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Packing a smoothie in yours or your child’s lunch box is a lot easier than you might think! Keep reading for the best tips and epic smoothie recipes.
No more paying for overpriced smoothies, this is the perfect solution whether you want to pack a smoothie in your child’s lunch bag or enjoy it on-the-go!
How to Keep a Smoothie Cold Until Lunch
Every once in a while it’s nice to forgo the usual sandwiches and wraps for something cold and refreshing. Smoothies are a smart way to get a ton of fiber, protein, and vitamins in one delicious serving, and you can pack them for lunch! If you pack them correctly, it’s not too difficult to keep your smoothie cold and fresh and your other food warm and ready for lunchtime!
- Freeze the smoothie
It all starts with freezing your smoothie in a freezer-safe cup. Leave about half an inch of room on the top since the liquids expand when you freeze them. - Pack it for lunch
In the morning, grab the frozen smoothie and place it in the lunch bag. By lunch, it will be like a slushy and remain cold until the afternoon.
You can see how I pack lunchboxes to keep smoothies cold here:
How to Pack Hot & Cold Lunch Items Together
Packing a cold smoothie and a thermos with warm items all together in the same lunch bag is possible! All you have to do is place an ice pack on one side of the lunch bag and the smoothie cup next to it. Then, add the thermos wrapped with a reusable napkin and place it on the other side, next to the smoothie.
Top Smoothie Bottles, Cups and Containers
You might be curious about the best smoothie containers so I’ll mention a few of my personal favorites.
1. Thermos Container
Place a thermos container in the freezer overnight. In the morning, fill it with your choice of smoothie and pack it into the lunch bag. It acts as a freezer pack, and by the time noon rolls around, the smoothie will be a perfect consistency. I like using thermoses to pack smoothies. Instead of plastic bottles, which don’t work well in the freezer, thermoses keep ingredients properly sealed and cold for hours.
2. Freezer Cups
These are great for when you don’t have thermoses. It comes with a screw-top lid and seals, so nothing spills in the lunch bag.
Smoothie Jars
These freezer-proof and spill-proof jars are perfect for freezing 8-ounce smoothies. They’ll fit in a lunch bag, thaw out slowly, and be ready to be enjoyed still chilled at lunch!
Best Smoothies for Kids
Now we are getting to the good stuff! Not only do these smoothies taste incredible, they are made with healthy, high-fiber ingredients and low in sugar.
- Chocolate Green Smoothie
- Mango Peach Smoothie
- Triple Berry Smoothie
- Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
- Peach Cobbler Smoothie
Protein Smoothies for Kids
Smoothies can be an optimal source of protein if you choose to add options such as chia seeds, Greek yogurt, or protein powder. I’m very particular about which ones I use, but I’ve found this one to be top-notch in quality and flavor. Here are our top tried and true protein smoothies:
- Chocolate Protein Smoothie
- Blueberry Green Smoothie
- Pineapple Green Smoothie
- Strawberries & Cream Smoothie
Here’s a delicious coconut pie smoothie to get you started packing smoothie lunches today!
Coconut Pie Lunchbox Smoothie
Ingredients
- 3 bananas
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 14 ounce can coconut milk
- ½ cup coconut flakes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup ice
Instructions
- In a blender, combine bananas, almond butter, coconut milk, coconut flakes, and vanilla.
- Blend well. Add ice and blend. If it’s too thick, add more coconut milk or water.
- Pour into tall glasses and enjoy.
- If packing for lunch, divide the smoothie between chilled thermos containers and pack into lunch bags.
Fatima says
Thanks so much for these tips! We have the Omie bottle. That goes in omie lunchbox. Do you think I could freeze the smoothies in these bottles and then just put them in the lunchbox in the morning? My kids are between 4-7 years old.
Laura Fuentes says
I’m very familiar with the Omie products and love them! It’s made out of silicone and therefore can be frozen. Make sure to leave some room at the top. I hope this helps!
kristin kesh says
sooo good thx for the recipe!!!
NadineAdele says
When freezing a thermos funtainer do you leave the lid screwed on or off? Or just freeze without the lid? Thank you
MOMables - Laura says
I freeze it without the lid. I keep the lid in the counter or drawer.
Dot says
Is it possible to freeze the smoothies in the funtainer? I would like to use stainless steel instead of plastic, and would like to make a weeks worth of smoothies on Sundays for lunches. Thanks!
MOMables-Laura says
Yes, just make sure to leave some space between the smoothie and the container’s lid, so it doesn’t make a mess in your freezer.
Stacie says
Great tip! In one morning I’ve learnt you can freeze spinach AND thermos’s (thermosi?) LOL. As much as we love the PB recipe, our schools are nut/peanut free, so that isn’t an option. I believe they even banned Wowbutter, but I need to double check that.
MOMables says
the tip can be used with any smoothie recipe :)
Tanya says
Check if your school allows Sunbutter. It’s made from sunflower seeds. We have a nut free and soy free house and we love this option.
Evellyn says
Helli! I loved this idea! But I would need to prepare the smoothie at 7 am and my kid would drink it at around 3 pm. Do you think it could go bad??
MOMables says
I do this all the time. the key is to freeze your container and keep it out of the sun for prolonged storage. Most containers will tell you the time they keep the drink cold
K LeGallais says
What I do is make the smoothie the night/day before, divide it up into freeze able cups with lids and put in freezer. In the morning I take one out and put it in his lunch…. By the time lunch rolls around it’s the perfect consistency. Works great!
Billy says
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 WHOEVAH THOUGHT OF THIS,
HUGS AND KISSES (SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTCH)
XOXOXOXOX
SUSIE
MOMables says
So glad you liked it!
Tracy Hofmann says
Hi. What size thermos is that? Just wondering what would fit in the lunch pack.
Thanks!
MOMables says
That is a thermos funtainer. check them out here.
Simone Williams says
I love the idea of packing the smoothie for lunch. My teenage daughter doesn’t want to eat much for lunch (or breakfast for that matter) but she loves smoothies. I will definitely try this when school starts. What brand Thermos is that? I’m always afraid they will leak.
MOMables says
Simone, check out our Amazon Store. I use the thermos brand. they also have a bigger adult thermos.
Sally says
I never would have thought to pack a smoothie for lunch. Love this!
Laura says
let us know what your kid’s favorite smoothie is! :)
Kate says
Green Smoothie! Spinach, baby carrot, peaches, strawberries, and apple juice. The spinach makes it green and has vitamin k, and tastes great because of the fruit!