How young is too young to bake Christmas cookies with your child? I say there is no such thing as too young, or too old for that matter. So long as you are putting in place the proper safety rules, baking cookies with your little one can be a fun bonding experience for the whole family.
When my daughter was born in November, I knew from the start that I wanted her to be able to participate in all our holiday traditions from a young age. So, at less than one-month-old, she helped me bake Christmas cookies. How did I encourage her participation when she could barely move or stay awake? Read on to find out more about engaging kids of various ages.
Six-months and Under
How can you cook dinner let alone bake and decorate cookies with such young babies? Are they just props while you do all the work? When I baked Christmas cookies with my one-month-old, I was able to have her participate in a few ways.
Because I was a new mother, far from home and family resources, and fresh off major abdominal surgery, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by my daughter’s first Christmas. But I look back fondly now, and I’m glad I put forth the effort to force some festivity into our stressful life as new parents. That said, I went as cheap and simple as possible for our Christmas cookies. I bought a cookie mix and we made simple powdered sugar icing.
The first way I made sure to include my newborn began before we even started baking. I gave her the bag, which weighed about as much as she did, and let her feel it. I crinkled and shook it for her. Then I made sure she had a good view as we poured the mix into the bowl. I narrated what I was doing so she could get a rich vocabulary experience from the occasion. I let her feel the cookie cutters (we had plastic ones that weren’t sharp) and everything else we were using. I also let her feel some cookie dough once it was mixed. Don’t worry, I didn’t turn that cookie dough into cookies. Remember that kids under six months should not eat any food and it's risky to consume raw cookie dough at any age. I tried to let her press the cookie cutters, but at that time she was still too weak, if your baby is a bit older they might be able to do that. When the cookies were done baking, she also got to enjoy the smell. She wasn’t truly able to decorate but we did try to let her “pick colors” based on which ones she reached out for. We also included her when we delivered the cookies to various people.
One-year-olds to Three-Year-olds
Let’s get cracking! Now that your toddler can do more physically, they can start to participate even more. Have them stir the cookie dough, roll it out, and press the cookie cutters. They can push the buttons for the oven and help to clean up the mess. If they have moved beyond the mouthing-everything stage, allow them to decorate the cookies.
Remember, they don't have to look good to taste good.
Three-year-olds and up
If given the proper safety instruction, kids as young as three can easily help with all steps in cookie baking. Remember that young kids are often messy when they do things, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be allowed to try. Making mistakes and getting messy is a big part of learning. So you might end up with eggs all over the floor and flour in your hair, but the memories and the lessons your little one learns will be worth the cleanup. Remember to have the kids help you with the cleanup as well.
As your kid gets older, let them read the recipe, allow them to experiment with design, and let them make more of the decorating decisions.
Teenagers
At some point, your kids may be less enthusiastic about family time during the holidays. Opting to play on their phone instead of participating in the Christmas cookie tradition. There are some ways you can entice your angsty human from their cave. Try letting them pick new cookie cutters. Ask them to create a playlist for you guys to listen to while baking the cookies. Agree to do an online dance with them while covered in cookie dough. Have them choose an organization to donate the cookies to. Let them choose the cookie flavor. Try a new, more complicated cookie like macaroons or gingerbread houses. Enter a competition. Finally, ask them if they have any suggestions for ways to add to the cookie-making experience.
Here's a Simple Cookie Recipe for young kids to read.
Are you wanting to bake cookies with your kids? I have a FREE cookie lesson on TPT here. I also have a Christmas Cookie video here. I hope your holiday season is filled with joy. Merry Christmas!
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