July is National Ice Cream Month, which got me thinking about all the frozen treats my family enjoys during the summer.
One of my favorite things about summer is that life slows down just enough to spend a little more time together in the kitchen. During the school year, we’re rushing between work, school, sports, activities, and everything else on the calendar. Summer gives us a little more flexibility to cook, bake, and try new recipes together.
These frozen treats have become one of our favorite summer activities. They’re simple enough for kids to help make, fun to customize, and a great way to cool off on a hot day. Some are healthier twists on traditional frozen desserts, while others are simply fun treats to enjoy together.
Whether you’re looking for an activity when friends come over, trying to use up extra fruit before it goes bad, or just searching for something new to add to your summer routine, these recipes are a great place to start.
1. Banana “Nice” Cream
We always seem to have a few bananas that get too ripe before anyone eats them. Instead of throwing them away, I like to freeze them and use them for recipes like this.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk, if needed
Directions
- Place frozen banana slices in a food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add vanilla and milk, if needed.
- Serve immediately or freeze for 30 minutes for a firmer texture.
Kid Job: Kids can help slice the bananas before freezing and choose their favorite mix-ins.
From My Kitchen: When my kids were younger, they loved deciding what flavors to add. Some weeks it was strawberries, other times cinnamon or chocolate chips. Giving them a choice made them much more excited to try something new.
2. Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles
These popsicles are simple enough to make on a busy afternoon and are easy to customize with whatever berries you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries
- 1 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional
Directions
- Blend strawberries, yogurt, and sweetener.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Freeze for 4 to 6 hours.
Kid Job: Kids can wash the strawberries and help pour the mixture into the molds.
From My Kitchen: I love having these ready in the freezer during the summer. They are perfect after swimming, playing outside, or those afternoons when everyone is looking for a snack at the same time.
3. Watermelon Popsicles
We often buy giant watermelons during the summer and somehow always end up with more cut watermelon than we can fit in the refrigerator. These popsicles have become one of my favorite ways to use up the extra fruit before it goes bad.
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless watermelon
- Juice of 1 lime
Directions
- Blend watermelon and lime juice.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Freeze until solid.
Kid Job: Kids can help add the watermelon to the blender and pour the mixture into the molds.
4. Berry Frozen Yogurt Bark
This is one of the easiest frozen treats on the list and requires no special equipment.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 1 cup mixed berries
- 1 tablespoon honey, optional
Directions
- Combine yogurt and honey, if using.
- Spread mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
- Sprinkle berries over the top.
- Freeze for 3 to 4 hours.
- Break into pieces and serve.
Kid Job: Kids can arrange the berries on top of the yogurt before it goes into the freezer.
5. Chocolate Banana Bites
These bite-sized treats feel a little more special than everyday snacks but are still simple to make.
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Directions
- Slice bananas into coins.
- Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil.
- Dip banana slices halfway into the chocolate.
- Freeze again until firm.
Kid Job: Kids can dip the bananas in the melted chocolate and place them on the baking sheet.
6. Mixed Berry Smoothie Pops
If your children enjoy making smoothies, they’ll probably love turning them into popsicles too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 banana
- 1 cup milk
Directions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Freeze overnight.
Kid Job: Kids can add ingredients to the blender and choose which fruits to include.
From My Kitchen: This is one of my favorite recipes when friends come over. Everyone gets excited about creating their own fruit combination, and it gives the kids an activity to do together.
7. No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream sounds complicated, but this recipe keeps it simple.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
- Beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in condensed milk and vanilla.
- Transfer to a loaf pan.
- Freeze for at least 6 hours.
Kid Job: Kids can help measure ingredients and choose mix-ins.
From My Kitchen: This recipe feels a little more special than the others because it is closer to traditional ice cream. It’s a fun choice for family movie nights, backyard gatherings, or summer celebrations.
Tips for Making Frozen Treats With Kids
- Let children help choose ingredients and flavors.
- Use silicone popsicle molds for easy removal.
- Prepare ingredients ahead of time for younger children.
- Focus on having fun rather than making everything perfect.
- Encourage kids to try new fruits and flavors through hands-on cooking.
Summer gives us a little more flexibility than the rest of the year, which means more opportunities to spend time in the kitchen together. My kids and I enjoy cooking and baking throughout the summer, and these frozen treats have become another fun addition to the list.
Whether you’re looking for a way to use up extra fruit, keep kids busy on a hot afternoon, or give them something fun to make when friends come over, I hope these recipes inspire you to try something new this summer.
