Celebrate your child's love of learning

© Wondertime

If there's one thing I hate doing in the summer, it's spending time in the kitchen. But I'm willing to spend a bit of time in there with the promise of a little frozen something later on. If you don't have ice-pop molds, you can use small paper cups. Place filled cups on a plate, stretch tin foil across the tops, poke Popsicle sticks through the foil into the cups, and freeze for at least four hours.

Recipes:

• Creamy Orange Dream
• Watermelon Ice
• Blueberry Ice

Creamy Orange Dream

Makes 6 to 8 pops

Brings to mind a Creamsicle from the ice cream truck, only it's healthier.

1 cup plain yogurt
1 (12-ounce) can partly thawed orange juice concentrate
2 teaspoons vanilla

Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl, then pour into molds and freeze.

Watermelon Ice

Makes 4 to 5 pops

You can use a food processor or blender — or just give the kids a spoon and a potato masher; it'll be a little lumpier, but still good.

2 1/2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1/4 cup sugar

Blend watermelon and sugar until chunky-smooth, then pour into molds and freeze.

Blueberry Ice

Makes 6 to 8 pops

Okay, it takes some time at the stove, but the intense flavor is worth it.

2 cups (1 pint) fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Stir first 3 ingredients in a pan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until berries have burst, about 5 minutes. Mix in lemon juice. Cool to room temperature, then pour into molds and freeze.