New Jersey saw some warmer days last week while it was still considered winter. But the state was not so lucky for the first day of spring, with temperatures only reaching the 40s.

There is one thing that helped keep spirits high, and that’s free ice cream.

Dairy Queen and Rita's offered free cones of soft serve and flavored ice on Tuesday to mark the start of spring. The cold weather kept some people inside, but the real ice cream fans still came out for the free cones.

“Free Rita’s…we said why not?" one Rita's customer said. "Especially after school. And I saw a treat.”

Lines picked up at Dairy Queen after school let out. The kids said their teachers made sure they knew about the free frozen treats.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the 40s and 50s for the rest of the week.