Fun in the sun and around the 4th usually means lots of time outside and in the heat. Popsicles are great ways to hydrate and entertain your toddler all rolled into one. But your toddler is not going to be the most neat and chances are good the Popsicle may melt faster than they can consume it. Here’s a way to make a Popsicle catcher to minimize the mess and even increase the fun for the wee one!
Materials Needed:
- Plastic lid like on a tube of Pringles
- Scissors or a knife
Take the plastic lid and cut a small opening in the center – you don’t need it to be large, just long enough and pliable enough to slide the wooden Popsicle stick through. Make sure the lid you choose is at least one inch wider in circumference than the Popsicle or ice cream the kiddo is going to be eating.
Now insert the Popsicle stick into the lid with the bottom of the lid facing up so that the lip is there to catch the dribbles. Press the lid upwards so that it is just under the bottom of the Popsicle and there’s plenty of stick underneath for your toddler to grasp.
Now hand it to your little one. The great thing about this is it will help reduce the sticky mess and you can throw the whole thing away when you are done. Some toddlers may be more interested in the lid than they are in the Popsicle and others may be fascinated with trying to get the lid off. It might be a good idea to keep from showing them how you set it up – that way they won’t know it can come off.
But remember, your little one is pretty tactile so while the lid is catching the drips, they may be holding the Popsicle instead of the stick! Just have fun and carrying some wipes to clean them all up when your done.
Popsicles are ideal for older toddlers when they aren’t feeling well – especially when they have fevers because it keeps the fluids flowing even if they don’t want to eat or drink.
What other ways can you reduce toddler mess where cold treats are concerned?
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