One of the first signs that the holiday season has arrived at our home is the smell of freshly baked holiday treats in the air. Cooking and baking are both a big part of our family time all year, but even more so during the holidays. From homemade hot cocoa to freshly baked pies, you are sure to find the comforts and smells of family time in our kitchen each December. It’s a holiday tradition we cherish and look forward to all year.

Sometimes, parents can find it overwhelming to integrate their kids into the process of cooking. I used to be this mom, but now I say, embrace the mess! Learning is messy, but also so memorable. Kitchens are easy to clean, but little ones are only little for a short time. Try out these easy-to-follow recipes for delicious holiday treats to bake with the kids.

Plan a Family Holiday Baking Day

Are you ready to get started? Planning a family holiday baking day is easy to do. My husband and kids typically start submitting requests around Thanksgiving for our big Christmas baking day, and we narrow it down to a few favorites. I try to simplify my life by picking things that have overlapping ingredients—less to buy and easier to reuse bowls when cooking, a win-win!

After you gather your materials, pop on your favorite Christmas movie, or Christmas music if you prefer, and use this time to push the pause button on life.

Slow down, and let your kids help with whatever tasks they can reasonably do, which will vary greatly by age. My youngest is one, but great at helping with the most basic tasks such as grabbing Mommy a spoon or a plastic bowl. My oldest is thirteen and able to mix ingredients, use the stove and oven, and prepare basic recipes with no assistance.

Wherever your kids fall developmentally, involve them however you can in holiday treat-making! It gives them a sense of ownership, responsibility, and value. Nothing brings a bigger smile to their faces than eating a treat that they helped make. Cooking is such a great self-esteem booster, as well as an opportunity to teach valuable life skills, including washing the dishes of course!

Looking for some ideas to get started? Here are 10 fun holiday treats to make at home together:

10 Holiday Treats to Make with Kids

Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

Who doesn’t love homemade sugar cookies? My kids love making cookie cut-outs each year and decorating them! This is a fun way to involve everyone in the family, even the little ones can shake sprinkles on the cookies. If you don’t have cookie cutters, try making your own with aluminum foil and cardboard. We did this last year and the kids loved it.

Rice Krispie Treats

Your family will love making homemade rice krispie treats. It’s so easy and you don’t even have to bake them! Marshmallows, butter, and rice krispie cereal are all you need. It is also fun to decorate them with red and green icing once they cool, for a festive touch. You could even cut these holiday treats into a Christmas tree or stocking shape!

Christmas Tree Cake

We love making shaped cakes! There are a variety of styles and sizes, but our family has a Christmas tree baking pan and it’s a huge hit each year. If cakes intimidate you, don’t worry, boxed mix from the store is perfect. Decorate with whatever you have that is holiday-themed! Who said cakes were just for birthdays?

Homemade Donuts

Okay, I’m about to spill on my super-secret donut recipe. Guests love my powered sugar donuts and we never have leftovers. Are you ready? Biscuit dough. You heard me! This is the easiest, and most delicious breakfast treat, and my family loves it. We use a shot glass, or the top piece of a baby bottle (because, real life), cut out donut holes, and leave the outer section as a ringed donut. Fry them up, and sprinkle them with powdered sugar. So easy and delicious!

Oreo Balls

Oreo balls are a classic holiday treat and so fun to make! The kids will love smashing up the Oreos—or you can use a food processor, but it’s more fun for the kids to smash them! Let them cool in the fridge or eat right away. These simple and delicious holiday treats are always a hit!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know chocolate chip cookies are not just a Christmas treat, but they must be mentioned! They are so easy to make, just follow the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip packaging. Your kids will be so eager to help make them. My oldest daughter loves to turn the oven light on and watch them “melt” and “grow” as she says! They pair perfectly with a glass of milk.

Hot Chocolate

This one is so fun and easy to do! Hot cocoa recipes are basic and typically consist of just a few ingredients that you likely already have at home. Try adding a candy cane for a fun Christmas twist. Mini marshmallows are always another great addition!

Puppy Chow

What is Christmas without a fresh batch of Puppy Chow, with Christmas M&M’s mixed in? This treat is so easy to make and requires no baking. Chocolate, peanut butter, Chex cereal, and powdered sugar, you cannot go wrong with this sweet treat. But you might find yourself gobbling it up yourself!

Apple Pie

Apple Pie is such a classic, and for good reason! My kids love baking pies and you will find it’s actually fairly simple to do. If you do not want to make homemade dough, the refrigerated section at the grocery store has a large variety of pre-made dough. Grab your favorite pie crust, fill it, and bake! Simple, easy, and delicious.

Banana Bread

There are many types of bread, but banana bread is my favorite to make with the kids. The kids love to mash up the bananas with the fork and then help me mix it all in. Pro tip—make them in muffin tins, so everyone can help pour in the batter. Use red and green muffin cups and top with some colored sprinkles!

I hope you are feeling inspired and motivated to plan your family’s holiday treats baking day. There is nothing better than to slow down, spend time together, and enjoy the fruits of your labor in the kitchen. The gift of time and togetherness are the basic ingredients of a Very Merry Christmas.

After baking these fun holiday treats, do your kids now love being in the kitchen? Are they ready to cook some more? Give Sprouts Cooking School a try. They host amazing birthday parties, in addition to their cooking classes, that get kids super excited about cooking and adventurous eating! We’ve got more cooking ideas and recipes. Check out these easy-to-make recipes:

Unique Popcorn Recipes
Snack Recipes
State Fair Food Recipes
Ice Cream Recipes
Breakfast Recipes
Lunch Recipes
Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Fresh Apple Recipes
Pumpkin Recipes

If you’re looking for other holiday activity ideas, pick one of our 100 winter activity recommendations, check out a local sledding hill, or think about all of the ways to play in the snow. Need ideas of things to do when snowed in? Take your pick from these 100+ indoor fun ideas to do with kids.

Do you love making and baking holiday treats? Did you plan a family baking day? Share your best holiday treats ideas, recipes, and photos with us below, or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!