Nutrition

These small peas pack a punch as they’re rich in thiamine, this is a B-vitamin that supports heart function. Peas are also a great alternative to get your vitamin C in, plus they’re high in fibre to keep you fuller for longer.

Shopping Guide

Look for pods that are full and perky with dry stems as this can indicate the freshness. Limp pods can be slightly bitter. Frozen peas can be found in most local supermarkets all year round. 

Storage

Fresh peas are stored dry in an airtight bag or container in the fridge for up to a week. Frozen peas are a household staple to keep in the freezer for those last minute dinners.

Preparation

To prep fresh peas, tear open the pods and scoop the peas out. For frozen, just heat through until piping hot! You can simply boil them or microwave for a few minutes.

Kids in the Kitchen

For a younger child, why not get them pushing the microwave buttons to cook the peas, or mixing a little butter or oil through before serving.

For an older child, it could be a great opportunity to give them ownership of a side dish – could they make buttery peas from start to finish by pouring frozen peas into a microwaveable bowl, microwaving until cooked and stirring through butter and some salt and pepper while you are making dinner?

Find more ideas for involving kids in the kitchen here.

Sensory

Get a handful of frozen peas and let your child explore them through touch, feeling how cold it is fresh out of the freezer, then how it warms up in their hands. See if the feel reminds them of anything. Perhaps it feels like tiny pebbles or necklace beads? Encourage their creativity and imagination and see if cooking a few and offering them warm and cooked changes their mind about how they look and feel.

Watch our video from Ruth Platt for a visual guide to exploring peas with your senses here. Find more sensory ideas, tips and videos here. If you get stuck and need a little help with describing words, we have a selection for you here, too!

Serving

Next time you make a meal with peas, try to get your kids involved in small ways wherever you can – maybe they can be in charge of the peas (measuring, microwaving, stirring through butter, etc) and when serving it up, why not let your child help you plate it and see if they can come up with a funny name for the dish.

Find the best ways of involving your own child and their skills and interests on our Roles for Kids page.

Activities

Why not try making a cut-out and colour pea pod or veg crown?

Or grab some of our free games & puzzles with peas like our Boxing Peas game, Escapeas or a Pea-doku puzzle?

Kids more interested in science? Try Stefan Gates’ videos for veg-focused home experiments here.

Find loads more free pea-themed crafts here and games here.