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Teaching young children to show appreciation is a lovely habit to start early. Since Arlo was six months old we’ve sent little notes and cards from him to grandparents and family, and he helps sign for birthdays and holidays. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, here are simple, toddler-friendly ways to create a special breakfast in bed that include your little helper.
Most toddlers love to “help.” Arlo especially enjoys spending time in the kitchen, so he and Jeff worked together to assemble a sweet Mother’s Day breakfast-in-bed tray. He helped with everything—from adding smoothie ingredients to picking a card and gathering flowers—so the whole family felt involved. It was simple, meaningful, and a lot of fun.
Make an Easy Breakfast-in-Bed Dish for Mother’s Day
Pick a recipe that lets a toddler pour or stir—tasks they love—without being overly complicated. Simple pancakes, an omelet with mix-ins, or a smoothie bowl are all excellent choices. Smoothie bowls work great because kids can add ingredients to the blender and spoon on toppings when it’s time to serve.
Arlo is obsessed with smoothies, so we made a berry smoothie bowl. It’s quick to assemble, customizable, and nutritious. He enjoyed adding ingredients and sprinkling toppings, and the result made a pretty, healthy breakfast for mom.
We love experimenting with smoothies and no two are exactly the same. Below is our favorite berry smoothie bowl base—easy to adapt with different fruits, nut butters, or a handful of spinach if you want extra greens. All the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store.
The Perfect Berry Smoothie Bowl
15 mins
15 mins
Ingredients
- Smoothie Bowl Base:
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup honey Greek yogurt
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ a banana (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- ¼ cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Optional:
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- Handful of spinach
- Toppings:
- Coconut chia granola
- Fresh berries or other fruit
- Chia seeds
Instructions
- Combine almond milk, honey Greek yogurt, oats, and banana in a blender. Blend until smooth—allow a little extra time for the oats to incorporate.
- Add the frozen berries (blueberries, cherries, strawberries, or your favorites) and blend until smooth. Add a splash of almond milk if needed to help everything blend.
- Add cinnamon and, if using, peanut butter. Blend again until combined.
- Pour the smoothie into a bowl and finish with your favorite toppings: granola, fresh fruit, and chia seeds. Serve immediately.
Side note: if you’re picky about granola, try an organic coconut chia granola—it’s crunchy, lightly sweet, and pairs perfectly with smoothie bowls. It became a favorite in our house quickly.
Let Them Pick (or Make) the Card for Mom
Give your toddler free rein to choose a card from a stack—no rules. Letting them pick or decorate a handmade card adds a personal touch that makes the morning even sweeter. Arlo loves rainbows right now, so he often points them out and delights in the reaction he gets. Whether it’s a bought card or one made with crayons and stickers, a child’s contribution is priceless.
Go on a Backyard or Neighborhood Flower Hunt
Flowers make a simple, beautiful finishing touch for a breakfast tray. Let your child pick a bloom from the yard or nearby garden and place it in a small vase on the tray. It’s an easy, heartfelt way to include them in the gift.
Arlo currently loves smelling flowers and will enthusiastically present whichever blossom catches his eye. That little ritual makes the whole morning feel extra special.
Photos by Marie Buck Photography
As you plan Mother’s Day or drop hints to your partner, consider a quick trip to the store to pick up ingredients for a simple, thoughtful breakfast-in-bed. Involving your toddler in the process creates memories and gives mom a truly heartfelt start to her day.