Berry-Pomegranate Smoothies

Why This Recipe Works

Banana, berries, and pomegranate juice make this smoothie a fresh and fruity delight. As they mix up their breakfast or snack, kids can observe how a blender works. As the motor turns the blender blades superfast, the circular motion creates a vortex, which is a spiral movement in the liquid (similar to the shape of a whirlpool or tornado). The vortex creates a vacuum at the bottom of the blender jar that pulls the food inside toward the blades. The spinning blades then push the liquid up the sides of the blender jar, whipping the ingredients in circles. That vortex is powerful, which is why it’s important to make sure the lid is on tight—no one wants smoothie on the ceiling! Have kids hold a folded dish towel on the lid of the blender jar while the machine is running and take a close-up look at the vortex through the transparent sides of the blender.