Here Comes the Sun! Suncatcher Pops, Sunshine Smoothie, and Other Sunny Treats

School’s almost out and warm weather is finally here!  Why not celebrate the changes with some sunny treats?  Surprise kids with one of these snacks to officially kick off the first day of summer, or serve any time during the summer break.

Suncatcher Pops

I love when sunlight hits a suncatcher or stained glass window and illuminates the mosaic colors.  I thought it would be fun to capture that idea in a simple treat that kids can help create ~ then eat!

All you’ll need is a juice that’s somewhat clear like apple, lemonade, or white grape juice.

We used peach lemonade for ours.  Notice there is some pulp settled to the bottom of the organic juices pictured here.  I made sure to NOT shake it up and just poured the clearer juice from the top to get the desired transparent “stained glass” effect I was after.

Begin by filling the popsicle molds, about 3/4 full, with juice.  You can see the amount I used in the two compartments on the left.  On the right you can see how it reaches the “fill line” when the fruit pieces are added.  Once the fruit is added, popsicle sticks stay supported easily without lids to hold them in place.

We used pineapple and mandarin orange pieces, cut about the size of bite-size fruit snacks.

Here’s another view, so you can see how much fruit to add:

You can also make little suncatcher ice cubes to add to a glass of juice.  I used a star shaped ice cube mold since it was the closest thing I had to a sunburst shape.

They’re still fun and summery and could be star fish for a beach themed party, or add bluberry and strawberry pieces to your star cubes for a 4th of July celebration.

This next concoction will definitely give you a beachy feeling with its tropical combination of coconut, pineapple, banana, and mango.

Sunshine Smoothie

Begin with R.W.Knudsen Pineapple Coconut juice.

You could try blending its key ingredients: Pineapple and apple juice, coconut milk, white grape juice, and creamed coconut, but why bother when it’s already done for you?

Just blend 2-3 cups juice with one banana and one cup frozen mago chunks and you’re set.

Make and enjoy in minutes!

Fruit Plate

Finally, serve up a light fruit tray that looks like sunshine on a plate.  On the left, cut pineapple is surrounded by mandarin orange wedges.  On the right, mandarin oranges are surround by pineapple, cut into triangles.

Taking a couple minutes to arrange healthy food in a happy and appealing way for kids makes them want to eat what is good for them.  I figure if food manufacturers and marketers can get my kids asking for the junk they see on t.v., then I’ll use the same strategies (bright colors, fun shapes) and apply them to healthy food that actually nourishes their bodies.  It works like a charm.  They simply want what looks fun and always ask for more.

Fun & Functional

Foam sunburst shapes from a craft store are both fun and functional as dripguards when you cut a slit and slip popsicle sticks through the center.

It’s easy peasy (as my kids like to say) 🙂 .

Hold the sun pops up to the sky and see how they look.  Ask kids what they think of their creation —

If they can wait long enough before taking a bite!

Have a great summer!