Pancake Day in the UK is also known as Shrove Tuesday,
and is celebrated as Carnival and Mardi Gras
elsewhere in the world. Celebrated on 5th February in 2008, it falls just before Lent,
and was traditionally a day of fun and feasting before fasting for 40
days of Lent.
This year, do more than just eat pancakes with your children on Pancake Day -
try some of our Pancake Day crafts, games and activities!
Make beanbag pancakes
This craft does double duty, because not only will the kids enjoy
helping you make a "stack" of these beanbag pancakes, but they can
"toss" them and play with them in many ways later. Look at our
Beanbag Games page for inspiration!
Beanbag pancake dolls
Make Pancake Day a little different this year with this original
craft for making your own Beanbag Pancake Dolls!
Pancake finger puppets
Here is an original idea for Pancake Day - make some pancake finger
puppets with your children!
Make a stack:
Use corrugated cardboard from a cardboard box to cut out a stack of
pancakes for counting and matching activities, or to use in a treasure
hunt.
Pancake on your head race:
Children could try walking across the room or playground with a
cardboard pancake on their head. Each time they complete the distance
without losing their pancake, add another to their stack!
Flip the pancake (memory game):
Make a stack of corrugated cardboard pancakes as above. Draw a letter,
number or shape on pairs of pancakes (decide on the appropriate number
according to the age of your children), or use matching stickers if you
prefer. Turn all the pancakes face down and shuffle them around. Now
take turns using a fish slice to turn two pancakes over at a time,
trying to find matching pairs.
Traditional Pancake Day Activities
Pancake race:
Give each contestant a saucepan and a pancake. Establish the length of
the race and how many times the pancake must be tossed before reaching
the finishing post. If a pancake falls out of the pan, you have to
return to the start!
Pancake toss:
Provide each child with a saucepan and a pancake. Set a timer for 1
minute and see how many times they can toss their pancake!
