Summertime Treats in Florissant

This week, as our calendar ushers in the first official day of summer, I thought it would be fun to take a tour of Florissant with our ice cream spoons.

Our family's favorite is . The staff is very friendly, and my kids love the free baby cones for children 3 and younger. The kiddie portions are reasonably priced, and it allows me to get a mini-concrete and still be able to steal a few spoonfuls from my older son's treat. Unfortunately, the seating is a bit limited, and the benches aren't exactly comfortable for little ones--but the custard definitely makes up for it. Check our Fritz's Frozen Custard's website for the monthly "flavor of the day" calendar.

Right down the street is . I've always had a soft spot in my heart for any establisment with a penguin for its logo. Although its ice cream cones are very big, my son is always drawn to the slushies at Doozle's. My favorite "flavor of the day" is by far the lemon. It makes for a perfect treat for a summer evening. Again, its outdoor seating is small and parking is tight, but the drive-through is great for afternoons when you want to grab a quick treat during a full day or while you're running errands.

, with one location at the corner of Lindbergh Boulevard and Lindsay Lane and another at Patterson Lanes is always tempting with its coupons and 31 flavors, as well as the beautiful pictures of ice cream cakes on the storefront. I have to admit that I am a classic rainbow sherbert fan at Baskin Robbins. On a few occasions during special events, the has brought its ladder truck to the parking lot for kids to take pictures and explore. You can sign up on Baskin Robbins' website to receive a free cone on your birthday.

After a softball game or playtime on the playground at , I highly recommend a New Orleans "sno ball" at Pakka B's. These "sno balls" are a great value, and the hardest thing about visiting is having to pick a flavor from the large menu board. The difference between a snow cone you would find at the ballpark and the "sno balls" at Pakka B's is the ice. It is very finely shaved (almost shredded) so you don't have to bite through it. It almost absorbs the syrup. The kiddie-size sno balls are plenty for most kids and only cost $1. Pakka B's has flavors for all tastes ranging from 10 or 12 choices of sugar-free syrups all the way to the candy apple (a tart apple syrup snow cone covered in caramel syrup.) The seating area is nice, and I do suggest dining there with the kids because they don't have to-go lids to fit the kiddie-sized cups.

, located in The Shoppes at Cross Keys, is another popluar special occasion stop. You can expect that it will be crowded after school events and family reunions. The kids love the glass jars along the counter with every kind of candy bar or gummy treat you can imagine. In fact, you might want to give yourself a few extra minutes for them to pick one (or two.) They do not offer a "kid's portion" so you might want to consider a compromise and share with smaller kids. Don't forget to watch the Sunday coupon section of your newspaper for coupons.

If you like a traditonal shaved snow cone, don't forget about Sno Biz at the Mullanphy Gardens Shopping Center. Much like Pakka B's, it is a small stand in the front of a shopping center--but what it lacks in space, it makes up for in taste. Sno Biz offers tons of creative flavors and is in walking distance for many of the neighborhoods on the northwest side of Florissant.

Last but not least, you can't forget the two locations in Florissant (300 Howdershell across from Koch Park and 2678 North Highway 67 next to the KFC.) You can't beat the tried-and-true flavors at DQ, and I am a sucker for the Blizzard of the Month flavors. My son's favorite are the Dilly Bars. He loves to sit outside at the Howdershell location. Make sure you have some spare change for the Miracle Network collection box, a favorite attraction for most kids. Be sure and check the back of your grocery store receipt for coupons.