When I think of summer I can’t help but think of all the sweet frozen treats that are finally back in my life. Every Spring I begin waiting anxiously for the reopening of my favorite local treats from Del’s frozen lemonade to Brickley’s Ice Cream! I love frozen treats BUT feeding my sugar habit can get pretty expensive. That’s why I’ve been on the lookout for frozen summer treats that can be made at home. These are perfect for making with kids and will satisfy every sweet tooth. Yum!

10 Easy & Cheap DIY Summer Treats

1. DIY Instant Soda Slurpees

Photo via Clean Scentsible.

For this frozen treat you only need two things: a bottle of soda and a freezer.his will only cost you the price of the soda and considering you can usually find them on sale for under a $1 this is one cheap treat.

Ingredients:

• Soda of your choice

Directions: To make these slurpees you basically shake a bottle of soda and then place in the freezer for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Then, pour your slushee into a glass. Keep in mind that soda bottles can explode in the freezer so you’ll want to make sure to keep an eye on the bottles to prevent a big mess! Find the full video tutorial here.

2. Ice Cream in a Bag

Photo via Growing a Jeweled Rose.

Ice cream in a bag is the EASIEST way to make ice cream at home. It can take a while but kids love to be involved and it will tire them out! My nephew loves to make this ice cream because he basically just has to run around. Fun!

For this ice cream you only need three main ingredients:

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or half and half
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 tsp sugar (we use turbino sugar, but granulated would also work)

Additional Supplies:

• Ziploc bags – two sandwich size and 1 gallon size
• Ice
• 6 tbs. kosher salt

Photo via One Good Thing By Jilllee.

This may seem tricky BUT it’s really easy and involves minimal ingredients. These frozen yogurt dots are a great healthy treat that even kids will eat.

Ingredients:

• Carton of your favorite yogurt

Additional Supplies:

• A Ziploc bag
• Baking sheet
• Scissors

Directions: Fill the Ziploc bag with yogurt. Use the scissors to cut off the corner of the bag. Pipe little dots onto your baking sheet and freeze for about 30-40 minutes. Woo-lah! You’re done! Need more info? Head to the full-picture tutorial here.

Don’t like yogurt? Try making these frozen applesauce dots!

4. Jello Shaved Ice

Photo via Tips From a Typical Mom.

Who doesn’t love shaved ice? This treat reminds me of carnivals and county fairs..some of my favorite summer memories! This recipe for shaved ice is very easy and is also inexpensive. Perfect!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups sprite or similar soda
• 1 four serving size any flavor Jello

Additional Supplies:

• Square cake pan
• Ice cream scoop
• Whisk

Directions: Pour the water and Jello flavoring into a square cake pan. Whisk until dissolved. Then stir in soda. Freeze for four hours or overnights. Scrape out ice with ice cream scoop and serve immediately.  Check out the full picture tutorial here.

5. Frozen Pineapple Ice Pops

Photo via Eats Amazing.

This may be the easiest popsicle recipe I’ve ever seen! This frozen pineapple ice pops take about 5 minutes to set up and freeze after just 2 hours. Nice!

Ingredients:

• Canned Pineapple Rings (in juice or syrup depending on how sweet you want it!)

Additional Supplies:

• Baking sheet
• Lollipop sticks

Directions: To make these pineapple ice pops you simple take a pineapple and skewer it onto a lollipop stick. Place on the baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Yum!

6. Frozen Lemonade

Photo via A Pretty Life in The Suburbs.

Del’s Lemonade is a cult favorite here in RI but it’s getting pricier every year. That’s why I like to make it at home. Besides the fresh fruit you probably have everything you need to make this recipe at home!

Ingredients:

• 5 lemons, juiced
• 5 cups ice  cubes
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like your lemonade)

Directions: Add lemon juice, ice cubes, and sugar to the blender. Blend until smooth. Done! Looking for a fruit flavored lemonade? Add 1 cup of your favorite fresh fruit (try strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries!) and blend with the above ingredients for a fun fruity lemonade.

7. Fresh Fruit Pops

Photo via The Nerds Wife.

Trying to get kids (or yourself!) to eat more fruit? Then this recipe is perfect. Feel free to customize the ingredients to your child’s taste!

Ingredients:

• 2 Kiwis, peeled and sliced
• 1 package fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 tangerine oranges, peeled and sliced
• 1 package fresh blueberries
• Coconut water

Additional Supplies: 

• Popsicle mold – Don’t have one? Try these highly rated Zoku popsicle molds!

Directions: To make these fruit pops simple add the fruit to the molds and then fill with coconut water. Then freeze until solid or overnight. These are very healthy and yummy! Don’t like coconut water? Replace with your favorite fruit juice. I like to use pineapple or orange juice too!

8. 5-Minute Watermelon Strawberry Sorbet

Photo via Dashing Dish.

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 5 cups seedless watermelon, cut into chunks then frozen
• 1 1/4 cups frozen strawberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tbs. lemon juice

Additional Supplies:

• Blender or food processor

Directions: To make this sorbet simply place all of the above ingredients into your blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately or freeze in a tupperware container until you’re ready to eat. Yum!

9. Frozen Grape Popsicles

Photo via Simply Real Moms.

I have always loved to snack on frozen grapes. My grandma always made them for us when we were kids, so I’m obsessed with this idea of grape-cicles. These are only frozen fruit so they’re healthy and refreshing!

Ingredients:

• Red/green grapes

Additional Supplies:

• Lollipop sticks

Directions: Simply skewer grapes onto a lollipop stick until it is full. Layer them in a tupperware with foil separating the layers. Then freeze for three hours or overnight.  Once frozen you can store them in gallon sized bag and serve them one at a time.

10. Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Bites

Photo via Not Enough Cinnamon.

Bananas and peanut butter!? What’s not to love? If you love frozen bananas you’ll definitely want to try our this sweet and easy treat.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium-ripe bananas, sliced
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 10 oz baking chocolate

Additional Supplies: 

• Parchment Paper
• Baking Sheet

Directions: First slice the bananas. Then lay onto the parchment paper covered baking sheet. Spread peanut butter on half of the slices. Top with remaining slices and place in freezer for one hour. Dip into chocolate (make sure they’re fully covered) and freeze for another three hours. Then enjoy! Find the full tutorial here.

What’s your favorite homemade frozen summer treat?