Summer Holidays: Activities & Food

 

The Summer holidays have for some, already arrived, for others, they are just around the corner and they are the perfect time for fun, creativity and also a bit of mess! 

 

If you’re looking for ways to keep the younger ones entertained and off their screens (at least for a while), food-based activities are a delicious way to spend time together. Here are some ideas that combine fun, learning and tasty results at the end: 

Let the younger ones design their own mini pizzas and add to them toppings like cheese, olives, peppers, mushrooms and more. To cheat a little, use pre-made bases or for something extra special and with a hands-on activity, make your own dough. This is a great way to sneak in some healthy choices too, without perhaps them realising! 

 

Cookies, cupcakes or even a simple banana bread, baking is a classic school holiday activity (especially if the weather turns a little). Children can learn at the same time; measurements, teamwork and patience (in waiting for them to cool!). Set up a decorating station with icing, sprinkles and toppings for extra fun. An earlier blog post explored this more. 

 

Let children mix and match fruits, yogurt and even sneaky greens like spinach, for a DIY smoothie bar. It's a refreshing way to stay cool on Summer days and a great way to introduce them to healthy choices. Add in honey, ice cream and jam to add a sweetness to it. 

 

Pick a country and cook a simple dish from that culture. The list is really endless, from Mexican tacos to Japanese sushi (children friendly versions of course), it’s a fun way to learn about the world and food traditions, whilst trying new flavours. 

 

Get the younger ones involved in planning and preparing a picnic; sandwiches, fruit skewers and maybe even some delicious homemade lemonade. Then head to the park or the back garden for a picnic followed by games. It’s simple, but feels like a big adventure! 

 

Try kitchen science! This will take a bit of planning… make honeycomb, grow crystals from sugar or bake bread to watch yeast in action. These edible experiments are both fun and educational, although they are guaranteed to make a bit of a mess! 

 

If you have a garden, get children involved in picking herbs, berries or veggies and then using them in a recipe. No garden? No problem! Try a visit to a local farmer’s market and let them choose ingredients. 

With just a few ingredients and a bit of imagination, school holiday food activities can turn ordinary days into memorable family moments. Plus, you get to eat the results at the end! 

What food related activities do you enjoy with the little ones, maybe we can get some inspiration from your ideas too? Drop us a note in the comments.