The Best Homemade Popsicles for Kids this Summer

Memorial Day weekend is over, schools are finishing up and the calendar says June — it’s officially summer! Whether you relish the summer sun or are constantly looking for new ways to beat the heat, one thing is for sure; Nothing compares to eating a cold popsicle on a hot day. Plus, kids love them!

Seriously – they love them. It’s incredible how quickly a box disappears from the freezer at our house. I’m always on the lookout for options with low to no added sugar (because kiddos are *sweet* enough) and these Cherry Lemonade Good Pops do not disappoint. They are nostalgic, amazingly delicious and are blue which is VERY important to a certain three year old I know. However, they are. not. cheap. While I did score a larger box at Costco a few weeks ago, sadly their supply has dwindled and they are not back in stock at the store.

Anyway, all of this to say, popsicles from a box are fun and homemade popsicles can be FUNNER! (ok more fun, but also, ok not always). But if you’re up for the task, have a pretty good blender and some popsicle molds, making homemade popsicles is a great activity for kids and a more affordable way to keep your freezer stocked all summer long.

If you’re searching for popsicle molds, we’ve loved these small ones since my son was just starting solids. Their thick handle makes it easy for little hands to grip and mini popsicles are lifesavers during teething. We also love these bigger ones! They have a small lip on the bottom to help catch drips and are super easy to fill.

Ready to get blending? Great! Making popsicles is kind of like making smoothies. You can add all kinds of fruit, veggies, yogurt, etc. to suit your taste. Plus they are a good way to use up small amounts of fruit you may have on hand. I encourage you to get creative, but here are a handful of recipes that look amazing for inspiration.

2-Ingredient Strawberry Popsicles by Half Baked Harvest

These are so simple to make and strawberries really scream summer, ya know? This is a great base recipe for trying your own combo of fruits too!

Homemade Mango Popsicles by Maple + Mango

Tastes like a tropical vacation even if the only view you have is your kids’ water table.

Fruity Chia Seed Coconut Popsicles by A Saucy Kitchen

For when you’re looking to make a popsicle more of a snack, try these! They are colorful and kid-friendly, but packed with filling fats from the coconut milk and chia seeds.