Homemade popsicles are easy and fun.  Kids enjoy it and they require very little work from the mom-in-charge.  The first thing you need are molds.  Tupperware makes some nice ones, but we are forever losing one piece or another.  Dollar stores and department stores sometimes have commercial molds available.  They go on sale after July 4th, so that might be a good time to pick some up. If you don't want to purchase molds you can use muffin cups or ice-cube trays instead.

Personally I don't use store-bought molds any longer.  I prefer to use plastic or paper cups and purchased craft sticks.  I bought a huge box of 500 slightly deformed popsicle sticks on sale about 5 years ago.  We are just now coming to the bottom of the box.  I did notice my local Dollar Store had a package of 200 for $1.  When I need new ones later on this summer, I'll be sure to pick some up. 

The cups I use hold 3 oz each.  They come in packages of 300 for about $1.50.  Paper and plastic ones are both available.  I prefer the plastic ones because they can be washed and reused a few times before they sprout leaks.  The paper ones must be replaced each time. 

I use a large rectangular pan to hold all of the cups after filling them.  This makes them easier to carry, keep them all upright in the freezer.  Then place them all in the freezer for about 2 hours.  They should be partially frozen.  Shove popscicle sticks into the cups, they should stand upright in the partially frozen juice.

General Freezing Directions
Prepare the pop-mixture as described in the recipe.  Transfer the mixture to a large measuring cup or pitcher.  Carefully pour the mixture into your molds.  Fill the molds to within 1/2-inch of the top.  This gives them room for expansion as the liquid freezes.  Place the mold into the freezer for about 2 hours.  They should be partially frozen now.  Carefully shove your sticks down into the center of each mold.  They should stand upright.  Continue freezing for about 4 hours, or until frozen solid.  Run the mold under tap water to loosen the popsicle before eating. 

If possible, try to teach the kids to return the sticks and molds to you when they are done with them.  This saves a bit of money and teaches them to be careful with their resources.

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Fruity-Pops

• 4 cups water (2 cups plus 2 cups)
  

• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  
• 1 packet kool-aid type drink mix
  
• 2/3 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)
  
• Molds, Sticks, Freezer

Pour 2 cups of water into a glass bowl.  Sprinkle on the gelatin.  Microwave on high for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the water just starts to boil.  Watch it closely.  You can also do this in a saucepan on the stove, over medium heat.  Remove the bowl from the microwave or the pan from the stove and stir the mixture for a minute or two to dissolve the gelatin. Stir in the kool-aid and sugar, again stirring a lot to dissolve everything completely.  Add the remaining 2 cups of water.  Pour the flavored juice into molds and freeze. 

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Pudding-Pops

• 1 package (4-serving size) instant pudding mix
  

• 3 cups reconstituted or fresh milk
  
• 1/3 cup sugar
  
• Molds, Sticks, Freezer

In a large bowl combine the pudding mix, milk and sugar.  Beat with electric beaters or a wire whisk until thickened.  Fill the molds and freeze. 

Chocolate pudding makes fudge-pops.  Vanilla pudding makes cream-pops & butterscotch pudding makes caramel-pops. 

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Juicy-Pops

• 12 ounce can of juice concentrate
  

• 4 cups water (2 cups plus 2 cups)
  
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (1/4-oz)
  
• Molds, Sticks, Freezer

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in the microwave or in a sauce pan.  Remove from the heat.  Stir in the unflavored gelatin.  Stir a lot, to dissolve it completely.  Pour in the juice concentrate and the remaining 2 cups of water.  Mix well.  Pour into molds and freeze.

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Yogurt Juice-Pops

• 12 ounce can of juice concentrate
  

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (1/4-ounce)
  
• 4 cups plain yogurt (homemade is fine)
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  
• Molds, Sticks, Freezer

Heat the juice concentrate in a pot on the stove, or in the microwave.  When it boils, remove it from the heat.  Stir in the unflavored gelatin.  Stir a great deal, until the gelatin is dissolved.  Add the yogurt and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  Pour the mixture into molds and freeze.

You may use any flavor of juice you prefer.  We like orange and berry flavors for this recipe.  Be sure to use juice that is 100% fruit juice, with no sugar added. 

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Yogurt Pops

• 1 package (4-serving size) fruit flavored gelatin
  

• 1 cup tap water
  
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
  
• 3 cups plain yogurt (homemade is fine)
  
• Molds, Sticks, Freezer

Heat the water until it is boiling.  You can do this on the stove or in the microwave.  Stir it the flavored gelatin.  Stir and Stir and Stir.  Add the sugar. Keep stirring until the fluid is clear and everything is dissolved.  This may take a full 5 minutes of stirring.  Add the yogurt and beat until the mixture is smooth.  Pour into molds and freeze.

You may use any flavor of gelatin you have on hand for this recipe.  My kids prefer red but also enjoy orange and green.