Make a Tropical Banana Smoothie

What can I use if I don't have fresh pineapple, yogurt, honey, or a full-size blender?

If you don’t have fresh pineapple use 1 cup frozen or drained canned pineapple chunks, swap the 1/2 cup of yogurt for 1/2 cup milk or coconut milk, replace the 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and use an immersion blender or food processor instead of the full-size blender.

My blender isn't making the smoothie smooth — what should I check?

If the smoothie still has banana or pineapple chunks after about 30 seconds, ask the adult to make sure the blender lid is on and plugged in, add a splash of milk to loosen the mixture, and blend in short pulses until smooth.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For toddlers let an adult do the cutting and blending while the child helps scoop pineapple or press the honey spoon, preschoolers can measure the pineapple and yogurt with supervision and watch the adult cut the banana, and older kids can do all steps themselves with an adult only for cutting and plugging in the blender, remembering not to give honey to babies under one year.

How can we make the smoothie more fun or healthier?

To personalize or boost nutrition, add a handful of spinach or 1 tablespoon of chia seeds when you add the measured pineapple and 1/2 cup yogurt, sprinkle cinnamon instead of extra honey, or top the poured smoothie with sliced banana or shredded coconut before sharing your photo on DIY.org.