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This post has been sponsored by The Coca-Cola® Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What better way to kick off warmer temperatures than with an easy backyard campout complete with crisp and creamy Coca-Cola® Ice Cream Floats.

vanilla ice cream floats with coke and chocolate syrup

Backyard campouts were one of my favorite weekend activities when I was younger. My siblings and I would set up a giant tent right in the backyard and stuff it full of blankets, pillows, and all the snacks we could get our hands on.

Now that I am a mom myself, I finally understand the genius behind the idea of a backyard campout. Of course, as a kid, it was pure fun, but for us parents, it’s an easy way to tire the kids out without having to leave the house. Unlike my parents, my husband and I actually love packing up the car and camping on the beach or in the woods. However, it’s not realistic to spend the weekend away all the time. That said, just because we can’t always travel somewhere to camp out, doesn’t mean we can’t pitch the tent in our backyard.

So, the other weekend that’s exactly what we did.

The weather was nice and warm, the sky was blue, and my child needed to get out of the house.

coca-cola mini cans found at Sam's club

If you search around on the internet for backyard campout ideas, I can guarantee that you will be slammed with hundreds of ideas. Ideas ranging from practical to totally crazy. What kind of campout you’re looking to achieve, well, that’s totally up to you.

For me personally, I wanted something easy. I mean, my child wouldn’t even let me dress him for the day (bribing didn’t even work). So, if I wanted a lot of extra work, I would have traveled somewhere with an ocean view.

ESSENTIALS FOR AN EASY, STRESS-FREE BACKYARD CAMPOUT-

  • A tent. This should go without saying.
  • Blankets, pillows, and, if you actually plan to sleep outside (which you probably won’t), a blowup mattress.
  • 2-3 age-appropriate activities. My son is only 4-years-old, so just having a tent in the backyard was good enough for him, but older kids may enjoy water balloons, an obstacle course, or spooky stories.
  • All the snacks. You’re camping, after all! For this adventure, we stocked up on these Cheez-It Duoz® and Coca-Cola® Mini Cans from Sam’s Club.
  • Something special. Like Coca-Cola® Ice Cream Floats.

 

man eating Cheez-It Duoz

So why did I decide to go with Coca-Cola® Ice Cream Floats as my something special? Well, the short answer is that they were what my mom made for me when I was younger.

The long answer? I didn’t feel like building a fire pit in my tiny backyard for s’mores. Besides, smores are better when it’s dark outside, and that’s past my child’s bedtime.

Coca-Cola® Ice Cream Floats were the obvious, and much easier, winner. Besides, they’re just better, (shhh, don’t tell anyone).

Requiring just three ingredients (two if you skip the chocolate syrup), all you need is 1). Coca-Cola® Mini Cans, 2). Ice Cream, and 3). Chocolate Syrup.

Lucky for us, all of these things are easily found at your local Sam’s Club Store in the beverage section and freezer section. I don’t know about you guys, but I love Sam’s Club. Always well stocked with all of my family’s must-have essentials, it’s my go-to for all our bulk items.

Like all the backyard entertaining goodies I will need to get me through this summer.

Glass with vanilla ice cream being filled with coke soda pop

Coke ice cream float with flag straws

Coke floats with chocolate syrup

I’ll be honest, I don’t know who was more excited about the Coca-Cola® Ice Cream Floats, me or my child.

When he saw that his very own special surprise came with a fancy straw, well, it was literally the best day ever for this sweet little child of mine. After all, isn’t that what summertime and backyard campouts and family is all about? Those memories, they’ll last a lifetime.

Cold ice cream in a clear glass with Coca-Cola, chocolate, and cherries

 

If you love these COCA-COLA ICE CREAM FLOATS, you may also enjoy

Backyard campout complete with Coca-Cola Ice Cream Floats made with crisp, cold and refreshing Coca-Cola, creamy vanilla ice cream, and smooth chocolate syrup.
4.75 from 12 votes

Coca-Cola Ice Cream Floats Recipe


Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa
Perfect any time of year, these super easy Coca-Cola Ice Cream Floats are made with crisp, cold and refreshing soda pop, creamy vanilla ice cream, and smooth chocolate syrup.
Prep: 2 minutes
Total: 2 minutes
Servings: 1 float (easily multiplied)
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 1 7.5 ounce Coca-Cola®
  • 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

Instructions 

  • Scoop ice cream into a clean cup or glass. Pour ice-cold Coca-Cola directly into glass and drizzle with chocolate syrup, if desired. Best enjoyed through a straw or with a spoon!

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 72g | Vitamin A: 555IU | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Jessica Randhawa

Chef | Food Photographer

Iโ€™m Chef Jessica Randhawa, bringing over 14 years of experience in creating and publishing over 1200 mouthwatering recipes, coupled with invaluable kitchen tips and professional guidance, to transform your daily cooking into a truly enriching culinary adventure.

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Recipe Rating




4.75 from 12 votes (10 ratings without comment)

2 Comments

  1. lorna says:

    5 stars
    This looks so refreshing!

  2. prescription sunglasses says:

    5 stars
    Nice article, thank you for the sharing