How to Celebrate Burns Nights with the kids!

In Lockdown we’re all looking for ways to make the days a little less dull. So even if you’ve never celebrated Burns night (25th January 2021) before, this is certainly the year to do it! Here are some ideas to have a fun night at home and celebrate all things Scottish with all the family.

Dress the part and don the tartan

We cant celebrate a Scottish night without dressing like a Scot! Get out the tartan and wear it with pride!

Enjoy a traditional Scottish Meal

For a true Burns supper, you should certainly be including the Haggis. Not a fan? Make it interesting with a recipe of chicken stuffed with haggis or instead go for a meal inspired by the spices of haggis, such as these Jamie Oliver Lamb Shanks. A true part of a traditional Burns Night is to read our one of Burns’ most famous Poems; ‘Address to a Haggis‘.

If you’re enjoying a child-free Burns night, this Tipsy Trifle looks like a rather tasty dessert!

Whisky (maybe one for when the kids are in bed!)

On Burn’s Night a key tradition is to raise ‘a dram’ to Robert Burns. If you’re not a fan, have a look at these great suggestions for Whisky cocktails!

Kid’s Burns Night Crafts

Thanks to Pinterest for these fab Burns night craft ideas!

• Have a look at these GREAT ideas for Homemade Highland Games!
• Make a popsicle stick Scottish Thistle
• Lock Ness Finger Puppet
• This great selection of Scottish crafts

Have a Scottish Family Games Night (on Zoom!)

After toasting Burns together with a dram of whisky, it’s time to get competitive with a family games night of all things Scottish, get other Households involved with holding it all on zoom! Here are some things that you could include in Family Games Night:

• ROUND ONE- Quiz Round! A Family Quiz on Fun Scottish Facts. Download our Burns Night Quiz Here
• ROUND TWO- Dancing competition. Everyone to do their best effort at the Highland Fling
• ROUND THREE- Highland Games Stone Throw (well, sort of). Who can throw a bean bag the furthest?
• ROUND FOUR (one for the grown ups after the kids are in bed)-

Watch a Movie based in Scotland

Get all those glorious Scottish feels by watching some stunning scenery! Children may love to see the 1996 film Lock Ness. For the adults, well, I don’t ever really need an excuse to watch Mel Gibson. But if you do, now is the time to watch Braveheart!

Toast some Marshmallows out by the fire

Ok I agree this is absolutely not a Scottish Burns Night tradition. But it’s a great chance to get outside and enjoy some time by a fire pit. And whilst you’re there you might as well toast some marshmallows because who doesn’t love them?

Sparklers in the Garden

Again, not traditional. But it is fun. Make sparklers safer for little fingers by sticking the ends in a carrot to hold!