10 Delicious Milkshake Recipes For Kids

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Milkshakes are an all-time favorite beverage among kids. The USDA’s food guidance system, MyPlate Plan, advises that children between the ages of two and eight should have a daily intake of 2 to 2 ½ cups of milk (1). Experimenting with different milkshake recipes for kids can greatly assist you in avoiding their pickiness about milk. Milkshakes might be a good way to include important nutrients in your child’s diet. By adding different fruits to their milkshakes, you can make this beverage a nutrient-packed drink containing calories, protein, and various vitamins that support growth and development. Thus, milkshakes are a tasty and nutritious option for children, including picky eaters. While milkshakes can be a yummy addition to your child’s diet, it is important to enjoy them occasionally and in moderation. In this post, we provide some easy-to-make milkshake recipes for kids for a delicious addition to your child’s diet. We are sure your child will keep asking for more.

Are Milkshakes Good For Children?

Milkshakes made with whole fruits and dairy products can provide essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins. However, many milkshakes, especially those made with ice cream or syrups, are high in added sugars and fats. 

A study by the American Heart Association highlights that added sugars, which are often found in sweet treats, are popular for their taste, contributing over 10% of daily calories in the average adult diet and 16% in children’s diets (2). While milkshakes containing fruits can offer some nutritional value, it’s important to consume them in moderation. Using healthier ingredients, such as unsweetened yogurt or fresh fruits, can enhance their nutritional profile and make them a better option for children.

10 Milkshake Recipes For Kids

1. Yummy strawberry milkshake

You will need

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of milk
• 5 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 6 strawberries, chopped
• 10 ice cubes
• 1/4th cup of sugar
• 6 ounces of strawberry crush

How to

1. Add water, milk, sugar, and strawberry crush to the blender jar. Blend for a minute.
2. Now add vanilla ice cream, ice cubes, and strawberries. Blend again and serve the yummy strawberry milkshake recipe for kids.

Quick tip

Replacing sugar with honey and vanilla ice cream with unsweetened vanilla-flavored yogurt can create a healthier version of this recipe.

2. Chocolate flake shake

You will need

• Caramel ice cream sauce
• 2 cups of milk
• 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 1 banana, mashed
• 3 chocolate flake bars

How to

1. Blend milk, banana, caramel sauce, and ice cream in a blender.
2. Pour the milkshake into a tall glass and garnish with grated chocolate.

3. Peanut butter and chocolate shake

You will need

• ½ cup of milk
• ¾th cup of sugar
• 2 ounces of baking chocolate, grated
• 1tbsp of vanilla essence
• 2 cups of ice cubes
• ½ cup of peanut butter

How to

1. Put all the ingredients into a blender jar and churn until smooth.
2. Garnish with grated chocolate and serve a delicious chocolate milkshake recipe for kids.

4. Strawberry and banana milkshake

You will need

• 2 cups of cold milk
• 1 cup of strawberries, chopped
• 4tbsp of sugar
• 4 ice cubes
• 2 bananas, chopped

How to

1. Add the milk, bananas, strawberries, ice cubes, and sugar into a blender jar. Churn well until smooth.
2. Garnish with some whipped cream and sprinkles. Pour into a glass and serve the milkshake mix immediately.

Quick tip

Replace sugar with date pulp and add some chopped nuts and seeds to make this milkshake recipe tastier and healthier.

5. Corn cereal milkshake

You will need

• 1 ½ cup of corn cereal
• 1 ½ cup of milk
• 1 cup of vanilla ice cream

How to

1. Soak the cereal in the hot milk for 30 minutes.
2. Strain and then freeze in an ice cube tray.
3. Once frozen, blend the milk cubes with vanilla ice cream until smooth.
4. Serve immediately for a cool and creamy treat.

6. Lemon milkshake

You will need

• 1 cup of milk
• 2tbsp of sugar
• 1 medium-sized banana
• 3tbsp of lemon concentrate
• ½ cup of vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup of ice cubes

How to

1. In a blender, combine the milk, sugar, banana, lemon concentrate, vanilla ice cream, and ice cubes.
2. Blend everything together until smooth and well-mixed.
3. Once ready, pour into a glass and serve chilled.
4. Garnish with a colorful straw for a fun touch.

7. Oreo cookie milkshake

You will need

• A packet of Oreo biscuits
• 3 cups of vanilla ice cream
• ½ cup of milk
• ¼ cup of chocolate syrup

How to

1. Crush the Oreo biscuits into small pieces.
2. Add the crushed biscuits, vanilla ice cream, milk, and chocolate syrup to a blender.
3. Blend until smooth.
   Jeyashri Suresh, a mother of two, shares how much her children love oreo cookie milkshake. She says, “I wanted to try a cookie milkshake for a long time.. Both my kids are huge fans of Oreo biscuits, and I always have a stock of biscuits at home. I tried this milkshake a few times with and without ice cream. Both versions were a super hit among kids. They loved it, and it is quite filling too. You can make this for kids once they come back from school or return hungry from the playground (i).”

8. Cinnamon milkshake

You will need

• ½tbsp of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of cold milk
• ¼tbsp of cinnamon powder
• Nutmeg powder, to taste
• 2 cups of vanilla ice cream

How to

1. Put all the ingredients, except the nutmeg powder in a blender jar. Churn until smooth.
2. Pour the shake into a tall glass and garnish with nutmeg powder.

9. Orange shake

You will need

• 2 cups of frozen yogurt
• ¾ cup of non-fat milk
• ½ cup of orange juice concentrate
• 2tbsp of ground flax seeds

How to

1. Put all the ingredients in a blender jar. Churn until smooth.
2. Pour into glasses and enjoy the delicious milkshake with your kids.

Quick tip

Substitute frozen yogurt and milk with unsweetened coconut milk to make the lactose-free version of this recipe.

10. Vanilla and cherry milkshake

You will need

• 2 cups of milk
• 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• ¼ cup of crushed almonds
• 1tbsp of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of frozen cherries, pitted

How to

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender jar.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Serve chilled with a colorful straw.

Healthy Alternatives To Milkshakes

Milkshakes may contain added sugars and some artificial ingredients. If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to a milkshake, here are some options to try. These alternatives offer a nutritious boost, providing vitamins and minerals without added sugars or artificial ingredients. They’re perfect for supporting your child’s growth and overall health while satisfying their cravings.

• Smoothies: A smoothie made with fruits, vegetables, and unsweetened yogurt or plant-based milk can provide a good amount of vitamins and fiber (3). 
• Chia seed pudding: Mixing chia seeds with almond milk and fruit puree creates a thick, pudding-like treat rich in omega-3 fatty acidsⁱPolyunsaturated fats, which are vital for the body’s functioning , fiber, and protein, making it a great alternative to heavy milkshakes (4).
• Juice: Freshly blended fruit or vegetable juices diluted with water deliver vitamins and minerals while keeping sugar content lower than milkshakes (5).
• Turmeric milk or golden milk: Warm milk with a pinch of turmeric, cinnamon, and honey provides immune support and serves as a great bedtime drink for relaxation (6).
• Coconut water: A natural electrolyte-rich drink that keeps children hydrated without added sugars, making it a great alternative (7).

Infographic: Make Restaurant-Style Milkshakes For Children At Home

Milkshakes offer the easiest way to incorporate fruits, cereals, nuts, seeds, and milk into a child’s diet. In addition, as they are travel-friendly, they can be had on the go when children leave for school. Scroll through the infographic below for restaurant-style milkshakes you can whip up at home.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Healthy Milkshake Recipes For Kids

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Prepare a delectable assortment of 6 nutritious milkshakes for your children. These delightful fruity blends, made with fresh ingredients and no extra sugar, are perfect for young children

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dina TotosegisRD

Dina Totosegis is a registered dietitian specializing in pediatrics. She has graduated from McGill University with Bachelors in Physiology as well as Dietetics and Human Nutrition. She started working in wellness clinics and fitness clubs in Montreal, Canada, and Austin, US, helping individuals establish a healthy way of life through nutritious food, an active lifestyle, and a positive mindset.

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Debolina RajaMA (English)

Debolina Raja came into the writing world while she was playing around with words and participating in various literary events. She found her writing interest in various genres such as health, wellness, parenting, relationship, and brand management and gained more than five years experience in it.

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Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

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