Christmas Treats for Kids That Steal the Class Party: 18 Easy Ideas Little Helpers Can Make, From Cranberry Snowballs to Santa Hat Brownies

Christmas treats for kids are the first thing parents start hunting for the moment the class party sign-up sheet comes home. The good news is that the cutest holiday treats are also some of the easiest: no fancy piping, no rolling pins, and very little time near a hot oven. Most of the ideas below are no-bake or use a store-bought base, so little helpers can do the fun parts like dipping, sprinkling, stacking and pressing on candy eyes. Each slide has a short list of what you will need, simple steps, and an adult-help note for anything hot or sharp. Before you bake for a classroom, check with the teacher about allergies, since many schools ask for nut-free treats. Pick two or three, set up a decorating station, and let the kids take the credit..

Christmas Treats for Kids Start With Santa Hat Brownies

If you only make one thing for the class party, make these. A square of fudgy brownie becomes Santa’s face, a whole strawberry turned upside down becomes his hat, and a dab of whipped cream finishes the fluffy brim and pom pom. They look like they came from a bakery, yet the decorating is pure kid work. Use a boxed brownie mix or a store-bought slab to save time, and assemble them close to serving so the cream stays tall..

You will need: 1 pan of baked brownies (boxed mix is fine), 16 medium strawberries, 1 can of whipped cream or 1 cup stabilized whipped cream, a piping bag or zip-top bag.

How to make it: 1. Cut the cooled brownies into 16 even squares. 2. Wash the strawberries, pat them very dry and slice off the green tops so they stand flat. 3. Pipe a ring of cream on each square and stand a strawberry point up in the middle. 4. Add a tiny dot of cream on the tip for the pom pom. 5. Chill until serving. Adult help: an adult handles the oven and the knife; kids do the piping and stacking.

Sugared Cranberry Snowballs With a Creamy Center

These snowy little bites have been all over holiday baking videos this season, and it is easy to see why. A soft mix of cream cheese and melted white chocolate is studded with chopped dried cranberries, chilled until scoopable, then rolled in fluffy coconut so every ball looks like a fresh snowball. Rolling is the best part for kids, because it is supposed to be messy. The tart cranberries keep the sweetness in check, so grown-ups tend to steal a few too. It is one of those Christmas treats for kids that adults quietly love.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 1 cup white chocolate chips, 3/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut.

How to make it: 1. Melt the white chocolate in short 20 second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. 2. Beat it into the cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth. 3. Stir in the cranberries and chill for 1 hour until firm. 4. Scoop small balls, roll them between your palms and then in the coconut. 5. Keep chilled in a covered box. Adult help: an adult handles the microwave and the warm chocolate.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Ornaments

Round chocolate sandwich cookies are already shaped like Christmas baubles, so all they need is a coat of color. Dip them in red, white or green candy melts, add a stripe of drizzle and a shake of sprinkles, then top each one with a mini peanut butter cup or a small chocolate drop as the ornament cap. A tiny loop of licorice lace finishes the hanger. Set them out in rows on a tray and they look like a box of shiny decorations you can eat. Few Christmas treats for kids look this impressive for so little work.

You will need: 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, 12 oz red, white and green candy melts, 24 mini peanut butter cups or chocolate drops (use chocolate drops for nut-free classes), red licorice lace, sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Line a tray with parchment. 2. Melt each color of candy melts in a small bowl in the microwave, stirring often. 3. Dip each cookie with a fork, tap off the extra and set on the tray. 4. While still wet, press a cap on top and tuck in a short licorice loop. 5. Drizzle a contrasting color and add sprinkles, then let set. Adult help: an adult melts the coating and checks it is not too hot.

Sprinkle Dipped Christmas Cereal Treats

Crispy rice treats are the one recipe almost every kid already knows, and a Christmas makeover takes ten extra minutes. Stir a spoonful of vanilla and a handful of festive sprinkles into the marshmallow mix, press it into a pan, then cut it into squares or triangles and dip one corner in white chocolate. The flavor tastes a lot like a sugar cookie. If your family loves them, browse our cereal treat recipes that beat the lunchbox classic for more ideas to try after the holidays.

You will need: 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 4 tablespoons butter, one 10 oz bag mini marshmallows, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles plus more for topping, 1 cup white chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat, then stir in the vanilla. 2. Take off the heat, fold in the cereal and half the sprinkles. 3. Press into a buttered 9×13 pan with a buttered spatula and cool 30 minutes. 4. Cut into squares or triangles. 5. Dip one end in melted white chocolate and sprinkle. Adult help: an adult does the stove step, since melted marshmallow is very hot.

Christmas Treats for Kids to Decorate: Reindeer Cupcakes

Reindeer cupcakes are a classroom favorite because every child can give theirs a different face. Start with plain chocolate cupcakes from a mix or the bakery, spread on chocolate frosting, then push in two mini pretzel twists as antlers. Candy eyes and a red round candy for the nose finish the look. No two come out the same, which is exactly the charm. They also travel well in a cupcake carrier, so they are an easy pick when you need to send treats to school.

You will need: 12 chocolate cupcakes, 1 1/2 cups chocolate frosting, 24 mini pretzel twists, 24 candy eyes, 12 red round candies, mini marshmallows (optional, for a white muzzle).

How to make it: 1. Frost each cupcake with a smooth, thick layer. 2. Press two pretzel twists into the top edge for antlers. 3. Add two candy eyes in the middle. 4. Place a mini marshmallow below the eyes and stick a red candy on it for the nose. 5. Let the frosting set for 20 minutes before packing. Adult help: an adult bakes the cupcakes; younger kids may need help pressing the pretzels in without snapping them.

Strawberry Santas With Cream Cheese Filling

For a fresher option on the party table, strawberry Santas are hard to beat. Each berry is cut in two: the bottom becomes the body, the tip becomes the hat, and a swirl of sweetened cream cheese in the middle becomes Santa’s beard and face. Two tiny dots of chocolate for eyes and a dab of cream on top finish him off. Kids love building them, and parents love that the main ingredient is fruit. Make them the morning of the party for the best look. Of all the Christmas treats for kids here, this is the lightest.

You will need: 16 large strawberries, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the strawberries and cut off the leafy tops so they stand up. 2. Cut each berry about one third from the tip. 3. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla, then spoon into a zip-top bag and snip the corner. 4. Pipe a swirl on the base, set the tip on top as the hat and add a dot of cream to the tip. 5. Add two chocolate dots for eyes. Adult help: an adult does the cutting.

Melted Snowman Cookies

These silly snowmen look like they got caught in a warm spell, and kids think that is hilarious. A round cookie, store-bought or homemade, gets a lumpy puddle of white icing, then a big marshmallow sits on one side as the head. Draw on a face and buttons with decorating gel, add a tiny pretzel stick arm or two, and every snowman gets its own personality. There is no wrong way to make a puddle, which makes this a stress-free decorating job for even the youngest helpers. That is what great Christmas treats for kids are all about.

You will need: 12 round sugar or shortbread cookies, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 to 4 tablespoons milk, 12 large marshmallows, black and orange decorating gel, mini pretzel sticks, mini candy-coated chocolates.

How to make it: 1. Mix the powdered sugar and milk into a thick, pourable icing. 2. Spoon a blob onto each cookie and nudge it toward the edges so it looks like a melting puddle. 3. While wet, set a marshmallow on one side. 4. Add pretzel arms and candy buttons. 5. Once the icing sets, draw the eyes, mouth and carrot nose on the marshmallow with gel. Adult help: very little needed; just supervise the pretzel sticks with toddlers.

Christmas Treats for Kids to Give: Hot Cocoa Spoons

Hot cocoa spoons are part treat, part gift, and they make perfect take-home favors for classmates or teachers. Each spoon gets a thick dome of melted chocolate, then kids press on mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint and sprinkles before it sets. Stir one into a mug of hot milk and the chocolate melts into instant cocoa. Wrap them in a clear bag with a ribbon and a little tag that says to stir into warm milk, and you have a handmade gift for very little money. Among Christmas treats for kids to give away, this one wins.

You will need: 12 sturdy metal or thick plastic spoons, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup mini marshmallows, 2 crushed candy canes, red and green sprinkles, clear treat bags and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Line a tray with parchment and lay out the spoons so the bowls sit flat. 2. Melt the chocolate gently in the microwave and stir until glossy. 3. Spoon chocolate into each spoon bowl, mounding it up. 4. Press on marshmallows, peppermint and sprinkles right away. 5. Chill 20 minutes until firm, then wrap. Adult help: an adult melts the chocolate; to serve, an adult heats the milk.

Snowflake Stencil Chocolate Pie

Remember folding and cutting paper snowflakes at school? This dessert turns that craft into the decoration. Make a simple no-bake chocolate pie in a store-bought crust, let it set, then lay a homemade paper snowflake on top and let your kids shake powdered sugar over it through a small sieve. Lift the paper straight up and a crisp white snowflake appears on the dark chocolate. It is the kind of moment kids remember, and it works on brownies and plain cakes too. It is a calm, quiet project among Christmas treats for kids.

You will need: 1 store-bought graham cracker or cookie crust, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 sheet of paper for the snowflake.

How to make it: 1. Heat the cream until steaming, pour over the chocolate chips and let sit 3 minutes. 2. Stir until smooth, add vanilla and pour into the crust. 3. Chill at least 4 hours until firm. 4. Fold and cut a paper snowflake a little smaller than the pie. 5. Lay it on top, dust with powdered sugar through a sieve and lift it off carefully. Adult help: an adult heats the cream; kids cut and dust.

Marshmallow Snowmen, Easy Christmas Treats for Kids

Three big marshmallows stacked on a lollipop stick or a pretzel rod make an instant snowman, and kids can build a whole family in minutes. Draw faces and buttons with black food gel, add an orange sprinkle nose, and use a strip of fruit leather as a scarf. For a sweeter version, dip the bottom marshmallow in melted white chocolate. They stand up nicely in a mug of sugar or a block of foam, so they double as a cute centerpiece for the snack table.

You will need: 24 large marshmallows, 8 lollipop sticks or pretzel rods, black decorating gel, orange sprinkles or candy, fruit leather strips, mini peanut butter cups or chocolate drops for hats (optional).

How to make it: 1. Slide three marshmallows onto each stick. 2. Draw two eyes, a smile and buttons with black gel. 3. Press on an orange sprinkle for the nose using a dot of gel as glue. 4. Wrap a thin strip of fruit leather around the neck as a scarf. 5. Top with a chocolate hat if you like. Adult help: supervise younger kids with sticks, and cut marshmallows smaller for toddlers.

Peppermint Bark Kids Can Smash

Peppermint bark is a holiday classic, and the best job in the whole recipe belongs to the kids: smashing the candy canes. Put them in a sealed zip-top bag, wrap it in a towel and let your helpers tap it with a rolling pin until it is mostly crumbs. Spread melted chocolate on a tray, scatter the pink and red pieces over the top and let it set. Break it into rough shards and pack it into small bags for classmates. It keeps well for a week. That makes it one of the best make-ahead Christmas treats for kids.

You will need: 12 oz semisweet chocolate, 12 oz white chocolate, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, 6 to 8 candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment. 2. Melt the semisweet chocolate, spread it thin and chill 15 minutes. 3. Melt the white chocolate, stir in the peppermint extract and spread over the dark layer. 4. Scatter the crushed candy canes on top and press them in lightly. 5. Chill until firm, then break into pieces. Adult help: an adult melts the chocolate; kids do the smashing and sprinkling.

Candy Cane Dipped Pretzel Rods

Sweet and salty pretzel rods are one of the easiest things to make for a crowd, and they look great standing up in a jar. Kids dip each rod about two thirds of the way into melted chocolate, then roll it in sprinkles, crushed peppermint or mini chips. Finish with a drizzle of white chocolate for a striped candy cane look. Because there is no baking, a whole class tray can be done in about half an hour, and they hold up well in lunch boxes. Easy Christmas treats for kids rarely get simpler than this.

You will need: 24 pretzel rods, 12 oz milk or dark chocolate, 4 oz white chocolate, red and green sprinkles, 2 crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Melt the chocolate in a tall glass so it is deep enough for dipping. 2. Dip each rod, turning to coat about two thirds of it, and let the extra drip off. 3. Roll right away in sprinkles or crushed candy. 4. Lay on parchment to set. 5. Drizzle with melted white chocolate using a spoon. Adult help: an adult melts the chocolate and refills the glass.

Two-Ingredient Microwave Christmas Fudge

Fudge sounds like candy-shop work, but this version only needs chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and a microwave. Kids can measure, stir and decorate, and the fudge sets in the fridge while you clean up. Cut it into small squares, because it is rich. Top each piece with a red and green sprinkle, a tiny candy or a dusting of crushed candy cane, and line the squares up in mini paper cups for a box that looks store-bought. It also makes a sweet teacher gift. It is a rich but very simple pick among Christmas treats for kids.

You will need: 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, one 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt, sprinkles or crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Line an 8×8 pan with foil or parchment. 2. Microwave the chips and condensed milk in 30 second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth. 3. Stir in the vanilla and salt. 4. Spread into the pan and add the toppings. 5. Chill 2 hours, then lift out and cut into small squares. Adult help: an adult runs the microwave, as the bowl gets hot.

Christmas Treats for Kids: Sprinkle Dipped Strawberries

Chocolate dipped strawberries feel fancy, but they are one of the simplest Christmas treats for kids to make. Dip each berry in melted chocolate, then roll the bottom in red and green sprinkles or drizzle with white chocolate. Add a dot of red candy on the tip of a few and you have a whole herd of red-nosed treats without any characters needed. The only rule is that the berries must be completely dry, or the chocolate will slide off. Serve them the same day.

You will need: 1 lb strawberries with leaves, 8 oz milk or dark chocolate, 2 oz white chocolate, red and green sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Wash the strawberries and dry them very well on paper towels. 2. Melt the chocolate until smooth. 3. Hold each berry by the leaves and dip about three quarters of the way. 4. Roll the bottom in sprinkles, or set on parchment and drizzle with white chocolate. 5. Chill 15 minutes to set. Adult help: an adult melts the chocolate; kids do the dipping.

Kiwi Christmas Tree Fruit Platter

Every class party needs one fresh option, and a fruit Christmas tree always gets eaten. Peel and slice kiwis into rounds, then let kids arrange them on a platter in a triangle tree shape, from one slice at the top to five or six at the bottom. Pomegranate seeds or halved red grapes become the ornaments, a star cut from a slice of pineapple or melon goes on top, and a banana chunk is the trunk. It is bright, healthy and ready in ten minutes. Healthy Christmas treats for kids can still look festive.

You will need: 5 kiwis, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds or halved red grapes, 1 thick slice of pineapple or melon, 1 small banana, a small star cookie cutter.

How to make it: 1. Peel and slice the kiwis into rounds. 2. Lay them on a large plate in a triangle tree, overlapping slightly. 3. Scatter pomegranate seeds or grapes over the tree as ornaments. 4. Cut a star from the pineapple and place it on top. 5. Add a short banana piece as the trunk and serve right away. Adult help: an adult peels and slices; kids build the tree. Halve grapes lengthwise for little ones.

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Old-fashioned popcorn balls were a holiday staple long before candy came in bags, and the marshmallow version is much easier than the hot syrup kind. Melt butter and marshmallows, stir in plain popped popcorn, then let the mix cool for a few minutes before kids butter their hands and squeeze it into balls. A drop of red or green food coloring makes them festive. Wrap each one in plastic wrap with a twist of ribbon and they become little gifts for the class. These Christmas treats for kids feel wonderfully old-school.

You will need: 10 cups plain popped popcorn, 4 tablespoons butter, one 10 oz bag mini marshmallows, a few drops red or green food coloring, sprinkles, butter for hands.

How to make it: 1. Put the popcorn in a big bowl and pick out any unpopped kernels. 2. Melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat, then stir in the food coloring. 3. Pour over the popcorn and stir to coat. 4. Cool 5 minutes, then butter hands and press into tennis ball sized rounds. 5. Roll in sprinkles and let set. Adult help: an adult does the melting and tests the mix is cool enough to touch. Popcorn is not suitable for children under four.

Graham Cracker Houses: Christmas Treats for Kids to Build

Real gingerbread houses can be a project, but graham crackers glued with thick royal icing let kids skip straight to the decorating. Use a small milk carton or a paper cup as a hidden frame so the walls stand up on their own. Then hand out bowls of gumdrops, cookies, licorice and sprinkles and let every child build their dream cottage. It is the perfect party activity, as the houses become the treat and the take-home gift at the same time. Party-ready Christmas treats for kids do not get more fun.

You will need: 1 box graham crackers, 1 small clean milk carton per child (optional), 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 large egg white or 2 tablespoons meringue powder with water, gumdrops, mini cookies, licorice, sprinkles, foil-covered cardboard bases.

How to make it: 1. Beat the powdered sugar with the egg white or meringue powder mix until thick, stiff icing forms. 2. Spread icing on the carton sides and press on graham cracker walls. 3. Lean two crackers together on top for the roof and glue with icing. 4. Let set 20 minutes. 5. Decorate with candy, using icing as glue. Adult help: an adult makes the icing and trims crackers with a serrated knife.

Candy Cane Hearts Filled With Chocolate

Two mini candy canes laid with their hooks together make a perfect heart, and filling the middle with chocolate turns them into the sweetest finale. Kids line up the candy canes on parchment, an adult spoons in melted chocolate, and then everyone goes wild with sprinkles and crushed peppermint. Once set, the hearts peel right off the paper. Ideas like this one, collected by Taste of Home among its kid-friendly Christmas treats, prove that the simplest holiday recipes are often the ones children remember most.

You will need: 24 mini candy canes (unwrapped), 6 oz milk chocolate, 3 oz white chocolate, red, green and white sprinkles, crushed peppermint.

How to make it: 1. Line a tray with parchment. 2. Lay candy canes in pairs with the hooks facing in and the ends touching to form hearts. 3. Melt the chocolate and spoon it carefully into the center of each heart. 4. Top with sprinkles and crushed peppermint right away. 5. Chill 20 minutes, then peel off the paper. Adult help: an adult pours the chocolate; kids build the hearts and decorate.