Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas for Kids 🎄

Introduction

The holidays are all about family, fun, and creating joyful memories together. What better way to bring everyone together than with a Christmas cookie decorating session? Kids love getting creative, and decorating cookies is the perfect activity to spark their imaginations while enjoying sweet treats.

In this guide, we’ll share fun and easy Christmas cookie decorating ideas that are perfect for kids of all ages. From classic sugar cookies to colorful icing designs, these ideas will keep your little ones entertained and bring a festive touch to your holiday celebrations. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get decorating! 🎅🍪

1. Classic Sugar Cookie Canvas

What You’ll Need:

• Sugar cookies (homemade or store-bought)
• Royal icing (various colors)
• Edible glitter and sprinkles
• Small piping bags or squeeze bottles

Instructions:

1. Bake or Buy: Start with a batch of sugar cookies in fun holiday shapes like stars, trees, and gingerbread people.
2. Color the Icing: Divide royal icing into bowls and add food coloring to create a palette of festive colors.
3. Decorate: Use piping bags to outline the cookies, fill them in with icing, and let the kids go wild with sprinkles and edible glitter.

Why Kids Love It:
This is a classic activity that lets kids be as creative as they want. The best part? No cookie looks “wrong” when it’s made with love and imagination!

2. Reindeer Pretzel Cookies 🦌

What You’ll Need:

• Round sugar or chocolate cookies
• Mini pretzels
• Red candy for the nose (like M&M’s)
• Candy eyes or small white chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Face: Spread a thin layer of icing or melted chocolate on the cookie.
2. Add the Antlers: Press two mini pretzels at the top for antlers.
3. Create the Features: Use candy eyes and a red candy nose to make Rudolph’s face.

Why Kids Love It:
These cookies are adorable and so much fun to assemble. Plus, who doesn’t love Rudolph during the holidays?

3. Edible Christmas Ornaments 🎄

What You’ll Need:

• Large round cookies
• Royal icing or melted white chocolate
• Edible markers or gel pens
• String or ribbon

Instructions:

1. Base Coat: Cover each cookie with a smooth layer of icing or melted white chocolate.
2. Decorate: Let kids draw designs like snowflakes, stars, or stripes with edible markers.
3. Add a Ribbon: Poke a small hole near the edge of each cookie before baking, then thread a ribbon through after decorating.

Why Kids Love It:
These cookies double as festive decorations and tasty treats. Kids will be proud to hang their edible creations on the tree!

4. Snowman Face Cookies ⛄

What You’ll Need:

• Round sugar cookies
• White royal icing
• Mini chocolate chips or black icing
• Orange candy for the nose (like a Tic Tac)

Instructions:

1. Make the Base: Cover the cookies with white royal icing and let it dry.
2. Add the Features: Use chocolate chips for eyes, black icing for a smile, and an orange candy for the carrot nose.

Why Kids Love It:
These cookies are easy to decorate and super cute. Each snowman face can have its own personality!

5. Christmas Tree Cookies 🎄

What You’ll Need:

• Tree-shaped sugar cookies
• Green royal icing
• Star-shaped sprinkles
• Mini candies or pearls

Instructions:

1. Outline and Fill: Use green icing to outline the tree shape and fill it in. Let it dry slightly.
2. Decorate the Tree: Add mini candies, pearls, and sprinkles as ornaments. Use a star sprinkle at the top for the star.

Why Kids Love It:
It’s like decorating a real Christmas tree, but way tastier!

6. Gingerbread Cookie Houses 🏠

What You’ll Need:

• Pre-made gingerbread cookie house kits
• Icing for “glue”
• Candy decorations (gumdrops, candy canes, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Assemble the House: Use icing to glue the walls and roof of the house together.
2. Decorate: Let kids add their personal touch with colorful candies, sprinkles, and icing designs.

Why Kids Love It:
Building and decorating a gingerbread house is the ultimate holiday activity. It’s fun, creative, and the finished result is always impressive!

7. Santa Hat Cookies 🎅

What You’ll Need:

• Round sugar cookies
• Red icing
• Mini marshmallows
• White icing

Instructions:

1. Base Coat: Cover the cookie with red icing, leaving the bottom edge blank for the brim of Santa’s hat.
2. Add the Details: Use white icing to create the brim and place a mini marshmallow at the tip for the pom-pom.

Why Kids Love It:
These cookies are simple yet festive, and kids love creating Santa’s iconic red hat.

8. DIY Cookie Kits 🎁

What You’ll Need:

• Plain sugar cookies
• Assorted icings and sprinkles
• Small plastic containers or bags for packaging

Instructions:

1. Assemble Kits: Pack a few cookies, small bags of icing, and sprinkles into a decorative box or bag.
2. Gift or Decorate Together: Use these kits for a group activity or give them as holiday gifts.

Why Kids Love It:
This activity turns into a fun craft or a thoughtful gift for friends and family.

9. Holiday Cookie Pops 🍭

What You’ll Need:

• Sugar cookies (cut into small shapes)
• Lollipop sticks
• Royal icing and sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Add Sticks: Insert lollipop sticks into cookies before baking.
2. Decorate: Once baked and cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles.

Why Kids Love It:
Eating cookies on a stick feels extra fun! Plus, these cookie pops are perfect for holiday parties.

10. Stained Glass Cookies 🌟

What You’ll Need:

• Sugar cookie dough
• Small cookie cutters (for shapes within shapes)
• Crushed hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers)

Instructions:

1. Cut Shapes: Roll out the dough and cut large shapes. Use smaller cutters to cut out the center of each cookie.
2. Add Candy: Fill the cut-out centers with crushed candy.
3. Bake: Bake as usual. The candy melts into a glass-like finish.

Why Kids Love It:
These cookies look magical with their colorful, translucent centers. They’re almost too pretty to eat—almost!

Tips for a Fun Cookie Decorating Session

1. Set Up Stations: Organize icing, sprinkles, and tools at individual stations to keep things tidy.
2. Use Aprons: Dress kids in aprons to make cleanup easier.
3. Play Music: Add holiday cheer with a playlist of Christmas classics.
4. Keep It Simple: Focus on easy designs to avoid frustration for younger kids.
5. Pair with Snacks: Serve hot cocoa or Holiday Mocktails to keep the fun going.

Conclusion

Decorating Christmas cookies is more than just a fun holiday activity—it’s a way to create lasting memories with your kids. These ideas are simple, festive, and designed to bring joy to your home. So gather your supplies, let the kids unleash their creativity, and enjoy the sweetest part of the season! 🎄🍪

Pinterest Tip: Save this post to your Holiday Baking board to inspire your next cookie decorating session. Share it with friends who love family-friendly holiday fun!