Create a 3-element dessert
Make a three-element parfait using fruit, yogurt, and granola; measure portions, layer ingredients, and learn simple nutrition and presentation skills.
About this activity
Make a three-element parfait using fruit, yogurt, and granola; measure portions, layer ingredients, and learn simple nutrition and presentation skills.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water until they are clean.
- 2
Step 2
Gather all the materials and put them on the counter so everything is ready.
- 3
Step 3
Rinse the fruit under cold water to make it clean and safe to eat.
- 4
Step 4
With adult supervision cut the fruit into small bite-sized pieces on the cutting board.
- 5
Step 5
Measure 1/2 cup of yogurt using a measuring cup and set it nearby.
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Step 6
Measure 1/2 cup of the cut fruit into a small bowl or measuring cup.
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Step 7
Measure 1/4 cup of granola into a measuring cup and set it aside.
- 8
Step 8
Spoon a layer of yogurt into the bottom of your clear cup or jar.
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Step 9
Add a layer of cut fruit on top of the yogurt.
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Step 10
Sprinkle a layer of granola over the fruit.
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Step 11
Repeat the yogurt fruit and granola layers until you have three layers or the jar is full.
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Step 12
Smooth the top with the back of the spoon so the parfait looks neat.
- 13
Step 13
Add a single pretty garnish like a whole berry or a small mint leaf on top.
- 14
Step 14
Tell an adult two healthy things about your parfait such as which ingredient gives vitamins and which gives protein.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo and a short description of your finished parfait on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a three-element parfait with my child?
To make a three-element parfait, start by measuring portions (about 1/2 cup fruit, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup granola). Let your child wash and chop soft fruit, then spoon yogurt into clear cups. Layer fruit, yogurt, and granola, repeating to create visible layers. Press gently to keep layers neat, let the child decorate the top, and serve immediately so the granola stays crunchy.
What materials and ingredients do I need for a fruit, yogurt, and granola parfait?
You’ll need fresh fruit (berries, banana, or chopped peaches), plain or flavored yogurt, and crunchy granola. Also gather small clear cups or jars, measuring cups or spoons (1/4 and 1/2 cup), a child-safe knife, cutting board, spoons for layering, napkins, and optional toppings like honey, cinnamon, or seeds. Have a bowl for waste and a damp cloth for quick cleanups.
What ages is this parfait activity suitable for?
This activity suits toddlers through preteens with adult help. Ages 2–3 can wash fruit, spoon soft ingredients, and watch; ages 4–6 can measure, spoon, and press layers with supervision; ages 7–12 can use a child-safe knife to chop soft fruit, measure portions, and design presentations. Always supervise cutting and any tasks beyond a child’s fine-motor confidence.
What are the benefits and safety tips for making parfaits with kids?
Making parfaits teaches portion control, basic nutrition (fruit, protein from yogurt, whole grains), fine motor skills, and food presentation while encouraging trying new flavors and independence. Safety tips: assign age-appropriate tasks, use pre-sliced fruit for toddlers, supervise knife use, check for allergies (dairy, nuts), and keep granola as a topping until serving to prevent sogginess. Teach handwashing and clean surfaces before and after.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a clear cup or jar or store-bought granola?
If you don't have a clear cup or jar use a small glass bowl or plastic cup to layer the ingredients, and if granola is unavailable sprinkle crushed cereal or crushed oatmeal cookies in place of the 1/4 cup of granola.
My granola gets soggy—how can we keep it crunchy between layers?
To keep the 1/4 cup of granola crunchy, add the granola right before serving and gently smooth the yogurt and fruit layers as instructed so the granola stays on top instead of soaking into the 1/2 cup yogurt layers.
How can I adapt this activity for a toddler, a 6–8-year-old, and a preteen?
For toddlers, have an adult do the 'With adult supervision cut the fruit' step and let them spoon pre-measured 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup fruit into the cup; for 6–8-year-olds let them measure and layer with supervision; and for preteens challenge them to create three neat layers and write the two healthy facts before sharing the photo.
What are simple ways to make the parfait more special or personalized?
Personalize your parfait by swapping the 1/2 cup yogurt for flavored or Greek yogurt for extra protein, using different fruits for colorful layers, drizzling a little honey before adding the final garnish like a whole berry or small mint leaf, and adding a short description when you post the photo on DIY.org.