Holiday Recipes for Kids: Seasonal Treats for Little Helpers

This blog post shares simple, festive recipes and tips to encourage young children to join in the kitchen fun while creating delicious treats and lasting memories.

Cooking with kids is more than just a fun activity—it’s a way to teach them valuable skills, encourage creativity, and create lasting memories. This holiday season, why not invite your little ones into the kitchen to help whip up some delicious treats? These simple recipes are perfect for tiny chefs, with steps that are easy to follow and lots of room for fun.

Tips for Cooking with Kids

• Prepare Ahead: Measure ingredients beforehand to keep things organized.
• Keep It Simple: Choose recipes with a few steps that kids can easily follow.
• Embrace the Mess: Spills and smudges are part of the fun—keep cleanup tools handy!
• Celebrate Creativity: Let kids take charge of decorating and experimenting.

Cooking with kids isn’t just about the end product—it’s about the joy of spending time together. So, roll up your sleeves, grab some aprons, and make this holiday season extra sweet!

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are a festive staple, and the best part is decorating them! Here’s a simple recipe that kids will love:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Let your child take turns mixing!
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, stirring well.
4. Gradually add the flour and baking powder, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Roll the dough out on a floured surface and use festive cookie cutters to create shapes.
6. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 6–8 minutes. Cool before decorating.
7. Let the fun begin! Use icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter to decorate your cookies.

Pro Tip: Set up a decorating station with small bowls of sprinkles and pre-filled piping bags. This keeps the process tidy and fun!

2. No-Bake Chocolate Nut Butter Balls

These bite-sized treats are simple to make and require no oven, making them perfect for young helpers.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy nut butter of choice
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips (milk or dark)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Kids can help with the stirring!
2. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
4. Dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate using a fork or spoon.
5. Let the chocolate set in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Fun Twist: Add colourful sprinkles before the chocolate hardens for a festive touch.

3. Holiday Fruit Kabobs

Not all snacks need to be sugary! These fruit kabobs are healthy, fun, and look like little holiday decorations.

Ingredients:

• Green grapes
• Strawberries
• Banana slices
• Mini marshmallows
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Slice bananas and strawberries into bite-sized pieces. Kids can help with supervised cutting or arranging the ingredients.
2. Assemble the kabobs: alternate grape, banana, and strawberry slices to resemble holiday colours.
3. Top each skewer with a mini marshmallow to look like a snow cap.
4. Serve as a healthy snack or party treat.

Tip: Swap in other fruits like kiwi or pineapple for added variety.

4. Reindeer Pretzels

These adorable pretzel snacks are almost too cute to eat—but they’re so simple, kids will want to make a whole herd!

Ingredients:

• Mini pretzel twists
• Rolos or chocolate kisses
• Red and brown M&Ms
• Candy eyes

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Place pretzels on a lined baking sheet and add a Rolo or chocolate kiss to the center of each pretzel.
3. Bake for 1–2 minutes, just until the chocolate is soft.
4. Press a red or brown M&M into the chocolate for the nose and attach candy eyes. Break pretzels in half to make antlers and stick them into the chocolate.
5. Let cool completely before enjoying.

5. Peppermint Bark

A holiday classic that requires no baking and lots of fun smashing!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave and spread it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill for 10 minutes.
2. Melt the white chocolate and spread it over the hardened semi-sweet chocolate.
3. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top and gently press them in.
4. Chill for 30 minutes, then let kids break it into pieces.

6. Snowman Marshmallow Pops

These pops are adorable, easy, and perfect for tiny decorators.

Ingredients:

• Marshmallows
• Pretzel sticks
• Candy eyes
• Orange sprinkle for the nose
• White chocolate for coating

Instructions:

1. Stack three marshmallows on a pretzel stick to form a snowman.
2. Dip in melted white chocolate to coat.
3. Let kids add candy eyes and noses while the coating is wet.
4. Chill to set.

7. Rice Krispie Holiday Shapes

Transform this classic treat into festive shapes!

Ingredients:

• 6 cups Rice Krispies
• 10 oz marshmallows
• 3 tbsp butter
• Food colouring

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter and marshmallows in a large pot.
2. Stir in food colouring of your choice.
3. Mix in the Rice Krispies and press into a greased baking dish.
4. Use cookie cutters to make festive shapes once cooled.

8. Christmas Tree Brownies

Transform brownies into edible Christmas trees!

Ingredients:

• Boxed brownie mix (and ingredients to prepare)
• Green icing
• Sprinkles
• Candy canes (cut into small sticks)

Instructions:

1. Bake brownies according to package instructions and let cool.
2. Cut brownies into triangles to resemble trees.
3. Use icing, sprinkles, and candy cane sticks as decorations.

9. Santa Hat Strawberries

A simple, healthy treat that kids can make on their own.

Ingredients:

• Fresh strawberries
• Whipped cream
• Mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Cut the tops off the strawberries so they stand upright.
2. Pipe whipped cream on the top to form Santa's hat trim.
3. Add a mini marshmallow on top for the pom-pom.

10. Snowflake Sandwich Cookies

These delicate cookies are easy to assemble and look magical.

Ingredients:

• Pre-made sugar cookies
• White icing
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Use a snowflake-shaped cookie cutter to shape pre-made dough or cookies. See recipe above.
2. Pipe white icing designs onto the cookies, letting kids create their own patterns.
3. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

What’s your favourite recipe to make with your little ones? Let us know in the comments!