11 Children's Christmas Cookies to Bake This Year

Those yummy cookies aren't just for Santa!

Christmas is all about spending time with the people you love, and what better place to gather than in the kitchen? If you haven't already made baking with the little ones a holiday tradition, start with these simple children’s Christmas cookies!

Each one includes a decorating step, whether that means piping icing or rolling the finished cookies in sugar — and kids' eager hands are perfect for the job.

So choose from the recipes below, grab your Nellie's Free Range Eggs from the fridge, and get ready to make Christmas memories that you'll cherish for years to come!

1. Rudolph Stained Glass Christmas Cookies

Did you know that you can make stained glass Rudolph cookies with nothing but a little Christmas magic (and a few cherry-hard candies)? Let the kids help crush the candies and sprinkle them onto the sheet pan, then wait for their eyes to light up (always the prime motivation to make children’s Christmas cookies!) as the candies melt into a shiny red reindeer nose!

2. Egg Cookies for Santa

Don't forget to leave out a little something sweet for Santa on Christmas Eve. A plate of these crisp egg cookies served with a tall glass of milk is the best present the big man could ask for!

3. Hot Chocolate Cookies

It doesn't really feel like the holidays until you've had at least one mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top. And now you can enjoy everyone's favorite cozy beverage in cookie form, too! Complete with an extra drizzle of chocolate and mini marshmallows, these hot chocolate cookies live up to their name.

4. Easy Decorated Biscotti

Have the kids lend a hand once these crunchy pecan-filled Italian biscuits are out of the oven and cooled to room temp. The little ones can help decorate these cookies and adorn them with an assortment of melted chocolate (try a combination of milk and white!), piped candy melts, sprinkles, and even crushed candy canes. Once they're done, it's time to break out the hot cocoa!

5. Swirled Meringue Kisses

Full of whimsy, these meringue cookies are piped with food coloring for a beautiful swirled effect. They're also easy to make, requiring very few ingredients and not a whole lot of hands-on time.

Watching egg whites whip into big white peaks is pretty magical; the kids will love being part of the process for these delightful children’s Christmas cookies!

Everyone loves a classic Christmas cookie, but who has time for all that rolling and chilling? These peppermint sugar cookie bars are like blondies, but with peppermint chocolate chips and crushed candy canes in every delicious bite.

7. Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies

Invite Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and friends into your kitchen with this easy-to-follow gingerbread cookie recipe. The best part? You don't need a reindeer cookie cutter to make this adorable sleigh-pulling crew. Just flip your gingerbread men upside-down, get busy with the royal icing, and watch them come to life!

If there are any young budding artists in your family, they'll have a blast decorating these fun children’s Christmas cookies before arranging them onto parchment paper. To go the traditional route, paint them with green food coloring and add round sprinkles or small red candies after baking to make adorable Christmas wreaths worthy of being left out with a glass of milk for Santa.

9. Swedish Heirloom Cookies with Walnuts

Also known as "snowball cookies," these Swedish heirloom treats are as fun to make as they are to eat. The dough for these easy Christmas cookies for kids comes together in a jiffy, and once they're baked, kids can roll each warm cookie in confectioners' sugar. Take a bite and and they'll melt in your mouth almost instantly!

10. Tri-Color Polvorones

Wait, don't drink that cup of coffee yet! Every warm beverage needs a sidekick for dunking, and we recommend these classic Mexican polvorones. They're slightly nutty with a satisfying crunch; the perfect pairing for your morning joe or the kids' hot chocolate.

11. Star of David Sugar Cookies

No matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year, everyone should have the chance to enjoy some sweet treats! These Star of David sugar cookies are decked out in royal icing and dyed a festive blue color, perfect for your Hanukkah celebration.

Tips for Baking Children’s Christmas Cookies

To ensure an enjoyable experience when baking Christmas cookies with kids, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Plan ahead: Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. This will help prevent any last-minute trips to the store and keep the process stress-free!

Prep in advance: Prepare your ingredients and equipment before involving the kids. This will streamline the process and reduce the mess, making it easier for everyone.

Make it extra fun: Play some holiday music, wear festive aprons, and enjoy the process together. Creating a joyful atmosphere will transform the experience for your favorite little bakers!

Now you’re ready for a delightful baking experience that the whole family will cherish. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your cookie dough, and get ready to create some holiday magic in the kitchen!