Popsicles

Summer is here (for some kids) and that probably means a lot of playing outside or in the pool in the hot weather. A popsicle can be a nice treat and making homemade popsicles can also be really fun. Here are a few ideas–just pour the mixtures into popsicle molds or into dixie cups/regular plastic cups with those wooden craft sticks. If they aren’t coming out easily, run the plastic cup under some warm water and twist it to remove it.

1. Creamy Fruit Pops- In a blender, blend 2 cups of fresh fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango, cantaloupe, or others) with a little bit of fruit juice or milk (1/4 cup). Stir in vanilla ice cream one scoop at a time until the mixture is the consistency of a thin smoothie. Pour into containers and freeze.

2. Chocolate Banana Popsicles- In the blender, combine 2 bananas with 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, and a few large squeezes of chocolate syrup. Stir in chocolate chips if you want, then pour into containers and freeze.

3. Lemonade or Limeade Popsicles- Make lemonade with fresh lemon juice or lime juice according to your favorite recipe, adjusting it so that the lemonade is a bit stronger than usual. Pour into containers and freeze. You can also add a drop of red food coloring for pink lemonade popsicles.

You can also dilute your favorite ice cream with milk (or your favorite sherbet with fruit juice) and freeze in containers. Encourage kids to get creative with inventing their own recipes and mixing different fruits and flavors. Good luck and have a great summer!