Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 6 Frozen Summer Treats

This post was written by Creative QT Co-owner & Co-founder Dana Sue Hinkle. Learn more about the Hinkle family and the heart behind Creative QT here.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

So, I should pre-face this post by saying that we live in a 100-year-old farmhouse with no air conditioning in the Midwest where the heat index last weekend was 113 degrees! And if that doesn't get you, then the humidity here certainly will! So we do anything in our house to keep COOL. That's why I've put together my Top 6 Frozen Treats to help keep my family cool this summer.

 

1. Frozen Go-gurts

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

Super simple but super yummy. Take Go-gurts (the yogurt that comes in a tube), and throw them in the freezer. It's kinda like a healthier version of a popsicle!

 

2. Smoothies

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

What do we make our smoothies with? Pretty much anything I find in my freezer! Seriously, there is no wrong way to make a smoothie. You need something liquid; I usually do a juice, but you can add water if needed. We often throw in yogurt to make a creamier version. And I always throw in kale or spinach to "hide" some green in it - the kids don't even taste it!

 

The smoothie you can see in the photo included:

  • a handful of spinach (frozen or fresh)
  • 2 cups mixed frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
  • 1 cup of orange juice
  • 1 cup of pineapple juice
  • 1 banana 

(Add ice if the majority of your ingredients are not frozen).

 

Smoothies are where my Mercy-girl shines. She LOVES making smoothies and here is her favorite recipe:

Mercy's Amazing Smoothie
  • 1 handful of frozen spinach
  • 15 frozen or fresh strawberries
  • Ice
  • 2 cups mango nectar or orange juice
  • 1 banana

 

3. Homemade Popsicles

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

We either freeze the leftover smoothies, or I throw some juice in with some chopped up fruit into a popsicle mold. Voila! As you can see, these are popular with all the kids.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

I love that the kids can make these pretty much independently too.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

4. Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas

Cut the bananas in half and put a popsicle stick in each banana half.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

Dip them in melted chocolate (and roll in crushed nuts if you like), and lay them flat on wax paper.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

Freeze until the chocolate is set- and of course enjoy!!

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

5. Frozen Grapes

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

Probably our kids' favorite! Wash grapes. Freeze. Simple as that! Be careful with the little ones though as grapes, and especially frozen grapes, can be a choking hazard.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

6. Frozen Banana Sundaes

 

I couldn't write about frozen summer treats and not include a sundae! Just slice up a banana, lay out the slices on a cookie tray or wax paper, and freeze them.

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

Once the banana slices are frozen, set up a little sundae station with all your kids' favorite toppings. Here's ours:

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

Decorate your sundae and then dig in!

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

I'd love to hear what YOUR favorite summertime treats are. We are always looking out for new ideas to beat the heat!

 

Dana Sue Hinkle's Top 5 Frozen Summer Treats

 

 ...

Creative QT designs quality + innovative toys that declutter homes and inspire creative play. Founded by parents of five, Adam and Dana Sue Hinkle, Creative QT’s vision is to empower parents and encourage a culture of families that Make Time Together. All products are designed to enrich families’ lives through active, creative play and play based learning. Creative QT products are laboratory tested for compliance with CPSC requirements and are free of lead, cadmium and phthalates so you can play with confidence. So, go ahead … today is the day: be your kid’s hero.

"LEGO®is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site."

Leave A Comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published