A scoop device for forming scoops of a material, such as ice cream or other foods, includes a frame adapted to be held in the hand of a used with a plunger extending into the user's palm to be operated by squeezing or closing the hand. A pair of scoop halves are pivotally connected to rotate between open and closed positions. A pivot plate is attached to the plunger to be moved relative to the frame by movement of the plunger. A pair of lever arms are coupled to the frame, the pivot plate, and the scoop halves so that movement of the pivot plate in relation to the frame causes movement of the lever arms and, in turn, rotation of the scoop halves between open and closed positions. The lever arms each have opposite ends and an intermediate fulcrum. The device can be biased to normally maintain the scoop halves in either open or closed position, as by a spring arranged to bias the plunger. It is preferred that the scoop halves be elongated in the direction of insertion of the scoop into the material to be scooped to ease the release of scoops of material from the scoop.