Do you love or hate the tinny tune of that ice cream truck cruising through your neighborhood or past the local park? At some point you are going to give in to your crying, begging children. It is best to learn which treats are okay for those everybody-else-gets-to-have-one-so-why-can’t-we-have-one-too ice cream truck moments. After all, you don’t want to be the Mean Mom — at least not in public!
Every ice cream truck is going to pack different treats, but fortunately there are always some that are just basically sugar, color and water. Not that I am a big fan of corn syrup or Red Dye #40, but once in a while I let my kids have a snow cone or frozen pop. If your child has an allergy to either of these ingredients, steer clear of commercial popsicles. Hopefully in that case, they can opt for an ice cream bar (be careful of nuts!)
In my fantasy world, an ice cream truck stocks real fruit juice popsicles, organic non-dairy ice cream bars and shaved ice with natural flavorings and colorings. Don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon, but at least you can buy some healthier options at the store, or make your own.
TREATS YOU CAN BUY
- Popsicles
Many commercial frozen pops are gluten-free and free of the top 8 allergens. (They do however contain corn syrup, which is a problem for individuals allergic to corn, and food coloring, to which some kids are sensitive.) A page of Popsicle brand treats that are free of the top 8 allergens can be found here: Popsicle (always check the ingredients before consuming). - Fruit Bars
For a healthier option, look for bars made with fruit juice that contain no corn syrup, like Breyer’s Pure Fruit bars. - Snowcones
Most snowcones that you find at fairs and amusement parks are gluten-free and free of the top allergens. Usually they are made with crushed ice and a flavoring syrup (corn syrup). Same with packaged snow-cones. 
Dairy-free ice cream treats
Most ice cream treats, including Fudgesicles, are off-limits for kids with dairy allergies, but there are some dairy-free options:- Soy Dream ice cream sandwich (not gluten-free)
- Rice Dream ice cream pies and bars (not gluten-free)
- Rice Divine ice cream bars and sundae cups (gluten-free, contain soy).
- Turtle Mountain soy ice cream bars and fudge bar and soy ice-cream sandwiches (not gluten-free), dairy-free and soy-free fudge bar (gluten-free), coconut milk ice cream bars. For a complete list of Turtle Mountain allergens, see Gluten-Free Frozen Products & Allergen Identification Table.
- Smooze Fruit Ice push-up bars are made with coconut milk and real fruit. My kids love them! Flavors: Mango, Passion Fruit, Guava, Pineapple. I find them in Whole Foods.
- Gluten-free ice cream cones
Use your favorite ice cream or sorbet to make ice cream cones at home, or take your own gluten-free cones into your local ice cream shop. There are lots of cones to choose from (click to see ingredients):
TREATS YOU CAN MAKE
- Frozen juice pops
Put any kind of fruit juice into fun pop molds – use white grape juice or apple juice if you don’t want to stain their shirts! Mix juices to create a new flavor. This is a great option for kids who can’t have corn syrup or food dyes. - Frozen fruit pops
If you want a chunkier, thicker pop, put frozen fruit in your blender, add liquid and freeze. The liquid could be juice, milk, coconut or other non-dairy milk. - Smoothie pops
Make a fruit and spinach smoothie and put it into the pop molds. Yes, your kids will eat frozen spinach! - Snowcones and slushes
Make your own snow cones with snow cone supplies! Otherwise, you can make a “slush” or “slushie” in your blender by blending ice with juice. Serve it in a fun cup with a straw or spoon. - Dairy-free ice cream treats
- Take your favorite non-dairy ice cream, let it soften a little, put it in a mold and refreeze to make an ice cream bar
- Try this recipe for Strawberry-Vanilla Swirled Frozen Pops – could be made with any fruit and a non-dairy ice cream
- Make an ice cream sandwich using your favorite gluten-free cookies or try this gluten-free dairy-free egg-free ice cream cookie sandwich.
Any more summer treat ideas or products? Let me know!
Andree (EverydayGF) says
No other ideas to add, but just had to tell you I everytime I stumble across your site, I am in awe! The home made treats will be a staple this summer and will be very popular even with my un-allergic friends’ children!!!
alison says
Why thank you Andree – that makes me feel sooo good! And I agree, I think ANY kid would like these treats!
Alisa - Frugal Foodie says
I just started working on a list just like this. We will have to compare notes 🙂
Leslie says
Here’s another idea: Make your own ice cream. Honest, it’s easy!
My son just spotted a recipe in National Geographic for Kids for easy ice cream, so we did it yesterday and it was delicious and sooo easy. I highly recommend it as a fun activity. Here it is:
You need: ice cubes, 1/2 c. kosher salt, 1 cup half and half (we used half coconut milk, half Rice Dream), 2 T sugar, 1/2 t. vanilla extract, 1 resealable sandwich bag, 1 gallon sized resealable bag.
1. Fill large bag 1/2 full with ice and kosher salt.
2. Mix other ingredients in smaller sandwich bag and seal closed.
3. Put small bag into large bag and seal closed.
4. Wrap dish towel around large bag and shake until ice cream thickens (about 5 minutes).
5. Wipe salt off small bag and scoop into bowl. Serves 1.
After I made his, I poured a leftover fruit smoothie that was in the frig into the small bag, added a little more coconut milk, sugar and vanilla, and made myself my own fresh fruit ice cream. Delicious. A revelation.
Marie says
Tips for making Non-Milk Ice Cream –
First, I highly recommend the Cuisinart ICE-20 Automatic 1-1/2-Quart Ice-Cream Maker for making homemade ice cream. It is inexpensive and I got mine from Amazon with free shipping.
Next is a recipe for making simple milk free ice cream using Vance’s DariFree powder (may be adjusted to use soy or other substitutes). Vances DariFree is a powdered milk substitute made from potatoes. With Vances you must pre-make the ice cream mix in a pot and heat it. The mix must be allowed to cool in fridge for a few hours. Then simply place it in the Cuisinart and turn it on. In a half hour you end up with a soft serve ice cream.
In a pot add:
9 tablespoons of powdered Vances Darifree
3 tablespoons of tapioca starch flour
6 tablespoons of sugar
3 cups of water
Turn heat on medium and whisk constantly to combine the dry mix with water and to prevent sticking to the pot. The mix will begin to thicken after a few minutes.
Now add:
1/3 cup of any butter or margarine (For milk-free/soy-free I use Earth Balance Soy Free)
1 or 2 teaspoons of Vanilla or other extract
Continue heating and whisking until the mixture is completely combined and thickened. I do this until it begins a low boil (bubbles and steam begin). Take off heat and allow to cool enough to put in the fridge. Once chilled follow the ice cream maker instructions (which is fairly simple, just pour mix into the canister and run for 20-30 minutes).
* If you want to use soy milk, rice milk or other milk simply eliminate the powdered Vances and water and replace with any 3 cups liquid substitute.
* If you want to make Carob or Chocolate ice cream add 1/4 cup powdered cocoa or roasted carob to the dry mix.
freda says
Thanks for posting this list. So many great ideas! My dairy and gluten-free kids love those So Delicious coconut milk vanilla mini pops, so I’m glad to see them featured. And I am so going to make those Strawberry-Vanilla Swirled Frozen Pops using the Turtle Mountain coconut milk ice cream.
alison says
Leslie,
I can’t wait to try this. Could be fun for a birthday party!
Marie,
I just got the ice cream maker you mentioned and have begun to make my own ice cream. Not only is it fun, but it is healthy and delicious. Your recipe sounds interesting!