Celebrate New Year’s Eve by throwing a family party at home. Discover festive recipes, drinks and fun ideas to keep both kids and grown-ups entertained until midnight
Staying at home for New Year’s Eve is a popular choice for families, especially for those with younger children. You can save money by avoiding high-priced entertainment and enjoy a more relaxed evening at your own pace – and if the kids can’t quite keep their eyes open until midnight, it’s easier to bundle them off to bed in your own home. With just the right balance of nibbles, mocktails for the kids and a few games along the way, we think a family New Year’s Eve party at home can be great fun for everyone. New Year’s Eve party food Having an array of snacks and nibbles on hand is essential, from a moreish cheesy spinach & artichoke dip (with tortilla chips, hunks of bread and crudités) and mini sausage rolls to cheese & pesto rolls and fun easy hedgehog canapé skewers. You could also make rainbow fruit skewers and get the kids to help put them together. If you want to put on a buffet-style spread, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our family New Year’s Eve collection – but you might want to feed the little ones something more substantial, too. New Year’s Eve family menu For a cosy family meal, try this creamy chicken stew – it’s a real crowd-pleaser, especially served alongside our smashed mini jackets. Or tuck into this fun onion bhaji sharing board, with a mixture of onion bhajis, green chutney, cucumber raita, pomegranate salad and mini poppadoms. New Year's Eve is hardly the time for epic amounts of washing-up, so take a look at our family winter traybake ideas for all-in-one recipes. Or, put the slow cooker to good use and make a hearty stew to warm up after watching the fireworks. Festive mocktails for kids The grown-ups might be drinking something fizzy and fun, but the kids don’t need to miss out. Whizz together these frozen blackberry smoothies or serve a simplified version of our faux fizz made with elderflower cordial instead of the base syrup. If your New Year’s Eve plans include stepping outside into the cold, warm up afterwards with a batch of mulled apple juice. Alternatively, the kids will enjoy watching these chocolate stirrers dissolve into delicious mugs of hot chocolate. Desserts and sweet treats Inspired by the 80s classic Viennetta, this showstopping mint choc chip ice cream bombe is a perfect celebration pud that screams nostalgia at Christmastime. Alternatively, this amazing millionaire’s cheesecake feels fancy but boasts flavours everyone will love. If you want to get the little ones involved ahead of time, have a look at our kids’ baking recipes to see if there’s anything sweet they’d like to help make. We also think these white chocolate fortune cookies are a great snack for New Year’s Eve – you can write your own messages inside for your family to discover! New Year’s Eve games for families Of course, entertainment at New Year's Eve is a must! Start the night with some hands-on activities for the kids – they could make a papier mâché mask, create a fun firework picture using black paper and glitter pens or craft their own paper plate clock to help them countdown to midnight. If you’re entertaining lots of children, we also have some great ideas for kids’ party games you could play. A family board game is also a fun option for New Year’s Eve, as it gets everyone around a table. If you want to try something new, there are a whole host of modern family board games that kids of all ages can enjoy. You can also opt for a low-key family film night – a great way to pass the time and help the kids wind down before they finally make it to bed. How do you like to spend New Year’s Eve with your family? Leave a comment below… Get more inspiration for New Year’s Eve Family New Year’s Eve recipes Kids’ party drink recipes Best ever New Year’s Eve party food How to cater for a party New Year’s Eve menu
Learn how to make an easy paper snowflake as a fun Christmas project with the kids – simply follow our step-by-step instructions for a perfect result.
You only need paper, scissors and a sprinkle of festive spirit for this super easy activity! Making paper snowflakes is a great project for all ages – younger kids can use safe scissors and a bigger piece of paper to make it easier, whereas older kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy the challenge of making an intricate design. Best of all, every snowflake is unique – so you can be as creative as you like. For more fun ideas, try our top 5 Christmas crafts for kids. How to make a paper snowflake Makes one snowflake Prep 10 mins You will need • A square piece of paper (if using A4 paper, simply fold the bottom of the paper upwards into a triangle and cut away the excess) • Scissors Step one: fold the paper into a triangle Fold a square piece of paper into a triangle, as shown below. Step two: fold in half again Fold the triangle in half again, to make a smaller triangle. Step three: fold one third Fold over the right hand side of the triangle so that you are folding into thirds. Step four: turn the paper over Turn the paper over. Step five: fold again Repeat the fold as you did for step three, this time on the other side. Step six: trim the top Use scissors to cut straight across the top, as shown, so that you are left with a thin folded triangle. Step seven: shape it Now you can cut any shape into the folded snowflake, being careful not to make any cuts that go all the way across (this will break your snowflake). Step eight: unfold and reveal When you’re happy with your shapes, unfold your snowflake to reveal your finished design! Tips for how to make snowflakes Use thin paper: standard printer paper works best, as it’s easy to fold and cut cleanly. Thicker paper can be tricky to shape neatly. Keep your folds crisp: run your finger or the edge of a ruler along each fold for sharp, even lines. Start with simple cuts: small triangles or half-moon shapes are easy to handle and still create lovely patterns once unfolded. Unfold carefully: the paper can tear easily after being folded so many times, so open it out slowly to reveal your snowflake design. How to decorate with snowflakes Create a window display: stick your snowflakes to windows with double-sided tape to catch the light and bring a wintry feel indoors. Dress your table: scatter smaller snowflakes down the centre of your Christmas table or use them as pretty place settings. Add sparkle: brush each snowflake with a little glue and dust with glitter or iridescent powder for a frosty shimmer Hang a few: thread snowflakes onto clear string or fishing line and hang them at different heights for a magical, floating effect. Top your gifts: swap ribbons for a handmade snowflake tied or taped onto wrapped presents for a personal touch Looking for more festive craft projects? Try these guides… How to make fake snow Top 5 Christmas crafts for kids How to make a snow globe How to make a hot chocolate cone How to make salt dough decorations How to make a bath bomb Tell us what festive fun you have planned this year in the comments below…
Discover our freezer-friendly Christmas cakes, cookies, puddings and other bakes to help make your festive prep that much easier
Making good use of your freezer is more important than ever during the festive season. With plenty of freezable Christmas recipes on offer, we’ve picked our favourite sweet treats that can be baked ahead of time and frozen – so all you need to do when your guests arrive is defrost or assemble a stylish dessert for the table. Try these freezable festive bakes, or head over to our ultimate Christmas baking collection for even more inspiration. We've got plenty more ideas for make-ahead Christmas food in our make-ahead Christmas dessert ideas, make-ahead Christmas recipe collection and make-ahead Christmas starter recipes. Read our freezer guide to Christmas for freezer advice then take a browse through our freezable Christmas recipes and freezable Christmas centrepieces. 1. Red velvet brownies Enjoy these festively red, rich and fudgy red velvet brownies swirled with a tangy cheesecake filling. They're perfect treat when you have guests over at Christmas. Plus, you can freeze them in their entirety for up to a month. 2. Mincemeat half-baked cookies Indulge in these soft and squidgy Christmas cookies with moreish mincemeat flavours. A novel way to enjoy festive flavours, they're the perfect bake for impressing loved ones. Make ahead and freeze, then simply pop in the oven when guests arrive. 3. Passion fruit, chocolate & coconut roulade This modern twist on a classic Yule log is a great dessert to have in the freezer over Christmas. You can bake and assemble this passion fruit, chocolate & coconut roulade all ahead of time. To serve, simply bring out to stand at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. 4. Gingerbread cake with caramel biscuit icing Although there are a few stages to making this fantastic gingerbread cake with caramel biscuit icing, you can make it more achievable by making the sponges in advance and popping them in the freezer. Closer to the big day, let the sponges thaw and focus on whipping up the delicious caramel biscuit icing that makes this cake so special. Assemble and decorate with as many pretty gingerbread biscuits as you like – perfect! 5. Sticky toffee Christmas pud Most Christmas puddings will last well in or out of the freezer and this decadent version works particularly well as a showstopper on standby. Our blitz-&-bake sticky toffee Christmas pud combines the crowd-pleasing elements of a sticky toffee pudding with classic carrot cake, topped with a devilishly moreish walnut toffee sauce. 6. Christmas buns Wake up on Christmas morning to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns with Paul Hollywood’s wholesome festive recipe. Bake these Christmas buns for the family and freeze them until needed, then defrost and warm through in the oven before generously drizzling with zesty lemon icing. 7. Snowman biscuits Bake a batch of these snowman biscuits and freeze them, un-iced, until you need a fun winter’s day activity. When you need to entertain the kids, simply defrost the plain biscuits and get the little ones to help decorate them with simple fondant icing in different colours. Visit our Christmas for kids recipe collection for even more family projects to keep the kids entertained in the holidays. 8. From-the-freezer mince pies It’s handy to have a few from-the-freezer mince pies over the festive season in case of unexpected guests – or in case your expected guests have large appetites! This is one of our quickest recipes for mince pies, using ready-made ingredients for simplicity and ease. 9. Christmas tree cakes These ultra-festive Christmas tree cakes are sure to impress friends and family at a Christmas party or gathering. Undecorated, it will keep wrapped and frozen for up to three months. Once out of the freezer and ready to decorate, why not get little ones involved in the process? This clever recipe makes two ‘trees’ from just one sponge, so once it’s cooled, you can go head-to-head on the decorating! 10. Dubai chocolate dates Transform trending Dubai chocolate flavours and textures, including crisp kadayif (shredded filo) pastry and pistachio-tahini cream, into a festive nibble with these chocolate-dipped dates. Simply freeze in a single layer on the tray until solid, then transfer to a freezerproof bag and keep for up to three months. Feeling festive? Try these Christmas recipe collections: Top Christmas baking recipes Freezable Christmas recipes A freezer guide to Christmas Easy Christmas dessert recipes What are your top tips for freezing cakes and puddings? Leave a comment below…
How to make salt dough Christmas decorations
Spruce up the Christmas tree with easy homemade salt dough decorations. It's a wonderfully festive activity to do on a cosy winter evening.
Whether you wish you decorate your own family tree with the kids or give these away as gifts, simple salt dough decorations are so easy and fun to make. Follow our guide and learn how to make salt dough, then use the steps below to decorate and hang your own beautiful Christmas decorations. See our homemade Christmas decoration ideas, top Christmas crafts for kids and top DIY Christmas crafts for more festive crafting inspiration. How to make salt dough decorations Makes 10-12 decorations You will need 1 quantity salt dough plain flour, for dusting rolling pin biscuit cutters piping nozzle (optional) acrylic paints or felt-tip pens thin ribbon Method 1. Roll the salt dough out onto a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of about 5mm. 2. Use the biscuit cutters to cut shapes from the dough – we chose Christmas trees and snowflakes. 3. Press the tip of a piping nozzle into the top of each shape to make a neat hole. If you don’t have a piping nozzle, you can use a sharp pencil to poke a hole through the dough. Choose the position carefully – the hole needs to be near the top of the design, but not so close to the edge that it breaks. 4. Set your oven to its lowest heat. Put your shapes on a lined baking sheet and bake for 3 hrs, or until solid. Leave to cool completely. 5. Once cool, paint and decorate as you like. We found that acrylic paint works best, but you could also colour them with felt-tip pens, glitter or festive stickers. Leave to dry. To finish, loop the ribbon through the hole and tie at the top, ready to hang on the tree. Ideas for festive salt dough decorations - Expand this section to a top 10 list, using inspiration from crafts websites and Getty images. Include more pics to show ideas (don't need to go into method too much, keep to length of existing entries) 1. Baby’s first Christmas Make a new family keepsake by rolling out a circle of salt dough and helping a child gently push their hand into it to make an imprint. Decorate as you’d like, adding the year to the back of the decoration. 2. Tree shapes Cut out a single large tree shape, bake for a little longer (4-6 hrs), leave to cool, then paint green. Younger children will now be able to help decorate with star stickers, pieces of tinsel or pom-poms. 3. Names on the tree For a fun family activity, each of you can add your name onto a decoration using a glitter pen. 4. Sparkling snowflake Use a cutter to cut out a snowflake shape, then bake until solid. Once cool, paint white, then let your little ones decorate with silver glitter pens. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/11/GettyImages-1160140112-f81e76c.jpg" width="3648" height="5472" alt="Stock photo of artificial Christmas tree homemade colourful snow flake decorations made from salt dough, baked like cookies and painted by hand with acrylic and poster paints, fake Xmas tree decorated with twinkling fairy lights, silver tinsel, baubles" title="Image of artificial Christmas tree homemade colourful snow flake decorations made from salt dough, baked like cookies and painted by hand with acrylic and poster paints, fake Xmas tree decorated with twinkling fairy lights, silver tinsel, baubles" /> 5. Candy canes These candy canes are simple but effective, using a biscuit cutter for ease. Get creative by using a variety of paints and glitter combinations. 6. Shining stars Christmas trees aren't compete without some star decorations. Feel free to mix and match with paint and glitter for a homemade touch. 7. Gingerbread man A friendly-looking gingerbread person makes an adorable addition to any Christmas tree – just make sure to let little ones know this one isn't edible! <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/11/GettyImages-1207002456-f3bdbdf.jpg" width="1536" height="2730" alt="Stock photo showing artificial Christmas tree homemade gingerbread man, gingerbread men decorations made from salt dough, baked like cookies and painted by hand with acrylic / poster paints, fake Xmas tree decorated with fairy lights, silver tinsel, baubles." title="Image of artificial Christmas tree hanging homemade gingerbread man, salt dough gingerbread men, fairy lights, silver tinsel, baubles decorations" /> 8. Festive house Let your children's imaginations go wild when decorating these cute festive houses – no jewel or pom-pom is off limits! 9. Friendly snowman This smiling snowman makes a charming tree decoration. Leave the dainty painting parts to older kids and adults. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/11/GettyImages-1160125011-0baaf47.jpg" width="3648" height="2432" alt="Stock photo of artificial Christmas tree homemade snowmen / snowman decorations made from salt dough, baked like cookies and painted by hand with acrylic and poster paints, fake Xmas tree decorated with twinkling fairy lights, silver tinsel, baubles and snowmen" title="Image of artificial Christmas tree homemade snowmen / snowman decorations made from salt dough, baked like cookies and painted by hand with acrylic and poster paints, fake Xmas tree decorated with twinkling fairy lights, silver tinsel, baubles and snowmen" /> 10. Christmas mittens How adorable are these festive mittens? You could even personalise each mitten by adding your name using a glitter pen. Discover more Christmas kids’ activities How to make a snow globe How to make hot chocolate cones How to make potato stamps How to make a bath bomb Indoor activities for kids Top DIY Christmas crafts Have you made any salt dough Christmas decorations this year? Leave a comment below…
Make these easy Christmas crafts with the kids as a fun and festive activity – including homemade gifts, Christmas cards and decorations for the tree.
With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever to have a few indoor activities for kids up your sleeve to keep them entertained. If you’re ready to raid the kitchen cupboard and dig out a few art supplies, we have 10 simple projects that are full of festive magic. They’re all budget-friendly, and most are simple enough for the kids to make with just a little supervision. Of course, it might look like such fun that the adults want to join in, too! Adults can get in on the festive fun with more Christmas craft ideas and easy table decorations, or send some Christmas cheer with our DIY card ideas. Easy Christmas crafts for kids 1. Salt dough Christmas decorations Is there anything more festive than seeing a Christmas tree adorned with homemade decorations? You only need three simple ingredients – plain flour, table salt and water – to make our easy salt dough recipe, then use biscuit cutters to make your own shapes. Kids can then get as creative (or messy!) as they like with the decoration. Learn how to make salt dough Christmas decorations with our handy guide. 2. Reindeer hot chocolate cones These fun characters make the perfect quick and easy Christmas gift! Follow our steps for how to make hot chocolate cones, customising them with whatever sweet treats you might have lurking in the cupboard – we went for mini marshmallows and chocolate drops, but glacé cherries or sprinkles would also work well. Kids will love adding the googly eyes and pom-pom nose! 3. Easy potato stamp Christmas cards Get your little ones to make their own Christmas cards for friends and family this year when you make your own potato stamps. Adults will definitely need to help make the stamps, as you need a knife to cut out the shapes, but once that’s done there’s really no end to the fun you can have with a set of potato stamps and some brightly coloured poster paint. Try other ideas, too – make your own wrapping paper, decorate gift bags or make a picture. 4. Homemade snow globe It’s easier than you think to make a homemade snow globe – our version uses a few teaspoons of glycerine and some biodegradable glitter to make a snowy scene, but you can also use baby oil. Place any waterproof figurine inside; an old decoration from the Christmas tree works particularly well. Kids will be so proud of their final masterpiece, be sure to display it in pride of place! 5. Fake snow activity Younger children especially will love this tactile craft project. Learn how to make fake snow using just cornflour and bicarbonate of soda, then let the kids sculpt their own miniature snowmen or make little snow scenes in the kitchen. Best of all, it only takes 5 minutes to make a batch. 6. Pasta wreath Christmas card After an easy homemade Christmas card idea? Make super simple wreaths with painted pasta shapes and ribbons. Use green acrylic to colour the pasta, leave them to dry, then stick to card in a circle shape (weighing them down with a plate or book will help the pasta bond with the paper). Then stick on a ribbon bow, or pom-poms to create baubles. Festive, foody and fun! 7. Cork penguins & snowmen These cute little critters are a great use for old wine bottle corks (or a good excuse to crack into a few more bottles!). Paint the corks with two layers of white acrylic, then draw the penguins and snowmen's faces and bodies on the dried corks with black and orange permanent markers. Glue strips of green felt around the corks for scarves, then screw an eyelet screw (the kind you use to hang pictures) into the top of each figure. Thread a stretch of ribbon through each eyelet hook and hang your finished figures from the Christmas tree. 8. Cookie cutter baubles Decorate your tree with something delightfully food-y this Christmas – gingerbead cutters! You'll need ribbon, festive gingerbread cutters and old Christmas cards or a pack of Christmas scrapbooking paper. Trace the shape of each cutter onto different cards (or paper) with a pencil, then cut out the shapes. Glue around the edge of each cutter (a hot glue gun or tube of strong glue with a nozzle is easiest for this), then stick the cut-out card in place. Leave to dry. Poke a 1cm horizontal line in the card along the top of each bauble with a wide-eyed needle. Thread the needle with a strip of ribbon and pull through the hole of your first bauble, then remove the needle and tie a knot with the ribbon. Repeat with the rest of the baubles, then hang from your Christmas tree. 9. Handprinted wrapping paper Paint the palms of your child’s hands with red paint and their fingers with white paint, then press onto brown paper to make Father Christmas faces. Leave the designs to dry, then add details with a black marker. As well as handprints, you can also create festive designs with thumbprints: try white thumbprint snowmen (using a black pen to draw on eyes and mouths and coloured marker pens for noses and scarves); black and white thumbprint penguins (using an orange pen for noses); or brown thumbprint Rudolphs (using a red pen for noses and a black pen for eyes and mouths). 10. Pine cone Christmas trees Collect pine cones on a wintry walk with the kids to make these mini Christmas tree decorations for your home or child's dollhouse. Cover a table with newspaper and spray the cones with metallic silver paint. Cut little stars from card and spray these with silver paint, too. Once dry, sit the pine cone trees in little glasses or pots, attach the stars to the top with glue and surround with used matchboxes or raisin packets covered in off-cuts of wrapping paper to look like miniature presents. 11. Lolly stick tree decorations Paint 4 lolly sticks white on one side and set aside to dry on a sheet of newspaper, then paint the other side and set aside. Paint 4 lolly sticks red in the same way, and 4 green. To make a snowflake, glue 2 white sticks at the centre in a cross shape, then another 2. Glue both crosses together at a diagonal angle. Hold firmly in place until set. To make a tree, use the scissors to trim 3 green lolly sticks to size, and glue them horizonally across a red lolly stick (for the trunk) with the longest stick at the bottom and the shortest at the top, and the blunt end facing up. For a Rudolph decoration, glue 2 red sticks into a ‘V’ shape, then another red stick about a third of the way down across the ‘V’ (the blunt ends will be antlers and ears). To make a candy cane, trim three pieces from a white lolly stick and glue together into a hook shape. Glue the hook to another white lolly stick. Use a brush and different coloured paints to finish your decorations, dotting baubles onto the tree, blue arrows on the snowflake, red stripes across the candy canes and two black eyes and a red nose at the pointed tip for Rudolph. Cut 10cm lengths of ribbon and glue both ends in a loop on the back of each decoration. 12. Present toppers It’s best to choose your dried flowers and foliage according to the size of the present you’re wrapping. For a large gift, you might want to combine dried grass flowers with a selection of dried seed heads, like poppy or wild carrot. For a smaller gift, use an individual stem like a strawflower (helichrysum). If you are picking flowers and grasses, make sure to dry them well by hanging in small bunches in a dark place. Once you have your dried flowers and foliage, choose which elements you think will look good sprayed with metallic paint. We like to have one hero item that is metallic, and leave the rest natural. Lay the items you’re spraying on sheets of old newspaper or card and spray evenly. Once dry, turn and repeat. Assemble your posy and tie neatly with twine. Wind the twine around the stems a dozen or so times to create a collar, which is then tied off at the back of the posy. Trim all stems neatly below the twine to give a smart finish. Tuck the posy into a ribbon or string on your present. Finish with a luggage tag, if you like, and write a message. 13. Paper snowflakes You only need paper, scissors and a sprinkle of festive spirit for this super easy activity. Making paper snowflakes is a great project for all ages – younger kids can use safe scissors and a bigger piece of paper to make it easier, whereas older kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy the challenge of making an intricate design. Best of all, every snowflake is unique – so you can be as creative as you like. You will need a square piece of paper (if using A4 paper, simply fold the bottom of the paper upwards into a triangle and cut away the excess) and scissors. Fold a square piece of paper into a triangle.Fold the triangle in half again, to make a smaller triangle. Fold over the right hand side of the triangle so that you are folding into thirds. Turn the paper over. Repeat the fold as you did for step three, this time on the other side. Use scissors to cut straight across the top, as shown, so that you are left with a thin folded triangle. Now you can cut any shape into the folded snowflake, being careful not to make any cuts that go all the way across (this will break your snowflake). When you’re happy with your shapes, unfold your snowflake to reveal your finished design! 14. Toy-box table place settings Raid the kids’ toy box for little plastic animals and toy cars to decorate your Christmas table. Write the names of your friends and family on labels and assign each person a toy. Wrap old raisin packets in scraps of wrapping paper to look like miniature presents, then tie to the top of the cars with twine. Alternatively, top the cars with miniature bottle brush Christmas trees. Make easy Father Christmas hats for the toys from white cupcake cases: draw a solid red circle on each wrapper, leaving about 1cm border at the edge, then fold in half and halve again. Wrap into a cone, glue into shape and stick a little white pompom to the top of each hat, then pop on the toy animals' heads. If you have any corks left over from making cork snowmen (see above), you can make photo name place settings, too: cut a slit in the top of each cork and slide in a name tag and photo of each of your guests. 15. Matchbox angel This sleeping angel makes a lovely keepsake or gift. To make the bed, cover a large, empty matchbox in snowflake-patterned wrapping paper and cut out a rectangle of green felt to fit inside the box. To make the angel, paint ¾ of a wooden ice lolly stick with white paint (for her dress), then decorate the top of the stick with yellow paint (for her hair). Use marker pens to draw on eyes and a mouth, then varnish the angel with simple craft varnish. To make her halo, fold a silver foil twist tag (the kind that comes with sandwich bags) around her head and snip away the excess at the back. Cut wings from a scrap of fabric and glue in place. Glue buttons or little wooden decorations in place on your angel, if you like. Find a matchbox-sized bag to hold the finished gift and decorate with ribbon or buttons. Cut out a festive message from a Christmas catalogue or magazine and stick it onto a gift label, then attach to the gift bag. 16. Sewing box Christmas cards Give the kids a selection of fabric ribbon, fabric off-cuts and buttons and let them make their own cards. Use glue to stick the ribbon and buttons in place. You can make a Christmas angel card using the lolly stick angel from the matchbox craft project above. Alternatively, make mini versions of these cards as gift tags. 17. Christmas song lyric tapestry Tweens and teens can make a tapestry of their favourite Christmas song. Start by writing the lyrics on a piece of plain A4-sized cross-stitch canvas with a pencil. Use contrasting colours of cross-stitch cotton thread to sew your design in a simple neat backstitch. Frame your finished embroidery and give as a gift or keep to display on Christmas mantlepiece. 18. Peg doll & cardboard nativity Make nativity scene figures by decorating plain wooden peg dolls with craft paints and marker pens. Varnish with craft varnish and leave to dry. Use a small pile of shredded paper for the manger. Create a backdrop of a stable scene with two sides of a used cardboard box – cut out the shape of a stable from one flap, then cut out a window and door from the same flap. Fold at the box’s natural crease to form a supporting base. Cut out a small piece of baking parchment and tape over the back of the window and door. Place battery-powered fairy lights behind the baking parchment to light up the stable. You can tape the cardboard base in place on a tray or shelf once finished and use the battery pack from the lights (or something else with a bit of weight to it) to prop it up at the back. We added a little glue and white glitter along the roof of our stable for snow, as well as a simple star of Bethlehem. 19. Citrus candle holders & garland Cut the tops off three oranges, about two-thirds of the way up, using a small, sharp knife. Working with them one by one, carefully push the knife between the orange peel and the flesh, cutting all the way around until the flesh is loose and can be pulled out (enjoy as a snack or in a smoothie). Scoop out any remaining bits using a dessertspoon, making sure all the flesh and fibres are pulled away, leaving behind the smooth, white pith. Push a small star-shaped biscuit cutter through the orange peel to make a few holes all over and create a pattern – not too many (you want the orange peel to hold its shape). Put a tealight in each orange peel holder and arrange on a table. To make the garland, thread a large needle with some brown string and pull it through the centre of each star-shaped orange peel off-cut. Continue threading until all the off-cuts are used, then cut the string to your desired length. Use the garland to decorate the tree or your Christmas table. 20. Potato print fabric for gift hampers Lay some old newspaper out on a clean, dry, flat surface. Lay a square piece of ironed cotton fabric (about 80 x 80cm) on top. Cut a potato in half using a small, sharp knife. Use a marker pen to lightly sketch your design onto the cut surface of the potato (we opted for a striped candy cane with one half and a bauble with the other). Carefully cut out the space around your design using the knife. Use some kitchen paper to pat the cut side of the potato dry. With a paintbrush, brush a thin layer of acrylic fabric paint over the design. Press the potato down firmly onto the fabric, making sure not to move it to avoid smudging the design. Apply more paint and repeat to make a pattern. Leave the fabric to dry completely overnight. Once the fabric is dry, iron each side following the manufacturer’s instructions for the paint. Lay the fabric out, printed-side down, and put a filled gift box (about 19 x 19 x 11cm high) in the middle. Tie a flat knot with corners 1 and 2, pulling the knot tightly on the hamper. Then, tie another flat knot with corners 3 and 4 over the previous knot. This will give the pretty effect of a knot with four points. Discover more ideas for kids at Christmas 27 Christmas projects for kids Homemade Christmas gift ideas Christmas for kids recipes Indoor activities for kids How to make a bath bomb Have you tried any of these activities with your kids? We’d love to know in the comments below...
The 10 best vegetarian Christmas party foods
Throw a vegetarian Christmas party with a buffet packed full of meat-free canapés, colourful salads, festive finger food and indulgent sweet treats
Whether you’re looking to cater for a crowd of veggie friends and family, or just want to add a few meat-free options at your Christmas party, we have a whole host of vegetarian festive recipes to inspire your buffet table. For even more ideas, see our vegetarian Christmas canapé recipes, or if you’re cooking meat-free on the big day itself we have plenty of top tips for a vegetarian Christmas. Discover more vegetarian buffet recipes and vegan party recipes for when you're throwing a plant-based bash. Veggie Christmas party food ideas 1. Butternut, sage & hazelnut quiche Filled with sweet squash and delicately spiced with nutmeg, this butternut, sage & hazelnut quiche feels positively festive. Once baked, you can serve this at room temperature, making it a great option for casual entertaining. 2. Luxury hummus Whip up a batch of our luxury hummus and serve a generous bowlful alongside your choice of crudités – heritage carrots, radishes and pitta bread all work wonders to brighten up the table. This silky smooth recipe is strewn with pomegranate seeds to keep it feeling Christmassy. Find more hummus recipes for alternatives. 3. Cheese & onion rolls True to the spirit of Christmas, there should always be an abundance of pastry-based snacks to make the seasonal offerings feel suitably decadent. These vegetarian cheese and onion rolls, decorated with nigella seeds, really hit the spot. 4. Pull-apart garlic rolls with baked camembert This cheesy centrepiece is sure to be a hit among veggie and non-veggies alike. Dunk your garlic and herby squidgy rolls into the oozing baked camembert centre. Discover more tempting baked camembert recipes. 5. Twisty cheese straws A firm favourite with party guests of all ages, we’re sure a plate of these twisty cheese straws won’t last long! You’ll need to use a vegetarian pesto (made without parmesan) to keep this recipe veggie-friendly, or you can try our recipe for quick cheese straws for an easy alternative. 6. IPA & red leicester dip with pretzel croutons This indulgent dip is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Made with creamy red leicester cheese, hoppy IPA beer and with crunchy pretzel croutons for dunking, what's not to love? 7. Root vegetable tatin with candied nuts & blue cheese Make a root vegetable tatin with candied nuts & blue cheese for the perfect vegetarian centrepiece on Boxing Day. We especially love the added touch of using caramelised walnuts in this recipe – their crunchy sweetness is so satisfying when paired with the mature cheese on top. 8. Truffled mushroom pâté With a real sense of indulgence – yet blissfully easy to prepare – this truffled mushroom pâté needs nothing more than a selection of mini crispbreads to be enjoyed. If you’re entertaining more formally, simply spread this vegetarian pâté onto toast squares for a quick and simple canapé. 9. Cheesy spinach & artichoke dip Spinach and artichokes combine with three types of cheese to make a melting delight for your guests, ready for dipping into with your dunkers of choice – we love using crusty bread, tortilla chips and assorted crudités. 10. Nut roast rolls A tasty, meat-free alternative to traditional sausage rolls, these veggie-friendly bites are filled with lentils, mushrooms and nuts for plenty of flavour, and uses ready-rolled puff pastry to make it even easier. Looking for more meat-free Christmas recipes? Try these: Top things to serve a vegetarian this Christmas Our ultimate vegetarian Christmas recipes Complete Christmas menu: vegetarian Vegetarian Christmas canapés Vegetarian Christmas menu What vegetarian food will you be serving at your party? Leave a comment below…
Once the kids have carved their pumpkins, encourage them to make the most of this seasonal squash by cooking up one of these fun and thrifty recipes.
Pumpkins are a wonderfully versatile ingredient, so there’s no need for the flesh to go to waste at Halloween. After you’ve learnt how to carve a pumpkin with the kids (take a look at our pumpkin carving stencils and templates for spooky inspiration), get inspired with these family-friendly recipes – from satisfying suppers to fun baking ideas. For younger kids, adults should always handle any sharp equipment when carving pumpkins or preparing them in our recipes. If you’re keen to go completely waste-free in your kitchen, you can try our best pumpkin seed recipes, too. Next, discover our Halloween kids' recipes for spooky and autumnal-inspired recipes that the kids can take the lead on. Then check out our easy Halloween recipes, most popular Halloween recipes and autumn crafts for kids. You could even go the extra mile and make a fun family outing to pick your pumpkin with the best pumpkin patches in the UK. 10 family pumpkin recipes 1. Pumpkin hummus If you’re celebrating the season in style, use a pumpkin to decorate your dinner table and fill it with this delicious pumpkin hummus. The flesh is simply scooped out and roasted in the oven, then the kids can help tip it all into a food processor – along with lemon juice, tahini paste and chickpeas – and whizz it all together. 2. Pumpkin spice scones You’ll need to roast the pumpkin flesh for this recipe, too, but once you’ve done that, kids will have great fun making a batch of these seasonal scones. Get small hands to help with the mixing, weighing and stamping out circles using a cutter. After baking, everyone can enjoy devouring these pumpkin spice scones while they are still warm from the oven. 3. Halloween pumpkin cake Similar to carrot cake, this traybake will go down a storm with family members of all ages. Our top-rated Halloween pumpkin cake combines grated squash with subtle spices and orange flavours, and is topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. 4. Pumpkin & bacon soup As the nights draw in, a comforting bowl of pumpkin and bacon soup is sure to make a welcome option for a family meal. This recipe uses chunks of pumpkin simmered for 40 minutes – if you’re using smaller pieces of flesh from the centre of a hollowed-out pumpkin, just lower the cooking time accordingly until the squash is soft. We also have a classic pumpkin soup recipe for a veggie alternative. 5. Pumpkin pie s’mores Whip up a batch of your own pumpkin purée – small pieces of squash simply steamed and mashed – then you’re all set to make this delicious campfire classic. Kids will love squidging together the ginger nut biscuits with gooey marshmallow inside! These easy pumpkin pie s’mores can also be made with canned purée, if you prefer – try them on Bonfire Night and beyond. 6. Creamy pumpkin pasta Creamy pumpkin pasta is a great way to get kids cooking and enjoying their veg. With a silky sauce of pumpkin, mascarpone and parmesan, it’s simple, tasty and perfect to make together. 7. Pumpkin bread Great for lunchboxes or an evening treat, our delicious pumpkin & ginger tea bread is a breeze to make. The only bit you might need to help the kids with is grating the pumpkin – the squash can be slippery, so watch those fingers! Wrapped tightly, this loaf will keep well in the cake tin, but if you want to refresh the texture, gently toast a slice before slathering with butter. 8. Spiced pumpkin Halloween cake Although this spooky cake looks rather impressive, the decoration is simply made by melting white chocolate and topping the cake with orange buttercream. The pumpkin-spiced sponges can be frozen ahead of time (un-iced) too. 9. Pumpkin muffins Our five star-rated recipe is a winner for a reason. They're ready made in 3o minutes flat so can satisfy pumpkin-spice cravings in record time! 10. Pumpkin cinnamon rolls Bake a lightly spiced treat for chilly, autumnal mornings with these pumpkin cinnamon rolls. They take a bit of time, but you'll reap the rewards with the delicious result. Discover more twists on cinnamon buns. What do you like to do with your leftover pumpkin? Tell us in the comments below… Discover more pumpkin recipes: 10 new ways with pumpkin Pumpkin purée recipe ideas How to roast pumpkin seeds Our best ever pumpkin soup recipes Getting ready for Halloween? We have you covered: Ultimate Halloween collection How to throw a kids’ Halloween party Pumpkin carving templates How to carve a pumpkin How to make Halloween cupcakes
Avoid the after-school slump with these nourishing snacks for kids – these simple recipes will help to restore energy levels between meals.
When the kids get home from school, it can be tricky to find healthy snacks that will keep them satisfied until dinnertime. These budget-friendly ideas are all quick and easy to prepare – either make a batch of snacks ahead of time and keep them ready for hungry moments, or assemble them quick as a flash after school. Don’t worry – the little ones will soon have plenty of energy again. If you’re buying pre-packaged snacks, the NHS advice is to opt for 100 calorie snacks, and enjoy no more than two a day max. Kids can, of course, eat their fill of fruit and vegetables between meals, and for homemade recipes it’s not necessary to count calories – just keep an eye on your child’s overall salt, sugar and fat intake and try to balance their diet throughout the day. Here, we've picked recipes that can be enjoyed as part of a normal, balanced diet. Find guides on everything from the best wooden play food and kids baking set ideas, to amazing space projects for kids in our family & kids section. For some extra inspiration, discover our baking recipe collection for kids. Looking for recipe inspiration during the school year? See our top quick after-school suppers. After-school snacks for kids View Green Video on the source website 1. Instant frozen berry yogurt Three ingredients and 2 mins are all you need to whip up this low-fat, low-calorie frozen yogurt treat, ideal for eating after exercise or a long day of learning at school. 2. Hummus snack packs Save the liquid from a can of chickpeas to make a creamy hummus. Serve it with simple veg for a healthy snack that contributes to your little one's five-a-day. 3. Chickpea fritters Make a batch of these chickpea fritters for your little ones. Full of healthy goodness, they're also freezable, so are ideal for making ahead. 4. Rice cake cress faces Kids will love helping to make these no-cook vegan snacks. Load up rice cakes with hummus (or your nut butter of choice) then have fun transforming them into faces with cress hair, cucumber mouths, and olive and tomato eyes. 5. Mini soft pretzels with cheese dip Little hands will love dunking these homemade pretzels into the melted cheese dip. They're freezable too, so whip up a batch to have on hand when hunger strikes. Now try more pretzel recipes. 6. Vegan nuggets These vegan nuggets contain no nasties – just wholesome ingredients including cauliflower, cannellini beans, carrots and a seasoned breadcrumb coating. Discover more healthy vegan snack ideas. 7. Cinnamon & apricot trail mix Bring a batch of this trail mix to the afternoon school run for hungry kids who can't wait until they get home for a snack. It's packed with dried apricots, walnut halves and mixed seeds. 8. No-bake flapjacks This no-bake vegan snack is perfect for filling hungry tummies. Mix it up with the nut butter of your choosing and a mix of chocolate, dried fruit and nuts. 9. Turkey & avocado toast Fresh fruit and vegetables are often the best option for kids after school, but sometimes they need something more substantial. Turkey & avocado toast makes a delicious energy-boosting snack that’s quick to prepare. Although not as cheap to buy, you might like to try smoked salmon, cooked chicken or ham as alternative toppings. 10. Pepper & walnut hummus with veg dippers Vegetable sticks to the rescue! Satisfyingly crunchy and boasting a tasty homemade dip, little ones will love this pepper & walnut hummus with veg dippers. You can blitz this all-in-one method for hummus ahead of time, so there’s always some waiting in the fridge when they get home. 11. Rainbow fruit skewers Get the kids involved with making these simple rainbow fruit skewers – they’ll have great fun assembling them in the right colour order. Use whatever fruit you have handy, and if they get bored of rainbows, you can get creative and make fruit faces or animals instead. 12. Almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix Make a batch of almond, raisin & popcorn trail mix ahead of time for another go-to snack – it keeps beautifully in an airtight container as part of a kids’ lunchbox, too. Remember to always chop the nuts for children under five years old as they can be a choking hazard, and if you're sending this snack to school, you may need to check the school's policy on nuts. 13. Apple crunch Simple but effective, spreading protein-rich peanut butter onto a halved apple is a cheap and easy snack that kids will love. If you can, choose a shop-bought spread with no added salt or sugar – alternatively, have a bash at whizzing up your own homemade peanut butter or try our almond butter recipe. You can easily swap the apple for sliced banana, strawberries, celery or cucumber, depending on your child’s preference. 14. Healthier flapjacks When only a sweet snack will do, these healthier flapjacks are sure to hit the spot. We’ve swapped out some of the higher fat you’ll find in shop-bought versions, although the dried fruit makes them high in sugar, so enjoy them as a treat once in a while. Half a portion – packed full of oats, seeds and fruit – should be enough to fill little tummies. 15. Turkey & pepper pittas Bridge the gap between school and supper with a mini pitta bread packed with veg and protein. These turkey & pepper pittas are a good place to start, or our recipe for toaster pitta pockets will satisfy cheese fiends of all ages. 16. Fruit rice paper rolls with coulis dip These no-cook fruit rice paper rolls will be an instant hit with little ones, and they’re served with a mixed berry coulis for dunking. Ready in under 15 minutes, the tropical fruit provides a nutritious burst of energy. 17. Wrap-your-own spring rolls If you have a bit more time at the weekend, get the little ones involved and wrap your own spring rolls – you can reheat these treats later in the week as you need them. Mix and match the vegetables inside so that kids can eat the ones they like the most. 18. Apricot oat bars Bake a batch of these moreish apricot oat bars ready for when the kids are craving something sweet. Salted butter balances the sweet apricot jam, so they’re a treat without being too sugary. 19. Healthy banana bread Give your kids all the joy of an afternoon cake without worrying about a sugar crash with our low-fat, healthy banana bread. It’s also freezable, so you can always have one waiting in the wings as a surprise. 20. Chocolate chia pudding Make a tasty, healthy chocolate pudding in just five minutes. It's low-calorie and vegan, too, and the chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Looking for more? Try these these guides on healthy eating for kids: Top sugar swaps for your family Snacks that are under 100 calories Top 5 healthy snacks for kids What do your kids like to eat after school? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
20 of the best indoor activities for kids
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained indoors? Try these fun and easy activities including homemade playdough, rock painting, pom-pom making and more
With just a few kitchen cupboard ingredients and basic supplies, you can keep little ones busy for hours at home with these activities for kids. Perfect for when they’re home from school or if there’s a rainy day ahead, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for indoor projects that are cheap and cheerful – you’ll often save money on the shop-bought version while encouraging plenty of imaginative play along the way. Most of these activities take less than 30 minutes before the kids can get stuck in, using items you’ll already find around the house. They can be enjoyably messy, though, so be sure to cover your kitchen table in newspaper before you start! For more inspiration, see our collection of the best dishes to cook with kids, plus find more gadgets and useful products in our reviews section, including the best foodie gifts for children, kids' baking sets and kids cooking set ideas. 1. Make your own playdough Once you’ve discovered how easy it is to make your own playdough at home, you’ll never look back! Using just plain flour, table salt, vegetable oil and water – plus whatever food colouring you can conjure up from the back of the cupboard – this easy-to-follow playdough recipe is one of our favourite indoor activities. Kids can use biscuit cutters to press out shapes or make their own models. 2. Create a bath bomb Want the kids to get excited about bath time? Teach them how to make a bath bomb and they’ll love watching their creations fizz in the water. The reaction between bicarbonate of soda and citric acid is what makes the magic happen – you might need to buy the ingredients in advance for this one, but we’ve tracked down where to buy citric acid. Experiment with different colours, essential oils and shapes to make your own unique versions. 3. Get creative with papier-mâché Papier-mâché, or paper mache, is cheap and easy to make, with the added bonus of allowing kids to get very messy indeed. You only need three ingredients – newspaper, plain flour and water – to get started. You can use paper mache to cover all sorts of objects, then once it’s dry you can paint it, or decorate with glitter, feathers or beads. Learn how to make paper mache and get creative! 4. Learn how to make salt dough Model-making is a great indoor activity, and kids will love displaying their finished creations on the mantlepiece. Learn how to make salt dough for an afternoon of fun! The ingredients are cheap and easy to find – your little ones just need a little patience as it takes three hours for the models to bake in the oven on the lowest setting. Once they are cool and sturdy, you can paint them however you wish. 5. Make potato stamps Toddlers especially will love using these simple stamps to make cards and pictures. Adults are needed to make potato stamps first and prepare a few pots of paint, then little ones can get creative and make their own designs. No potatoes? There’s always hand and finger painting, too! 6. Blow some bubbles If you’ve run out of store-bought bubble mixture or need a quick entertainment idea for the kids, it’s easy to make your own bubbles from washing-up liquid and water. You can also have plenty of fun finding different items around the house that could make bubbles – we made our own bubble wands from paperclips, straws and even biscuit cutters. Remember to cover up any soft furnishings first if you’re doing this one indoors. 7. Play with slime Gloopy slime is really popular with kids of all ages, so here’s an all-natural way to make your own at home. Some ready-made versions have chemicals in them, so we teach you how to make slime without borax. That means it’s safe for children to put in their mouths – although we’d advise against making a meal of it! 8. Learn how to cook As you’d expect, one of our favourite ways to spend time indoors is to head to the kitchen! Our kids’ baking collection has lots of easy biscuits, cakes, traybakes and muffins that children will love making and eating – for savoury ideas, we also have our popular kid’s cooking collection. Short on the essentials? Our kids’ baking recipes without flour are full of storecupboard alternatives. 9. Try rock painting All you need is a rock from the garden and some paints to make your own cute ladybird – or get creative and make up your own design! Easy rock painting for kids is a wonderfully quick, cheap and simple afternoon activity. 10. Make a puppet theatre Transform an old cereal box into a puppet theatre, then present your very own show! Kids will love learning how to make a puppet theatre, which comes with free characters for you to download, print and colour in at home. 11. Plant an indoor herb garden Follow our expert advice for beginners on how to make an indoor herb garden – soon, your children will be fascinated by their growing plants and excited to use them in their cooking! If you want to turn it into a longer and more creative activity, learn how to make a bee flower pot. 12. Make your own musical instruments Elastic band guitars, paper straw panpipes, tin can drums, wooden spoon maracas and lolly stick harmonicas – create your very own family band with these clever homemade instruments. All our instruments for kids have easy-to-follow instructions and only use budget-friendly, everyday items. 13. Play with fake snow You can make a batch of simple fake snow whatever the weather outside – young children will love squidging and pressing it into shapes. This indoor sensory activity can be made less festive with a few drops of food colouring. Add yellow to make it into sand, then kids can build their own sandcastles! 14. Make a pom-pom pet Homemade pom-poms are such an easy craft, and the simple addition of googly eyes turns them into a fun pet monster! Learn how to make a pom-pom then let your imagination do the rest – you could turn them into a trendy wreath or a decorative garland, if you like. 15. Try a science experiment Part recipe, part science experiment – children will love making our instant vanilla ice cream. Watch as milk turns into a delicious dessert before your very eyes! The secret here is adding salt to the ice, which lowers the temperature and allows the milk to freeze in minutes. 16. Make a pancake masterpiece Pancakes aren’t just for Pancake Day – they’re a brilliant way to keep little hands busy and bellies full at the weekend. Whether you're flipping a quick batch for breakfast or making a leisurely brunch spread, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Try shaping your stacks like cheerful buzzing bees, or get creative with fruity lion faces following our pancake art inspiration. For a real treat, lay out a pancake sharing board and let the kids take charge with their favourite toppings. Want to add a bit of friendly competition? Crown the most imaginative creation with a homemade medal biscuit – it’s a win-win. 17. Fly to the moon Moon sand is a brilliant hands-on activity for babies, toddlers and young children – it’s calming to play with, encourages creativity and helps develop fine motor skills. You can make your own at home with just two store-cupboard ingredients: cornflour and oil. It’s wonderfully soft and mouldable, and while it can get a little messy, it’s easy to sweep up with a dustpan and brush – ideal for indoor play. 18. Messy science Oobleck might sound like something from a storybook – and it is! This curious substance takes its name from a Dr Seuss tale, but it’s actually one of the easiest science experiments to try at home. Made with just two ingredients, oobleck behaves like both a solid and a liquid, which never fails to fascinate curious minds. It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore basic science concepts – no glazed-over eyes, just wide-eyed wonder. 19. Sew your own bunting If you’re after an activity that’ll keep kids engaged for a good few hours, homemade bunting is a lovely option. Taking around 4-6 hours, it’s perfect for a quiet day indoors. Along the way, children can pick up some simple sewing skills, and at the end, you’ll have cheerful decorations to brighten up your home. Choose fabrics to suit the season – think birthday prints, festive colours or summery florals – and save your finished bunting to bring out for special occasions. 20. Try origami Origami is a brilliant indoor activity – no special kit required, just a stack of paper and a bit of patience. Try one of our easy designs, from a playful jumping frog (add googly eyes for extra charm) to a delicate paper butterfly. There’s something to suit all ages and skill levels, making it a calming, creative way to pass the time. Discover more ways to keep kids busy Rainy day cooking projects for kids Top 10 easy bakes for children Top no-bake recipes for kids 5 half-term recipes for kids Find over 400 guides on everything from the best wooden play food and kids baking set ideas to amazing space projects for kids in our reviews section. What are your favourite activities on a rainy day? Let us know in the comments below…
When you need to keep the little ones entertained at home but don't have any flour, try these easy baking recipes for an afternoon of fun in the kitchen.
No flour in the cupboard? The kids can still enjoy these creative baking projects, from cornflake cakes and peanut butter cookies to rocky road and beyond. These recipes are all made without flour and most of them use cheap storecupboard ingredients that should be easy to find, or can be easily swapped for a replacement. For more ideas, visit our activities for kids and kids’ baking recipes. Remember to always wash your hands before and after handling food. Next discover our top flourless baking recipes, flourless cake recipes, and gluten-free baking recipes. 1. Raspberry honey flapjacks Using just five ingredients, these raspberry honey flapjacks make for a lovely afternoon snack. Children will love melting together the ingredients and mixing in the porridge oats, before pressing into the tin. If you don’t have raspberries, any frozen fruit would work, such as blueberries or a summer fruits mix. 2. No-bake orange cheesecake Our no-bake orange cheesecake is an easy recipe designed with little ones in mind – let’s face it, smashing up digestive biscuits is always a fun activity! You can segment fresh oranges for the decoration on top or use canned mandarins and peaches, if you like. 3. Crispy chocolate fridge cake There’s no need to even turn the oven on with this crispy chocolate fridge cake, keeping it even safer for little hands. It’s packed with biscuits, sultanas, puffed rice and lots of chocolate – simply decorate these with anything you might have lurking in the treat cupboard.Watch our video for step-by-step instructions on how to make fridge cake. 4. Peanut butter cookies Most of our kids’ cookies recipes have flour in them, but these little miracles don’t need any! Our popular peanut butter cookies only need three simple ingredients and a pinch of salt to bring them to life. 5. Gluten-free lemon drizzle cake Kids will think the secret ingredient to this gluten-free lemon drizzle cake is an absolute hoot – it uses mashed potato, along with ground almonds, instead of flour. This recipe is cheap to make with simple ingredients that you should have on hand. 6. Chocolate cornflake cakes Keep it simple with a batch of chocolate cornflake cakes, where children can help with weighing, melting, mixing and spooning into the individual cupcake cases. You just need to pop them in the fridge to firm up and then they’re ready to enjoy – easy. 7. Unicorn poo meringues Whisk together sugar and egg whites to create these adorable unicorn poo meringues – they make a brilliant afternoon project. Feeling full of the joys of spring? Our lemony Easter chicks use a similar whisking method and are just as cute. 8. Chilli chocolate & black bean brownies Black beans replace the flour in these clever chocolate brownies with chilli chocolate. If your kids prefer their food less spicy, simply swap for a plain chocolate variety. These easy treats will soon become a new favourite! 9. Hot cross bread & lemon pudding If you don’t have flour but you do have leftover bread, a bread & butter pudding could be the answer. This hot cross bread & lemon pudding is sure to be a hit with all the family – get younger ones to help spread the bun slices with lemon curd and then whisk together all the milky ingredients for a sweet and satisfying dessert. 10. Rocky road Another recipe which is wonderfully forgiving when you need to swap ingredients, rocky road is a teatime favourite that never fails to please. Sticky marshmallows, crunchy biscuit and plenty of chocolate make this a project kids will be happy to get stuck into. If you can resist it, the bars will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Discover more ways to keep the kids busy Indoor activities for kids Kids’ cooking projects Mocktail recipes for kids Ways to keep children active Easy and fun springtime crafts How to make playdough As many countries urge populations to stay at home, many of us are paying more attention to our diets and how the food we eat can support our health. To help sort out the fact from the fiction, BBC Future is updating some of their most popular nutrition stories from their archive. What are your top recipes when you've run out of flour? We'd love to hear your ideas below…