The magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of $Gd_{1-x}Ce_xAl_2$ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) intermetallic compounds alloys have been investigated in detail for the first time. XRD patterns indicated that all the samples were crystallized in a single phase with $MgCu_2$-type structure (Laves phase). Ce substitution for Gd increased the lattice parameters and decreased the Curie temperature from 163 K for x = 0 to 37 K for x = 0.75. A maximum entropy change of 3.82 J/kg K was observed when a 2 T magnetic field was applied to the x = 0 sample. This entropy change decreased with increasing Ce content to 2.04 J/kg K for the x = 0.75 sample.