These kid-friendly smoothies with vegetables are perfect for snack time. Packed with carrots, spinach or cauliflower, both kids and adults will love these simple, healthy smoothies or popsicles.
Hi friends!
Just popping in to share a few kid-friendly smoothies with vegetables what we’ve been loving around here lately. But before we get there, I want to give you a little back story.
I’ve never been a huge smoothie drinker. I’m not someone who makes a daily green smoothie to start my day. But, a few years ago, I realized that smoothies might be a good way to get some extra veggies into my kids. Since then we’ve tried MANY smoothie recipes and never really found a real winner. Some were complete fails. Some warranted a few sips or spoonfuls and that was it.
So this January, when Squish developed a bit of an obsession with popsicles (ideal timing right…in the dead of winter?) I went back to the drawing board, determined to find a combo that both kids liked so I could start whipping up smoothies and smoothie popsicles at snack time. And you know what I realized the key was? Simplicity.
When I was first making all those smoothies, I was trying to cram so many ingredients into each one…trying to make it the ultimate healthy snack. 3 kinds of vegetables, peanut butter or avocado, yogurt, chia seeds, kefir…basically, you name it, I was throwing it in. FAIL. But suddenly when I scaled back and just used 3 basic ingredients – vanilla yogurt, orange juice and a vegetable- BOOM! Instant success!
So here’s your reminder that sometimes with kids, simple is just best. Here are a few simple combos that my kids have been loving lately. I’ve been alternating between serving them as a drink and freezing them into popsicles. Squish has been particularly fond of the carrot combo, which was a total shock to me, but I love that he loves it. You could also serve them as a smoothie bowl with some peanut butter and granola.
If you’re serving these smoothies to your kids, let them watch you or help you make them. Show them the ingredients you’re putting in. This is not about hiding veggies. My kids are well aware that they’re eating a carrot popsicle or a spinach smoothie. It’s been a great way to show them that some veggies they think they don’t like…like spinach or cauliflower or roasted carrots…can actually be prepared in a way they enjoy!
Here’s how I make them. Keep in mind that smoothie measurements don’t have to be exact!
PrintKid-Friendly Smoothies with Vegetables
These kid-friendly smoothies with vegetables are perfect for snack time. Packed with carrots, spinach or cauliflower, both kids and adults will love these simple, healthy smoothies or popsicles.
Ingredients
1/2 cup orange juice
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
Veggie of choice: 1 cup roasted carrots OR 1 cup steamed cauliflower + 1/4 cup wild blueberries OR 3 handfuls fresh baby spinach
Ice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender until well mixed.
- Serve in a glass, freeze into popsicle molds or pour into a bowl and top with peanut butter and granola.
Notes
My kids usually split these. You can drink half and freeze extras in a mason jar, ice cube trays or popsicles.
Feel free to experiment with swapping plain yogurt + sweetener of your choice, half plain/half flavored yogurt or adding extra mix-ins like more veggies, nut butter, hemp or chia seeds, etc.
Like I mentioned in the notes, once you find a combo or two your kids loves, you can try moving to half plain/half flavored yogurt, plain yogurt with a little sweetener or adding extra veggies, nut butter, seeds, etc!
Be sure to let me know if you try any of these combos and share any new favs you discover!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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I was just talking to my SIL today about her little man not doing super great with veggies! I gave her some of my smoothie ideas but also sending this to her ASAP.
Such a great idea to keep it simple1 My kiddos love smoothies and it’s about the only way to get veggies into the toddler.
I’ve been looking for a smoothie that my daughter would actually enjoy but contains veggies. Keeping it simple is genius! I really never thought of that! Lol
One question: how do you usually roast your carrots?
I normally don’t leave comments below recipes, but this smoothie has been such a winner in my household. My daughters, age 7 and 10 are still having a hard time with vegetables, but they both love this with their packed lunch at school! And a friend who came over to play today said it was the best smoothie she ever tasted (cauliflower with a few strawberries). Thank you! I look forward to trying new combos!
★★★★★