Easy recipes to make with kids

Our favourite easy recipes to make with kids 

It can be hard to find ways to entertain small children on a rainy summer's day, especially if you also have a new baby at home. So we have put together our favourite easy recipes to make with kids. Posh food this is not - but these recipes are simple enough for even the littlest of hands to have a go. We know that you don't want to spend two minutes cooking and three hours cleaning the kitchen (we've all been there) so hopefully these recipes won't make an big mess, but will keep the kids entertained for a while and will also encourage them to eat their dinner.

Easy recipe number one - Easy Pizza

So, if you are Delia Smith in the kitchen you may want to knock up your own pizza base, but for us mere mortals there are pre-made ones in the supermarket. Alternatively, my kids loved using tortilla wraps as a base for their pizzas. Get the kids to squirt some tomato puree into a bowl and add a few drops of water to dilute slightly. Mix and spread onto your base. Add some grated cheese (and other toppings depending on what your kids like) and pop into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted (check how long your base takes to cook if you are using a pre-made one). Pizza for tea!

Easy recipe number two - Ice Lollies

It's worth buying some moulds for this - you can get them from most supermarkets and they will save you a fortune in the long run. The easiest way to make your own lollies is by using fresh fruit juices but you can be a bit more adventurous. Try whizzing up 250g greek yoghurt, 250g ripe raspberries and a teaspoon of honey into a blender or food processor and freeze in your moulds - really yummy! You can replace the raspberries with strawberries, or any other ripe fruit and you could pass the fruit through a sieve to remove any pips if, like my kids, yours don't like 'bits'. You can also replace the yoghurt with apple juice or orange juice if you prefer.

Easy recipe number three - Fairy Cakes

This one can get a bit messy but is totally worth it if you can face wiping down the kitchen afterwards. We have reproduced Mary Berry's recipe below as we think this one is the best.

4oz (100g) soft margarine

4oz (100g) caster sugar

2 eggs

4oz (100g) self raising flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

Pre-heat the oven to 200 C/400 F/Gas 6.. Place about 18 paper cake cases in bun tins. Measure all the ingredients into a large bowl and beat well for 2 - 3 minutes until the mixture is well blended and smooth. Half fill the paper cases with mixture and bake for 15 - 20 minutes until the cakes are well risen and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

To decorate, take 8oz (225g) icing sugar and slowly add warm water (you don't need much, just a few drops). Spoon over the cakes (if you can stop the kids eating it straight out the bowl) and add some sweets.

If you do have a new baby at home and have your hands full, you can buy pre-made fairy cakes from the supermarket and just let the kids decorate them. My kids also loved decorating plain digestives with icing sugar and sweets.

Happy cooking!