Make Healthy Juices & Popsicles!
Make fresh, healthy fruit juices and frozen popsicles using whole fruits, simple sweeteners, and safe kitchen tools while learning about nutrition and measurements.
About this activity
Make fresh, healthy fruit juices and frozen popsicles using whole fruits, simple sweeteners, and safe kitchen tools while learning about nutrition and measurements.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed and bring them to your kitchen workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Wash your hands with soap and water so everything stays clean and safe.
- 3
Step 3
Rinse your fruits under cool running water to remove dirt and bugs.
- 4
Step 4
Measure 1 to 2 cups of chopped fruit and measure 1/2 cup of water or juice into a cup.
- 5
Step 5
Cut the fruits into small pieces on the cutting board using the knife with adult help.
- 6
Step 6
Put the measured fruit the 1/2 cup of liquid and 1 teaspoon of sweetener into the blender.
- 7
Step 7
Blend the mixture until it is smooth and no big chunks remain.
- 8
Step 8
Pour a small spoonful into a cup and taste the juice to check the flavor.
- 9
Step 9
If the juice is too tart add another 1/2 teaspoon of sweetener and blend again briefly.
- 10
Step 10
Pour some of the finished juice into a cup or two so you can enjoy fresh juice right away.
- 11
Step 11
Pour the remaining juice into popsicle molds leaving a little space at the top of each mold.
- 12
Step 12
Push a popsicle stick into each mold so it will stay upright when frozen.
- 13
Step 13
Place the popsicle molds in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours until fully solid.
- 14
Step 14
Share a photo and your recipe of your finished healthy juices and popsicles on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make healthy juices and popsicles with kids?
Start by choosing whole fruits and a simple recipe. Wash fruit, peel and chop as needed, then measure ingredients together to teach portions. Blend or juice fruit, taste and sweeten lightly with maple syrup or agave if desired (avoid honey for under‑1s). Pour juice into popsicle molds or small cups, insert sticks, and freeze 4–6 hours. Adult supervision is required for cutting and using electrical appliances; use measuring to teach nutrition and math.
What materials do I need for making juices and popsicles?
Gather whole fruits (berries, bananas, melons, citrus), a blender or juicer, child‑safe knives or plastic cutters, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, strainers (optional), simple sweeteners (maple syrup, agave), popsicle molds or small cups, sticks, spatula, and a freezer. Also have wipes, bowls, and adult supervision. Choose BPA‑free molds and use a towel or silicone mat to keep the workspace tidy.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
Toddlers (2–3) can wash fruit, stir, and help pour with supervision. Preschoolers (4–6) can chop soft fruit with a plastic knife, measure ingredients, and press soft fruits. School‑age kids (7–11) can help blend with close adult supervision and assemble molds. Teens (12+) can handle blenders and recipes more independently. Always supervise cutting, hot liquids, and appliances; tailor tasks to each child’s skill and attention level.
What safety tips should I follow when making juices and popsicles?
Supervise all cutting and appliance use. Use child‑safe knives and keep fingers clear when blending; adults should handle blenders and juicers. Avoid honey for children under 1 year and be mindful of fruit allergies. Dilute concentrated juices to reduce sugar, remove large chunks to prevent choking, and choose BPA‑free molds. Label and store popsicles in the freezer. Clean surfaces and hands before and after to prevent contamination.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a blender or popsicle molds if we don’t have them?
If you don’t have a blender, use an immersion blender in a tall cup or finely mash the measured fruit from step 4 and strain it, and if you lack popsicle molds pour the finished juice from step 9 into small paper cups and insert sticks before freezing.
Why did my popsicle sticks lean or fall over in the freezer and how can I fix it?
If the sticks tilt after pushing them in at step 11, freeze the molds for 30–45 minutes until slightly slushy before inserting sticks so they stay upright during the full freeze.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For preschoolers, use pre-washed, pre-chopped fruit and let them stir the measured liquid in step 6 and help pour into molds, while older kids (8+) can follow steps 4–8 to measure, cut with adult help, blend, and handle freezing and sharing in step 13.
How can we make the juices and popsicles more interesting or personalized?
Personalize the recipe by adding a sprig of mint or a squeeze of lemon in step 5, make layered pops by partially freezing one flavor from step 10 before adding another, or swirl in yogurt after blending in step 6 for creamier popsicles.