Cookies for Kids
In my mind, dessert for kids is meant to be shared—which is why I love making less sweet cookies to share with the kids. These delicious desserts have less sugar and more whole grains than their conventional counterparts, yet still taste amazingly good. I am always after the best flavor to help make sure we all actually want to eat the foods! We love making Cut-Out Cookies for Kids for the holidays, Sprinkle Cookies on random afternoon, and Animal Crackers to share on any afternoon when we want to be in the kitchen doing an activity.
Easy Cookie Recipes to Make with Kids
These recipes are all super straightforward to make as Christmas Cookies for kids or as cookies for any other time of the year as I am fully aware of the reality of kids in the kitchen! Most of the batters are simply stirred together in one bowl without anything more than a wooden spoon or clean hands. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox. And when you’re done enjoy them together with some milk for a classic combination. TIP: The majority of these cookies have allergy-friendly options so you can adjust as needed if there’s a food allergy in your house.
Easy Sugar Cookies
These easy sugar cookies are so fun to roll and cut out—and to frost! And the batter is egg and dairy free (and less sweet), so they’re a great option for any families with food allergies.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are our favorite loaded cookie recipe, with dried fruit, coconut, and chocolate chips. So darn delicious and easy.
Sweet Potato Cookies
Made with whole grains, mashed roasted sweet potato, and minimal added sweetener, this is a cookie that will surprise you with its deliciousness. We love adding a super simple yogurt frosting to make them extra-special.
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
With a shredded apple and carrot in the mix, plus whole grain rolled oats, these oatmeal cookies are a fun afternoon treat to share. I love how well they store and that they have just the right mix of textures.
No-Bake Chocolate Cookies
Made with protein-rich cashews and dates, these no-bake cookies for kids are easy to make—and you can even turn them into shapes if you press the batter into a silicone baking mold! My girls like to make them into hearts.
Apricot Balls
With granola, dried fruit, and coconut, these simple cookies taste like the old-fashioned Apricot Balls that my grandma used to make (only they’re a lot less sweet). They are a great snack or dessert and you can also play around with using other fruits.
Soft Pumpkin Cookies
These cookies are super fluffy and super delicious. They are one of our favorite pumpkin desserts, especially to make in the fall.
Easy Gingerbread Cookies
These cookies have a pleasant texture with just a tiny amount of crispness and they are so easy to make. We love to bake these together with the kids each holiday season.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
A few basic ingredients combine to make a classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. These are easy to make with the kids and they freeze well too!
Apple Cookies
Fresh apple and options to adjust for allergies if needed, these easy cookies for kids are so yummy any time of the year…and the easy drizzle on top really seals the deal!
Applesauce Cookies
Using applesauce in place of oil makes for moist cookies that boast a naturally sweet flavor the kids (and parents!) will enjoy. These are a great everyday cookie (surely I’m not the only one who thinks that sort of thing is a good idea!)
Healthy Banana Cookies
Without added sugar, these are an amazing cookie to make if you love bananas. The flavor is so good and the sweetness impressive. They’re a great addition to a lunchbox.
Baby Cookies
With three flavor options, these are a great way to use up purees—or just make a delicious and simple baby snack.
Cut-Out Christmas Cookies
Pull out the holiday cookie cutters and have fun with icing and sprinkles with this easy cookies for kids recipe.
Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
These don’t actually have anything in them that the kids can’t eat, so they have been a must-make for me whenever I’ve had a baby in the house…and my older kids have always loved them too. Not saying you have to share, but you can (and the kids will love them).
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Assembly-only is the way to go with these mix and shape cookies. They’re satisfying and easy to grab for yourself when you need a snack!
Sprinkle Cookies
Party in a cookie? Sign us up! This is one of the most fun cookies for kids.
Best Tips for Baking with Kids
If you make these recipes with your kids, here are some resources to help.
Invest in a Kids Apron to help them stay clean (and feel like a pro!) in the kitchen. Remember these easy tips for baking with kids. Some basic kids cooking tools and a learning tower can help make those little hands get right to work.
I’d love to hear which cookies for kids your family enjoys, so please chime in below in the comments to share. I love hearing from you guys. This post was first published November 2020.
