How To Prep The Ultimate Christmas

Cookie Decorating Station

Kids Will Love

Quick Summary

The holiday season is a great time to promote bonding, and setting up a DIY cookie station will make sure the entire family is involved, especially the kids. There is room for even the fussiest one here. The station covers everything from colourful icings to an array of fun toppings, where children can unleash their creativity while making festive treats. They can make sugar cookies shaped like stars and trees, all adorned with mini candy pellets and edible glitter – every step bringing in the joy.

Deep Dive

Want to turn your kitchen into the centrepiece of holiday baking, with little hands and a smattering of sprinkles and frosting? Then this one’s for you, as setting up a Christmas cookie decorating station is the ultimate way to get kids laughing, creating, and maybe even negotiating trades like a mini Willy Wonka factory. With some simple prep – cookie shapes, colourful icings, and a rainbow of toppings – you can keep little hands busy, and promote bonding. Let their imaginations run wild, and for a change, let the sugar high be, making the holidays magically messy in the best way.

Cookie Bases

You can buy these from your nearest bakery (pre-ordering will do the trick) or bake your own. In case this is a complete DIY station, then make sure your cookie dough is ready in advance and the cookies baked as well, so they're completely cooled before the decorating begins. Sugar cookies are ideal since they maintain their shape well. Use recognisable shapes like stars, trees, and gingerbread people so kids can have it easy. Make more than you think you'll need – some will break, and kids always want seconds.

Icing Options

For kid-friendly decorating, you have several icing choices. Kids will love the variety and might be engaged for longer with more options:

Squeeze Bottles: Put icing in squeeze bottles for a neat, controlled approach that minimises mess. Squeeze bottles work perfectly for both children and adults.

Simple Cookie Glaze: Easy cookie icing provides an uncomplicated alternative to traditional royal icing, delivering attractive results with less fuss. It's particularly suitable for children and beginners. This type of icing hardens enough to stack cookies but remains soft enough to bite into easily.

Royal Icing: Royal icing hardens completely, making it excellent for cookies you plan to package or mail. Recipes using meringue powder are simple to prepare, set rapidly, and avoid the need for raw eggs.

Buttercream: Homemade buttercream creates a thin crust on top while keeping the icing underneath soft. Many people find buttercream has a superior taste due to its buttery flavour.

Toppings and Decorations

Sprinkles and bead-like round candies add colour and texture easily, coming in numerous shapes, sizes, and colours. Add them while the icing is still wet.

Small candies like chocolate pellets, gummies, and chocolate chips work wonderfully for creating eyes, noses, and other features. Mini chocolate pieces are particularly good for small hands and make great decorative lights.

Consider providing:

• Colored sugar and sanding sugar
• Candy rounds
• Sugar pearls
• Silver and gold edible vark (foil)
• Edible glitter
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Grated coconut

Tools and Setup

First, pick a table or stand where the kids will do their DIY cookies. For the rest, read on from the cookies to how to protect the work surface. 

Display Setup: Use simple Christmas cupcake papers or small bowls to hold toppings for festive presentation and easy cleanup. Square appetiser bowls are perfect for holding candy and can be reused.

Work Surface: Line rimmed cookie sheets with foil to contain the mess. Brown butcher paper makes an excellent table covering and doubles as a drawing activity before decorating begins.

Decorating Tools: Provide small spatulas or spoons that are easy for children to handle. Disposable piping bags work well if you want kids to try piping designs.

Organisation Hacks

Use plastic card tables and chairs to ensure every child has a decorating spot. Have children decorate 8 or 9 cookies at a time, then transfer them to a wire rack or plate to set. Set up the entire station before calling the kids over – having everything ready prevents meltdowns and keeps the activity running smoothly. Keep wet wipes or damp cloths nearby for quick cleanup when spills happen.

Set up a separate packaging area away from the decorating zone so cards and boxes don't get messy. Kids can wrap their creations as gifts for family or teachers. Have children wear aprons to protect their clothes from stains, and accept that some sugar consumption is part of the fun.