During the hot summer months there’s nothing that feels and tastes better than grabbing a cool treat from the freezer and sitting near a cool fan. Did you know that making these treats yourself are not only easy but a great family activity that promotes healthy living?
Eating fresh and homemade is always better for you and the kids. You can reduce sugar and salt intake plus eliminate preservatives or other unnatural substances often found in processed foods sold in grocery stores. By making more homemade items, you begin to teach your children early that fresh made is always better and tastier. And for your picky eater, he’s more likely to eat what he makes rather than something off a shelf or served by someone else.
Last but not lease, when you go homemade, you can also make it a family activity with plenty of learning opportunities. Cooking with kids is a great opportunity to reinforce reading and math skills.
So when your kids scream for ice cream this summer try these easy to make cool treats!
Frozen Banana Cream “Cupcake” Pop
What You’ll Need
- Foil cupcake wrappers (leave paper cup in), or silicone cupcake mold
- Wooden pop sticks
- Aluminum foil
- Banana yogurt (I used Stonyfield Organic Low Fat Banilla)*
- Nutella
- Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
*Optional: substitute plain low fat or Greek yogurt for banana flavor, and add small bits of chopped banana for an even healthier version.
Directions:
Spread 1 to 3 teaspoons of Nutella on the bottom and partially up the side of each wrapper or silicone mold. Freeze until hardened, 1 to 2 hours. Fill with banana yogurt (or plain yogurt and banana chucks), cover with foil, make a slit and insert a wooden pop stick. Freeze an additional 3 to 4 hours or until they are solid. Gently peel off wrapper, or peel from silicone mold and enjoy! Note: For a smaller treat, I use a silicone mini cupcake mold. Great for younger kids!
Homemade Melon Popsicle
You’ll need a standard 3-oz. pop molds, wooden sticks and foil to cover your pops in the freezer. Freeze mixture for 3-4 hours. If pops are hard to remove, run molds under warm water for about 10 seconds. Don’t like melon? You can blend, mix or puree any fruits or even veggies for your pops. Melon is just a fruit my kids enjoy!
Kid Tested Banana Fruit Smoothies
Puree 1 ½ cups of sliced strawberries, 1 banana and a cup of plain or vanilla yogurt. Add a dash of cinnamon. Thinly slice another banana and put those slices against the slides of molds. Then fill with the berry mixture.
What cool treats do your kids enjoy during the summer?
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