If your children enjoy fruity iced lollies (but you don’t want hyperactive children with bright blue tongues), then consider making your own ice lollies, to keep in the freezer for hot sunny days.
Iced lollies are very simple to make, you can buy reusable iced lolly makers from Lakeland and other kitchen stores, to also save money on ice lolly sticks (which are choking hazards anyway). Use reusable silicone ice pop bags to make your own ice pops (Crowded Kitchen).
You can just freeze fruit juice if you want, but here are a few other options. Avoid unpasteurised juice for children, pregnancy/nursing and weak immunity. Read more on food safety for people and pets.
These silicone lolly moulds are made from an easy-to-recycle food-safe alternative to plastic, these are freezer-and-dishwasher-safe. Just pour in juice, smoothies or dairy-free yoghurt, for homemade ice lollies in hours.
These refreshing ice lollies are made by combining a can of sparkling fruit water with 100g of oat yoghurt and 2 tablespoons of Sweet Freedom Vegan Honee. Stir in 25g of organic freeze-dried fruit, insert lolly sticks and freeze overnight.
Sweet Freedom FIZZ is a brand of soft drink (made by the company that sells those vegan sweetener syrups in stores) made with sparkling water and sweetened with cocoa juice (leftover from pulping cocoa for the chocolate industry). Gives extra income to farmers!
Check medication before consuming and avoid for pregnancy/nursing due to caffeine). You could also make these lollies with DASH sparkling water (that uses up wonky fruits).
Where to Buy Natural Ice Lollies
If you prefer to buy (or run a shop near the sea to sell better brands), there are a couple of good ones in England:
Pip Organic makes organic ice lollies for children (and big children!), with a base of organic apple juice, blended with other fruits and a little organic guar (a natural thickener). Choose from apple, berry or tropical.
There is also a ‘hidden veg’ option for children (and big children!) who won’t eat their vegetables. These taste like fruit, but hide a blend of organic spinach, carrot, purple carrot and butternut squash inside.
Also check out Lickalix, another brand of organic fruit ice lollies, sold in plastic-free packaging. Sold in many flavours including:
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Oh So Berry
- Citrus Burst
- Mango Raspberry Swirl
- Simply Chocolate
- Natural Cola
You can even now buy real fruit Rocket Lollies from Little Judes, which are free from colourings to make your child hyperactive!