Libraries

Rec. Dpts/YMCA's

And More....

KIDS AND COOKIES

Cards, presents, recitals, parties, teachers’ gifts, decorations . . . the list goes on and on. With so much to think about during the holiday season it’s hard to even find the time to enjoy it! This year, make time for two of the most wonderful things about the holidays - KIDS and COOKIES. Many Moms (and Dads, too) hide away in kitchens for entire weekends to produce dozens of holiday treats. Why not include kids in this project? Most kids love to cook, especially when the result is sweet. They can be involved from the beginning by helping select recipes and shopping or join in just for the decorating. The idea is to spend some FUN time together. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Short and Sweet

For those who have little time or little children, purchasing ready-made dough is the way to go. Some bakeries will even sell dough by the pound. Simple sugar cookies come out of the oven ready to be decorated with frosting and sprinkles. Look for fancy sprinkles and pre-colored frosting already in tubes with decorator tips. Most supermarkets carry these items in their baking section. Another decorating option is to use melted chocolate - the kind used for candy making works best. Melted chocolate can be put in an inexpensive condiments squirt bottle so little hands can easily drizzle the chocolate over the cookies, or keep melted chocolate in the bowl for dipping. This project is easy on preparation and clean-up but endless in creativity. Licking the frosting off your fingers when you’re done is required!

Baking Party

Have your children invite a few of their friends (and a couple grown-up helpers) for a holiday baking party. To prepare for this event, select some favorite cookie recipes and purchase the ingredients before hand. Have all ingredients and supplies laid out before the guest bakers arrive. After everyone has washed their hands and put on their aprons, let the baking begin. Depending on how many helping hands there are, you may want to have more than one bowl of dough going. Creating an assembly line is an efficient way to keep things moving while everyone has a part in the process. Be sure to rotate duties so everyone gets a chance to mix, cut-out, bake, decorate and clean-up! A fun way to end this party is to sit down with a big glass of milk, a few freshly baked cookies and your favorite holiday movie.

Cookies around the World Exchange

A unique way to ensure an assortment of cookies is to host a Cookie Exchange. While Moms have been doing this for years, children are usually excluded until it comes time to eat the goodies. For this party, provide some light refreshments and holiday atmosphere. Your children will need to invite several of their friends and have them each bring 3 to 4 dozen cookies and copies of their recipes. Have everyone try to select a recipe from a different culture. Though the holidays are celebrated in many different ways, many of us rarely get the chance to experience them. If your child invites someone from a different cultural or ethnic background, ask them to share their holiday traditions. Everyone gets to take home each other’s cookies and holiday traditions to share with their families.

Holiday Messages

What better way for kids to let Santa know what they want for Christmas than to leave him a message on a cookie! Pens specially designed to write on food are available in many craft and cooking supply stores. Begin by baking some simply shaped sugar cookies (or any other flavor that comes out smooth and lightly colored). You may want to make these cookies a little larger than normal so that you’re your little artists have plenty of room for decorating. Next, add a drawing. Kids can be creative and freehand a drawing or use a stencil such as a cookie cutter or cardboard cut-out. Then personalize the cookie with a message by using the food coloring pens. The cookies can also be “painted in” with the pens or frosting. To create a Holiday message cake, follow these same instructions, only bake a large cookie cake (use a pie or cake pan) and start decorating! And, imagine the excitement on those faces if Santa left a message cookie for all the good little girls and boys in your family!

Baking cookies together not only provides you with lots of family fun and tasty treats, but also supplies you with a sweet surprise for a special person. Place an assortment of cookies in a decorative goody bag or tin and share with a Grandparent, teacher, or elderly neighbor. What a sweet way to spread some holiday cheer!

Happy Holidays from Tampa Bay Kids Net.

Back to Top

Don't forget to sign up for our free monthly e-mail newsletter!