The summer heat can prompt your preschooler to ask for things like ice cream to cool off. While good as an every once in awhile treat, you might want to give your preschooler a healthier frozen snack. Check out these healthier options and save your ice cream for special occasions. The main ingredients are fruit and yogurt.
Frozen Bananas
Frozen bananas are an old classic and one of the easiest treats to make. They also a very budget-friendly snack item. One banana can make two snacks. Stick a popsicle stick into the bottom of half a banana. Put your bananas into a plastic bag. Make sure they are separated and lay them flat inside the freezer. This is so they don’t stick together. When ready, pull them out and give them to your preschooler.
Frozen Fruit Kabobs
The frozen fruit kabob works on the same idea as the frozen banana, only you will be using different fruit. You can use fresh pineapple, strawberries, banana slices, and other fruit to make this. However, there are some fruits that simply do not work well in the freezer. Most of those fruits have a very high water content, such as watermelon. If you aren’t sure that the fruit will work in the freezer, freeze a piece and taste it.
Simply cut big enough chunks of the chosen fruit so that you can put the stick through them. Then slide the different fruit down onto the stick. Don’t pack it so full that your toddler can’t hold it. Like the bananas, you want to slip this into a plastic bag and make sure each fruit kabob is separated before freezing.
Frozen Juice Pops
This is another old classic. All you really need is juice, an ice tray and a stick. Pour juice into ice trays. Let them freeze into a slush before you put the stick in. Otherwise, the stick won’t stand up straight. There are containers designed specifically for making juice pops. You can also substitute water for juice if you are worried about hydration.
Frozen Yogurt
Yes, you can freeze store-bought yogurt as a treat. You can dole out portion sizes by using ice trays. For a healthier version, grab plain yogurt and blend in the fruit. Pour out into ice trays. Adding a stick gives it a popsicle-like feel. Although you may want them to take this treat outside because it can get messy when it defrosts.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie
Save your ice and avoid watered-down smoothies by freezing your fruit first. Add a little milk or yogurt to the blender to get the frozen fruit going. Blend until you have a consistency you like. Then pour into cups or refreeze in ice trays.
Frozen treats can healthy. They are also inexpensive and very easy to make even for inexperienced cooks. Next time your preschooler asks for something cold, dole out these frozen snacks instead.