I am a firm believer! That’s right, I am a firm believer in the power of smoothies to entertain, provide fun and be healthy. We are always looking for fun and simple ways for my niece to be active. Smoothies grace our schedule all the time. The reason is that they provide a good strong educational activity that boosts her self esteem and provide many sessions of interesting healthy food.

Bolstering Decision Making and Self-esteem

When you make a smoothie there are an endless amount of combinations that will work. The recipe is simple add ingredients that go together, ice, a form of liquid that will work with the ingredients and time in the blender. This provides a simple opportunity for children to choose their own ingredients. I would set them up for success by picking either tropical or berry ingredients and providing them with choices with in the category. Being able to be successfully creative and masters of their own destiny helps to raise their self esteem and provides a structured activity parents and kids can do together.

A Smoothie Picking Party

Expand the activity of providing ingredients to pick from to a party. I recommend two adults for this one. Invite 5-6 kids over and let them ‘Design their Own Smoothie.’ Use one adult to watch the kids and the other to make the smoothie. This can be a bonding activity in that the children get to share recipes and while expressing individuality. You might want to have the children play a game while the smoothies are being made. There are two many kids to have them cut and prepare the fruits themselves.

Math and Smoothies

Smoothies provide a unique opportunity to work with your kids in math. Be creative and match your choice of activity to the age group. For kids age 4-5 you can practice counting as you put the pieces in the blender. You may also count then number of fruits used for the smoothie, or the number of smoothies that were made. For older children you can talk about fractions as you are cutting. If your child is more advanced in math you can talk about adding fractions. Try working out the problems with paper and pencil while you are drinking the smoothie. This will help the child make a concrete connection between the practical experience making the smoothie and the math they are doing in school.

A couple of Good Combinations

Nectarine and Apple Smoothie

• 2-3 Nectarines
• 1 Apple
• Orange Juice
• Ice

Chocolate and Banana Smoothie

• 3 Tablespoons of Chocolate Chips
• 2-3 Tablespoons of Chocolate Syrup
• 1 Banana
• 2 Cups of Vanilla Yogurt
• Ice
• 1 Cup of Milk

Orange and Banana Slushy

• Orange Juice Ice Cubes
• 1 Banana
• 1 Squeeze of a Lemon Slice
• 1 Squeeze of a Lime Slice
• Sugar to Taste

Raspberry and Strawberry Smoothie

• 1 Cup of Washed and Frozen Raspberries
• 2 Cups of Washed, Cut, and Frozen Strawberries
• 2 Cups of Vanilla Yogurt or Frozen Yogurt
• Optional: A Table Spoon or Two of Dark Chocolate Syrup

Try Your Own

Because smoothies are simple and work with fruit you can experiment with what you like or have. Remember that an apple can sweeten the deal and you must use a form of liquid. Do not shake your mixer, stop and use a spoon. I am personally reluctant to make vegetable smoothies, but be my guest. I recommend carrot juice, apples, and celery as good ingredients…if, you are going to take that direction.

I hope that this article has posed some fun and interesting options for you and your kids. Please let me know your success stories and troubles. I would love to address them here.