Summer Holiday Magic: Healthy Vegan Rainbow Paddle Pops

There’s something about summer holidays that invites us to slow down, get creative and make memories in the kitchen. These Healthy Vegan Rainbow Paddle Pops by Cat Dean (@little.vegan.eats) tick every box - colourful, nourishing, kid-approved and genuinely fun to make together.

They’re also a brilliant cost-saving swap for store-bought icy poles and a hands-on activity that gives parents a little extra peace of mind during the holidays.

Why we love this summer recipe

• Cost-saving (now + long term):
  Invest around $65 upfront, approximately $15 on ingredients and $50 on a reusable icy pole mould, and you’ll make 12 rainbow paddle pops, working out to roughly $5.40 per icy pole for your first batch.

  Because the mould is reusable, it’s a one-time investment. Every batch after that only requires ingredients, bringing the cost down to around $1.25 per paddle pop - and reducing further each time you make them.

  Add in the peace of mind of knowing exactly what’s in your kids’ snacks, plus a creative, screen-free holiday activity, and it’s a summer win that keeps giving.

  But here’s where it really shines!
  Because the mould is reusable, it’s a one-time investment. Every batch after that only requires ingredients, dropping the cost to around $1.50 per icy pole - and even less over time.

  Add in the peace of mind of knowing exactly what’s in your kids’ snacks, plus a creative, screen-free holiday activity, and it’s a summer win all around.

• A creative outlet for kids: Mixing colours, layering and swirling turns this into a screen-free holiday activity they actually want to do.

• Peace of mind: No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives — just simple, plant-based ingredients you can feel good about.

Made using the Seed & Sprout Icy Pole Mould, these pops are easy to release, dishwasher-safe and designed to last summer after summer - a true buy once, buy well staple.

Healthy Vegan Rainbow Paddle Pops Recipe

Ingredients

BASE

• 1 large ripe banana (approx. 120g peeled)

• 1 × 400ml can of coconut cream

• ¼–⅓ cup maple syrup (use less for younger toddlers, more for a stronger caramel-vanilla flavour)

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of sea salt

COLOURING MIXTURES

• Pink: 1 tsp raspberry powder + 1 tsp hot water

• Purple: 1 tsp blueberry powder + 1 tsp hot water

• Yellow: ¼ tsp turmeric powder (no water needed)

Method

1. Make the base
Add the banana, coconut cream, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy (about 30 seconds).

2. Prepare the colours

• Pink: In one bowl, mix the raspberry powder with hot water to form a smooth paste. Add ⅓ of the base mixture and stir until evenly coloured.

• Purple: Repeat with the blueberry powder and hot water.

• Yellow: Whisk the turmeric directly into the remaining base - it dissolves instantly in the coconut cream.

3. Layer & swirl
Spoon small amounts of each colour into your icy pole moulds, alternating colours as you go. Use a skewer to gently swirl once or twice for that classic rainbow paddle pop look.

4. Set
Freeze for 6 hours or overnight. Remove from the moulds and enjoy!

A small summer ritual with a big payoff

These rainbow paddle pops are more than just a snack - they’re a holiday ritual. One that saves money, sparks creativity and gives you confidence in what you’re serving your family.

Check out our Paddle Pop Post with Cat Dean - HERE