Thousands of Indian schoolkids put their willpower to the test to break ice cream record

Eating ice cream while simultaneously earning a Guinness World Records title is any kid’s dream come true!

However, giving thousands of 10 to 13 year olds instructions, especially while ice cream loomed over their heads, does not seem like an easy task. 

But Hatsun Agro Products Limited and Arun Ice creams (India), were up to the challenge. 4,008 students in Chennai, India gathered in a carefully planned assembly line to earn the record for longest chain of people licking ice cream on 21 January. 

Using Arun Ice creams, the students, coming from eight different schools, made two unbroken chains across two long hallways. With each student’s right hand, they would be given a cone that they would offer to the person standing beside them. They had one minute to make sure that everyone had a lick of their delicious treat. 

A lot of teamwork was required from these students, which is especially difficult when they did not know each other. The students also had to resist the temptation of eating the ice cream until their official attempt began and it was their turn.

Find more stories about tasty treats in our Food and Drink section.

To prepare for this challenge, the students had to arrive at the RK Convention Centre where they were first shown an instructional video of how the process would work. The students then were given two practice rounds (with the dessert not in view).  

With the Arun Ice Creams team keeping the energy high and dedication from the kids, by 12:45 p.m., everyone had successfully broken the record!

The longest chain of people licking ice cream had gone unbroken for 15 years. It was held by Morelli's ice cream (UK) with 2,728 participants as part of their celebrations for 100 years of business.  

Between factors such as keeping the ice cream cold and making sure no one eats the sweet treat too early, coordinating a chain of people eating ice cream is very monumental.  

Arun Ice Creams took on an ambitious challenge adding over 1,000 more people to their record attempt.  

Participating in the ice cream chain will be a memory these kids take with them forever. We’re sure the ice cream was an additional plus to this exciting day.