These are made of silicone so they can be squished, but they are sturdy enough to stand on their own. Since the tube can be squished I don't use them for foods that can be crushed like goldfish, cheezits, etc. I have mostly been using it for trail mix, fruit, etc. There is a lid attached to the cylinders, but each one comes with an extra lid that has an opening for a straw or popsicle stick. I can't imagine trying to drink something out of this and I don't think I would use them to make popsicles because they would be pretty big, BUT that is just my personal preference. I love that these are BPA free and dishwasher safe. I also love that once the tube is empty I can squish it up to save space. *I received this product at a discount for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.