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Pancake Day: 5 ideas to inspire the best ever Shrove Tuesday with the kids

Pancakes, the food so good they have their own holiday. We love Shrove Tuesday, because we think pancakes are well worth celebrating.

For lots of British families, Pancake Day falls within half term this year, which gives you the chance to plan a whole day with the kids around this versatile, batter-based food.

Here are a few ideas for getting the kids involved, and making it a truly special day.

Idea #1: Try a different kind of pancake

There are lots of different types of pancake, from all over the world, and most of them have very simple recipes, so they’re easy to make at home with the kids.

We love pikelets. Originating in Wales and the West Midlands, pikelets are now hugely popular in Australia, the home of b.box. They're a bit like crumpets, with a chewy texture owing to their longer proving time, and they’re very easy to make – and delicious with either sweet or savoury toppings.

Want to make pikelets with the kids? Follow this great recipe from the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pikelets_25891

Want a fun way to feed the kids more vegetables? Japanese okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake that’s made with cabbage, and topped with meat, seafood, or veg, and a savoury sauce. It’s sometimes known as ‘Japanese pizza’ because you can add whatever toppings you like.

For a more filling pancake, you could try Taiwanese dan bing, which is effectively a crêpe and an omelette cooked and rolled together, then dipped in sauce – delicious.

Feeling fancy? Russian blinis can take a little longer, but the result – dainty, yeasted pancakes, topped with savoury salmon or fruity jam and cream – are a great crowd-pleaser if you’re hosting, and great for little hands (and lunchboxes).


Idea #2: Have fun with different toppings

An even easier way to get creative with your pancake-making is to try lots of toppings instead.

This writer belongs to a strict lemon-juice-and-sugar household, but will be changing things up this year to make a fun ‘brunchtime’ pancake buffet table for the kids: more fruit juices, a variety of jams, maple syrup, crème fraîche, chopped fruit, and chocolate chips too, if they’ve been good.

You could even do a suppertime pancake buffet with savoury toppings to try: bacon, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, spring onions and cucumber… maybe crispy duck and hoisin sauce. Why not? It might be a great way to find new foods your children enjoy eating!


TOP TIP: If you’ve got a baby or small toddler who wants to join in the fun, the b.box mealtime roll + go mat is perfect for serving a pancake and toppings with less mess!


Idea #3: Put a pancake and toppings in their lunchbox

If your kids are at school on Pancake Day, what better lunchtime treat than a pancake and toppings?

b.box’s big bento lunchbox has plenty of space for pancakes and fresh fruit, plus leakproof compartments for wet foods such as syrup or chocolate spread.

For lots of British kids, Pancake Day (17 February) falls within half term this year. So why not make a day of it, pack up your pancakes in a lunchbox and take the kids for a cold-weather picnic!

Find an outdoor space, such as a local wood, beach, nature reserve or National Trust property. Get the kids to spot snowdrops, daffodils and early-blossoming trees, such as blackthorn and cherry plum.

With a lunchbox filled with pancakes and toppings, and perhaps an insulated food jar filled with soup or stew, you’ve got a full, satisfying meal to keep them going in the cold weather.


Idea #4: Have a flipping contest with your kids

Pancake Day is a great time to introduce your children to basic cookery.

If you don’t mind the potential for a bit of mess, get them flipping pancakes. It might be the first time they handle a hot pan, so a good chance to teach them some kitchen safety skills. You could give an award for best flipped pancake, or most pancakes flipped.

If your kids are too little to handle the pan, you could give a toy pan a good clean and make them a little pancake to have a go at flipping safely. Or make some pancakes out of play-dough, and just pretend – less potential for waste!


Idea #5: Have fun with leftovers!

If you happen to be doing a similar ‘brunchtime’ pancake buffet table to the one mentioned earlier, chances are there’ll be leftovers. Ironic, as the original purpose of Pancake Day was to use leftovers up before Lent!

Luckily there are lots and lots of ways to use up leftover pancakes.

You can:

  • Fold one up and pop it in your kid's snackbox for the following day, along with some fruit

  • Make a milkshake with them, by blending them with milk and syrup

  • Stack them together and ice them to make an easy pancake-cake

  • Grill them with cheese to make a delicious sweet n’ savoury sandwich

  • Use them as the basis of a trifle, layering them in a bowl with a drizzle of syrup, and fruit, custard and cream on top

  • Freeze them, for an easy hot breakfast another day.

We also love these fantastic ideas from GoodFood magazine for using up leftover pancake batter.

Whatever you do with your pancakes, we hope you and your kids have fun!