Looking for a fun summer treat for the kids that won’t make you sweat? These kid-friendly no-bake desserts are exactly what you need!
Ah, summer! The kids are home and they’re hungry! It’s fun to let them have a little homemade sweet treat every once in a while during the summer, but it’s hot. I don’t want to turn on the oven, and you don’t either.
Lucky for us, you can stay cool and have your homemade sweet treats. You just need to know the secret of summer – kid-friendly no-bake desserts!
Today I’m sharing my kids’ favorite no-bake desserts that we keep in heavy rotation all summer long. These are all easy, delicious, and don’t require an oven. What more could you ask for in the summer?
Kid-Friendly No-Bake Desserts
Frozen treats
My kids really look forward to frozen treats in the summer. Especially on the hottest days, they just hit the spot. Although storebought frozen treats are wonderful, you might want to try your hand at making your own frozen treats this summer. These are some of my family’s favorite kid-friendly no-bake desserts!
Ice cream
Every summer, I get the itch to make homemade ice cream. Something about ice cream just hits different when you make it yourself.
I have an ice cream maker attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer that I bust out occasionally, but the no-churn homemade ice cream is just as delicious (and much easier!). We’ve had success with lots of interesting flavors of no-churn ice cream over the years. Some of our favorites have been blueberry crumble and chocolate ricotta. I’ve got my eye on a new flavor to try this summer – coffee Oreo! You know I will report back!
Ice cream cake
If you aren’t up for making your own ice cream, but you’d like some sort of homemade treat that uses ice cream, an ice cream cake is just right for you. Until relatively recently, I had never made a homemade ice cream cake. That first one showed me that they were easy, customizable, and delicious, so now I’m hooked! This might be on the top of my list of kid-friendly no-bake desserts if I had to choose one.
Popsicles
Are you lactose intolerant? You can still enjoy the world of frozen kid-friendly no-bake desserts, you just need to explore the world of popsicles! My kids go through so many popsicles in the summer. A while ago, I decided that I’d rather invest in a popsicle mold and make them myself so we could have the flavors we wanted. My kids were definitely on board! They especially love this strawberry banana flavor!
Pies
Admit it, you probably think of pies as Fall-coded desserts that you definitely need to bake. Although those pies are delicious, they aren’t the only pies worth making. Fridge pies as I lovingly call them are fantastic kid-friendly no-bake desserts perfect for the summertime!
Cheesecake
Yes, traditional cheesecake is baked. But you can get the same flavors of a traditional cheesecake in a few different no-bake cheesecake desserts.
No-bake cheesecake
I really like no-bake cheesecake. Especially if you drizzle a little raspberry sauce on top. It’s much lighter than a traditional cheesecake, which I might actually prefer.
Cheesecake pie
If you want cheesecake flavor but have even less energy to expend to make it happen, cheesecake pie is for you! It has all the feeling of a cheesecake in a fraction of the time. It’s seriously so easy!
Chocolate pudding pie
My mom loves a chocolate pudding pie. Looking back at my childhood, either chocolate pudding pie or lemon poke cake were our most common desserts. Both are great options, but only the chocolate pudding pie fits the theme of kid-friendly no-bake desserts. And boy, is it kid-friendly! I made one for Thanksgiving this year, and it was by far the favorite of the kids. I think it’s a new tradition!
Heath pie
I found I am Baker’s chocolate heath pie last summer when I was on the hunt for some new kid-friendly no-bake desserts to make. It was definitely the best new no-bake dessert I tried last summer. I can’t wait to whip it up again this summer!
Layered desserts
My kids have a soft spot in their hearts for layered no-bake desserts. I can’t put my finger on why, but layered no-bake desserts never fail with kids.
Icebox cakes
My son can really get into an icebox cake. They are infinitely customizable, and it doesn’t really matter which flavors I choose, he’s crushing it. If you are unfamiliar with the humble ice box cake, it’s a “cake” that’s made by layering graham crackers, whipped cream, and whatever else you want and popping it in the fridge to meld into a soft, delicious mess. Although all icebox cakes are delicious, my family’s favorites are a berry icebox cake (that makes a great 4th of July dessert!) and a s’more icebox cake.
Trifle
If you want a similar feeling layered dessert, but graham crackers aren’t your favorite, try your hand at a trifle! All you need is a storebought pound cake, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and a mountain of berries, then you get to assemble. Yum!
Worms in dirt
Is this a layered dessert? I’m going with yes. Is this perhaps the king of kid-friendly no-bake desserts? Absolutely! What kid doesn’t have fond memories of eating worms in dirt? If you make this, you must teach your kids to eat it properly – worms first!
Chocolate peanut butter bars
I make chocolate peanut butter bars a lot. They’re easy, they taste just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, and they feed a crowd. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly no-bake desserts that ticks all the boxes, this is it.
Miscellaneous
Last, but not least, here are the kid-friendly no-bake desserts that don’t fit nicely into a category. These are special, even if they’re stuck in the miscellaneous section.
Oreo balls
The first time I ate an Oreo ball was when I came home from college and my neighbor (six years my junior) had made some for my parents. They were just casually sitting in the fridge, and I dove in, not knowing what to expect. Oh. My. God. Heaven! Your kid doesn’t have to be in college to like these, either. Any kid will swoon at these delectable bites!
Rice Krispies treats
There is a reason old school Rice Krispies treats have stood the test of time. They are perfectly suited to the palate of a 6-year-old. Mom and Dad can enjoy them too, but they really hit the spot for the younger crowd. Just make sure you’re in the mental space you need to be in to deal with a messy kitchen. Your counters will be sticky, your floors will be sticky, your children will be sticky.
Other posts
Looking for more food inspiration this summer? I’ve got you!
So, what kid-friendly no-bake desserts will you be making this summer? Share down below or over on Instagram @sarainseason!