise by squeezing the tube and risking a total meltdown.

Fudgsicle

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A Fudgsicle was basically chocolate milk on a stick. It was not too sweet, just enough fudgy goodness to hit the spot. It was the go-to choice when you couldn’t decide between ice cream and a candy bar. And on a hot day, half the fun was trying to eat it before it melted all over your hands.

Snow Cone

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Unlike traditional shaved ice, Popsicle-brand snow cones were a solid block of flavored ice that required some time to melt before you could really enjoy them. But once they did, the sugary, colorful syrup at the bottom of the cone was the best part.

King Cone

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The King Cone was Drumstick’s classy, older cousin. It had all the elements of a sundae cone—vanilla ice cream, chocolate shell, and peanuts—but in a way that felt a little more put together. Plus, the paper wrapper peeled down as you ate, so you could enjoy every bite without ending up with sticky fingers.

Chocolate Eclair Bar

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Less flashy than their Strawberry Shortcake but just as delicious, Good Humor’s Chocolate Eclair Bar featured chocolate and vanilla ice cream wrapped in a crunchy, chocolatey crumb coating. It always delivered on flavor.

Klondike Bar

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Klondike Bars made you work for it. Without a stick to hold, you had to juggle the melting ice cream and crack the chocolate shell with just a flimsy foil wrapper. But the payoff was worth it—rich, creamy ice cream surrounded by a thick layer of chocolate. It was a messy but satisfying experience.

Lick-A-Color

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If you were the kind of indecisive kid who wanted to taste the whole rainbow, Lick-A-Color pops were practically made for you. Each layer revealed a new flavor and kept you guessing what would come next. Blue, yellow, red, orange, and green—every bite was a surprise.