Summertime is one of the best seasons for outdoor play, long days, and plenty of sunshine. Sunscreen is often top of mind, but hydration can be overlooked—especially for kids. Whether your little ones love plain water or turn up their noses at it, adding a gentle fruity twist can make drinking water more appealing. That idea inspired us to make DIY fruit ice cubes, and they quickly became a refreshing, simple way to flavor a glass of water for the whole family.
The result was bright, fruit-infused ice cubes that turn an ordinary glass of water into something special. My kids loved the process—picking herbs from the little Mother’s Day herb garden they planted, washing fruit, and assembling the cubes felt like a home science experiment. It was engaging for them and practical for me: we ended up with flavored ice to keep in the freezer for everyday use.
We started in our garden where the kids harvested basil leaves they’d planted. Back inside, we washed the fruit in a colander so the kids could watch and help. I did the slicing with a small knife while they helped arrange fruit in the ice cube tray and pour liquids. We used leftover lemonade from another project, but plain water or a mild juice will work just as well.
A Tasty Bonus
One useful perk of this project: while the ice needs several hours to freeze, you’ll often have extra fruit left over from prepping the trays. Instead of waiting, you can toss those pieces into a small fruit bowl and enjoy a quick fruit salad right away—perfect to satisfy impatient kids while the ice cubes finish freezing.
Great for Adults Too
Although kid-friendly, these fruit ice cubes make lovely flavored water for adults as well. I kept some in the freezer for a busy workday when an afternoon break was needed. Adding two fruit ice cubes to a glass of water felt like spa-infused water and offered a small, calming ritual. Keep a few trays in the freezer so you can enjoy a refreshing, spa-like drink anytime you need a moment of relaxation.
Below is the simple recipe we follow. It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan, and a batch yields about a dozen decorative, flavorful ice cubes.
DIY Fruit Ice Cubes
DIY Fruit Ice Cubes
Naturally gluten free and vegan. Makes approximately 12 ice cubes.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 15 minutes
Freezing time: 5 hours
Servings: 6 (2 cubes per serving)
Calories: 40 kcal per serving
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup lemonade (homemade or store-bought)
- 5 basil leaves
- 1 medium strawberry
- 4 raspberries
- 10 blueberries
- 1 orange
- 1 peeled kiwi
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Slice the lemon, peeled kiwi, and orange horizontally to create circular slices. Cut each slice into quarters. Set aside some pieces and place any extra fruit in a bowl to enjoy later.
- Wash and slice the strawberry. One medium strawberry should yield four thin slices; cut each slice in half to make smaller pieces for ice cubes.
- Wash blueberries and raspberries and set them aside.
- Pour your lemonade into a measuring cup with a pour spout for easier filling.
- Place an ice cube tray on a flat surface.
- For two of the cubes, add about 2–3 small pieces of basil and 2 strawberry slices, then fill to the top with lemonade.
- For the next two cubes, add 2 blueberries and 2 raspberries to each, then fill with lemonade.
- For the next two cubes, add two quarter-kiwi pieces and 2 strawberry slices, then fill with lemonade.
- Switch to water for the remaining cubes. Fill a measuring cup with water for easy pouring.
- Fill two cubes with a quarter orange slice and 3 blueberries each, then top with water.
- Fill two cubes with a quarter lemon slice and one raspberry each, then top with water.
- Fill the last two cubes with two quarter-kiwi pieces and a quarter orange slice each, then top with water.
- Place the tray flat in the freezer and freeze for about 5 hours or until solid.
- Remove from the freezer and add two fruit ice cubes to a glass of water for a refreshing flavored drink.
Nutrition Facts
Pin for Later:
