Make a Chocolate Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Make a chocolate strawberry banana smoothie using milk, fruit, cocoa, and a blender while learning measuring, healthy choices, and safe blending with adult help.
About this activity
Make a chocolate strawberry banana smoothie using milk, fruit, cocoa, and a blender while learning measuring, healthy choices, and safe blending with adult help.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- 2
Step 2
Put all materials on the counter.
- 3
Step 3
Choose one ingredient that you think is healthy.
- 4
Step 4
Rinse the strawberries under cold water.
- 5
Step 5
Remove the green tops from each strawberry.
- 6
Step 6
Peel the banana.
- 7
Step 7
Break the banana into pieces.
- 8
Step 8
Measure 1 cup of milk using the measuring cup.
- 9
Step 9
Pour the measured milk into the blender.
- 10
Step 10
Measure 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.
- 11
Step 11
Add the cocoa powder to the blender.
- 12
Step 12
Add the banana pieces and strawberries into the blender.
- 13
Step 13
Put the lid on the blender and press it down until it is secure.
- 14
Step 14
Ask an adult to plug in the blender and blend on low for 30 seconds.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished smoothie on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a chocolate strawberry banana smoothie with my child?
Wash the strawberries, peel the banana, and measure ingredients together. In a blender add 1 cup milk, 1 banana, 1 cup strawberries, 1–2 teaspoons cocoa powder, and a handful of ice or yogurt. Adults should handle cutting and operating the blender; let the child add ingredients and press the start button with help. Blend until smooth, pour into cups, and enjoy. Supervise cleanup and teach safe unplugging and lid-checking before blending.
What materials do I need to make a chocolate strawberry banana smoothie?
You’ll need fresh or frozen strawberries, a ripe banana, milk (dairy or plant-based), unsweetened cocoa powder, a blender, measuring cups and spoons, a cup for serving, and ice or yogurt if desired. Have a cutting board and an adult knife for slicing fruit, a spoon for measuring, and napkins. Optional: a blender-safe lid, straws, and a small sweetener like honey if needed. Keep a towel handy for spills.
What ages is this smoothie activity suitable for?
This activity suits toddlers through preteens with adult supervision. Ages 2–4 can pour pre-measured ingredients and mash banana; 5–8 can measure, add ingredients, and help press the blender button with close supervision; 9+ can follow the whole recipe and operate the blender when taught safety rules. Always require an adult for cutting, handling the blender, and hot-liquid or sharp-tool tasks.
What are the benefits of making a chocolate strawberry banana smoothie with my child?
Making smoothies teaches measuring, counting, and following steps, boosting early math and sequencing skills. It encourages healthy choices by letting kids taste fruit and try new flavors, supports fine motor skills through pouring and stirring, and builds kitchen confidence. Adult-led blending also offers a chance to teach appliance safety, hygiene like washing fruit, and cleanup responsibility—valuable life skills wrapped in a tasty treat.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have milk or cocoa powder for the smoothie?
If you don't have milk or cocoa powder, measure 1 cup of almond or oat milk (or thin 1 cup of plain yogurt with a little water) and add 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup in place of the cocoa powder before pouring into the blender.
The blender isn't blending everything smoothly or the lid keeps popping—what should we check?
Make sure the banana is broken into smaller pieces as the instructions say, press the lid down until it is secure, and ask an adult to blend a little longer on low or add a splash more measured milk if needed.
How can we adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, have an adult pre-measure the 1 cup milk and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and supervise rinsing strawberries, removing tops, and placing pieces into the blender, while older children can do all the measuring, peeling, and ask an adult only to plug in and blend on low for 30 seconds.
How can we make the smoothie more interesting or personalize it?
Try adding a handful of spinach, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or a few ice cubes to the blender before blending, garnish with a sliced strawberry after blending, and then share your finished smoothie on DIY.org.