Kid-Friendly Recipes to Try These School Holidays: Easy, Fun & Delicious Ideas

School holidays are the perfect time to slow down, connect with your kids—and make a mess in the kitchen together! Whether you’re looking to keep little hands busy or want to inspire young chefs, these kid-friendly recipes are fun to make, simple to follow, and delicious to eat.

From no-bake treats to healthy lunch ideas, these school holiday recipes are sure to become family favourites.

1. Mini Pizza Faces

Let your kids design their own pizzas with toppings like olives, capsicum strips, ham, pineapple, and shredded cheese.

Ingredients:

• English muffins or mini pizza bases
• Pizza sauce or tomato paste
• Grated cheese
• Assorted toppings (salami, veggies, pineapple, etc.)

Instructions:
Lay out the toppings and let your kids create funny faces. Bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes until cheese is melted.

2. Traffic Light Fruit Skewers

These are as colourful as they are healthy!

Ingredients:

• Strawberries (red)
• Pineapple chunks (yellow)
• Green grapes or kiwi slices (green)
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:
Thread the fruit onto the skewers in traffic light order. A great way to encourage healthy snacking!

3. Easy Kids’ Biscuits

These buttery biscuits are a breeze to whip up and perfect for decorating with icing or sprinkles.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain flour
• ½ cup self-raising flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:
Mix ingredients, roll into balls, flatten slightly and bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes. Decorate once cool.

4. Banana Pops

A cool treat for warm days—and much healthier than store-bought ice blocks!

Ingredients:

• Bananas, halved
• Greek yoghurt
• Sprinkles, crushed cereal, or chopped nuts
• Paddle pop sticks

Instructions:
Insert sticks, dip bananas in yoghurt, then roll in toppings. Freeze on a tray lined with baking paper.

5. DIY Taco Night

Turn dinner into a hands-on activity.

Ingredients:

• Small soft tortillas
• Cooked taco mince or shredded chicken
• Lettuce, tomato, cheese, corn, avocado, sour cream

Instructions:
Lay everything out on the table and let everyone build their own taco. Perfect for picky eaters!

6. Rainbow Jelly Cups

A nostalgic and colourful treat.

Ingredients:

• Jelly crystals in different flavours/colours
• Clear plastic cups
• Optional: fruit chunks or whipped cream

Instructions:
Make each jelly layer and let it set before adding the next. Add fruit or cream on top for extra fun.

7. Veggie Scrolls

A sneaky way to add some veggies into your child’s day.

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry sheets
• Grated cheese
• Finely chopped spinach, carrot, or zucchini
• Tomato paste

Instructions:
Spread tomato paste on pastry, sprinkle with veggies and cheese, roll up and slice. Bake until golden.

Why Cooking with Kids Matters

Cooking with children teaches them:

• Confidence in the kitchen
• Fine motor skills
• Basic math (measuring & counting)
• Healthy eating habits
• Creativity and independence

It’s also a great way to bond—and makes memories that last well beyond the holidays.

Final Thoughts

These kid-friendly recipes are perfect for keeping boredom at bay and little bellies full during the school break. They’re fun, flexible, and most importantly—tasty! Let your kids take the lead, experiment with flavours, and discover just how exciting cooking together can be.