Published February 9, 2026 Written by [email protected]

Early years activity: Pancake creations

Have a flippin’ fantastic time celebrating Pancake Day with this week’s pancake creations activity! Your little chefs will weigh, mix, pour and observe the magic of the process as ingredients evolve into deliciousness.

Pancake creations activity learning aims

Communication and language – language of sequencing, following instructions, names of ingredients
Maths development – counting, comparing, weighting and measuring
Physical development – mixing, pouring, using tools.

Resources you will need for this activity

Ingredients – adjust accordingly. The following makes around 8-10 thin pancakes:

100g plain flour
2 eggs
300ml milk (or dairy alternative)
Toppings – pieces of fruit/berries, citrus juice, raisins, cheese if you want savoury, etc.

Equipment:

Mixing bowl/s, jugs, ladles, child-safe whisks, non-stick pan, spatula
Electric pancake/crepe maker or hob.

Pancake creations activity outline

All children and adults to wash hands – explain why and model if required
Gather children, show and share ingredients and encourage exploration of the separate, dry ingredients
Encourage children to describe what they see and experience
Model key words such as mix, pour, measure, flip, hot, safe and sequencing words such as first, next, then, last/finally
Support the children to help add ingredients to the bowl – discuss weight and whether it is a dry or wet ingredient. You could ask them what they think will happen when the dry and wet ingredients combine
Take turns whisking if working in small groups. Explore what happens when they use big circles, whisk fast and slow and find out what happens to the lumpy bits
Discuss the changes from the individual ingredients to the smooth, runny batter
Transfer batter to a jug to enable easier pouring
Depending on your cooking set-up, you may choose to have one child at a time with an adult within a cordoned off ‘Hot Zone’ while others continue to mix and whisk. Follow your own risk assessment to align with your resources and environment, etc.
Once again note and discuss the change from runny batter to soft, bouncy pancake
If developmentally appropriate children can take turns at flipping the cooked, cooled pancake on their own plate
Decorate with chosen toppings and EAT!

How to extend this activity

Use balance scales and set up in an area with resources to weigh a range of items – flour, lentils, pasta etc.

NDNA products to support you with this activity

Making maths matter – online course

Back to myNDNA

Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.

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