I would honestly recommend every parent tries this over the holidays. Our children absolutely loved being in charge and have been asking every day when we can do this again. I am confident they learned a few life skills too and budgeting for a family meal is not something they would normally learn in the classroom.
What did our 8 year old learn from being in charge of dinner?
- I was really surprised that Harry knew approximately how much we were paid and he could equate this to how much we spent on food.
- Unbranded products are usually (but not always) cheaper than branded products.
- Make sure you look on the top and bottom shelves where food is often cheaper.
- Sometimes there are leftover ingredients and it's a good idea to plan in advance what you are going to do with them so they aren't wasted.
- You can make three pizzas for £7.50.
- Tinned vegetables work out cheaper than fresh vegetables.
- Look out for special offers but make sure you check you are getting a good deal.
Win a £50 Sainsburys Voucher and try leaving your own children in charge of dinner
We are delighted that Newcastle Building Society have given us a £50 Sainsburys gift card to giveaway to one lucky reader. Good luck and if you win, please let me know if you let your own children plan and cook dinner. Enter using the Rafflecopter below.
Wow he did so well! A fantastic idea, I remember constantly nagging my Mum the whole way round the supermarket and sneaking things into her trolley when she wasn't looking!
ReplyDeletemini pizzas from scratch
ReplyDeleteI would cook something easy that I know would be good, it would probably be something from a packet like Fish fingers, chips and peas followed by an apple crumble as that's quite easy to make.
ReplyDeleteWell when I was young I loved fish fingers ...si much wanted them all the time...haven't had them for years...so would definitely cook fish fingers and chips and beans!
ReplyDeletepasta
ReplyDeletePizza :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea :) My 8 year old self would have liked chips in a burger I bet!
ReplyDeleteSmiley Faces and Turkey Twizzlers haha.
ReplyDeleteI think at 8 my fave meal was those really cheap packet noodles. Not super noodles as they are too saucy, the really cheap ones. Still is!
ReplyDeleteBurgers and chips
ReplyDeleteI would cook spaghetti, meatballs with olive eyes and blood tomato sauce
ReplyDeleteTinned carrot soup
ReplyDeleteI used to cook dinner all the time when I was quite young, usually a beef stew, with potatoes, carrots and lots of other veg x
ReplyDeletelots of pancakes
ReplyDeleteCheesy scrambled egg on toast!
ReplyDeleteSpag Bol! Actually tried this when I was 8 - the pasta was like rubber!
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast x
ReplyDeletei would cook Pancakes !!!! loved them as a kid and not that hard to make :)
ReplyDeleteuhm it would be an arguement between my two as they both like different things! He would choose a roast she would choose cheesy pasta!
ReplyDeletefishfinger butty
ReplyDeleteI'd probably be way too ambitious and attempt roast chicken. Not that I'd succeed, but I would try :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant competition, I have just moved in to my own flat and are a little low on money this would be perfect for me xx
ReplyDeleteI would cook spaghetti Bolognese, nice and simple.
ReplyDeleteI'd cook Corn-on-the-Cob, Veggie Kebabs with Pitta Bread, followed by Fresh Berry Salad.
ReplyDeletePizza, Spaghetti Loops and Croquettes :)
ReplyDeletefish and chips for definite, Kids are never to old to learn
ReplyDeletemy mum used to cook for me but i liked fritters
ReplyDeletechicken nuggets beans and potato waffles!
ReplyDeleteI think fishfingers and chips would be my lazy option.
ReplyDeleteFish fingers, mashed potato, baked beans and jelly beans. Hey if I'm 8 then beans are beans right? I don't know the difference.
ReplyDeleteIf I was 8 years old I would cook chicken, chips and veg! That was my favourite!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic idea! I had never thought of it. My twins will soon be of that age and I think I'll do the same. If I was 8 I would certainly cook cheese omlette, because that's all I could cook when I was 8
ReplyDeletePizza!
ReplyDeleteAshleigh
A pasta bake :)
ReplyDeleteBeans on Toast
ReplyDeletei would cook pizza and chips
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast with lots of grated cheese on top.
ReplyDeleteFish and chips
ReplyDeleteClaire D
Spaghetti bolognese, it was always my favourite as a kid. I'm sure it's th first meal I learned to cook actually...
ReplyDeletePizza or pasta
ReplyDeleteKay Panayi
Pasta with tomato sauce!
ReplyDeleteLasagne every time!
ReplyDeleteIf I was 8 I would probably just make toast with tinned spaghetti - not sure I could manage much else!!!!
ReplyDeleteFish fingers beans and chips
ReplyDeleteTuna pasta bake
ReplyDeleteChunky vegetable soup
ReplyDeletecheese on toast - bev_metallica
ReplyDeletepizza and chips
ReplyDeleteAnything with mashed potatoes! Always loved fish fingers and mash as a kid so probably that :-)
ReplyDeleteBaked beans on toast - nice and easy!
ReplyDeleteMacaroni Cheese with hotdogs :)
ReplyDeleteSpaghetti carbonara
ReplyDeletepizza
ReplyDeleteprobably ravioli
ReplyDeleteTomato Soup followed by Fish Fingers, Chips & Mushy Peas
ReplyDeletenutella on toast
ReplyDeletePizza or chicken dinosaurs and potato waffles.
ReplyDeleteCheesy Chips!
ReplyDeleteI used to ask for Brussels sprouts and apple sauce or a Chinese takeaway for my birthday meals so I dare say it would be one of these options 😂
ReplyDeletePizza
ReplyDeleteMy eight year old takes after her father - both can only cook tacos, so if I were eight years old I'd follow their lead...I mean, who doesn't like tacos?
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast xx
ReplyDeletefish finger sandwiches
ReplyDeleteburger & chips
ReplyDeletePizza!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember what I'd have asked for but my little boy, who's defintely not quite 8 yet, would probably want sausages, mash and gravy xx
ReplyDeleteFish fingers, beans and waffles.x
ReplyDeleteProbably macaroni cheese, it was always my favourite!
ReplyDeleteBeefburgers and potato skins
ReplyDeleteSausage and chips!
ReplyDeleteMicrowave porridge oats or beans on toast
ReplyDeleteProbably cakes and biscuits!
ReplyDeleteSausage & beans
ReplyDeleteegg and chips
ReplyDeletefish and chips
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be Fish Fingers and Waffles, my boys favourites.
ReplyDeletebaked beans on toast with cheese on top :)
ReplyDeleteProbably ice cream on toast!
ReplyDeleteChicken nuggets and chips :)
ReplyDelete~ Anthony G
Soup (from the tin)
ReplyDeletecheese burger and chips
ReplyDeleteI would probably make pizzas as well, my son always eats things better if he has helped to make it.
ReplyDeleteHam fritters and syrup sandwiches!
ReplyDeletePizza with chocolate and marshmallows on lol
ReplyDeleteBurgers and chips
ReplyDeletefish finger and ketchup butties
ReplyDeleteI would make pizza
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast x
ReplyDeleteI'd cook beefburgers in sesame seed rolls & chips.
ReplyDeletePoached Eggs - I love poached eggs as a kid...
ReplyDeleteProbably fried egg sandwiches with salt and tomato sauce
ReplyDeleteIf I was 8 I would make baked potatoes with cheese and beans and Lincolnshire sausages because that is what I used to do when I wasn't much older! When I was a kid I lived with my granny and I mainly used the microwave for cooking as it was safer so I used to make baked potatoes in the microwave all the time. I also used do the sausages in the microwave too and they used to shrink horribly! They always came out half the size they went in!
ReplyDeleteegg and chips.yum
ReplyDeletePizza!!
ReplyDeletejacket potato and baked beans
ReplyDeleteMy kids have always loved making pizza.... or quiche.
ReplyDeletePizza or quiche (sorry if this is a dupe comment, my browser crashed!)
ReplyDeleteSpaghetti hoops on toast
ReplyDeleteFish fingers and chips
ReplyDeleteChocolate cake
ReplyDeletePizza!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 8, I would have loved to make fish fingers and chips.
ReplyDeletePizza :-)
ReplyDelete@rachiegr
If I was 8 again, I would try to make bolognaise pasta bake, yummy.
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast if I could have reached the toaster and found the tin opener
ReplyDeletePasta bake :)
ReplyDeletePizza and Chips!!
ReplyDeletePasta!! (Laura Jeffs)
ReplyDeletepizza and chips.
ReplyDeletefish fingers, chips and peas + Jelly and ice cream
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast
ReplyDeletebangers and mash plenty gravy and mushy peas
ReplyDeleteburgers and chips
ReplyDeleteravioli plastered with grated cheese and plenty of bread! Mmmmm
ReplyDeletepasta and garlic bread xx
ReplyDeleteSausages and chips
ReplyDeleteI think the 8 year old me would have sausages, mash, veg and gravy. When I was that sort of age it was meat and veg all the time and thats all I knew!
ReplyDeleteChicken Nuggets with ketchup. Still love it!
ReplyDeleteChocolate Pizza - what else!
ReplyDeleteI used to do this with my children when we were going camping they would plan the menus (we went for three days) and buy the food at Lidls and do the tea while we were away.
ReplyDeleteProbably macaroni cheese for me!
ReplyDeletefish fingers
ReplyDeleteBeans On Toast :)
ReplyDeletebeans on toast lol
ReplyDeleteThat is a long time ago but I have a feeling it would have been fish fingers, chips and beans :D Rafflecopter entries are in my real name NIKKI HAYES, thank you for the lovely giveaway :o)
ReplyDeletespag bowl
ReplyDeleteA mountain of mash with sausages stuck upright all over it with peas for eyes and a ketchup mouth....a hedgehog tea 😃
ReplyDeletePotatoe wedges and garlic bread :)
ReplyDeleteTomatoes on toast
ReplyDeleteCorned Beef Hash
ReplyDeleteI think pizza is probably quite easy at that age xx
ReplyDeleteChicken nuggets, chips and spaghetti hoops
ReplyDeleteAny kind of pasta dish
ReplyDeleteburgers and chips
ReplyDeleteProbably burger and chips :)
ReplyDeleteSpaghetti.
ReplyDeleteToast and beans
ReplyDeleteBaked beans on toast probably!
ReplyDeletepizza and chips
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite was alphabetty spaghetti on toast with some melted cheese on top!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was eight I would have cooked cheese on toast, angel delight followed by artic roll
ReplyDeletepizza!
ReplyDeletecheesy pasta
ReplyDeleteprobably pizza and chips
ReplyDeleteI'd make scrambled egg on toast.
ReplyDeletePasta Salad!
ReplyDeleteBURGER AND CHIPS
ReplyDeleteWhen I was that age I used to love baking! I'd just make these great sponge cakes.. Would be a running joke with my parents that i'd just waltz into the living room having baked this cake all on my own! Haha! Who says you can't have cake for dinner! x
ReplyDeleteChicken Curry
ReplyDeleteJacket Potatoes with cheese!
ReplyDeleteI was a fussy child so it would probably be something like chicken nuggets and chips
ReplyDeletemeatballs and mash
ReplyDeleteAt 8 years old, I probably would've tried cooking a McDonalds...so that would be a cheeseburger, chips and banana milkshake
ReplyDeletepizza followed by ice cream
ReplyDeletePizza would be my choice
ReplyDeleteMacaroni cheese. I made it once as a kid and haven't made it since. Think I might have to have another go :) x
ReplyDeletePancakes and Pizza
ReplyDeleteCupcakes! ;)
ReplyDeletepizza and chips
ReplyDeletepizza
ReplyDeleteI used to love Spag Bol and Roast Dinners but not sure I was capable of that at 8, but pretty sure I could cook a mean beans on toast! :-)
ReplyDeleteI would cook pasta as its so easy and cant really go wrong.
ReplyDeletei would cook spaghetti
ReplyDeletepot noodle lol.
ReplyDeleteBased on what I actually cooked at 8: small flat cakes with tea leaves in them - quite gross.
ReplyDeleteCheese on Toast
ReplyDeleteSomething absurdly ambitious- steak and kidney pudding maybe
ReplyDeleteI would make funny face pizzas
ReplyDeleteSausage and mash
ReplyDeleteFish fingers.
ReplyDeleteFish fingers, chips and beans :) ♥
ReplyDeletebeans on toast x
ReplyDeletePizza with a lot of toppings
ReplyDeleteKelly Ellen Hirst
when i was 8 all i wanted was pot noodles so id say potnoodles ! x
ReplyDeleteWell i would try cook super noodles with out burning the house down in the process....
ReplyDeleteSticks of spaghetti poked through hot dog sausages with pasta sauce.
ReplyDeleteJam on Toast!
ReplyDeletemacaroni cheese
ReplyDeleteAt 8 it would be pudding. Maybe chocolate cake with mint custard.
ReplyDeletepizza
ReplyDeletemacaroni cheese
ReplyDeleteProbably a big plate of chips or beans on toast!
ReplyDeleteI liked to cook and my Gran got me a kids cookbook, my fave was a toasted open faced ham sandwhich with shoestring potatoes on top so it looked like a hay stack.
ReplyDeleteBattered fish fingers and potato alphabets (from the freezer of course)
ReplyDeleteA baked potato & beans
ReplyDeleteSpaghetti Bolognese
ReplyDeleteIf I was 8 years old again I would probably cook a truck load of spaghetti with pasta sauce straight from the jar. Then whack it on a plate just in time for dinner.
ReplyDeleteSausage and Mash and NO VEGETABLES
ReplyDeleteanything cold out of a packet!
ReplyDeletecarole n
a nice cheesy omelette
ReplyDeleteBeans on toast... simples!!
ReplyDeleteSuper giveaway, thank you :) x
I would cook some Bolognese pasta! :)
ReplyDeleteBangers and mash :-)
ReplyDeletepizza
ReplyDeleteFish fingers, waffles and beans
ReplyDeletebeans and chips
ReplyDeleteBeans and chips :)
ReplyDeleteFish Fingers, Chips and peas! That was my fave when I was a child! P.s I really enjoyed reading this blog post - What a great idea and a great family! :)
ReplyDeleteIt would probably have been some sort of cake or cheese on toast!
ReplyDeletePizza
ReplyDelete