14 After-School Smoothies Your Family Will Actually Want to Drink
Alright, let’s get real. The second your kids walk in the door after school, they’re basically starving. (Or at least, they act like it. I swear, my fridge has never been safe between 3 and 5 PM.) If you’re tired of handing out the same old snacks, I’ve got you: smoothies. They’re fast, fun, and you can sneak in all sorts of healthy stuff without anyone noticing. Here are 14 family-friendly smoothie recipes that are so good, even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds. Bonus: You’ll want one, too.
Tropical Mango Medley
If you can’t afford a trip to the tropics (same), this smoothie is the next best thing. It’s sweet, creamy, and tastes like summer in a glass. Plus, it’s basically impossible to mess up.
What you need:
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, but YOLO)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- Shredded coconut for garnish
How to make it:
- Toss everything (except the shredded coconut) in your blender. Hit “go.”
- Taste it. Want it sweeter? Add more honey.
- Pour into glasses, sprinkle with coconut, and pretend you’re on vacation.
Creamy Peanut Butter Delight
This one’s for the peanut butter lovers (aka, everyone in my house). It’s thick, rich, and basically a milkshake that you can call “healthy” with a straight face.
What you need:
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy, you do you)
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Ice cubes (optional, but recommended)
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Want it thicker? Add ice and blend again.
- Pour, sip, and try not to fight your kids for the last drop.
Berry Banana Blast
This is the smoothie equivalent of a party—bright, colorful, and guaranteed to make everyone happy. Plus, it’s loaded with antioxidants, so you can feel smug about your parenting choices.
What you need:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup blackberries
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Ice cubes (optional)
How to make it:
- Prep your fruit (aka, rinse and hull).
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with extra berries if you’re feeling fancy.
Citrusy Orange Sunrise
Need a little sunshine on a cloudy day? This smoothie is basically liquid happiness. It’s tangy, creamy, and loaded with vitamin C.
What you need:
- 2 cups fresh orange juice
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Add ice for extra chill.
- Pour, garnish with an orange slice, and enjoy the “sunrise.”
Refreshing Watermelon Splash
This one’s so refreshing, you’ll want to drink it straight from the blender. (No judgment.) It’s light, hydrating, and perfect for hot days or post-soccer practice meltdowns.
What you need:
- 3 cups watermelon, cubed and seedless
- 1/2 cup coconut water or regular water
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp honey or agave (optional)
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Add ice for extra chill.
- Pour into glasses, garnish with mint, and watch it disappear.
Green Spinach Powerhouse
Don’t let the color scare you—this smoothie is sweet, creamy, and totally kid-approved. (Seriously, my 6-year-old thinks it’s “Hulk juice.”)
What you need:
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 cup almond milk (or any milk)
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Taste and add more honey if you want.
- Pour and serve immediately—bonus points for silly straws.
Nutty Almond Banana Fusion
This one’s creamy, nutty, and just sweet enough. It’s my go-to when I want something filling but not heavy.
What you need:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetness.
- Pour, top with sliced almonds or banana, and enjoy.
Chocolate Avocado Indulgence
Yes, you read that right—avocado in a smoothie. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. This one’s rich, chocolatey, and secretly healthy.
What you need:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup almond milk (or any milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Ice cubes (optional)
- Chocolate chips for garnish (optional, but why not?)
How to make it:
- Scoop the avocado into your blender.
- Add everything else and blend until creamy.
- Taste, adjust sweetness, and top with chocolate chips.
Peachy Green Dream
This is the smoothie for people who “don’t like green smoothies.” It’s sweet, fruity, and the greens are basically invisible.
What you need:
- 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale
- 1 banana
- 1 cup almond milk (or your fave milk)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Add ice for a colder drink.
- Pour, garnish with a peach slice, and enjoy.
Strawberry Kiwi Swirl
This one’s as pretty as it is tasty. The sweet strawberries and tangy kiwi are a match made in smoothie heaven.
What you need:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1 cup ice cubes
How to make it:
- Blend strawberries with half the yogurt and half the OJ. Set aside.
- Rinse blender, blend kiwi with the rest of the yogurt and OJ.
- Layer in a glass, swirl with a spoon, and serve with a straw.
Delightful Berry Coconut Cream
This one’s for the coconut fans. It’s creamy, fruity, and feels like dessert (but way healthier).
What you need:
- 1 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (optional)
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Add ice for a thicker texture.
- Pour, top with berries or whipped cream, and enjoy.
Chocolate Cherry Boost
Chocolate and cherries? Yes, please. This one’s a little decadent, a lot delicious, and still healthy enough for snack time.
What you need:
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1 banana
- 1 cup chocolate milk (or almond milk)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetness.
- Pour, top with a cherry, and try not to drink it all yourself.
Mango Pineapple Paradise
This is the smoothie you want when you’re dreaming of a beach day. It’s tropical, tangy, and super easy.
What you need:
- 1 cup mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup coconut milk (or yogurt)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (if using fresh fruit)
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Add more coconut milk if you want it thinner.
- Pour and enjoy your mini-vacation.
Energy-Boosting Oatmeal Smoothie
This one’s basically breakfast in a glass. It’s filling, fruity, and keeps everyone full until dinner (well, almost).
What you need:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 banana
- 1 cup almond milk (or any milk)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
How to make it:
- Blend everything until smooth and creamy.
- Too thick? Add more milk.
- Pour, top with berries or oats, and serve.
Final Thoughts: Smoothie Time = Sanity Saver
So, there you have it—14 after-school smoothies that are easy, tasty, and way more exciting than another granola bar. Whether your crew loves chocolate, fruit, or “hidden” veggies, there’s something here for everyone. Plus, you can whip these up in five minutes flat. (Take that, hangry meltdowns.)
Give one a try this week and let me know which one’s your favorite. Or, you know, just make them all and call it “research.” 😉
