A smash-hit production of The Tiger Who Came to Tea is currently touring the UK and is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with kids this year. It tells the tale of one very greedy tiger who eats and drinks everything in little Sophie’s house. So with this in mind, let’s take a look at 10 stock cupboard foods that unexpected tiger guests might some day gobble up. And don’t forget to search ‘kids activities near me’ for your nearest touring show.

1. Tinned tomatoes

Versatile, tasty and nutritious, tinned tomatoes are a great cupboard staple. They can be added to casseroles, soups and pasta dishes and are delicious with a sprinkle of oregano. Though if the tiger found them we think he’d eat them straight out of the tin!

1. Dried pasta

From macaroni cheese to spaghetti bolognese, pasta is a quick and easy go-to after a long day at work or school. It’s wonderfully filling and can be combined with a wide range of sauces including meat or vegetarian options.

1. Rice

What would a scrummy curry be without a decent helping of white or brown rice? It’s the perfect side to a tangy tikka masala or a hot chicken bhuna and is quick and easy to cook. Egg fried rice is another way to get protein and carbohydrates into your diet.

1. Tinned tuna

Tinned tuna lasts for months and can be eaten on its own, made into a tuna mayonnaise sandwich or thrown into salad. It tastes great with tinned sweetcorn, which is also another awesome store cupboard staple.

1. Tinned pulses

Chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, black beans…all are a great source of fibre. They help to bulk up slow cooker dinners such as stews and can also be eaten cold in salads or poke bowls.

1. Plain flour

Whether you bake a lot of sweet treats or simply want to make your own sauces, having some flour in your cupboards is a must. A surprising number of recipes need at least a few tablespoons of flour, including crispy chicken which is coated in flour and tossed in egg before going in the oven to cook.

1. Unsaturated oil

If you’re looking to add more healthy fats into your diet, then opt for unsaturated oils like rapeseed, sunflower and olive oil for cooking rather than butter, lard or ghee.

1. Tinned fruit in juice

Tinned fruit keeps for a very long time and counts towards your five a day. Choose fruit in juice rather than syrup as a healthier option. During the winter, tinned fruit is a great way to incorporate more exotic fruits into your diet such as mango and pineapple.

1. Oats

From whipping up some warming porridge on a frosty morning to creating delicious flapjacks the whole family will enjoy, oats are a must-have item. Keep in an airtight container as this will help to keep them fresh for a long time.

1. Noodles

While fresh noodles have a shelf life, dried egg noodles last for ages and can be thrown into pho soups, added to curries or turned into a stir fry.

If you’re looking for food-themed things to do with kids near me and fancy a roar-some adventure, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea.