DIY Popsicles To Help Prevent Dehydration

School is out and camp mom is officially in business! I love getting to spend extra time with my children over the summer and really try hard to make it special.  Being a career mom, I am constantly looking for ways to create memories! My DIY gummy bears were such a hit with Mason and Charlee, that I decided to try DIY popsicles. They did not disappoint!  It was incredibly quick, easy, and delicious. I love this particular recipe because it uses ingredients that are very hydrating. One of the more common illness we treat over the summer time are heat related illnesses.

During the summer months, it is very easy for children to become dehydrated. A day in the sun should be treated as if your child is participating in a sporting event. It is recommended that a child drinks 5 to 9 ounces of water (10 to 18 “gulps”) every 20 minutes during activity depending on weight (teenagers should drink more). Younger children should be given water bottles with marks on the sides showing how much they should drink or be told how many “gulps” to drink.

There are certain fruits that are consider “hydrating fruits.” Watermelon, strawberries, and cantaloupe have high water concentration and really help to keep our children hydrated during these hot summer months. I also love the idea of using coconut water because coconut water is filled with important electrolytes. Did you know that coconut water is a high source of potassium? One can of coconut water will deliver about 500 mg of potassium which is said to be equal to one banana or a cup of orange juice. Potassium is important to prevent muscle cramping that can sometimes occur with heat illness.

There are so many different recipes you can use, but here is what I used. You can absolutely use popsicle sticks, but I found these popsicle molds at the dollar store! They worked get and I didn’t have to worry about popsicle sticks. If you do decide to use popsicle sticks, let the popsicles sit in the freezer for 30minutes to 1 hour and then place the sticks in the center of the mold.

Ingredients

1 cup of fresh cut strawberries

2 cups of cubes watermelon

1 cup of coconut water

optional

1 tablespoon of honey

Directions

1. Combine the strawberries, watermelon, and coconut water in the blender.
2. Add honey if you want to increase the sweetness of the popsicle.
3. Pour the mixture into the ice pop molds and freezer for 4 to 6 hours.
4. Serve!

These are perfect for a day at the swimming pool or for a BBQ! My kids were so excited to share them with their friends and let everyone know that they made them! This is a great time to remind your children the importance of taking breaks from the sun and rehydrating! Heat associated illness can be extremely dangerous. Learn the signs of different types of heat illnesses and keep your kids safe this summer.  Let me know how your popsicles came out!