Nothing beats the magic of Christmas in the kitchen with little ones! I still remember my niece’s eyes lighting up when we first made these Christmas treats for kids together—her tiny fingers covered in sprinkles, giggling as she dropped spoonfuls of chocolaty goodness onto the parchment paper. These no-bake wonders are our holiday tradition now, and trust me, they’re foolproof. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have festive bites that taste like holiday cheer. The best part? Kids can help with almost every step (except the hot chocolate part—that’s your job!). Whether it’s a snowy afternoon activity or a last-minute Santa plate addition, these treats bring pure joy.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Treats for Kids
Listen, these treats aren’t just delicious—they’re practically holiday magic in edible form! Here’s why they’re a must-make every December:
- Super quick: 15 minutes from start to sprinkles (perfect for last-minute Santa emergencies!)
- No oven needed: Just melt, mix, and let the kids go wild decorating
- Tiny hands can help: Crushing graham crackers? Measuring sprinkles? Yes and yes!
- Festive as can be: Red and green sprinkles make everything feel like Christmas morning
- Secretly wholesome: Peanut butter for protein, graham crackers for that satisfying crunch
Seriously, if holiday joy had a flavor, it’d taste exactly like these.
Ingredients for Christmas Treats for Kids
Gather these simple ingredients – you probably have most in your pantry already! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free if needed – we like Enjoy Life brand)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (the no-stir kind works best)
- 1 cup finely crushed graham crackers (about 8 full sheets)
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (the colorful ones make it extra festive!)
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red and green, obviously)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff makes all the difference)
Pro tip: Measure everything before you start – with excited kids helping, you’ll want everything ready to go!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you won’t need fancy gadgets for these Christmas treats! Just grab:
- Microwave-safe bowl (glass works best for even melting)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula (for stirring that chocolaty goodness)
- Parchment paper (trust me, cleanup is a breeze with this)
- Measuring cups/spoons (let the kids practice their pouring skills!)
That’s it! Now you’re ready to make some holiday magic.
How to Make Christmas Treats for Kids
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! (Psst—this is where grown-ups handle the hot stuff while kids cheer from the sidelines.) Here’s exactly how we make our favorite holiday bites:
- Melt the chocolate carefully: Adult alert! Microwave chocolate chips in a bowl for 30 seconds, stir, then repeat in 15-second bursts until just melted. No rushing—burnt chocolate is sad chocolate.
- Stir in the good stuff: Mix in peanut butter and vanilla until it’s glossy and smooth. Kids can help drizzle the vanilla—just mind their pouring enthusiasm!
- Crunch time: Fold in crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows. Little hands love this step (though expect some marshmallow “disappearances”).
- Scoop & decorate: Drop tablespoon-sized mounds onto parchment paper. This is where kids shine—let them go wild with sprinkles! Pro tip: Work fast before the chocolate sets.
- The hardest part: Let treats cool completely (about 20 minutes). Hide them if you must—they’ll mysteriously vanish otherwise!
See? Even with “help,” you’ll have festive treats ready before the first Christmas movie ends!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Treats for Kids
After making these dozens of times (and cleaning up plenty of kid-made messes!), here are my foolproof tips:
- Parchment is your BFF: No sticking, no scrubbing—just lift treats right off the sheet. Wax paper? Nope, it sticks like crazy!
- Cool completely: I know it’s hard to wait, but grabbing too soon means melty fingers and crumbly treats. Set a timer for 20 minutes.
- Smaller = better: Tablespoon-sized drops cool faster and are perfect for little hands (and prevent sugar overload!).
- Sprinkle strategy: Toss sprinkles gently from a small height—less mess, more even coverage. Learned this after rainbow-colored floors!
Trust me—these tiny tweaks make all the difference between chaos and Christmas magic!
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
Life happens – here’s how to tweak these Christmas treats when you’re in a pinch or dealing with allergies (we’ve been there!):
- Peanut butter swap: Sunflower seed butter works beautifully for nut-free versions – it even turns the chocolate a fun greenish hue that kids think is “elf magic!”
- Graham cracker alternative: Gluten-free folks, grab your favorite crispy gluten-free cookies. We’ve had great luck with Schär’s honeygrams.
- Vanilla matters: Pure extract gives that warm holiday flavor, but in a pinch, imitation works too (just use 1/2 tsp since it’s stronger).
- Chocolate choices: White chocolate chips make these snowball-perfect, while dark chocolate gives a richer twist for more sophisticated little palates.
The beauty? These treats are endlessly adaptable – just keep the ratios similar and you’re golden!
Serving & Storage Suggestions
Oh, presentation is half the fun with these Christmas treats! Pile them high on a red-and-green platter – we love using Santa-themed plates or even a mini tree-shaped stand for extra holiday cheer. They disappear fast, but if you somehow have leftovers (miracle!), pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days at room temperature – if they last that long!
Nutritional Information
Just between us, these Christmas treats are all about fun – but if you’re curious, here’s the scoop per treat (disclaimer: values are estimates and change with ingredient swaps):
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g (2.5g saturated)
- Carbs: 15g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 2g
Not too shabby for something that tastes like holiday happiness! Remember, portions are small because these rich bites satisfy fast (though kids somehow find room for seconds…).
FAQs About Christmas Treats for Kids
Got questions? I’ve got answers from years of making these with my little kitchen helpers!
Can I freeze these Christmas treats?
Nope – frozen marshmallows turn weirdly spongy when thawed. They’re best enjoyed fresh (not that they last long anyway!).
How long do they stay fresh?
About 3 days in an airtight container at room temp. If they make it that long – ours never do!
Can we use white chocolate instead?
Absolutely! White chocolate makes them look like snowy holiday bites. Just watch closely when melting – it burns faster than regular chocolate.
What if my child has nut allergies?
Easy fix! Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter. Bonus: it gives the chocolate a fun festive green tint that kids adore.
Help! My chocolate hardened too fast!
Been there! Just microwave the bowl for 5-10 seconds to soften it back up. Works like magic every time.
Share Your Holiday Fun!
Now it’s your turn! I’d love to see your family’s Christmas treat creations—tag me on social or leave a comment with your favorite holiday sprinkles. Did the kids invent any wild decorating techniques? Spill the sprinkles (pun intended)! Happy holidays from my kitchen to yours!
Print
15-Minute Christmas Treats for Kids: Easy & Magical
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 12 treats 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fun and easy Christmas treats for kids to make and enjoy during the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract.
- Mix in crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows.
- Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper.
- Top with sprinkles and let cool.
Notes
- Use dairy-free chocolate for allergies.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Adult supervision is recommended.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Christmas, kids, treats, easy, holiday