Organisers of egg hunts with lots of children
You want to hand a whole ice lolly to each participant quickly. Count how many are in each box and plan to keep them frozen until snack time.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Small groups with different tastes
An assortment lets you offer several flavours without having to serve ice cream with a spoon. Before choosing one, check that all the flavours are suitable for your guests.
Hosts mindful of dietary requirements
You need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product before serving. The storage instructions on the packaging matter too, especially when you’re planning a snack after the egg hunt.
What should you look for?
First work out how many ice lollies you’ll need, then compare boxes by flavour, dietary requirements and how many portions you’re actually likely to use.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quick serving | The number of individually wrapped lollies and the number of participants. | I want to hand every child a whole ice lolly without cutting it up or serving it with a spoon. Around 29% of consumers with this need would make quick serving their top priority. |
| Choice of flavours | The flavours in the box and how many of each there are. | If my guests don’t all like the same flavour, I’d rather give them a choice after the hunt. Variety would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers with this need. |
| Dietary suitability | The ingredients and allergens listed for each flavour in the assortment. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know exactly what’s in each lolly before serving. Around 29% of consumers with this need would make this their first check. |
| Right-sized quantity | The number of lollies in each box, then how many boxes you’ll need for your group. | When I know how many people are coming, I want enough portions without buying too many boxes. This would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers with this need. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Hiding ice lollies with the eggs
An ice lolly left outside during the hunt won’t be kept in the conditions required for a frozen product. The DGCCRF recommends maintaining the cold chain, particularly when transporting frozen food.
Keep the boxes in an insulated bag or suitable cool box, follow the storage instructions on the packaging and hand out the lollies at snack time.
-
Using the box weight to work out how many portions you’ll get
The total weight doesn’t tell you how many participants will get an ice lolly. Products listed by Carrefour, Auchan, Magnum and ALDI contain six, eight or twelve mini lollies, depending on the product.
Start with the number of people you’re serving and check how many lollies are in the box before deciding how many packs to buy.
-
Assuming the flavour tells you which allergens are present
An assortment may include several recipes: the one listed by Auchan contains milk and soya, among other ingredients, and includes an almond flavour. Magnum also warns that its Mini Classic may contain traces of nuts.
Ask about dietary requirements before you buy, then check the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour on the packaging you’ve chosen.
-
Relying on a particular product without checking with the shop
Spotting an assortment in a retailer’s catalogue isn’t enough to plan your serving around that box alone.
Check that the product you want is available at your shop and, if necessary, have another pack in mind with the right number of portions and flavours.
Brands to know
Magnum
The Mini range includes a six-portion Classic with 55 ml per lolly, as well as an assortment of six Classic, Almond and White Chocolate lollies listed by Auchan.
- Three flavours in the assortment give a small group a choice.
- The assortment includes an almond flavour, and the Mini Classic carries a warning that it may contain traces of several nuts. Six lollies may also not be enough for a larger group.
Auchan
Auchan lists an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, with a stated total weight of 258 g.
- With eight lollies, it’s easy to count out the portions you need.
- The listed flavours include milk, soya and an almond variety, among other ingredients. Check each one before serving.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists a box of six mini vanilla, chocolate and almond ice lollies, with a stated total weight of 237 g.
- Six lollies may suit a small group or top up other boxes.
- As the box includes an almond flavour, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product before serving.
MUCCI
ALDI lists a pack of twelve mini ice lollies under the MUCCI brand, with a stated total weight of 429 g.
- The number of lollies makes it easier to work out portions for a larger group.
- Check the flavours, ingredients and allergens on the specific box before choosing this pack.
Individual ice lollies available on Joybuy
These packs of ice lollies and individually portioned ice pops could be a good option to serve after the hunt. Compare the number of lollies, flavours and information on each pack, and make sure you can keep them frozen.
Image unavailable
CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
This pack of twelve could provide an ice pop for every person in a group. The title gives a total weight of 444 g and lists orange and cherry flavours.
The product information warns that it may contain traces of gluten, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. Check the packaging if you have guests with dietary requirements, and keep the ice pops frozen until you serve them.
Image unavailable
Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
The six mini ice lollies are a good fit for a small group who’d like a choice of flavours. The stated total weight is 254 g; if there are more than six people in your group, you’ll need extra portions.
The assortment includes an Almond flavour, and the product information lists milk and a possibility of nuts. Check the information for each flavour and keep the ice lollies frozen until snack time.
Image unavailable
Binggrae Melona Melon, 8 ice lollies, 70 ml each
With eight melon ice lollies, you can provide one portion per person for a group of that size. Each lolly is listed as 70 ml.
The product information lists milk and carries a warning about the colour E102 and its effects on children’s activity and attention. Check the label before serving and keep the product frozen.
Image unavailable
Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1200 g
The twelve ice pops in five flavours give you individual portions and a choice of flavours. The title states a total weight of 1200 g, but doesn’t specify the weight of each piece.
If any guests have dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour directly on the packaging. Keep the ice pops frozen and do not refreeze them after thawing.
Image unavailable
Binggrae Melona Coconut, 8 ice lollies, 70 ml each
This pack of eight coconut ice lollies gives you one portion per person for a group of eight. Each lolly is listed as 70 ml.
If a guest has dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging for this product. Keep the lollies frozen until you serve them.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hide ice lollies with the Easter eggs?
No. It’s better to serve them after the hunt than leave them outside while it’s going on. The DGCCRF recommends maintaining the cold chain and using an insulated bag to transport frozen products. You should also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
How many ice lollies should you allow for each person?
Allow at least one ice lolly for everyone you plan to serve, then choose your boxes based on how many they contain. Packs of six, eight and twelve mini lollies are among the products listed by Magnum, Auchan and ALDI. Remember to include any accompanying adults you plan to serve, too.
Which allergens should you check before serving an assortment?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour on the exact packaging, rather than relying on the flavour names alone. The Auchan assortment listed includes milk, soya and an almond flavour, among other ingredients. Magnum warns that its Mini Classic may contain traces of several nuts.