Healthy eating is a celebration

Published Nov 27, 2025

December is approaching again. A period when delicious treats are constantly available. Spiced gingerbread cookies, chocolate letters and Christmas wreath cookies; this period often revolves around eating (a lot of) delicious food. That is why these days are an ideal time to give extra attention to food in a festive way. Jong Leren Eten therefore collected festive and healthy recipes that are suitable for children in childcare and primary education and that children can also make themselves (with a little help).

The recipes are divided into three categories: general, Sinterklaas and Christmas

General

Pudding with redcurrant sauce
Clafoutis with banana
Brownies without sugar, flour or butter
Pumpkin pancakes
Baked apple slices with cinnamon
Coconut balls
Vegan gluten-free banana power cookies
Mini apple pie
Mini apple pie
Tomato snack

Sinterklaas

Mini mitres
Spiced gingerbread cookies
Speculaas chunks
Saint Nicholas fruit skewers

Christmas

Christmas tree pizzas
Healthy Christmas cookies
Hot chocolate
Santa Claus skewers
Christmas tree
Cucumber Christmas tree
Sausage-roll star
Sausage and cheese Christmas tree
Sandwich Christmas tree
Fruit firework rocket
Puff pastry sausage firework rocket ‘

The preparation time and soaking time are indicated for each recipe, as well as the ingredients and preparation method.

The booklet is a publication of Jong Leren Eten Zuid-Holland, the Province of Zuid-Holland and Vlietkinderen, Kajuit childcare centre. The recipes were compiled with thanks to the JLE vegetable garden coaches Evelien Smits, Inge Dijkhuis and Roxanne Buschman, and childcare worker Ria van der Kleij & Vlietkinderen, Kajuit childcare centre.

The recipe booklet can be downloaded here.

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

After every holiday, a group goes through certain phases in the process of group formation. The first weeks at the beginning of the school year are called the Golden Weeks. These weeks are particularly suitable for laying a foundation for good group formation and a pleasant atmosphere. Stichting School & Veiligheid offers ten tips.

Our Food Week

From 3 to 10 October 2026, it is Our Food Week. A great opportunity to focus with your class at primary school on where our food comes from, how it is made and why healthy and sustainable choices are important. Food education allows pupils not only to learn, but especially to experience. That is why various organisations are joining forces to support schools with inspiring activities, teaching materials and practical tools. Examples include the Mayors’ Breakfast, a free visit to a farm, or shopping vouchers for cooking in the classroom.

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!

Would you like more water to be drunk in the new school year? Then put tap water in the spotlight with your class as a healthy and sustainable thirst quencher during National Tap Water Day on Wednesday 30 September. This way, your pupils will discover why tap water is healthy and how to turn it into a festive drink!

Latest articles

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

Our Food Week

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!