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Are you a big fan of ice cream but think it can be an expensive indulgence? Well, you’re not alone! Luckily, there are various ways to enjoy a delicious scoop of free ice cream. Whether you’re looking to cool off on a hot day or satisfy your sweet tooth, there are plenty of options available.
One way to get free ice cream is by racking rewards at your favorite shops. Many popular chains offer loyalty programs that reward customers with freebies, discounts, and other perks for frequent visits. Additionally, some scoop shops offer birthday benefits, including free scoops, discounts, or even entire pints of ice cream.
While ice cream can be a costly dessert, it pales in comparison to the most expensive ice cream in the world. Believe it or not, this luxury treat can cost up to $6,696 per scoop! The decadent gelato is made with truffles, natural cheese, and generous amounts of gold leaf. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a satisfyingly creamy dessert. There are plenty of affordable options out there that are just as delicious.
In this post, I’ll share simple ways to get free ice cream.
How to get free ice cream near me!
Let’s begin the list and treat you to some free ice cream!
1. Get a regular scoop for free from Baskin-Robbins
Love Baskin-Robbins ice cream? Guess what? You can get it for free!
Simply download the Baskin-Robbins mobile app and sign up for mobile deals to receive a free regular scoop. But wait, there’s more! The app also hooks you up with cool coupons and promotions. Give it a shot!
2. Get free ice cream on your birthday Dippin’ Dots
Do you love Dippin’ Dots ice cream? Here’s some good news: You can get free ice cream on your birthday by joining their Dot Crazy! Email Club. It’s that simple!
Plus, you’ll receive exclusive coupons, offers, and updates on the latest promotions.
3. Free cone day at Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hosts Free Cone Day annually at select stores. Customers receive a free small vanilla soft-serve cone without requiring purchase. It’s one cone per person, so it’s a great opportunity for families to enjoy.
Typically held in spring, often in March, to welcome warmer weather. Due to COVID-19, Free Cone Day was canceled in 2021. Keep an eye on Dairy Queen’s news section for updates on next year’s event to enjoy a free ice cream cone.
4. Get free cash to spend on ice cream with Ibotta
Have you tried Ibotta yet? If not, then you should!
Ibotta is the go-to app if you’re looking to easily earn an extra $5, $10, or even $30 straight into your PayPal account after you shop for groceries.
Yep, Ibotta pays you real money.
If you’re unfamiliar with it, Ibotta is a website and app that gives you money back when you buy select items and upload a picture of your receipt as proof.
Earning cashback with Ibotta is simple!
Simply open the app, choose the rebate offers you want, buy the featured products in the selected offers, and then snap a photo of your receipt to confirm your purchases.
Rebates typically range from $1 to $3, sometimes even more, like $5.
You can receive your cashback via PayPal, bank transfer, Venmo, or a gift card.
Enjoy your cashback rewards from Ibotta and treat yourself to some free ice cream!
5. Join the Marble Slab rewards program
Marble Slab Creamery has been delighting customers with fresh homemade ice cream since 1983. Join their Slab Happy Rewards program for a complimentary scoop.
Upon joining, you’ll receive a $5 reward after your first purchase. As a member, earn a point for every dollar spent, and once you reach 50 points, you receive another $5 reward.
Celebrate special occasions like holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries with sweet treats and additional rewards.
Explore over 75 flavors and endless mix-in options at Marble Slab Creamery.
6. Häagen-Dazs Free Cone Day
Häagen-Dazs is a brand known for its delicious ice cream, especially its chocolate flavor. If you’re a fan like me, you’ll be glad to hear that Häagen-Dazs hosts a Free Cone Day annually, where you can enjoy a complimentary kiddie scoop in a cup, sugar cone, or cake cone, with options including ice cream, sorbet, or gelato.
The timing of this event varies each year, usually happening in spring, often in May, at Häagen-Dazs shops nationwide.
However, the Free Cone Day for this year has been postponed. Keep an eye out for it next year!
7. Join the TGI Fridays rewards program
TGI Fridays offers a rewards program called Fridays Rewards. By signing up, you earn points for every dollar you spend, which you can later redeem for free food. As a member, you’ll also enjoy a free dessert on your birthday. These points can be used for treats like free ice cream.
Redeem coupons for additional savings. Plus, receive a 10% discount on your next order by subscribing to TGI Fridays’ text alerts.
8. Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
Ben & Jerry’s hosts a Free Cone Day, offering complimentary ice cream to customers.
Typically, this event takes place in spring, usually in March or April. You can visit a store and receive a free single scoop cone in your preferred flavor.
However, due to COVID-19, Ben & Jerry’s has postponed its Free Cone Day.
9. Get free frozen yogurt when you join the Menchie’s rewards program
If you’re into frozen yogurt, you should join Menchie’s mySmileage rewards program.
With this program, you collect smiles that you can exchange for free frozen yogurt.
When you sign up, you get 25 bonus smiles and an extra 10 smiles if you visit within a week.
Every time you gather 50 smiles, you’ll receive a free $5 frozen yogurt. You also get a free $5 frozen yogurt on your birthday.
10. Get cash and gift cards for free ice cream from Swagbucks
If you’re not already using Swagbucks, you’re missing out!
Swagbucks is a user-friendly app and website that effortlessly helps you earn money online.
You earn points, known as “Swag Bucks,” by doing easy tasks like:
- Playing games
- Watching videos
- Shopping online
- Browsing the internet
- Taking surveys
- Completing offers
Once you’ve accumulated sufficient points, you can exchange your Swag Bucks for cash straight to your PayPal account. That means free money to treat yourself to ice cream!
Prefer gift cards? You can choose a gift card, which is great news for ice cream enthusiasts. Swagbucks has you covered with a variety of gift cards from popular brands, retailers, and restaurants that sell ice cream, including:
- Cold Stone Creamery
- TGI Friday’s
- Walmart
- Burger King
- McDonald’s
Give Swagbucks a try to score free cash or gift cards for your favorite ice cream spots.
11. Travel Pennsylvania’s Ice Cream Trail
Pennsylvania boasts numerous local creameries offering farm-fresh milk and ice cream. To begin your sweet adventure, Pennsylvania’s tourism site suggests downloading the Scooped Ice Cream Trail app to track visits and earn points.
Gather your friends and aim to complete the entire trail by the end of summer. Achieving this earns you 600 points, equivalent to six free scoops of ice cream and a special stainless-steel ice cream scooper.
12. Babies (including fur babies) get free ice cream at Bruster’s
Visit Bruster’s for a delightful ice cream experience suitable for kids and even your furry friends. Enjoy free baby cones for your little ones in the family while your canine companions can indulge in special doggie sundaes.
Keep an eye out for pajama day, where you can score a complimentary scoop of ice cream just by showing up in your slippers. It’s a fun treat for everyone, regardless of height!
13. Look out for free ice cream promos
Apart from the brands I mentioned earlier, you can also score free ice cream by watching for promotions at ice cream shops.
They often offer freebies or big discounts, though it’s not regular. Typically, these promotions happen during holidays like Mother’s Day or special events like grand openings.
Check out these places for potential free treats:
Visit your nearby store for a chance to snag a free scoop!
14. Contact chocolate brands directly
There are many places where you can get free ice cream. Amazing, isn’t it?
Simply reach out to ice cream brands and stores directly. It’s a simple tip that can be very effective in getting free stuff from companies.
Companies aim to satisfy customers because loyal consumers drive sales, leading to increased revenue. Therefore, brands are eager to send samples or coupons to customers who reach out.
Ultimately, when someone tries a chocolate ice cream from a certain brand and loves it, they’re likely to buy it again in the future. Companies aim to build brand loyalty and increase future sales through such positive experiences.
Make a list of your preferred ice cream brands, visit the company’s website, and look for the contact page, typically at the top or bottom.
After getting the company’s contact information, reach out to them, expressing your love for their ice cream. Politely inquire if they offer free samples that they could send to you by mail.
If you need a more specific way and you’re still wondering what to say to these companies, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Below is a sample message you can use when reaching out to brands. Just customize it for each company you’re contacting.
Here’s what to say:
“Hi,
My name is [Your Name].
I just wanted to take a moment to express my admiration for your company. I’m a huge fan of your [mention your favorite ice cream product], and it has become a staple recommendation among my friends and family.
Having been a loyal customer for years, I must commend you on the fantastic work you consistently deliver.
I was also wondering if you have any coupons for free ice cream that you could send my way. I’m eager to explore more of your products and would be grateful for any assistance you could provide.
Thank you very much, and have a wonderful day!
[Your Name]”
Getting free ice cream can be easy if you know how.
Companies usually don’t send ice cream samples by mail because it melts. Instead, they might send you a coupon for free ice cream. But don’t expect to receive one from every company upon request.
While you might not always receive free ice cream coupons, you could still get a discount or other rewards by reaching out to the company directly.
So, it’s worth contacting these brands.
Get free ice cream on National Ice Cream Day
National Ice Cream Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July, meaning the date varies yearly. It’s a day when many retailers and brands offer free ice cream to celebrate.
Here are the dates for the next ten years:
- July 18, 2021
- July 17, 2022
- July 16, 2023
- July 21, 2024
- July 20, 2025
- July 19, 2026
- July 18, 2027
- July 16, 2028
- July 15, 2029
- July 21, 2030
Keep an eye out for promotions from retailers and brands around these dates.
The bottom line
Do you happen to have a particular liking for chocolate ice cream or do you rather prefer the fruity sweetness of strawberry ice cream? Whichever flavor strikes your fancy, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to indulge in a scoop, tub, or cone of it without having to pay a dime.
There’s nothing quite like a delicious serving of your favorite ice cream for free to satisfy your sweet cravings.