9 recipes older people can try with their grandchildren

Bonding with grandchildren can be tricky, especially if they are at a difficult age or the grandparents live some distance and don’t see them often. This can be even more difficult if the grandchildren are sporty and want to run around but the grandparents are hampered with poor mobility and rely on a stair lift at home to move around independently.

However, everybody loves to eat and cooking with children of any age is not only a great way to spend time with them and away from technology, but it also teaches them valuable life skills. It may even foster a new-found hobby that they may nurture for the rest of their life.

Knowing what to get started with can be tricky, if it is too difficult, they won’t want to participate but at the same time, this is a wonderful time to introduce nutritional values, so it should not be all fairy cakes from a box.

Cupcakes

Though cupcakes may not be the healthiest tea time treat, they are not all edible paper and sugar flowers. People can easily sneak in healthy flavours with fresh fruit toppings or using alternative flours than the standard white to get kids used to different textures and grains. Jamie at My Baking Addiction shared these Banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting that are a perfect delight. Grandchildren can help mix the cake batter and the icing as well as the general assembly. There is always need for someone to lick the big spoon as well. 

Chocolate chip cookies

If the grandparents are strong enough to ration, making chocolate chip cookies can be both tasty and fulfilling. Stock up for the week or send some home with the grandkids, but make sure they don’t eat the chocolate chips before they go into the mix! These cookies from Lexie at A Slice of Sweet are quick to make once the dough has been refrigerated, meaning the grandparents can do this a little in advance and leave the rolling out to the grandchildren. Alternatively, teach them patience and if the grandchildren are staying over, make this an activity that stretches into both days.

Flapjacks

While more energy might be the last thing that grandchildren need, flapjacks are known for being sweet bites that provide a lot of get-up-and-go while still being relatively healthy. A mix of grains, dried fruit and nuts drizzled with honey or chocolate are the perfect snack for a picnic or before a jaunt outside. Charlotte from Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen has apple crumble flapjacks that are best for slightly older children and are delicious.

Gingerbread men

Though people associate gingerbread with Christmas, these fun biscuits do not have to be confined to the festive period. Instead, let the grandchildren get creative and practice their design skills by personalising the biscuits for each family member or making them in the likeness of their favourite superheroes. If the grandkids are a fan of the faux fairy tale Shrek, they will love Susan’s gingy-bread men at Diamonds for Desserts. The icing may be a little tricky so adult expertise may be required, but don’t worry, any that don’t look perfect can be quickly eaten. 

Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are a staple for many children and these savoury snacks are portable, delicious and a firm favourite. However for those concerned about what goes into the shop bought variety, or simply wishing to get grandchildren more involved and aware where their food comes from, making them at home is a great activity just before lunch. If you want to sneak a little extra goodness in there, The Empowered Cook has a recipe that calls for grated carrots and courgettes that the grandchildren will not even notice. Though this recipe calls for pre-made puff pastry, people can make their own if they want, although people should bear in mind is the fact it’s time-consuming. 

Scones

Cream teas are a British institution so why not throw a tea party with home-made scones? These can be sweet or savoury depending on what grandchildren prefer and served with juice for those who don’t like tea. Just stock up on some of the grandchildren’s favourite jam and enjoy a wonderful afternoon.  Bonnie at Thirsty for Tea has a perfectly citrus-sy scone recipe perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Grandchildren will love punching out rounds of scones and eating the fruits of their labour. 

Frozen yoghurt treats

In the summer it is all too tempting to let little ones indulge in ice cream and cool down with the help of a Mr Whippy. However, there are healthier treats that people can make at home and leave little ones just as satisfied. Frozen yoghurt is a healthier alternative and with some cupcake cases and a little freezer space, everyone can enjoy the Frozen Banana Yoghurt Bites from Grace at Eats Amazing. These are so simple and will keep everyone cool all summer. Add some wooden lollipop sticks to avoid messy fingers.

Cheese straws

These flaky and tasty treats are great for more than dinner parties, a perfect snack to tide a child over until dinner time or a wonderful accompaniment to salad. Cheese straws have long been popular but they are also great to make with grandchildren. Most cheese straw recipes involve puff pastry, which many people will agree, is time-consuming to make at home. Instead, this recipe from Fifteen Spatulas has the cheese in the dough so people don’t have to commit hours to chilling and rolling out home-made puff pastry dough.  

Bread

A household staple up and down the UK, learning how to bake bread is a true life skill as well as being some of the most treasured family memories for generations. Though there may be lots of modern technology that aids the process of bread making machines, kneading bread by hand is an unbeatable experience and is the perfect thing to share with a grandchild. With just the aid of a couple of loaf tins, try out Lil Luna’s easy white bread recipe and get ready to eat rounds of warm bread straight out of the oven. 

READ ALSO: Tips and advice for grandparents

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