Summer Vibes & Sweet Treats: Popsicles Without the Junk!

The Nourished Queens
Jun 9
3 min read

Updated: Jun 10

Ahhh, summer. Sunshine, sprinklers, bare feet on grass, and that unmistakable sticky-fingered smile after a popsicle. It’s the season of fun—and let’s be honest, a time when kids are asking for treats every five minutes. We’re all for a good popsicle moment, but here’s the not-so-sweet truth:

Most store-bought popsicles are...

🚫 Packed with artificial dyes

🚫 Loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and added sugars

🚫 Full of weird preservatives and mystery "flavors"

The good news? You can totally dodge the junk and still serve up frozen fun your kids will love. Whether you're going for quick clean store-bought swap or getting creative in the kitchen, you’ve got options.

Clean Store-Bought Popsicle Options (Kid-Approved!)

Look for these at your local grocery store:

GoodPop – Made with real fruit and sweetened with juice or low-sugar alternatives. Tons of fun flavors like Strawberry Lemonade or Orange n' Cream.
DeeBee’s Organic SuperFruit Freezies – No sugar added, organic, and comes in convenient freezer tubes.
Ruby Rockets – Low in sugar, packed with fruits and veggies, and super tasty.
Popsicles made with coconut water or real fruit puree – Just check the ingredient list—if it reads like a smoothie, you're good to go.

Now if you want to have some fun this summer with an activity that

includes the kids…DIY your popsicles!

DIY Popsicle Magic – Easy, Clean & FUN

Making your own popsicles is easier than you think—and you don’t need fancy equipment. Just a blender, a popsicle mold (or even paper cups and sticks), and your favorite clean ingredients. Let the kids help and call it an edible art project! We suggest a silicone popsicle mold like this for ease while keeping away from plastics.

Here are a few of our favorite no-junk, all-love recipes:

1. Berry Yogurt Swirl Pops

Protein-packed, fruity, and creamy.

Ingredients:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free)
1 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
A splash of vanilla

Directions: Blend berries with a tiny splash of water to make a puree. In your molds, alternate layers of yogurt and berry puree. Swirl with a toothpick. Freeze for 4–6 hours. Boom—summer art on a stick.

2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pops

A dessert-like treat with ZERO added sugar.

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas
1 heaping spoonful peanut butter (or almond butter)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Splash of milk (dairy or non-dairy)

Directions: Blend everything until smooth. Pour into molds and freeze. For extra fun, dip the frozen pops in melted dark chocolate and refreeze for a crunchy shell!

3. Watermelon Mint Refresher Pops

Light, hydrating, and so summery.

Ingredients:

2 cups cubed watermelon
A few mint leaves
Juice of 1 lime

Directions: Blend it all up, pour, freeze, and chill (literally). These are the ultimate poolside cooler.

4. Creamy Orange Dreamsicles

Think healthy creamsicle vibes, no fake flavors here.

Ingredients:

1 cup orange juice (fresh is best)
1/2 banana
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
Splash of vanilla

Directions: Blend until smooth, pour into molds, freeze, and enjoy those nostalgic vibes—only this time, way cleaner.

Bonus Tip: Make It a Popsicle Party!

Set up a “popsicle bar” with different fruit purees, yogurt, mix-ins like chia seeds, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips, and let your kids design their own. They’ll love the creativity, and you’ll love that they’re not bouncing off the walls from a red-dye sugar bomb!

Summer, But Smarter

You don’t have to give up summer treats to keep things clean. With a few easy swaps and fun recipes, you can enjoy all the sweetness of the season—without the sugar crash or the mystery ingredients.

So here's to sunshine, laughter, and popsicles that actually nourish those little growing bodies.