Christmas Gift Jar Recipes: Free Printable Recipe Card for Year 5
Christmas Gift Jar Recipes is a free printable recipe card for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. Layer a cookie mix in a jar and add a tag. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and the answers. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This recipe card includes numbered questions with space to answer.
A look at what children will meet:
- You need a clean, dry jar. Wash your hands first
- Layer 2: 75g caster sugar
- Layer 3: 75g soft brown sugar. Press down
- Layer 4: 100g porridge oats
- Layer 5: 75g chocolate chips. Put the lid on
- Tie the tag to the jar with ribbon
Who this is for
Year 5 (ages 9 to 10) in Key Stage 2.
Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11. Children are widening what they know and getting better at explaining their thinking, so activities that ask them to reason, not only recall, are especially useful. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Measuring
- Layering
- Instructions
Measure and layer dry ingredients, and write a clear recipe tag so someone else can bake.
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: DT. Key stage: Key Stage 2. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Ask a grown-up for help with hot things and knives. Contains wheat (gluten), milk, egg and may contain nuts and soya. Do a test bake first to check the amounts before gifting.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2 and the answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
A grown-up weighs the ingredients while the child layers.
To stretch confident children
Ask them to work out the total weight of the dry mix and how many jars they could fill from a 1kg bag of flour.
Make it a game
Decorate the jar and tag with a festive design.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Wash hands and tie back long hair before you begin.
- An adult should handle anything hot or sharp.
- Check for allergies before you start.
A screen-free dt activity for Year 5
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free dt activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free dt resources for teachers
Teachers can use this recipe card as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
DT ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free dt worksheets for Year 5, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider dt plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
Curriculum links for teachers
This sheet supports the areas below. It is matched to the published England frameworks. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Design and Technology | Cooking and nutrition | Year 5 |
What children will be able to do
- I can measure and layer dry ingredients.
- I can write a clear recipe tag.
- I can check someone else could follow my steps.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Why does the order of the layers matter?
- What did you put on your tag so someone can bake?
- How could you make your instructions clearer?
More like this
Same subject, one year up: Christmas Dinner Planner | Same subject, one year down: Gingerbread House Design
Frequently asked questions
What age is Christmas Gift Jar Recipes for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2.
What will children practise?
Measure and layer dry ingredients, and write a clear recipe tag so someone else can bake.
How do I use it?
Ask a grown-up for help with hot things and knives. Contains wheat (gluten), milk, egg and may contain nuts and soya. Do a test bake first to check the amounts before gifting.
What if it feels too hard?
A grown-up weighs the ingredients while the child layers.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Christmas Gift Jar Recipes suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More Christmas printables | More for Key Stage 2 | More dt printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources