We have been trying out a new activity box recently, the Weekend Box, and this idea is adapted from one of the ideas included. We didn’t have all of the ingredients required so ended up making our own version of their potato boats.
Mr Z helped me with this activity after school and it took maybe half an hour to do, and was not too difficult but definitely needs an adult to be involved.
What you need to make Shepherd’s Pie Boats (or any kind of potato boat)
- Jacket potatoes
- Any filling and seasoning
- Cocktail sticks
- Cheese cut into triangles
The recommended idea from Weekend Box had lots of vegetables for the filling, which is a great healthy idea for kids but as I had mince that I wanted to use, I thought I would make a Shepherd’s Pie version of the boats since it has potatoes anyway.
First bake the jacket potatoes, this does take a while so it may be more interesting for children if you call them to join in the activity once this is done! While the potatoes were baking, I cooked our filling – using the mince and any spare vegetables we had (mushrooms, carrots), as well as seasoning provided in the Weekend Box. The good thing is that it is adaptable and you can use whatever you have.
Once the potatoes are baked and the filling is cooked then take a spoon and scoop out some of the inside of the potato. A child can do this, but get them to be careful not to rip the outside of the potato skin as you will need that intact to stuff the filling back in.
Take the potato which you have scooped, and mix it with some of your filling that you just cooked. Then scoop that mixture back in!
To decorate the potatoes and give the boat effect, use a cocktail stick with the triangle piece of cheese to make a sail!
This was a fun idea to make dinner time more interesting for the children, especially as they are all into transport.
Every Weekend Box includes: Something to make, something to cook, something to read or write and something green. This was our “something to cook.” Don’t forget to come back soon to see what we thought of our other activities, and the box as a whole.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Now that is inspired…. I’ve tried all sorts to get son #3 to eat mince/shepherd’s pie. We’ve made Hedghog Pie which worked for a while… http://thereciperesource.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/hedgehog-pie-shepherds-pie-dairy-soya.html but he’s refusing now. Time to think again – will try this I think!
A great idea, children are more likely to eat food if they have helped cook it.
Very cunning, did they get eaten?
two of them ate it, the other one didn’t but he is always a tricky eater anyway – so picky!!!
Oh those are very cute!
we are doing these today, and looking forward to them, especially trying one.
Just saw another post on this box, love the idea and these boats look fantastic! I bet they were snarfed up quick!
These boxes sound inspired and I love the potato boats recipe.
I am really odd as I hate food that looks like something else! I guess I am in the minority, but I never pandered to the boys when it comes to food.
Oh these are a great idea. My boys would love them! Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea I love this !
Oh well done, they look great, we still have to make ours this week!
Ooo that’s a great idea – much more likely to appeal to my two this way!
That is a great idea – I really like that it’s still a totally edible jacket spud and doesn’t have unfamiliar stuff the kids will turn their nose up at! 🙂
Another one with the weekend box. I think it’s such a great idea to get kids interested in food and trying new things. Fab!
My kids love loaded skins made like this but it had never occurred to us to make them into boats. Genius.
They look yummy.
so cute! I fee like I need to make more effort with Wilf’s dinner now! x
I am SO making these – thanks for the idea! 🙂
What a great fun idea! I love it, will be borrowing it in the future x
Great idea, I know my kids would like this, they love baked potatoes. Thanks for linking up to Kids in the Kitchen x
These weekend boxes I’ve been hearing about sound lots of fun! I’ll try these boats this weekend – Gwen’s really into helping me with cooking at the moment.
Ooh I have to make these, my kids will love them 🙂
great recipe idea! We’ve got that coming in this weeks box as we loved weekend box so much we signed up to keep getting them so my son will love making those. xxx
Now that is too cool – I was such a fussy eater as a child but I’m sure that would have got me munching 🙂 x
Yummy. One of our favourites is pizza potatoes. Made in a similar way
Yummy, I love the little boats. So cute, so cute I may not want to eat them..
These look like so much fun to make – and scrummy to eat – double bonus! I love shepherds pie – but haven’t made it this way – yet 🙂
A fab idea to cheer up dinner time.
I love these – will do them for my boy (& Hubbie too !!)
I love stuffed jacket potatoes. We have some boats to make from our weekend box too
That is brilliant, I have made jacket boats before but it had paper sails, cheese is much more inspired and to put a filling in too is brilliant!
That is a great idea – my two are fussy eaters and they won’t eat a square sandwich. but if i cut it into a butterfly shape they will…..will have to try this
Fantastic idea, I am always trying to think of ways to get my 2 year old to eat things, this will be a winner!
These are super cute, going to steal this idea and try with JAck. xx
Great idea, and they look really cute too!
These look fun to make!
Such a great idea for kids. Thanks so much for joining in with #recipeoftheweek. I’ve Pinned and Tweeted this post and there’s a fresh linky live now for this week. Hope you can join in! x
these look fantastic makes a boring tea interesting .also a good way to get kids to eat nuitritious food