There’s something so wholesome about slicing open a bright orange and squeezing out the juice with your little ones. Not only is it an amazing activity, but it also comes with some amazing health benefits (especially during sick season)!

1. Gross Motor Skill Development

Yes—it’s a gross motor activity! Squeezing an orange, especially with a manual juicer, requires coordination, core strength, and bilateral movement (using both sides of the body). It’s a great way to sneak in some muscle work for those busy little bodies.

2. Sensory Play

The scent, the texture, the vibrant color—this is sensory play in disguise. It engages multiple senses without glitter or much cleanup. Kids feel the stickiness on their hands, taste the juice, smell the citrus oils, and even hear the squish as they squeeze. It’s soothing, engaging, and naturally calming.

4. Science + Math = More Fun

“Why didn’t all of the inside of the orange go into the cup?” Cue a mini science lesson about liquids and solids. Orange halves become an introduction to fractions as does measuring juice in a Pyrex cup.

We can also talk about the health benefits of oranges and how they affect our bodies!

• They help fight sniffles!
  Oranges have vitamin C, which helps your body stay strong so germs don’t make you sick as easily.
  • They give you energy to play!
  Oranges have natural sugar and carbs that give your body fuel—like charging your tablet!
  • They help you poop!
  Oranges have fiber, which is like a broom that helps clean out your belly and keep it moving.
  • They help your cuts and scrapes get better!
  Vitamin C helps your body build collagen—that’s like magic glue your body uses to fix cuts and scrapes.
  • They keep your skin soft and smooth!
  Oranges have vitamin C and water, which help your skin stay bouncy and fresh—like how plants perk up when you water them!
  • They make your heart happy!
  Oranges have potassium—a helper mineral that keeps your heart strong and beating just right.

5. Family Bonding Over a Treat

Let’s be real—fresh‑squeezed OJ isn’t something every family can do every day, and that’s exactly why we use it as a special activity and a little treat. It’s not about perfection or daily routines—it’s about creating a sweet, shared moment the whole family can enjoy together.

Tips for Making It Work (Without Breaking the Bank)

• Buy in Season or on Sale. Keep an eye out for citrus deals at your local market.

• Stretch Your Citrus. Mix in a small amount of 100% carrot juice to enhance the sweetness, to increase the health benefits, and to make it last longer.

• Freeze the Extras. Pour leftover juice into ice‑cube trays for smoothies, ice pops, or just when your family needs a vitamin C boost!

• Repurpose the Pulp. Stir pulp into muffin or pancake batter for extra fiber (orange, cranberry, and almond muffin recipe coming soon)

At the end of the day, this is less about creating the world’s healthiest drink and more about crafting memories—sticky‑fingered, juice‑dripping, laughter‑filled memories. So next time the kids wake up with sniffles, grab a handful of oranges and let them take the lead. Who knows? You might just start a new family favorite.