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Celebrating National Banana Split Day

Cool Treats and Employee Engagement All in One Dish

National Banana Split Day is the perfect excuse to cool down your workplace with something fun, nostalgic, and delicious.

National Banana Split Day is celebrated every year on August 25th. This lighthearted holiday gives teams a reason to step away from their desks, bond over ice cream sundaes, and savor a moment of summer joy.

It’s more than just a sweet treat. Banana Split Day is a creative opportunity to reward your team, build friendship, and infuse your company culture with a little lighthearted enjoyment.

There are many options to mark this day, accommodating preferences for classic ice cream or dairy-free alternatives among employees.

Organizations can use National Banana Split Day as an opportunity for employee appreciation for onsite and remote personnel by incorporating team activities, themed events and celebrations along with company-branded incentives.

“Tomorrow we can eat broccoli, but today is for ice cream.”

— Malory Hobson, American author

AT A GLANCE

Why Banana Split Day Belongs in the Workplace

Even small celebrations like Banana Split Day can make a big impact on your team. Here’s why:

Create shared moments that build stronger teams
Recognize hard work in a playful, low-pressure way
Break up routines with something unexpected and joyful
Encourage inclusion with options for every dietary preference

And the best part? It’s easy to organize, affordable, and guaranteed to leave smiles behind.

Create shared moments that build stronger teams

Recognize hard work in a playful, memorable way

Recognize hard work in a playful, low-pressure way

Break up routines with something unexpected

Break up routines with something unexpected and joyful

Encourage inclusion with options for every employee

Encourage inclusion with options for every dietary preference

SWAG for Banana Split Day?

Branded products leave a memorable impact. With countless customizable merchandise options available, you can send tailored items straight to your employees whenever they’re needed. This approach eliminates inventory waste, avoids the risks of bulk ordering, and ensures everything arrives at the right address. Each item is made, packaged, and shipped specifically for the recipient—making it simple to show your appreciation with accuracy and meaning.

Here are examples of your choices!

Gift and Incentive Ideas

Make Banana Split Day memorable by sending employees reminders of your event – and your company brand so they can can enjoy them after the celebration.

Affordable and Fun Gifts:

Gift cards for local ice cream and lunch spots or food delivery apps
Company T-shirts
Hydration gifts for the summer
Hats and other outdoor wear

Workplace Celebration Ideas

Life’s too short to choose just one flavorPrizes could include branded tumblers or company SWAG.Recognize employees during lunch, team meetings, or via internal shout-outs.

Banana split trivia (history, ingredients, pop culture references)
Blindfolded ingredient guessing games
“Design Your Split” drawing contest
Guess how many candies are in a jar

Start with a simple shared celebration

Offer small prizes like gift cards and branded SWAG items.

Banana-printed socks or sunglasses
Summer beach towels or picnic gear
Mini desk fans or insulated tumblers
Digital gift cards for local ice cream shops or dessert delivery apps

No need for inventory guessing, TruCentive has a vast selection of incentive choices and allows employees to pick exactly what they want, digitally delivered or shipped right to their door.

Offer non-dairy ice creams (almond, coconut, oat, soy-based)
Provide gluten-free and nut-free topping options
Clearly label all ingredients for allergies and preferences
Offer “build-your-own smoothie bowls” for the health-conscious

Pro Tip: Pre-slice bananas and use individual containers or gloves for hygienic topping handling.It’s a great opportunity to focus on the positive aspects and help boost overall morale.Keep it fun and include door prizes and contest prizes for attendees.

Donate $1 for every banana split served to a local food pantry
Host a drive for canned food and summer lunchbox items
Offer prize raffle entries in exchange for food donations

Turn the event into a team tradition

It’s a great way to combine celebration and purpose.

Recognition ideas to make the day memorable

Have a celebration at work for Banana Split Day.Here are some great ideas for your organization’s Banana Split Day. You can have a little fun while expressing gratitude for your amazing employees while you build engagement.

Ice creams (dairy and non-dairy)
Toppings like strawberries, chocolate syrup, caramel, pineapple, whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries
Gluten-free and plant-based options for inclusivity

Pro Tip: Let employees suggest toppings in advance or vote for their favorites.

Optional extras

crushed cookies, brownie bits, granola, and coconut flakes

Top Banana Award

For leadership or outstanding contributions

Cherriest Attitude

For positivity and teamwork

Scoop MVP

For someone who’s handled a tough task well

CONTINUED

Four ways to celebrate at work

Build-Your-Own Banana Split Bar

Turn your breakroom into a sundae station! Offer a variety of:

“Split Decision” Awards

Celebrate team achievements with fun, banana-themed recognition:

Banana Split Trivia & Games

Your celebration can include more than just eating! Have some contests and keep things fun with themed activities like:

Don’t Forget the Swag

Custom-branded gifts help create a lasting memory of the celebration. Choose from fun, summer-themed merchandise:

Inclusive celebration ideas for every team

Banana Splits for Every Palate

Worried about dietary needs? A banana split bar is one of the easiest events to make inclusive:

“Split” Session

Have a 30-minute business meeting or presentation as part of your Banana Split Day celebration.

Add a Charitable Twist

Sweeten your celebration with a side of giving:

Go Beyond the Breakroom

Looking to build engagement into your broader recognition strategy? Banana Split Day can pair perfectly with:

Incentive campaigns

Offer prizes for taking part in games or contests.

Photo challenges

Encourage employees to share their split creations for fun prizes

Virtual participation

Send digital ice cream gift cards to remote workers so they can join the fun

Lunch and Learns

Bring in a nutritionist to talk about healthy summer eating and discuss some unique (and perhaps healthy) ice cream suggestions and alternatives.

Tasty Ideas:

Make sure to include remote workers and folks who are not at the office with gift cards to their favorite dessert places. Thousands of local options are available in TruCentive.

A Little Scoop of History

In 1904 a young soda jerk named David Strickler invented the banana split in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His elaborate creation featured a banana sliced lengthwise and topped with three scoops of ice cream, chocolate syrup, strawberry sauce, pineapple, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top. The banana split quickly became a soda fountain sensation, finding its way into diners and dessert menus across America. Strickler went on to buy the Latrobe pharmacy where he had invented the Banana Split, and he even added an optical business upstairs. He was a staple in the local community until he passed away in 1971 at the age of 90. Banana Split Day celebrates the legacy of Latrobe Pennsylvania as the birthplace of the banana split. While locals knew of the town’s claim to the dessert, it was “Ice Cream Joe” Greubel who in 2004, on the 100th anniversary of the invention, worked with the University of Pittsburgh on the “From Pitt Came the Split” event.

The Great American Banana Split Celebration has been a staple in Latrobe since 2013, when the Pennsylvania Historical Society unveiled a marker at the former site of Tassel’s Pharmacy where Sticker was working at the time of his invention, cementing Strickler’s legacy in historical record. Today, we celebrate the banana split on August 25th, honoring this sweet piece of dessert history and the enjoyment it continues to bring.

Courtesy of the Great American Banana Split Celebration Great American Banana Split Celebration

David Strickler

A Brief History of Ice Cream

You can’t make a banana split without ice cream!Ice cream is more than a treat. It is a global favorite with a rich and surprising past. What began with chilled snow and fruit has become a multi-billion dollar industry.Over time, ice cream has evolved through innovation, culture, and changing tastes. From royal banquets to corner shops, its journey is as interesting as it is delicious. Here is a brief look at how ice cream made its way into the hearts of people everywhere.

Ancient Origins and Innovations

Ice cream’s ancient origins

Long before modern refrigeration, ancient civilizations were experimenting with frozen treats. As early as 200 BCE in China, a mixture of milk and rice was packed in snow to create a chilled dessert. Persians also enjoyed a similar icy treat known as sharbat, made from fruit syrups and mountain snow. These early innovations laid the foundation for the cold, creamy indulgence we now know as ice cream, centuries before it reached the Western world.

Europe’s Royal Courts

During the Renaissance, frozen desserts found favor among Europe’s elite. Italians refined the art of gelato, and Catherine de’ Medici brought this creamy delight to France in the 16th century. By the 1600s, ice cream—then called “icy cream”—was being served at English banquets. Reserved for royalty and aristocrats, it was expensive and difficult to produce, relying on harvested ice and skilled chefs, which made it a symbol of wealth and sophistication.

Coming to America

Ice cream reaches Europe and America

Ice cream made its American debut in the 18th century, quickly becoming a favorite among the nation’s founders. George Washington reportedly spent a fortune on it, and Thomas Jefferson had his own French-style recipe. With Nancy Johnson’s 1843 invention of the hand-cranked ice cream freezer, the dessert became more accessible. As icehouses and refrigeration improved, so did ice cream’s availability, paving the way for it to become a beloved staple in American households.

Birth of Commercial Ice Cream

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought ice cream to the masses. Improved refrigeration technology and mechanized production allowed factories to produce large quantities affordably. Ice cream parlors and soda fountains flourished, and the invention of the cone at the 1904 World’s Fair added convenience. During World War II, it became a morale booster for American troops, further cementing its place in U.S. culture. By mid-century, ice cream was a full-fledged industry.

Global Variations and Culture

Ice cream becomes a global tradition

While Western ice cream gained global popularity, many cultures have their own frozen traditions. India’s kulfi, thicker and slower to melt, is made with condensed milk and spices. Turkey’s dondurma includes salep and mastic, giving it a stretchy texture. Japan modernized ice cream with innovations like mochi ice cream. These regional variations reflect local ingredients and customs, proving that the love of frozen desserts transcends borders and continues to evolve with cultural tastes.

Trends and the Future of Ice Cream

Ice cream is more innovative than ever. Artisanal brands explore bold flavors like miso caramel or lavender honey, while major manufacturers cater to dietary needs with dairy-free, keto, or high-protein varieties. Liquid nitrogen shops offer dramatic flash-frozen scoops. Technology now allows fully automated ice cream kiosks. Despite constant reinvention, ice cream retains its nostalgic charm—a symbol of comfort, creativity, and community that continues to adapt to changing palates and lifestyles.

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IN DETAIL

The Sweetest Thing from Latrobe, Pennsylvania

First created in 1904, the Banana Split quickly became a beloved staple of American dessert culture. It all started in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where 23-year-old soda jerk David Strickler began experimenting with ice cream combinations at a local drugstore. He sliced a banana lengthwise and added three scoops of ice cream—usually vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—then finished it off with sweet syrups, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. The creation was an instant sensation. Latrobe now hosts the annual Great American Banana Split Celebration.

The Great American Banana Split Celebration

Final Scoop: Celebrate, Appreciate, Repeat

National Banana Split Day might be a little silly—but in a world of deadlines and deliverables, silly can be powerful and provides an opportunity to slow down, share a treat, and remember that work can be fun. So go ahead and peel back a little joy, scoop out some appreciation, and sprinkle on the gratitude. A banana split at work may be just the morale boost your summer needs. Want help organizing a sweet celebration?

From digital gift cards to customized swag and easy reward distribution, TruCentive can help you turn Banana Split Day into a low-lift, high-reward event.

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