The Christmas holidays are one of the best times to bring the whole family into the kitchen. Between the smell of baking biscuits, festive music playing in the background, and little hands eager to help, cooking becomes about so much more than food. It is a chance to spend quality time together and create memories that last far beyond Christmas Day.
Cooking with children helps them learn valuable life skills too. Measuring ingredients, stirring, decorating, and even tidying up afterwards all build confidence and coordination. If you are looking for ways to make the most of the festive season, here are five fun and easy Christmas cooking activities for kids that will fill your kitchen with joy.
(Before you start, you might like to read our guide to essential cooking skills for kids to help little ones feel confident in the kitchen.)
Decorate Festive Biscuits or Gingerbread People
Biscuit decorating is a Christmas classic that children of all ages can enjoy. You can either make your own dough or use shop-bought biscuits if you want to save time. If you fancy baking from scratch, try a simple gingerbread or sugar biscuit recipe using self-raising flour, butter, golden syrup, and a pinch of mixed spice for that festive aroma.
Once the biscuits are baked and cooled, set out bowls of icing, sprinkles, and small sweets for decorating. Children love turning their biscuits into snowmen, stars, and reindeer faces. This activity encourages creativity while also helping younger kids with fine motor skills.
Tip: Keep a few plain biscuits aside for the grown-ups to decorate later with a cup of tea once the chaos has settled.
2.
Make Mini Christmas Pizzas
If you are looking for something savoury after all the sweet treats, mini pizzas are a fun and easy option. Use small pizza bases, pitta breads, or even English muffins as your base. Children can spread tomato sauce, sprinkle cheese, and use toppings such as peppers, olives, or cherry tomatoes to create Christmas trees, snowmen, or stars.
This activity is perfect for lunchtime during the holidays and gives children a chance to practise spreading and layering ingredients. It is also a great way to encourage fussy eaters to try new foods since they have helped make their own meal.
Create Edible Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
For a quick no-bake recipe, Rice Krispie treats are always a hit. Melt some chocolate and butter in a saucepan, then stir in Rice Krispies until they are fully coated. Spoon the mixture into small cupcake cases or shape it into reindeer heads using your hands or a biscuit cutter.
Once they have cooled slightly, add pretzels for antlers, Smarties or red sweets for noses, and a couple of chocolate chips for eyes. It is a simple, low-mess activity that little ones can manage with minimal help. These treats make lovely homemade gifts for friends, neighbours, or teachers too.
4.
Build a Christmas Tree Fruit Skewer
Not every festive activity has to be sugary. For something a bit healthier, try creating Christmas tree fruit skewers. Use green grapes, kiwi slices, and strawberries to form a simple Christmas tree shape on a wooden skewer. If you want to make it extra special, drizzle a little yoghurt or melted chocolate on top to look like snow.
This is an ideal activity for younger children who may not be ready for baking. It also helps to show that healthy food can still be fun and colourful.
Tip: Always supervise young children when using skewers or cut fruit into smaller pieces for safety.
5. Mix and Gift Hot Chocolate Jars
This is one of our favourite festive traditions because it combines creativity, giving, and chocolate. Fill small jars with layers of cocoa powder, sugar, and mini marshmallows. Kids can add chocolate chips or crushed candy canes for an extra treat. Decorate the jar with ribbon, stickers, or a handmade label that says “Just add hot milk”.
These jars make thoughtful and affordable gifts for grandparents, teachers, or friends. Children love being involved in making presents, and it is a wonderful way to teach them about kindness and giving during the Christmas season.
Our Final Thoughts
Cooking with children at Christmas is about enjoying time together, not about perfection. Whether your biscuits are slightly uneven or the icing ends up more on the table than the biscuits, that is all part of the fun. These activities are a lovely way to keep children entertained during the holidays while helping them build confidence in the kitchen.
If your little ones enjoy these festive ideas, take a look at our guide to essential cooking skills for kids for more ways to help them grow into confident young cooks.
Merry Christmas and happy cooking!
