Cheap End of Term Breakfast Ideas for Families on a Budget
As the school term comes to an end, many families like to celebrate with a special breakfast. But with food prices rising, keeping things affordable is important. The good news is you don’t need expensive ingredients to make a fun, filling breakfast for the whole family.
Here are five cheap and easy end-of-term breakfast ideas that are budget-friendly, simple to make, and perfect for starting the holidays with a smile!
Click For Teacher gifting under £20
1. Sprinkle Pancakes
A colourful twist on classic American pancake that feels like a celebration. With any holiday, you can get creative! Why not make a bunny themed pancake for Easter, a Santa hat for Christmas, or a sunshine for the summer holidays?
Don't forget to check out our seasonal hub for themed ideas!
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 200g self-raising flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp golden caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 25g butter, melted
- 200ml milk
- 1 tbsp rainbow sprinkles
- Butter or oil for frying
Method
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, pinch of salt until combined.
- Stir in the wet ingredients and fold in sprinkles.
- Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat.
- Pour small amounts of batter into the pan.
- Cook for about 1–2 minutes until bubbles appear, then flip.
- Cook the other side until golden.
Serving ideas
- Maple syrup or honey
- Banana slices
- Yoghurt
- Extra sprinkles on top with a candle
A celebratory pancake breakfast would typically cost: £0.30 – £0.70 per person
2. DIY Breakfast Board
A breakfast board is more about presentation than cooking, but it makes breakfast feel special. Breakfast boards are a perfect idea for busy parents, looking to make a special morning for the kids! They can be as low cost as you wish, and dressed up or down with fun accessories! Prep as much as you can the night before and leave the kids to it!
Ingredients (Serves 4)
Pastries
Tesco Mini Danish Pastries Selection 5 Pack – £1.95
- Includes a mix of sweet Danish pastries.
- Works well for grazing boards.
- Price: £1.95.
Pancakes
Tesco Continental Classic Sweet Pancakes 8 Pack – £3.25
- Ready-to-eat pancakes perfect for breakfast boards.
- Just warm in the microwave or toast lightly.
- Price: £3.25.
Waffles
McVitie’s Toasting Waffles 8 Pack – £1.90
- Easy to toast and cut into halves for sharing.
- Price: £1.90.
Bacon
Tesco 2 x 10 Unsmoked Back Bacon Rashers 600g – £3.00 (Clubcard price)
- Contains about 20 rashers, enough for several servings.
- Price: £3.00 with Clubcard.
Fruit
Add colour and freshness to the board with fruit.
Example Tesco fruit options:
- Bananas (approx.) – £0.75 for a bunch
- Strawberries – approx. £2.00 per pack
- Grapes – approx. £2.00 per pack
Method
- Cook the bacon until crispy.
- Toast the waffles and warm the pancakes.
- Slice fruit into small pieces.
- Arrange everything on a large board or tray:
- pastries in the centre
- pancakes stacked
- waffles cut into halves
- fruit scattered around
- bacon grouped together
Optional extras:
- maple syrup
- yoghurt
- Nutella
- peanut butter
- Total cost for the whole breakfast board: £14.85
- Cost Per Person If the board serves 4 people:£3.70 per person
3. Simple Homemade Waffles
Waffles are an affordable, fun and not to mention tasty breakfast option! They can be made in advance and heated up in 5 minutes! Why not set up a station with cut up fruit, spreads and a big stack of waffles!
No Waffle machine? No worries! Check out this Salter Kuro XL Deep Fill Waffle Maker for only £25 at Argos! Perfect to continue using throughout the holidays!
Ingredients (Serves 6 waffles)
- 1 egg
- 225g self-raising flour
-
1 tbsp golden caster sugar
(optional)
- 250ml milk
-
50g butter
melted and cooled
- vanilla 1/2 tsp
Method
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl
- Gradually whisk in eggs, then milk
- Preheat a waffle maker.
- Pour batter into the waffle maker and cook 3–5 minutes.
Topping ideas
- Strawberries
- Chocolate chips
- Yoghurt
- Honey or syrup
Full recipe cost: £1.15
4. Celebration French Toast
A sweet and comforting breakfast that’s quick to make. French toast is a staple celebration breakfast, and can be dressed up for any occasion! Why not make a French toast station? Fill bowls with toppings and let the kids work their magic!
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 4 slices bread
- 2 eggs
- 60ml milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Butter for frying
Method
- Beat eggs, milk and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Dip each slice of bread into the mixture.
- Heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Fry bread for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
Serving ideas
- Icing sugar dusting
- Fresh berries
- Honey or syrup
- Whipped yoghurt
Total celebratory French toast breakfast: £0.45–£0.70 per person
5. Creative Porridge Bowls
Porridge becomes fun when decorated with fruit, spreads, whatever you like! There are so many ways to adapt porridge bowls for end of term fun! Why not make an Easter scene with mini eggs, or use icing sugar as fake snow for Christmas!
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 100g rolled oats
- 400ml milk or water
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Add oats, milk and salt to a saucepan.
- Cook on medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Divide into bowls.
Decorating ideas
- Banana slices for eyes and smiley faces
- Blueberries or raspberries
- Apple slices shaped like flowers
- Peanut butter drizzle
- Kids can design their own bowl.
A decorated porridge bowl would usually cost:£0.30 – £0.50 per person
Banana Smiley
You need: Banana slices, 2 blueberries or raisins.
Use the blueberries for eyes and arrange banana slices into a smile.
Apple Flower
You need: Thin apple slices, a raisin or blueberry.
Fan apple slices into a flower shape and place the raisin in the centre.
Cocoa Bear
You need: Banana slices, blueberries or raisins, cocoa powder.
Use banana for ears and nose, blueberries for eyes, and dust cocoa lightly.
Final thoughts
Making an end of term breakfast doesn't have to cost a lot! It can be fun, easy and affordable and is the perfect way to celebrate major end of school milestones, or to get the kids excited for the holidays!
Looking for things to do during the holidays? Why not head to our days out hub for the best deals on affordable family breaks!
