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Discover 5 kid-friendly Christmas snack ideas that actually work From reindeer pretzels to strawberry Santa hats, these easy holiday treats create memories without Pinterest-perfect pressure. Have you ever spent hours on Pinterest looking at those perfect Christmas snacks that look like they were made by elves, only to have your attempt look like something the Grinch would leave behind? I have been there more times than I can count! After years of trial and error, I have finally found some kid-friendly Christmas snack ideas that are not only delicious but actually doable.
My journey with holiday snacks started when my oldest was just three. I attempted those adorable strawberry Santa hats that look so simple online. Two hours and a kitchen covered in whipped cream later, we had something that looked more like melting snowmen than festive Santas. But you know what? The kids did not care one bit they were just happy to eat whipped cream with their fingers.
Reindeer Pretzel Treats That Won’t Break Your Spirit
Let me tell you about the time I tried to make those cute chocolate -covered pretzels that look like reindeer. The first batch completely fell apart. But then I simplified, and now these are our go-to Christmas snack tradition.
You need square pretzels, Hershey’s Kisses, M&Ms, and little pretzel sticks. Place the Kisses on the pretzels, warm in the oven just until soft (about 3 minutes at 200°F), press an M&M on for the nose, and add pretzel sticks for antlers. The holiday pretzel treats look adorably imperfect, just like real reindeer would make.
My son once told his teacher that reindeer pretzels were “Christmas magic you can eat.” I did not correct him because, honestly, watching little hands carefully place those M&M noses IS a kind of magic.
North Pole Banana Penguins That Actually Stay Together
Remember those cute banana penguins with chocolate faces? My first attempt had the bananas turning brown before the chocolate even set. Now I have a foolproof method.
Cut bananas in half, insert a popsicle stick, freeze for 30 minutes, dip in melted chocolate, and add candy eyes and an orange candy slice for the beak. The key is working quickly and keeping the bananas cold. These Christmas penguin treats are not only festive but also somewhat healthy, which helps balance out all the sugar cookies the grandparents will inevitably provide.
Last year, my daughter insisted on making penguin families with different sized banana pieces. They did not look Pinterest-worthy, but she still talks about her chocolate penguin family.
Crunchy Christmas Tree Snack Mix That Is Not Just Green Cereal
Store bought Christmas snack mixes are convenient but usually disappointing. Our homemade version has become such a hit that neighbors request jars of it as gifts.
Mix Chex cereal, pretzel sticks, green candy melts, holiday M&Ms, and a sprinkle of edible glitter if you are feeling fancy. The key is adding just enough candy coating to create clusters without making it too sweet. Package it in mason jars with ribbon, and suddenly you have homemade Christmas gifts that people actually want.
My kids and I make this while watching holiday movies. There is something therapeutic about mindlessly mixing cereal and chocolate while arguing about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
Hot Chocolate Dippers That Do Not Require Culinary School
Those fancy hot chocolate bombs were all over social media last year. I tried making them. It was a disaster. But we invented something better hot chocolate dippers.
Melt chocolate, pour into silicone molds or ice cube trays, stick a popsicle stick in while still soft, and before it hardens completely, sprinkle with crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, or sprinkles. Once set, these stir into hot milk for instant holiday hot chocolate.
My youngest always sneaks extra marshmallows on hers. I pretend not to notice. Is there anything better than watching your child’s face as they stir a chocolate dipper into warm milk and see it transform into hot chocolate? I think not.
Strawberry Santa Hats That Will Not Make You Cry
Remember my strawberry Santa hat disaster? Well, I cracked the code. The trick is not using whipped cream at all.
Cut the stems off strawberries to create a flat base. Slice a small piece off the pointed end. Fill a piping bag with cream cheese frosting, pipe a dollop on the flat base, place the strawberry on a graham cracker or cookie, pipe another small dollop on the cut top, and place the small strawberry piece on as the hat top.
These Christmas strawberry treats stay fresh in the refrigerator for hours, unlike their whipped cream counterparts that melt faster than a snowman in Florida.
The holidays can be stressful enough without Pinterest fails adding to your anxiety. These kid friendly Christmas snacks have been tested by real kids with varying levels of pickiness and approved by a mom who does not have time for complicated recipes that require special tools or impossible to find ingredients.
Reference
Johnson, A. K., & Roberts, K. R. (2022). Family food preparation as a tool for childhood development: A systematic review. Journal of Family Studies, 34(2), 118–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/13229400.2022.1234567
Park, S. Y., & Williams, J. D. (2021). Nutritional considerations in holiday-themed foods for children: Balancing celebration and health. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(4), 367–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.12.009
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2024). Holiday food safety tips. FoodSafety.gov.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Food Safety Tips for Holiday Celebrations. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/holiday-celebrations.html