5 Cool Kid Treats to Beat Extreme Heat

With summer temperatures soaring, kids can use some cool treats to survive the high temperatures for summer 2011. Noel Sheppard, Associate Editor of NewsBusters, reported on July 24^th, 2011 that "There were only 34 new all-time daily temperature records set during last week's 'record breaking heat,' and that "the actual records broken were statistically insignificant." Yet and still ask kids from Syracuse, New York that hit 100 degrees Thursday and kids from Stillwater, Oklahoma that hit 111 degrees on Sunday and record breaking or not, they'll still tell you it is very hot. Along with plenty of water, some cool treats can help kids stay hydrated this summer. Even better, these are fun snacks that kids can create themselves.

Kids really dig DIY snow cones.

Snow cone stands pop us across the country every summer but this sugary, sweet syrup isn't the healthiest choice. Kids can make their own snow cones by crushing ice in a blender and adding fruit juice or sports drinks for flavor and color. Serve homemade snow cones in a fancy cup for sipping or with a teaspoon for digging in.

One yogurt plus one stick in the freezer equals a too cool treat.

Frozen yogurt dozen just have to come in a cone. We love to freeze individual yogurt and make yogurt pops. Simply make a slit in the top of a yogurt container and insert a craft stick. After about half an hour in the freezer, gently massage the container until the frozen yogurt separates. Remove the top and pull out a cool and refreshing homemade yogurt pop.

Frozen fruit kabobs are the trick to a smart snack on a stick.

Any fruits you would add to a fruit salad are perfect for a frozen fruit kabob. Chunks of pineapple, grapes, strawberries, slices of kiwi can all be added to a wooden skewer kabob style. Place the fruit kabobs in a freezer bag and freeze for up to an hour. Kids love munching on this naturally sweet treat to beat the heat.

Get mellow with individual cups of Jell-O.

Sugar free Jell-O is made with water and it's a fun way to stay hydrated. Have kids follow the recipe for Jell-O and then pour into individual cups. Kids can even add non-citrus fruits for mini gelatin salad. Place the cups and in the refrigerator according to directions for a sugar-free snack that is colorful and cool.

Everybody stops for homemade juice pops.

From dollar stores to grocery stores you can find sets of homemade popsicle makers. Use your favorite fruit juices or sports drinks for DIY popsicles. Most will freeze in about an hour. Submerge below the tops in warm water to help release the pops and kids can enjoy a refreshing homemade frozen treat.