Recipe: 5 Simple Ice Block Recipes
The weather is warming up – that means it’s ice block time! We find children are so excited by the entire experience of ice blocks, from their preparation to their enjoyment. Once ready, we sense a discernable hush passing over the group. Each child has an ice block in their hand and Educators relish in a sweet moment of peace during their consumption.
Ice blocks are a great snack that children can assist in preparing and then eagerly await their readiness. Below we share 5 very simple ice block recipes to help you avoid the store bought pops with their individual plastic packaging, high price point and sugary ingredients.
At preschool, the children have also enjoyed gathering flowers and/or other interesting pieces of nature and setting them into the moulds, only to play with them once frozen, either trying to forcibly break out the flowers, selling them in their “shops”, or seeing how they can get them to melt quickly. It’s a fun, simple activity to try at home.
All of the below recipes are for a 6 ice block silicone mould. Please double the batch according to the size of the mould you have and don’t hesitate to add chia seeds, garden herbs, or any other boosts of goodness as you see fit!
Tea pops
Super simple – you can make these as fast as you can make a cup of tea! We do ginger lemon tea with maple syrup at my house.
Ingredients:
- Tea of choice – Ginger Lemon, Peppermint, Berry
- Sweetener of choice – Maple syrup
Method:
- Boil water and make a strong tea, allowing it to steep to full flavour.
- Add sweetener and/or lemon.
- Pour into moulds.
- Enjoy once frozen.
Watermelon mint
Perfect way to use up a chunk of watermelon and some mint from the garden.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups watermelon
- Sprig mint
Method:
- Combine watermelon and mint in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add tiny amount of water or mint tea if needed.
- Pour into moulds.
- Enjoy once frozen.
Mango Coconut
Tropical and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups frozen mango
- 1 can coconut cream or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Method:
- Combine mango, coconut cream, and syrup in blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into moulds.
- Enjoy once frozen.
Berry Coconut
Tropical and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups frozen blueberries (or strawberries or mixed berries)
- 1 can coconut cream or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Method:
- Combine blueberries, coconut cream, and syrup in blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into moulds.
- Enjoy once frozen.
Green Smoothie Pop
Refreshing and full of goodness.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen mango and/or pineapple
- 1 cup spinach (frozen preferred)
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup water (or coconut water)
Method:
- Combine mango/pineapple, spinach and orange juice in the blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add water if needed to blend.
- Pour into moulds.
- Enjoy once frozen.
