Kid’s friendly recipe ideas for Makar Sankranti 2025
Makar Sankranti is a time of celebration, kites, and delicious food! Traditional festive dishes can often be heavy or not entirely kid-friendly. This year, why not make Sankranti special with recipes tailored for little taste buds? These recipes are simple, healthy, and packed with flavors that your kids will love.
Looking for more healthy and delicious snack options for kids? Check out Lil Amigos Nest here for a range of nutritious treats your little ones will enjoy!
1. Mini Til Ladoos
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sesame seeds (til)
- ½ cup jaggery (gur)
- 1 tbsp ghee
Steps:
- Dry roast sesame seeds until golden and fragrant.
- Melt jaggery with ghee on low heat until it forms a sticky syrup.
- Mix the sesame seeds with the melted jaggery.
- Roll into small, bite-sized ladoos.
Why Kids Love It: The mini size makes it easier for kids to eat, and the natural sweetness of jaggery is a hit!
2. Kite-Shaped Parathas
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup boiled and mashed potatoes
- Spices: salt, cumin powder, and a pinch of turmeric
- Ghee for cooking
Steps:
- Knead the dough with mashed potatoes and spices.
- Roll out the dough and cut it into kite shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Cook the parathas in a hot pan with ghee until golden.
Why Kids Love It: The fun kite shape is perfect for Sankranti, and it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies.
3. Gur Chikki Pops
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanuts (or puffed rice for variation)
- ½ cup jaggery
- Popsicle sticks
Steps:
- Roast peanuts and set aside.
- Melt jaggery until it becomes a thick syrup.
- Mix the peanuts (or puffed rice) with the jaggery and mold them into small rounds.
- Insert popsicle sticks and let them cool.
Why Kids Love It: These pops are easy to hold and munch on, and they’re a festive twist on traditional chikki.
4. Colorful Pongal Cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice
- ½ cup moong dal
- 1 cup jaggery syrup
- Food-grade edible colors (optional)
Steps:
- Cook rice and moong dal together until soft.
- Add jaggery syrup and mix well.
- Divide the pongal into small cups and mix a tiny bit of edible color in each for a rainbow effect.
Why Kids Love It: The bright colors make this traditional dish exciting and visually appealing.
5. Sweet & Savory Puffed Rice Mix
Ingredients:
- 2 cups puffed rice (murmura)
- ½ cup roasted peanuts
- 1 tbsp jaggery syrup
- Spices: salt, a pinch of turmeric, and a dash of sugar
Steps:
- Toss puffed rice and peanuts in a heated pan with a little ghee.
- Add jaggery syrup for sweetness or spices for a savory version.
Why Kids Love It: Light and crunchy, this mix is perfect for nibbling during kite-flying sessions.
6. Curd and Gur Popsicles
Ingredients:
- 1 cup thick curd
- ¼ cup jaggery syrup
- A pinch of cardamom powder
Steps:
- Blend curd, jaggery syrup, and cardamom powder.
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
Why Kids Love It: Creamy, sweet, and refreshing—a perfect Sankranti dessert!
7. Nutty Energy Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry fruits (almonds, cashews, raisins)
- ½ cup jaggery syrup
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Steps:
- Roughly chop dry fruits and roast sesame seeds.
- Mix everything with warm jaggery syrup.
- Flatten the mixture into a tray and cut into bars once set.
Why Kids Love It: These chewy, nutty bars are both delicious and packed with energy for all the festivities.
8. Festive Fruit Skewers with Gur Drizzle
Ingredients:
- Fresh fruits (apple, banana, grapes, etc.)
- ½ cup jaggery syrup
Steps:
- Chop fruits into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on skewers.
- Drizzle jaggery syrup over the fruits before serving.
Why Kids Love It: Fun to eat and packed with natural sweetness!
Tips for Making Festive Food Kid-Friendly
- Keep portion sizes small and manageable.
- Use natural sweeteners like jaggery or honey.
- Make it colorful and visually engaging to excite kids.
- Involve your little ones in the preparation to make it more enjoyable.
This Makar Sankranti, celebrate the joy of the festival with these delightful recipes that your kids will adore. Let the festivities begin!
