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• Actual decorations meant for other desserts will work well with ice cream. Candied letters and numbers like the ones found topping birthday and other celebratory cakes not only add flavor and color but also a bit of fun to a bowl of ice cream. Divvy out letters like in a game of edible hangman or turn number decorations into an actual math lesson. Other cake decorations, such as flowers and rainbows, can also warm up a cold dish -- buy a variety pack and let the kids decide.

Candy Coatings

• Candies that are normally consumed separately can also dress up plain old ice cream. Gummy candies, such as worms and bears, add bright colors and fruit flavors as well as interesting texture -- the kids can chew on the candy when their mouths and tongues freeze from the ice cream. Other types of candy that decorate ice cream well include candy canes, jelly beans and candy corn. Pick a candy that will complement the flavor of the ice cream, such as fruit-flavored jelly beans topping a scoop of strawberry.

Chocoholics and Cookieholics Anonymous

• Borrow from a practice found in frozen yogurt shops around the nation by adding cookie or chocolate pieces to your scoops. Crushed items, which will soften as the frozen treat below melts, add an interesting texture to your ice cream. Miniature chocolates, such as peanut butter cups, chocolate chips and hard-shelled chocolate candies; and miniature cookies, like sandwich cookies or ones dotted with chocolate chips, will not only be more visually appealing -- you will be able to better track the extra calories and other nutritional information.

Fruity Flavors

• Not all ice cream decorations need to be unhealthy and saccharine -- adding a little fruit to your bowls of ice cream is a good way to infuse flavor as well as minerals and vitamins. Simple toppings include whole berries like blackberries and blueberries, as well as cherries. Chopped or sliced fruit will also add color as well as taste. Add a slice of star fruit or a ring of pineapple, or cut a strawberry to the shape of a fan or a rose. Speaking of flowers, edible flowers like lavender make ice cream desserts both visually and aromatically appetizing.