If you have a child who is a picky eater, you've probably tried just about everything to get some nutrition into her. Many parents end up relying on sugary store-bought shakes and pricey nutritional supplements. But there's a better way! My kids–including my finicky 3-year-old–slurp down homemade smoothies without fail. You can literally load a smoothie up with some of the most nutritionally dense ingredients out there, and if you combine the right flavors, all those healthy additions are likely to go unnoticed by your kiddo.
More from MamásLatinas: 40 Superfood smoothies your kids will love
Most of the time, they think they're drinking milkshakes and don't bother to second guess the ingredients. That doesn't necessarily mean you're being sneaky, but you know…don't ask, don't tell. If they like the way it tastes, it's best to just roll with it, right? I for one, would much rather make my children a healthy smoothie out of real food ingredients than serve them up those highly processed shakes.
Homemade smoothies can be a wonderful source of healthy carbohydrates, protein, fiber, healthy fats and loads of essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, they are so incredibly easy to throw together. I mean, you can't get more simple than just putting everything in the blender, and you get to control the sugar content and the quality of the ingredients you use. Click through our gallery for some delicious and nutritious kid-friendly smoothie ideas.
Anything that tastes like pie is a winner.
A smooth and creamy apple pie smoothie gets lots of warm flavor from cinnamon, nutmeg and just a little bit of cardamom and is loaded with protein from Greek yogurt and lots of vitamins from the use of an entire apple in each serving.
Get the full recipe from Ahead of Thyme.
This pretty purple smoothie is sure to be popular with your kids.
The tropical fruit acai or dragonfruit is bursting with healthy anti-oxidants and when combined with lots of berries, makes for an incredibly nutritious smoothie snack. These days you can buy frozen, pureed dragonfruit in almost any store, which is convenient for smoothie making.
Find the full recipe on MamásLatinas.
Sweet banana makes this smoothie perfect for kids.
Greek yogurt, almond butter and ground flax seeds add lots of protein and calcium to this simple banana smoothie without overpowering the sweet, mild flavor of the kid-friendly fruit.
Get the full recipe from Cooking Classy.
This smoothie tastes like banana bread.
Who doesn't like a slice of tasty banana nut bread? With this banana nut smoothie you can get all that flavor without all the work or the added sugar typically used in the popular baked good. A healthy dose of rolled oats makes this smoothie extra satiating.
Get the full recipe from Creme de la Crumb.
Sweet berries and nutritious chia seeds are a great combo.
This triple berry chia smoothie is full of antioxidants, protein, and fiber thanks to delicious ingredients like sweet berries and bananas and a handful of chia seeds. It's sweetened with just a bit of agave syrup to make it even more appealing to kids.
Get the full recipe from Jen Elizabeth's Journals.
Kiwi adds a fun twist to this tasty berry smoothie.
This variation on the typical triple berry smoothie adds fresh kiwi and some orange juice, making it an immune-boosting sweet-tart powerhouse that kids are sure to love. Use frozen berries and you can serve it up any time of year.
Get the full recipe from The Pretty Bee.
This blueberry smoothie tastes just like pie!
You can use fresh or frozen blueberries to make this smoothie which includes creamy yogurt and a sweet banana to make it taste just like blueberry pie and add plenty of nutrients. You could even top the smoothie with crushed graham crackers to add even more kid appeal.
Get the full recipe from Lemon Tree Dwelling.
This unexpected smoothie packs a nutritional punch.
Adding an entire cup of carrots to a smoothie, but when combined with banana, coconut, and yummy spices like in this carrot cake smoothie, it's perfection. Your kids will eat tons of carrots without even realizing it.
Find the full recipe on MamásLatinas.
The flavors in this carrot and pineapple smoothie are perfectly balanced.
Sweet carrot juice, pineapple, and coconut yogurt are used to give this pineapple and carrot smoothie a balance of delicious tropical flavors and lots of nutrients. Since the smoothie calls for carrot juice instead of whole carrots, it'll have a nice, smooth texture.
Get the full recipe from Celebrating Sweets.
This cherry banana smoothie is so flavorful.
This simple five-ingredient cherry banana smoothie is packed with candy-like flavor from sweet dark cherries, fresh bananas, and optional almond extract, and has loads of protein from the use of yogurt and milk.
Get the full recipe from The Salty Marshmallow.
This cherry vanilla smoothie gives us fro-yo vibes.
This cherry vanilla smoothie, is basically a healthy milkshake. It's simply made with frozen cherries, Greek yogurt, honey and vanilla, for a sweet and creamy taste with lots of vitamins and antioxidants from the abundance of cherries.
Get the full recipe from Our Small Hours.
Chocolate banana smoothies totally taste like fudgesicles.
What kid wouldn't love a smoothie that tastes just like a chocolate ice pop? This chocolate almond banana smoothie includes a bit of almond butter and chia seeds for extra protein and vitamins, and has no added sugar.
Get the full recipe from Good Life Eats.
Get your chocolate-covered cherry fix with this smoothie.
The rich flavors of chocolate and cherries are combined in this amazing and utterly healthy smoothie. Those bold flavors mask the addition of spinach and collagen protein, so that you can get loads extra nutrients into your child without sacrificing flavor.
Get the full recipe from One Lovely Life.
This smoothie is totally reminiscent of a creamsicle.
This clementine and vanilla smoothie requires very few ingredients but packs a lot of flavor and nutritional benefits including immune-boosting Vitamin C and plenty of protein from Greek yogurt. Each serving has almost three full clementines in it.
Get the full recipe from Rachel Cooks.
This creamy coconut and mango smoothie is amazing.
In addition to the healthy fats this smoothie gets from tropical coconut, mango and banana, it includes turmeric which has powerful anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It's a great source of calories for your little one.
Get the full recipe from Bourbon and Honey.
This coconut vanilla smoothie is packed with protein and naturally sweetened.
The mild flavors of coconut and vanilla are combined with protein-rich almond butter and sweet dates in this delicious coconut and vanilla smoothie. Add some vanilla protein powder for even more nutritional punch.
Get the full recipe from With Salt and Wit.
This cookie dough smoothie tastes incredible.
My kids always ask for seconds of this salted caramel cookie dough smoothie. And guess what? There's no sugary caramel in it at all. The flavor comes from all-natural, no-sugar-added dates. Plus, it has oats and almond butter to keep your kids full.
Get the full recipe from Running With Spoons.
Turn this smoothie into a full breakfast.
Orange juice, bananas and vanilla protein powder form the base of this nutritious and tasty smoothie bowl that you can top with fresh orange slices, granola, coconut flakes or even nut butter to make it a complete breakfast.
Get the full recipe from Love and Zest.
The smooth flavors of maple and vanilla help this smoothie go down easy.
Though the maple syrup and vanilla flavors dominate this creamy smoothie, but the addition of protein powder, ground flax and walnuts make it a complete and filling meal that your kids can enjoy often.
Get the full recipe from Life a Little Brighter.
This peanut butter and oatmeal smoothie is a morning life saver.
If your kids aren't into hot avena, try offering them this hearty peanut butter and oatmeal smoothie instead. Each serving includes a whole banana, a quarter cup of oats and two tablespoons of peanut butter, so it offers plenty of calories and satiating nutrients in the morning.
Get the full recipe from Chef Savvy.
This five-ingredient smoothie is a great way to get in some veggies.
This simple smoothie features nearly an entire cup of baby carrots, fresh pineapple and banana and some Vitamin C rich orange juice, so it's loaded with vitamins and minerals that your child needs to grow and thrive. It calls for water, but add your favorite milk if you need to boost your child's calorie intake.
Get the full recipe from Savory Tooth.
Anyone would want to eat this gorgeous pink smoothie.
You eat with your eyes, right? Whip up this pretty pink smoothie bowl and your kids are sure to love it. The base is made with antioxidant-rich raspberries, mango, oats, protein powder and the milk of your choice, and you can top it with more fruit and maybe even some chocolate chips.
Get the full recipe from Two Spoons.
Make this pumpkin pie smoothie any time of year.
This pumpkin pie smoothie is full of nourishing ingredients and can be made anytime of year is you use canned pure pumpkin. It also includes oats, Greek yogurt, banana and spices for flavor. So good, and filling too!
Get the full recipe from Fox and Briar.
This simple smoothie is totally appealing to kids.
Three ingredients is all you need for this antioxidant- and protein-packed raspberry and vanilla smoothie. Just a cup of fresh or frozen raspberries, some Greek yogurt and almond milk. The vanilla flavor comes from the Greek yogurt and milk. Just be sure to use unsweetened almond milk so it's not too sweet.
Get the full recipe from Peanut Butter and Peppers.
This strawberry and chocolate smoothie is a classic flavor combination.
This strawberry chocolate smoothie makes for a great after school snack. It uses fresh or frozen berries, unsweetened cocoa powder and a bit of honey for flavor, as well as some Greek yogurt for extra protein.
Get the full recipe from That's So Michelle.
Sweet strawberries an mangos are a great pair for kids.
This naturally sweet smoothie uses frozen strawberries and mangos, almond milk and vanilla protein powder to create a super kid-friendly, easy, tasty and quite healthy snack or light breakfast any day of the week.
Get the full recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
Peanut butter and jelly smoothie? Yes, please!
Frozen vitamin-rich strawberries and bananas are combined with natural peanut butter and unsweetened almond milk to create a simple, tasty and nutrient-dense smoothie that's ideal for a snack, breakfast or even dessert.
Get the full recipe from Beaming Baker.
This smoothie replicates an old-school date shake.
This smoothie isn't quite the same as a sugary sweet milkshake, but it tastes like it. Instead of ice cream, you use plain unsweetened yogurt, some milk and lots of dates which are packed with vitamins and minerals like iron and potassium.
Get the full recipe from Bon Appetit.
This smoothie is full of summery fruits.
If you have a kid that's not particularly fond of fruit, this watermelon and peach smoothie might just do the trick. The fresh fruit is combined with creamy coconut milk to make the smoothie taste much more like a milkshake.
Get the full recipe from Seasonal Cravings.
A favorite fruit and a favorite flavor are combined in this yummy smoothie.
This four-ingredient mango and vanilla smoothie is a perfect easy breakfast option on busy mornings. It's a simple combination of sweet frozen mango, nutritious Greek yogurt, vanilla flavored soymilk (or your favorite milk) and vanilla extract. We're sure you won't get any complaints.
Get the full recipe from Gather for Bread.
Pin It!
Save these smoothie ideas to your Pinterest boards as a delicious and nutritious home-made beverages for your beloved kids.
