There’s something magical about wintertime — the smell of cookies baking, snowflakes twirling outside, and the laughter of kids in the kitchen. Whether your family celebrates Hanukkah, enjoys a cozy winter season, or simply loves an excuse to bake something sweet, this is the perfect time to slow down and make memories together.
Cooking with kids doesn’t just fill the house with delicious smells — it builds confidence, fine motor skills, and connection. And best of all? These treats are easy, festive, and fun for little hands to help with.
So grab your aprons, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for 12 days of easy holiday treats kids can make — full of winter whimsy, sparkle, and sweetness.
Day 1: Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Start the season with a classic! Bake simple sugar cookies and let your kids go wild with blue and white icing, edible glitter, and snowflake sprinkles. For little ones, use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters to make the prep easy and mess-free.
Parent tip: Let cookies cool completely before decorating — it keeps the frosting smooth instead of runny.
Day 2: Chocolate Pretzel Trees
Melt green candy melts or white chocolate tinted with food coloring. Dip pretzel rods into the melted chocolate, then add candy “ornaments” or star-shaped sprinkles. Lay them on parchment paper to set. They look like mini forest trees dusted in snow!
Skill focus: hand-eye coordination and decorating precision.
Day 3: Snowman Yogurt Cups
Turn breakfast into a craft! Layer vanilla yogurt, banana slices, and a handful of blueberries in a clear cup. Add raisin “eyes,” a tiny carrot “nose,” and a pretzel stick “arm” on each side. It’s healthy, adorable, and totally buildable.
Parent tip: Freeze them for 10 minutes before serving for a fun icy twist.
Day 4: Marshmallow Snowball Pops
Thread marshmallows onto paper straws, dip in white chocolate, and roll in shredded coconut to make fluffy snowballs. Kids will love the texture and instant “snowy” effect.
For an extra challenge, line them up like a mini snowball army before eating!
Skill focus: rolling and fine motor control.
Day 5: Wreath Rice Krispie Treats
Make classic Rice Krispie treats and shape them into small circles (use a round cookie cutter or muffin tin). Tint the marshmallow mix with green food coloring and decorate with red candy “berries.” A drizzle of white chocolate completes the snowy wreath look.
Skill focus: shaping and creative design.
Day 6: Dreidel Brownie Bites
Celebrate Hanukkah with a sweet, simple nod to tradition. Bake brownie bites (store-bought mix works great!), add a pretzel stick “handle,” and decorate with blue and white icing to look like tiny dreidels.
Parent tip: Kids can practice drawing the Hebrew letters with icing pens — a fun, meaningful activity.
Day 7: Snowflake Popcorn Mix
Mix air-popped popcorn with white chocolate drizzle, pretzel pieces, and blue sprinkles for a crunchy winter snack. Store it in festive jars as edible gifts or enjoy it during a family movie night.
Skill focus: measuring and mixing.
Day 8: “Gift Box” Graham Crackers
Transform graham crackers into edible presents! Spread frosting between two crackers, wrap with fruit leather “ribbons,” and add a candy “bow.” They look like tiny gift boxes and are the perfect mix of crunchy and creamy.
Parent tip: Use natural-colored fruit strips for a bright, healthy spin.
Day 9: Snowy Hot Cocoa Spoons
Dip wooden spoons or kid-safe silicone ones into melted chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes, marshmallows, or blue sugar crystals. Once set, kids can stir them into warm milk for an instant cup of cocoa magic.
Skill focus: pouring and creative decoration.
Day 10: Apple Pie Snowflake Pastries
Use store-bought puff pastry and cut into snowflake shapes. Spoon a little apple pie filling in the center, fold or pinch the edges, and bake until golden. Dust with powdered sugar “snow” for a wintry finish.
Parent tip: Keep extra pastry scraps — kids can twist them into shapes and bake for fun mini snacks.
Day 11: Frozen Yogurt Snow Bites
Spoon yogurt into silicone molds (snowflakes, dreidels, trees — anything festive!) and top with bits of fruit or granola. Freeze for a few hours and pop out for a frosty, healthy snack.
Skill focus: pouring and patience — waiting for them to freeze is the hardest part!
Day 12: Chocolate-Dipped “Gift” Pretzels
Wrap up your 12 days of treats with something that’s perfect for gifting. Dip half of each pretzel rod into melted chocolate and decorate with crushed peppermint, gold sprinkles, or blue sugar crystals. Bundle them in cellophane with ribbons for simple homemade gifts.
Skill focus: dipping and presentation.
Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Baking with Kids
1. Prep before you invite the kids.
Have all ingredients measured and ready. This keeps little hands busy with the fun parts — mixing, rolling, and decorating.
2. Embrace the mess.
There will be spills and sugar sprinkles everywhere. Think of it as part of the memory-making magic.
3. Choose simple tasks by age.
Toddlers love stirring, sprinkling, and decorating. Older kids can measure, pour, and help safely near the oven with supervision.
4. Mix learning into the fun.
Cooking teaches counting, sequencing, and even basic science — without kids realizing they’re learning.
5. Celebrate creativity.
Whether your snowman has three eyes or your wreath is lopsided, it’s all part of the charm. Praise their effort, not perfection.
Creating Sweet Winter Memories
These 12 easy treats aren’t just about what comes out of the oven — they’re about what happens in the process: the laughter, the teamwork, and the moments of joy that make the holidays special.
Whether you’re lighting the menorah, building snowmen, or just enjoying quiet evenings together, time spent cooking with your kids brings warmth to the coldest days. So gather your ingredients, turn up some festive music, and make this season deliciously unforgettable — one sweet creation at a time.
