Need healthy popsicle recipes for kids? Homemade popsicles are such a tasty treat, fun to make with your kids, and can be much healthier than store bought versions.
I don’t know about your kiddos, but my boys never turn down a frozen dessert — even in the dead of winter. I’m always looking out for healthy popsicle recipes for kids.
Popsicles are so easy to make! The hardest part is planning ahead so they have time to freeze before little hands reach in to grab them.
Join me as we take a look at how to make healthy homemade popsicles, my favorite popsicle molds, and plenty of tasty recipes for you and your kids to play around with.
How to make healthy homemade popsicles
Making healthy homemade popsicles requires just a few real food ingredients, a few pieces of equipment, and just a few minutes to pull together.
Pick healthy ingredients
Most store bought popsicles contain high fructose corn syrup or refined sugar, and artificial coloring. Making popsicles in your own home gives you the freedom to choose healthier ingredients.
Here are my favorite popsicle-making tips:
- Choose whole fruit (fresh or frozen) over fruit juice
- Opt for natural sweeteners (honey or maple syrup), if any at all
- Don’t be afraid to add a few mild leafy greens (spinach or baby kale)
- Add a source of protein and/or fat when possible (nut butter, coconut milk, yogurt, avocado)
- Play with add-ins (after the rest of the ingredients have been blended) for texture and nutrition (chia seeds, shelled hemp seeds, chopped fruit)
Remember, too, that most healthy smoothie recipes can be turned into healthy popsicle recipes by pouring them into a popsicle mold and freezing!
Helpful gear
Homemade popsicles only require a few helpful tools.
- A blender. I love my VitaMix (available on Amazon), but any high powered blender will do the trick.
- A popsicle mold — either store-bought or homemade.
- A freezer, of course, and a smidge of creativity is always fun!
How to get your kids involved
I always encourage parents to bring kids into the kitchen — raising little sous chefs has many benefits.
Not only is it fun for kids to help choose the ingredients that go into homemade popsicles, but it’s an opportunity for them to learn about nutrition, kitchen safety, and basic food prep skills. You can even choose a healthy popsicle recipe to make together as a homeschool cooking lesson!
Any time kids are involved they are much more likely to eat and enjoy the end result. Here are some ideas for involving your kids when you make popsicles together:
- Give them a few popsicle recipes to choose from.
- Let them gather and measure the ingredients.
- Pouring ingredients into the blender is always fun.
- Guide them (depending on age) with using the blender.
- Assist, or allow them to pour contents into the popsicle molds.
Popsicle molds for kids
There are all kinds of both functional and cute popsicle molds for kids on the market today. Keep in mind that it’s also easy to make your own with simple household materials.
Store bought popsicle molds
Here are my favorite popsicle molds for kids that you can order online:
Make your own popsicle molds
You don’t need fancy products to enjoy a good popsicle. Try these options instead:
- Silicone muffin cups and plastic spoons
- Dixie paper cups and popsicle sticks
- Reuse small yogurt containers
Smaller popsicle molds for toddlers
If you have little hands in your home, you may be interested in smaller popsicle molds. These options are smaller and easier for toddlers to hold:
Popsicle recipes for kids
This is my favorite part! It’s time to share our family’s favorite popsicle recipes with all of you. This round-up includes berry pops, citrus pops, melon pops, tropical-flavored pops, chocolatey pops, and yogurt-based popsicles that your kids (and you) will love.
Berry Popsicles
Patriotic Pops
Minty watermelon, coconut-lime and honey blueberry swirls are sure to please. I love that these Patriotic Pops are full of healthy fats for sustainability, and kids love the variety of flavors with each layer.
Raspberry Blueberry Popsicles
This Raspberry Blueberry Popsicle recipe from Oh So Delicioso, allows your kids to choose their favorite berries, combine them with a hint of lime, fresh mint, and a touch of honey, and layer in ombre fashion.
Superfood Very Berry Popsicles
With the addition of spinach and chia seeds, your kids will get a boost of nutrition in these Superfood Very Berry Popsicles from One Lovely Life. Deeply-colored berries overpower the green for a beautiful purple popsicle.
Clean Blackberry Popsicles
The combination of blackberries and lemon, with a touch of maple syrup, is one your kids will love. Swirled with coconut milk and you have yourself a creamy Clean Blackberry Popsicle treat — thanks, Clean Cuisine.
Coconut Berry Popsicles
Not only do these tasty Coconut Berry Popsicles from Not Enough Cinnamon include coconut milk, but also coconut flakes — yum! Blended with fresh berries and a dollop of honey and you have yourself a kid-approved pop healthy enough for any time of day.
Citrus Popsicles
Mandarin Orange Cream Popsicles
Didn’t think you could make your own orange creamsicles that brought you such joy in your own childhood? Think again! This Mandarin Orange Cream Popsicle recipe from A Beautiful Mess will show you how easy it is — and much healthier, too.
Grapefruit, Lemon and Basil Popsicles
I love that this Grapefruit, Lemon and Basil Popsicle recipe uses honey to make a simple syrup, and juices real citrus fruit for a healthier treat. Give these pops from Keeping It Simple blog a go along with your kids today.
Citrus Banana Cream Homemade Popsicles
With both yogurt and banana, these Citrus Banana Cream Popsicles from On Sutton Place are extra creamy. I like to use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of orange juice concentrate — and my kids love to do the squeezing!
Avocado Lime Healthy Popsicle Recipe
Who knew that avocado and coconut milk could blend into such a deliciously creamy frozen treat? This Avocado Lime Healthy Popsicle recipe from Simple Green Smoothies is packed with healthy fats so you can feel confident your kids are getting a good dose of nutrition.
Greek Yogurt Orange Pineapple Creamsicles
A creamsicle with a pineapple twist — these pops from The Seasoned Mom are sure to please young palates. I love that this Greek Yogurt Orange Pineapple Creamsicle recipe allows for you to be in control of how much “sweet” ends up in your pop.
Melon Popsicles
Cucumber Melon
Cucumber Melon Popsicles are a hydrating treat for active kids. Full of electrolytes, a salty-sweet flavor, and a refreshing feel on busy days. A fun way to use up your honeydew.
Watermelon Strawberry Fruit Popsicles
It doesn’t get any easier than pureed fresh fruit! These Watermelon Strawberry Fruit Popsicles from The Pretty Bee are just that! Two ingredients blended into a frozen pop are sure to put a smile on your kids face.
Cantaloupe Yogurt Popsicles
Honey vanilla yogurt layered with pureed cantaloupe and frozen to perfection. This Cantaloupe Yogurt Popsicle recipe from Health Starts in the Kitchen is simple, refreshing, and refined sugar free.
Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles
Not only do watermelon and kiwi complement each other with sweet and tangy flavors, but the layered look of these Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles from The View from Great Island is beautiful!
Cantaloupe and Strawberry Popsicles
The combination of cantaloupe and strawberry is one that deserves more attention. These 2-ingredient Cantaloupe and Strawberry Popsicles from Bigger Bolder Baking need no additional flavor boosters to make a tasty treat.
Tropical Popsicles
Tropical Fruit Pops
Full of flavor, full of natural color, and full of nutrition, these Tropical Fruit Pops are amazing! Peas and Crayons brings wholesome ingredients and helpful popsicle making tips to the kitchen in this recipe.
Tropical Ice Pops
Mango, pineapple, and coconut certainly spell “tropical” for me and my kids. I love that this Tropical Ice Pop recipe from Healthy Nibbles and Bites uses pure maple syrup to slightly sweeten these treats.
Coconut Lime Popsicles
So simple and so tasty! Coconut Lime Popsicles turn healthy ingredients into a delectable treat. This recipe from Frugal Farm Wife will satisfy you and your kids when you need a little pick-me-up! Don’t forget the lime zest.
Pineapple Lemonade Ice Pops
My kids are always begging for lemonade, but I cringe at all the sugar in store bought versions. These homemade Pineapple Lemonade Ice Pops from Courtney’s Sweets satisfy their cravings and satisfy my criteria for a healthy snack or treat. A win win.
Kiwi Coconut Chia Popsicles
Chia seed pudding is a healthy breakfast or snack — especially layered with fruit. Why not put it in a popsicle mold and make a frozen version for tons of fun texture and flavor? These Kiwi Coconut Chia Pops from The Little Epicurean are a must try. I opt for almond milk instead of soy, and honey instead of agave.
Chocolatey Popsicles
Greek Yogurt Fudgesicles
So, so, so good! It’s hard to believe that these Greek Yogurt Fudgesicles from Recipe Runner are full of healthy ingredients. So creamy and chocolatey without the sugar!
Peanut Butter Pudding Pops
Do your kids love chocolate peanut butter cups? Mine certainly do, and therefore these Peanut Butter Pudding Pops are a huge hit! Chocolate Covered Katie provides keto and paleo-friendly options and emphasizes real ingredients.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Pops
Fudge pops were one of my favorite treats as a kid. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Pops from Gimme Some Oven bring back fond memories for me and are creating new memories for my kids.
Healthy Chocolate Banana Split Popsicles
Bananas, strawberries, and cocoa! Yes, please! This Healthy Chocolate Banana Split popsicle recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats is dairy-free and refined sugar-free, but certainly not flavor-free. Yum!
Coco-cado Smoothie Pops
I mentioned above that smoothie recipes also make for great popsicle recipes, and this Coco-cado smoothie is a perfect example. Follow this recipe and add to your favorite popsicle mold for a four hour freeze!
Yogurt Popsicles
Frozen Yogurt Pops
With only four ingredients, this Frozen Yogurt Pops recipe from Super Healthy Kids provides a basic formula for frozen treats with plenty of room for your kids to practice creativity. No junk, just real food ingredients.
Mango Yogurt Popsicles
We eat first with our eyes, and contrasting colorful layers in popsicles are enticing to even the pickiest eaters. The deep yellow swirled with creamy white is beautiful in this Mango Yogurt Popsicle recipe from As Easy As Apple Pie.
Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles
Adding a low-sugar, or even grain-free granola to your yogurt-based popsicles sounds like a pretty delicious and healthy breakfast option, if you ask me. I love this Strawberry Yogurt Popsicle with Granola recipe from Jessica Gavin because she uses wholesome ingredients and keeps it super simple.
3-Ingredient Easy Yogurt Popsicles
Don’t Waste the Crumbs brings us this fun 3-Ingredient Easy Yogurt Popsicle recipe in which you can use any fruit you want, any type of yogurt you want, and any sweetener you want.
Blueberry Yogurt Pops
Packing in the sweet, tart, and creaminess of a healthy popsicle with this 4 ingredient Blueberry Yogurt Pop recipe from The Foodie Physician. Clean, easy, and a work of art all in one.
Need more recipes to make with your kids?
If you are looking for more healthy recipes that you can make with your kids, look no further than my Kids in the Kitchen ebook! So many recipes, real food ingredients, and advice on age-appropriate tasks to encourage all kids to spend more time in the kitchen.
