HearthSong ~ Zoku Quick Pop Maker ~ Review & Giveaway

After a long, cold winter...summer has finally arrived here in the Midwest. We've been enjoying the warmth and time outdoors as much as possible. The past couple of weeks have been especially hot, so we have being keeping cool by swimming in the pool and of course one of our favorite things to do, eating lots of yummy frozen treats! My kids love ice cream, freeze pops, etc. I like to find healthier alternatives, and have tried to make them myself in the past. Unfortunately I had not found a good way to do this, until I was introduced to a great product carried by HearthSong!


Since 1983, HearthSong has committed themselves to providing parents with age-appropriate, wholesome, and quality playthings for children. It is their belief childhood is a vital chapter in life and a special time when children can experience as much creative, imaginative play as possible. They guarantee that each item is carefully selected for it's quality and safety...and as their motto states, their products are Toys You'll Feel Good About Giving.

I am a huge fan of HearthSong and their great selection of products! I find everything to be unique and something my family would be able to enjoy together. That's why I was drawn to the Zoku Quick Pop Maker and couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review.

Features/Benefits:

• 6 durable, reusable plastic pop sticks with unique ridged designs that allow pops to adhere securely
• 6 drip guards for tidy eating
• Super Tool to help quickly release frozen treats from molds
• Phthalate-free
• Makes up to 9 Quick Pops before having to refreeze mold

When the Zoku Quick Pop Maker arrived, I was really excited to check it out.

Upon opening the box, I was impressed with the size right away. I had expected the Quick Pop Maker to be larger, so I was pleasantly surprised with the 8"L x 4-1/4"W x 4-1/2"H size! It's big enough to make good-sized free pops, yet small enough to easily handle and find space for in the freezer. I love it!

The quality is also fantastic. I could tell right way that this is something that will last us a very long time. I appreciate this, as I know our family will enjoy a fun and delicious activity that we can do as a family throughout the summer, year after year!

Once I had checked it over, I read through the user-friendly instruction manual and placed the Quick Pop Maker in the freezer for 24 hours prior to making freeze pops. Once it was frozen, the kids and I decided to to cool off with some yummy frozen pops. I love that we are able to use our own ingredients to make the quick pops (juice, yogurt, chocolate milk, etc) and even make them unique with stripes or flavored cores!

The first time we used it, we decided to use grape juice. The Quick Pop Maker uses no electricity, so once it had been in the freezer for at least 24 hours, we removed it and got started. We first inserted three sticks, then poured chilled juice into the molds just before the fill line.

The kids and I loved watching as the pops began to freeze and became completely frozen and ready to eat in just 7-9 minutes! I had read that the process was quick, but wow! Ours took 9 minutes the first time and I thought that was incredible. How fun to be able to watch the whole process too!

Once we could tell the pops were frozen, we placed the orange Super Tool over the top of each pop stick and rotated clockwise until the Quick Pops released. I then lifted each Quick Pop free from the mold, took off the Super Tool and attached the optional drip cup to the stick. It was really that easy!!

I was amazed just how easily the Quick Pop's came out of the mold. It really only took seconds, which was good since I had two very eager children waiting to test them out! :) And, the fact that the pop sticks have unique ridged designs helped the pop adhere securely to the stick as well.

Once removed, I was also impressed with the large size of the pops. They are the perfect treat to cool off on a hot summer day, and the kids absolutely love helping make them! I appreciate the drip cup that attaches to the stick, as it helps contain the mess as well.

And for larger families, or those who have visitors over...the Zoku Quick Pop Maker actually makes up to nine pops before having to refreeze the unit (three at a time!).

Overall I've been thrilled with the Zoku Quick Pop Maker! The quality is fantastic, and it's been great being able to make our own, healthy frozen pops in just minutes. It's a fun activity our family can do together and one I know we'll continue to do a lot through the coming months and years! We look forward to trying out more flavors and creations!

Of course, the Zoku Quick Pop Maker is just one of many great products for summer at HearthSong! I would recommend families with young children, head over and check out their great selection summer toys!

 

 Buy It: You can purchase the Zoku Quick Pop Maker from HearthSong for $49.98.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Zoku Quick Pop Maker of their own! US Only. Just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you do not see the Rafflecopter form, please click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


**The product for this review and giveaway was provided for free. All opinions are my own.