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Gathering kids around for a holiday cookie decorating party is the perfect way to celebrate the season—whether it’s just your family in the kitchen or a whole group of little decorators ready to dive into frosting and sprinkles. A cookie decorating session sparks creativity, gives kids a hands-on holiday activity, and fills your home with laughter and sweet treats.
But we all know things can get messy fast!
These 10 simple hacks are here to help you balance the fun with simplicity—because using what's available to you doesn’t make it any less joyful. They’ll keep the experience easy and help minimize stress, so you can focus on what matters most: making magical holiday memories with your loved ones. Happy decorating!
A smooth decorating session starts with preparation. Before bringing the kids in, make sure everything is ready to go. Organize your ingredients, tools, and decorations ahead of time. Having all the supplies—aprons, frosting, sprinkles, and utensils—laid out and ready will keep the fun flowing and prevent any stress or scrambling once the kids are involved.
A simple, foolproof sugar cookie recipe is a great starting point, and you can easily find one that's perfect for little hands to help with. Here’s a recipe that’s easy to follow and yields soft, sturdy cookies for decorating. If you’re short on time or prefer to skip the dough-making process, pre-made dough is truly a life saver. Just be sure to choose one that’s easy to handle and holds up well to cookie cutters and icing (Pillsbury is our go-to).
Create a cozy, festive vibe by playing Christmas music in the background. Jingle bells and carols set the mood and keep the energy cheerful. For an added treat, set up a hot (or luke warm) cocoa station nearby with marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles. It’s the perfect way to keep kids refreshed while they decorate!
Keep the mess to a minimum while adding some festive flair by providing aprons for the kids. Whether they’re plain or adorned with a fun holiday design, aprons help protect their clothes from icing spills and flour dust. Plus, they’ll feel like real bakers, making the whole experience even more exciting!
Set out a variety of cookie cutters in fun holiday shapes—think gingerbread men, snowflakes, candy canes, and stars—and let the kids pick their favorites. Allowing them to mix and match different shapes can spark creativity and lead to fun, unique cookie designs. You could even have a little “cookie design contest” for extra fun!
To keep things under control, organize bowls of different-colored icing, sprinkles, candies, and other edible decorations on a table or counter, so kids have everything they need at arm’s reach. You can use small bowls, cupcake wrappers, or muffin tins to prevent spills and spread out the goodies. This will keep the chaos contained while giving the kids plenty of room to get creative.
Skip the hassle of mixing and use pre-made frosting instead. It’s easy, fast, and gives you more time for decorating. For added fun, melt the frosting slightly to make it easier to spread and drizzle (see the next tip!). Add a few drops of food coloring to create a rainbow of icing for your cookies. It’s a quick and simple way to get vibrant, mess-free colors without the extra prep!
Forget the piping bags! For a mess-free decorating experience, use squeeze bottles filled with different colors of icing. They’re easier for little hands to control, making it simpler to apply precise details without the stress of a messy piping bag. Plus, they’re fun to use, so the kids will love it!
Before the kids devour their decorated cookies, make sure to snap some photos of their masterpieces. A group shot with all their cookies lined up can make for a wonderful keepsake. You'll love having a holiday memory to cherish, and the kids will be proud to see their creations immortalized in a photo!
One of the best parts of holiday baking is the joy of giving. Teach your kids the importance of sharing by packaging their cookies to give as gifts. Simple cellophane bags, ribbons, or even DIY boxes make for a cute and thoughtful presentation. Kids will love sharing their sweet treats with family and friends, and you can teach them about the joy of giving during the holidays.
