Mine most definitely do! I don’t know what it is about popsicles. They are the answer to all life’s problems, at least in my kids’ worlds.
Making popsicles should definitely be on your list of fun things to do in the kitchen with your kids.
Mommy’s Kitchen Helpers
My kids always want to help in the kitchen, whether it’s scrambling the eggs or tasting the cake batter. But sometimes it’s hard to find ways for them to contribute. Safety can be a concern. Like most moms, knives and cooking on the stove can feel a bit stressful with little ones around.
But making popsicles is not stressful in the least! It only takes a few steps. And even if you don’t have a real popsicle mold, there are ways to improvise. In the end, you still get the reward of that famous frozen treat.
I know what you’re thinking: “Why not just buy them at the store?”
Making popsicles is way more fun than buying them! And making popsicles at home means you know exactly what goes into them. All popsicles are not created healthy; your favorite frozen treat may not always be full of your favorite ingredients. Homemade means you can avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. When I think about the number of popsicles my kids can demolish in one summer, I have to consider what’s in them. But most importantly is the fun you get to have with your kids.
Keep It Simple
When I was a little girl, I loved to go to my Auntie Sam’s house. She kept a treat in the freezer for whenever I came over. It didn’t look like a standard popsicle. All she did was make a batch of Kool-Aid and pour it into an ice tray. I would pop a few into a cup and enjoy. It was the best!
Popsicles don’t have to be complicated. You can do them just like my Auntie Sam. The nice thing about the ice cube popsicle is that the smaller size can be a little less messy. You don’t even have to have a stick; you can use a cup to hold the ice cubes.
Anything Goes, Flavor-Wise
Remember picking which popsicle flavor you wanted as a kid? Deciding on flavors is a huge part of the fun. Lemonade and limeade make for great popsicle flavors. Orange juice, grape juice, pineapple juice—if it’s in your kitchen, you have what you need. It’s so simple. That’s the joy of it. Really, the choices are endless. It can even be a combination of your favorite flavors! It’s a drink on a stick.
Popsicle Molds
We started out with ZOKU popsicle molds, a gift from a friend. She had gotten a set for herself and just stashed it away. My kids were appalled that she’d never used it. They were not about to let that gift go to waste.
We have also used ice cube trays (thank you, Auntie Sam). Our new favorite is this set of ring pop popsicle molds. These are great for little hands because it can slip on a finger and isn’t too big. If you are using a juice with more sugar, this is a great option for portion control.
You can find popsicle molds at all your favorite local stores. Of course, Amazon has them too, so you can always get them delivered to your door. If you’re looking for a specific shape (dinosaur popsicles, anyone?) you may have to search a little harder. Your biggest decision will most likely be to get molds with sticks included or to buy popsicle sticks separately. Oh, also, there are some molds that stand upright (which is what we use), but you can get others that lay down flat. Same concept, slightly different approach.
Limeade Popsicle Recipe
Honestly, the real goal is to let my kids be a part of the creation process. This is where your helpers can contribute. Let the kids brainstorm. I like to help get the ball rolling with an easy combo. If you like Sonic limeade slushies, try these:
- 7–8 cups of Simply Limeade
- 1/2 pound fresh strawberries (you could probably use frozen, but fresh ones allow for your little helpers to participate in prepping)
- Blend completely.
- Pour into your molds.
- Pop into the freezer.
- Wait until frozen and keep the kids from trying to check on the molds (this is the hardest part!).
Piña Colada Popsicle Recipe
- 1 can coconut milk (I like the sweetened, but you can use unsweetened.)
- Frozen bananas (I use 2 cups, but I like bananas a lot!)
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- Shredded pineapple (optional)
Also, remember this is about tasting as you mix, so if you like more coconut flavor, add more. Do you want more pineapple? Do it! And you may want to adjust your amounts depending on what type of mold you have.
In no time you and your kids will become expert popsicle scientists. We aren’t there yet, but we are working on it. We hope to make A LOT of progress this summer!
Read More: Homemade Frozen Treats
