I seem to get a lot of questions and feedback from readers about the reusable freezie pop molds that we use (and recommend). First of all, I have absolutely no relationship with the company whatsoever…I simply found these molds online and have been a very satisfied customer. In fact, we own two sets now and use them quite frequently! Here are some answers to the questions I get the most… Want to Save this Recipe? Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!
- Do your freezie pop holders have an odor to them, which was mentioned in a few of the online reviews?
Ours do not have a smell to them at all. I even stuck my nose down in there just to be sure. :) I do take a little extra time to wash ours thoroughly (both by hand and in the dishwasher), so maybe those reviewers aren’t washing out all the food bits well enough? One reader suggested using a small bottle brush to get them clean at the very bottom, and I happen to think that is a brilliant idea!
- - What do you fill your molds with?
I mostly fill ours with smoothies…either a version of our standard “Fruit Smoothie” or “PB&J Smoothie,” which is actually sometimes a “Sunflower Butter & Jelly Smoothie” since my older daughter goes to a nut-free elementary school. You could also fill them with plain yogurt that’s been sweetened with “Berry Sauce” or fruit and honey. And applesauce is another good option as well. Once they’ve been filled we put them straight in the freezer.
- - When you put these freezie pops in your daughters’ lunchboxes are they thawed by lunchtime?
I take the frozen smoothie pop directly out of the freezer and add it to my 1st grader’s lunchbox at 6:30 A.M. (yes, the day starts early around here!). I usually add at least 3 ice packs to her lunch bag as well. By lunchtime, which is at 11:20 for her, she tells me it is mostly thawed with one or two hard chunks still in the middle. Funny story…the first time I sent one in my 4-year-old’s lunchbox the icy chunk in the middle caught her off-guard because she told me she thought it was a rock in there. I assured her that mommy would never put a rock in her lunch so ever since then she has eaten it worry free. LOL I also want to mention that both of my daughters eat these freezie pops completely solid straight out of our freezer when we are at home.
- - How do you keep the lids on in the lunchboxes?
I put their lunches in a plastic (BPA-free) Ziplock divided container, which is very similar to the Easy Lunchbox containers which can be found on Amazon. I fold up the bottom of the freezie pop mold, wedge it into the biggest compartment, and then of course secure the lid. This keeps the top from coming off the mold and also keeps it from moving around. I also tell my girls it’s important to put the empty mold (and top) back into the plastic lunch container with the top back on to avoid any mess in their lunch bag. You could also fold up the bottom of the mold and put a rubber band around the top and bottom long ways (and then put it in a Ziplock bag) to ensure it stays together.
I also want to mention that one reader told me her kindergartner's freezie pop made a little mess in her lap at school (poor thing). For the younger kids it might help to “practice” with partially thawed pops at home first so they know what to expect come lunchtime. In a couple months the pool might just be the perfect place to practice. And speaking of, I learned last summer that both of my daughters absolutely loved having (partially) frozen smoothie pops as their snack up at the neighborhood pool. I kept them in a cooler with ice packs of course, but they were the perfect outdoor cold “treat” on a steaming hot summer day.
Anyway, I hope this little FAQ clears some things up for those who are considering buying a set of molds (or for those who are trying to figure what to do with the ones they ordered!). If you have any other questions or tips please share in the comments below!
Jill says
You have no relationship with the company but you are earning money every time someone clicks through your links for them. Full disclosure is always best!
100 Days of Real Food says
Jill - You are exactly right, and we have actually been working on an extensive "disclosure" page to explain to readers how this process works. We also plan to add a small disclosure statement to the bottom of each post, but just haven't had a chance to fully complete the project yet. As a result of your comment I went ahead and added it to the bottom of this post though. Thanks for your feedback and support!
Melinda Tichelaar says
Thank you! I just ordered these over Amazon. We have an overweight 3rd grader who hates school lunches. I'm looking forward to providing him with healthy food.
Cara says
Thanks for the smoothie suggestion. My kids love freezer pops but I have one with a corn allergy and I couldn't find any without HFCS in them. So I purchased these to make my own pops. My husband is always looking for a light lunch in the summer as he's an AC Service Tech, and this would be perfect for him. Not only would it be healthy, but it would also help cool him off.
Christie says
I have a tip for filling the tubes with thick, Greek yogurt. I have a reusable icing bag (for icing cupcakes or cakes). I pinch the end so that none leaks out (you could use a chip clip), and then put the yogurt in it, and squeeze it into the tube. Works perfectly. You could also use a ziploc bag, but that would get pretty wasteful after a while.
Courtney says
I'm 24 years old, and I use these smoothie molds all the time :) I get up at 5:30 for work and I don't always feel like getting the blender out and making a smoothie, so these work great! I work at a preschool that is nut free, so I'm definitively going to try the PB&J smoothie with sun-butter.
Tina says
I just found your site through pinterest. We purchased these molds a while ago and have loved them. We also freeze our green smoothies and my daughter usually prefers them frozen to in a glass.
I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Shana says
My freezie pop molds came today!! Already filled!!
Jennifer says
Honestly I am in college and want these so I can have an actual healthy smoothie in the middle of the day rather then buying the overly processed sugary ones that they have at school. Will definitely be investing in these so I can stay on my real food plan!
Elizabeth says
Hi,
I've been freezing smoothies made with frozen fruit to fill these, and my kids have loved them. I was wondering about re-freezing frozen fruit though. We haven't had any issues, but is that okay? Or if I just use the Vitamix, maybe I'm not really thawing them, just crushing them. Any thoughts?
100 Days of Real Food says
I think it's okay...I've never had a problem. You don't want to refreeze raw meat, but fruit is a different story.
martine says
I choose thes one on amazon : Kinderville Little Bites because they are:
• BPA, Phthalate and Lead free!
• Hygienic, hypoallergenic and resistant to bacteria
• Made from high-grade Silicone
Leslie says
I am curious about the divided ziplock comntainers. I have a set of the Easy Lunchbox containers and 2 of the 4 have cracked badly and I only handwash them. Are the Ziplock containers more durable? Have you used the Easy Lunchbox?
100 Days of Real Food says
I am familiar with the Easy Lunchboxes, but prefer how the ziplock ones are leak-proof (from one container to the next) and can therefore go sideways in the lunchbags that clip onto their backpacks. Our Ziplock ones typically last all school year. I've had one that cracked and had to be tossed between last year and this year. I wash mine in the dishwasher. I hope that helps!
Claudia says
It looks like these are plastic. What type of plastic are they? I have tried to eliminate using any type of plastic with foodstuffs.
100 Days of Real Food says
They are silicone not plastic.
Amy says
How much does each tube hold?
100 Days of Real Food says
They hold 1/2 cup each...good question!
Katie says
I am so excited! I just ordered my "pops" can't wait to see how they go around here! (and extra nice they are free from SWAGBUCKS)
krystal says
Thanks for tips! I'm glad to know they are BPA free according to a comment, but how can we know that silicon is safe for freezing? I'm so leary of materials these days!
100 Days of Real Food says
I believe it is, but I have not researched it extensively.
Jill says
I just received my Ice pop molds. They are bigger than expected and look great!! I am going to freeze some organic applesauce tonight! woo hoo!
Tiera says
Bought two sets of these last year and we love them! Never had a problem with any smell or taste to them. I fill them with Greek yogurt mixed with the berry sauce and they are perfectly yummy. I read concerns on amazon about spilling while freezing so I freeze mine standing up in a large tumbler. Never had a problem. My kids will eat them gogurt style without even being frozen.
Jessie says
We bought two sets. The smaller ones and the ones you mention here. Yesterday we put plain apple sauce in them and the kids LOVED it! My daughter had one, so my nephews wanted one too. They ate them up no different than regular ice cream pops. Thanks!
Maggie says
For 2 girls how many pops do you own...I have 3 solid eatting boys, plus a new born and want to get these, but not sure how many is a good number...
100 Days of Real Food says
We have 2 sets...mainly because we often share with friends.
Netty says
I have been wanting these for a while...but now that the weather is getting warm I REALLY want them. My little 4 year old just mentioned to me he wants to have the ice push ups we had last summer. I need to find a replacement for what I gave him last summer before switching to whole foods....the VERY SUGARY ARTIFICIAL flavor stuff they sell at the stores. Do you have any suggestions for kids ice pop molds?
Thanks so much LOVE LOVE your sight. ;)
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes Netty...check out my "kitchen essentials" page...we have something just like what you are mentioning! They are called "cool cones" https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/#kids
Netty says
Lisa....I followed your link and looked at your kitchen essentials but I can't find anything for cool cones. :(
100 Days of Real Food says
The title I called it is "Push Up Molds" ...the brand is called "Cool Cones" once you click on it. Sorry for the confusion!
Jennifer says
What kind of lunchbox do you use for your kids? Do the divided containers get turned on their side when the child carries the lunchbox? Any problems with everything spilling out?
100 Days of Real Food says
My older daughter has a Land's End cloth lunchbag/box and my younger daughter's is from Old Navy. I can fit the plastic ziplock container along with a thermos cup into their lunchbags (along with ice packs). The lid is air tight so even yogurt or applesauce won't spill into the other compartments!
Gina says
@M
Thank you so much for the site info regarding BPA! Glad to know these don't have BPA. I am going to try these out.
Sally Ann says
Thanks for all the effort you’ve put into this blog. It’s appreciated! I’ve passed along the Versatile Blogger Award to YOU! Congrats and keep up the great work!
http://eatingcleanandlivinggreen.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/an-award-for-me-whoa-thanks/
100 Days of Real Food says
Thank you!
M says
According to this site, no:
http://popsicle-molds.com/norpro-4-piece-silicone-ice-pop-maker-set/
Gina says
Do these silicone molds contain BPA?
M says
I just bought two sets and can't wait. Besides the extra sugar added to the pre-made yogurt tubes, I priced them in the store ($3.99 for a total of 16 oz.) vs. a container of organic plain yogurt ($3.49 for 32 oz.). My new tubes will certainly pay off in more ways than one!
SwoodsonVintage says
I ordered a set thanks to you!! No kids, but can't wait to try them with le husband :)
Ellen says
My daughter, age 8, loves trader joes yogurt ( no chunks if fruit is a must! ). She loves the trader joes tubes but will only eat her yogurt frozen. I actually bought these tubes yesterday so I can buy the big container of yogurt and freeze them myself. Maybe even get some plain yogurt and make cool layered pops (she likes strawberry yogurt)
jill says
I am new to site, and not in on all the popcicle secrets. I echo Bobbi - does your daughter eat the thawed popcicle with as spoon, like applesauce?
I also think this would be a great Easter basket addition for these warmer months approaching!
Michelle says
They look a lot like homemade Go-Gurt tubes, which thaw to the point that the yogurt can be "slurped" out of the tube. Off to buy some of the silicone tubes now!
100 Days of Real Food says
She does not use a spoon...she eats them like a go-gurt.
Dustee says
You have finally convinced me! I have been wavering and wondering about the smell thing. I just hit purchase! My daughter has severe food allergies so we make her own popsicles. This will be another nice treat.
Thanks :)
Mollie says
I am planning to add these to each of my sons' Easter baskets. My youngest is only 6 months, but I'm sure he'll get use out of it in the coming months! Thanks for all of your tips and tricks, we are working to convert and so far it has gone pretty smoothly.
Nicky says
We bought these when we saw them on your site awhile back and LOVE them! Thanks!
bobbi schmidt says
I just want to make sure I understand, lol! When you send them to school with your daughter, she says they are mostly thawed, so does that me she is actually just drinking it and not eating it as a popsicle? Thanks! Sorry for the silly questions:)
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes, that is correct! When they eat them at home it's more like a popsicle.
Jenn says
I have a set of these which we use mostly for smoothies as well. My girls both love them. I'm looking forward to using them this summer for the pool as well - our neighborhood pool sells those freezie pops - you know the ones that are basically sugar, water, and artificial coloring? yeah...yuck! So it will be nice to have homemade "freezie" pops we can bring from home! Thanks again for introducing us to such a neat product! I think I may need to get a second set! :)
100 Days of Real Food says
I don't even think it's sugar Jenn...I think it's high-fructose corn syrup, water and artificial dye!
Liz says
Has anyone else had an issue with the lids coming off both in the freezer or in the school lunch? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Holly says
An idea for why they're coming off in the freezer, are they too full and when they freeze the contents pushes the top off?
100 Days of Real Food says
Make sure you aren't filling them too much...and that it's clean around the edges at the top.
LSW says
Left over smoothies! Brilliant. Ok, so now I'm sold.
Jessie says
Bought some today and can't wait to try. We are having some trouble with our daughter and the changes we've made in our family's eating habits. I'm hoping that having this fun treat will help out. At this point, she is barely eating anything we offer her and it's really upsetting for me.
Stephanie says
Thank you! I also bought 2 sets of these a couple of weeks ago. They do NOT have a smell to them at all. But I was hesitant to add them to my kids' lunch boxes (they are enjoying them at home)...because of the thought of them being squished in their box....I think I can fit one in a square sandwich box, now that you gave me that idea. Thanks......and yes, we are looking forward to them at the pool....cheaper and healthier than a Popsicle! My kids enjoy organic apple juice in their pops (from Earth Fare)....and that is so easy....or I fill them with leftover smoothies!
Amy says
We have been using these for a couple of weeks. One of my favorite things about them is having something with left over green smoothies when I make mine for breakfast. I don't always end up with the exact amount that I want. If one of these is empty, I just fill it up and freeze and send it with my daughter to school.
I bought a small bottle brush that was designed to go with one of the baby food makers to clean these tubes. It has worked very well.
Trudie says
The pops are down a little in price--I ordered two sets and have some green smoothies in them in the freezer now! Can't wait for the kids to get home and try them. :)