You don’t have to be Scottish to get involved in this tradition. We will show you how to bring this celebration to the comfort of your home or classroom!
Cooking up a storm:
Haggis is a classic Scottish dish, but let’s be honest – it’s not for everyone. If you’re up for trying it, we’ve got a simple, child-friendly recipe that is super easy to make. And if haggis isn’t your thing, no worries! You can enjoy Burns Night on a budget by opting for a hearty casserole or enjoying some tasty traditional snacks and desserts like shortbread and Cranachan (more on what that one is below…)
Child-friendly Haggis – This recipe is super simple, easy to follow, and perfect for kids to help you out with. We all know how hard it is to get children to experiment with new foods, so this recipe takes ingredients they already know and turns them into something new and exciting. While it might not be exactly how they do it in Scotland, as it doesn’t use meat (sorry to the Scots), it sticks to the basic ideas, and you can find all the ingredients at your local shop.
Beef and Veg Soup – This dish takes some time to make, but it’s a classic Scottish meal for anyone who isn’t a fan of haggis. You can easily find the ingredients at your local supermarket; you might even have some at home already. It’s a wholesome meal that’s perfect for Burns Night!
Scottish Shortbreads– These yummy snacks are perfect for kids and a fun recipe to make together. They’re really easy and make a great activity to entertain the kids. You only need a few ingredients to bake them; you probably already have most of them at home.
Cranachan is a classic Scottish dessert made with just a handful of ingredients. While this recipe traditionally includes whiskey, you can easily prepare a version without it for a child-friendly treat (and whip up a separate one for the adults 😉).
Getting Creative:
Next, let’s focus on the party! We have several ideas, including organising your Ceilidh dance party and crafting decorations for Burns Night.
Every Ceilidh needs some dancing– This page is filled with free tutorials that guide you through dancing to traditional Scottish folk songs. It’s a fantastic way for the kids to dive into the spirit and traditions of Burns Night by setting up your very own Scottish party right in your living room or classroom. Clear the space, gather the kids, and let the dancing begin!
Burns Night Crafts: These step-by-step decoration ideas are a fantastic way to create a budget-friendly, festive atmosphere. Whether you’re crafting Scottish flag banners or a Loch Ness monster puppet, this page offers a range of activities to engage the kids in decorating their Burns Night party.
Storytelling and Poetry- The BBC offers brilliant teaching resources you can use at home or school to help kids learn about Robert Burns. They also have some fun videos in which poems and traditional Scottish stories are recited, making it easier for kids to enjoy this celebration and embrace different traditions.
At Uniformd, we love the idea of children being able to embrace traditions from all around the world, creating a diverse and inclusive environment for them. Getting involved in these celebrations shouldn’t cost a fortune, which is why we make these blogs, to ensure everyone can have a great time celebrating these traditions without breaking the bank.