10 Easy Cookie Decorating Ideas Kids Love

Here's a quick guide to fun cookie decorating activities for children:

1. Colorful Sprinkle Explosion
2. Finger-Painted Masterpieces
3. Cookie Face Creations
4. Marbled Icing Swirls
5. Candy Mosaic Designs
6. Edible Paint Brush Art
7. Stenciled Sugar Cookies
8. Cookie Pizza Party
9. Rainbow Layered Icing
10. 3D Cookie Sculptures

Idea	Difficulty	Age Range	Time Needed	Main Materials
Sprinkle Explosion	Easy	All ages	30 min	Sprinkles, icing
Finger Painting	Easy	3+	30 min	Edible paint
Face Creations	Medium	5+	45 min	Candies, icing
Marbled Swirls	Medium	7+	1 hour	Food coloring, icing
Candy Mosaic	Medium	8+	1 hour	Hard candies
Paint Brush Art	Easy	4+	45 min	Edible paint, brushes
Stenciled Cookies	Medium	6+	1 hour	Stencils, icing
Cookie Pizza	Easy	All ages	30 min	Fruit snacks, coconut
Rainbow Icing	Medium	8+	1 hour	Colored frosting
3D Sculptures	Hard	10+	1.5 hours	Cookie cutters, icing

These ideas are perfect for parties, family activities, or rainy day fun. Remember to set up a kid-friendly decorating area and have cleaning supplies handy.

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Getting Ready to Decorate Cookies

Before starting cookie decorating with kids, it's important to set up properly. Here's a guide to create a kid-friendly decorating area:

What You'll Need

Item	Use
Baked, cooled cookies	For decorating
Icing	To decorate and write
Sprinkles	For extra color
Decorating bags or bottles	To apply icing
Paper plates	For each child's work area
Smocks or aprons	To keep clothes clean
Wipes and paper towels	For cleaning up

Making the Icing

1. Make icing up to a week before.
2. Use basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, and pink.
3. Make sure icing is not too thick or thin.
4. Put icing in bags and close with rubber bands. Cut tips just before use.

Setting Up

1. Cover tables with paper and tape it down.
2. Put icing bags in the middle for sharing.
3. Give each child a plate or tray with their name on it.
4. Provide at least two cookies per child, plus extras.
5. Set out small containers of sprinkles.

Helpful Tips

• Cut small holes in icing bags.
• Label plates with kids' names.
• Use squeeze bottles for younger kids.
• Keep cleaning supplies nearby.

1. Colorful Sprinkle Explosion

Kids will love this easy and fun way to decorate cookies. The Colorful Sprinkle Explosion lets children make bright, eye-catching cookies without much effort.

What you need

Item	Use
Plain cookies	Base for decorating
Icing or frosting	Sticks sprinkles to cookie
Colorful sprinkles	Main decoration
Plates or trays	Work area
Spoons or small scoops	Put sprinkles on cookies

How to do it

1. Get cookies ready: Use plain, cooled cookies. You can buy them or make them at home.

2. Put on icing: Spread a thin layer of icing or frosting on each cookie. This helps the sprinkles stick.

3. Set up sprinkles: Put different types of colorful sprinkles in small bowls. Long sprinkles (jimmies) work best.

4. Add sprinkles: Let kids grab handfuls of sprinkles and press them onto the iced cookies. They can mix colors.

5. Cover the cookie: Try to cover all of the icing with sprinkles. Add more if needed.

6. Shake off extra: Gently tap the cookie to remove loose sprinkles.

7. Let it set: Wait a few minutes before eating your colorful cookies.

This easy decorating method is great for parties or any time you want to keep kids busy and happy with a tasty treat they made themselves.

2. Finger-Painted Masterpieces

Kids can have fun making messy, colorful cookies by finger painting them. This easy method lets children use their hands to decorate treats in their own special way.

What you need

Item	What it's for
Plain cookies	To decorate
Edible paint	For painting
Baking sheet or parchment paper	Work area
Paper towels	Cleaning up

How to do it

1. Set up: Put a baking sheet or parchment paper on the table for a clean work area.

2. Get paints ready: Put small amounts of different colored edible paints on the work surface. Use red, blue, and yellow to show how colors mix.

3. Start painting: Tell kids to dip their fingers in the paint and make designs on the cookies. They can mix colors, make patterns, or just have fun.

4. Mix colors: Show how to blend red, blue, and yellow to make new colors right on the cookie.

5. Clean up: When done, wipe hands with paper towels. Let cookies dry before eating.

This is great for:

• Birthday parties
• Rainy day fun
• Making gifts for teachers or family

You can even read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" before or after decorating to make it more fun.

3. Cookie Face Creations

Kids can make fun face cookies that show different feelings. This activity helps them learn about emotions while making tasty treats.

What you need

Item	Use
Ready-made cookie dough	For making the cookies
Candies and icing	To make the faces
Baking sheet	To bake the cookies
Oven mitts	To handle hot trays safely

How to make face cookies

1. Make the cookies

• Shape the dough into circles for faces
• Put them on a baking sheet

2. Bake the cookies

• Follow the instructions on the package
• Use oven mitts to take out the hot tray

3. Let cookies cool

• Leave on the tray for 5 minutes
• Move to a wire rack to cool fully

4. Add face parts

• Use candies and icing to make eyes, noses, and mouths
• Make different faces: happy, sad, angry, or surprised

5. Talk about feelings

• Ask kids what each face is feeling
• Help them understand different emotions

6. Share the cookies

• Guess what each face is thinking
• Give cookies to family or friends

This fun activity lets kids make yummy cookies while learning about feelings. It's a great way to spend time together and enjoy a sweet treat.

4. Marbled Icing Swirls

Kids will enjoy making pretty swirls on cookies with this easy decorating method. It looks fancy but is simple to do.

What you need

Item	What it's for
Sugar cookies (baked and cooled)	To decorate
Powdered sugar	For icing
Milk	To mix icing
Vanilla extract	For taste
Food coloring	To make colors
Small bowls	To hold icing
Toothpicks	To make swirls
Cooling rack or wax paper	For drying cookies

How to make marbled swirls

1. Make the icing

   • Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make a thick glaze
   • Put icing in 2-3 small bowls

2. Add colors

   • Put food coloring in each bowl of icing
   • Try white, light gray, and black for a classic look

3. Make swirls

   • Pour white icing in a flat bowl
   • Add drops of other colors on top
   • Use a toothpick to make swirls (don't mix too much)

4. Dip cookies

   • Hold a cookie upside down
   • Dip the top in the swirled icing
   • Turn it over carefully

5. Let dry

   • Put cookies on a rack or wax paper to dry

This is a fun way for kids to make pretty cookies. Each one will look different. It's great for parties or baking with family.

5. Candy Mosaic Designs

Kids can make pretty cookie designs using candy pieces. This method is fun and easy, letting children create colorful patterns on cookies.

What you need

Item	Use
Sugar cookies (baked)	Base for decorating
Hard candies	For making mosaic pieces
Baking sheets	To melt candies
Parchment paper	To line baking sheets
Rolling pin or mallet	To crush candies
Oven	To melt candies and finish cookies

How to make candy mosaic cookies

1. Get candy ready

• Heat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Group candies by color
• Crush candies into small bits
• Put candy bits on lined baking sheets
• Melt candy in oven (a few minutes)
• Let melted candy cool
• Break cooled candy into small pieces

2. Put candy on cookies

• Heat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Make cookie shapes
• Bake cookies until almost done (7-10 minutes)
• Take cookies out of oven
• Press candy pieces into warm cookies
• Put cookies back in oven briefly
• Let candy melt a bit and stick to cookies

3. Finish up

• Let cookies cool on baking sheets
• Look at the pretty designs
• Eat and share your colorful cookies

This way of decorating lets kids make their own special cookie art. Each cookie will look different with its own mix of candy colors.

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6. Edible Paint Brush Art

Kids can have fun painting cookies with edible paint. This easy method lets children make pretty designs on cookies they can eat.

What you need

Item	What it's for
Sugar cookies (baked and cooled)	To paint on
Sweetened condensed milk	To make paint
Gel food coloring	To color the paint
Small bowls	To mix paint
Clean paintbrushes (food-safe)	To paint cookies
Paper towels	To wipe brushes

How to make edible paint art

1. Make the paint

• Put sweetened condensed milk in small bowls
• Add food coloring to each bowl
• Mix well to make different colors

2. Get ready to paint

• Put cookies on a clean table
• Set out paint bowls and brushes
• Keep paper towels nearby

3. Paint the cookies

• Dip brush in paint
• Wipe extra paint on paper towel
• Paint thin layers on cookie
• Let each layer dry before adding more

4. Add small details

• Use thin brushes for little designs
• Try mixing colors on the cookie
• Make patterns or pictures

5. Let cookies dry

• Wait about an hour for paint to dry
• Don't touch or pack cookies until dry

This is a fun way for kids to decorate cookies. It's easier than using icing and lets them be very creative. Make sure to watch young children and use only food-safe items.

7. Stenciled Sugar Cookies

Kids can make pretty cookies with neat designs using stencils. This way of decorating is easy and looks great.

What you need

Item	What it's for
Sugar cookies (baked and cooled)	To decorate
Royal icing	To make a smooth top
Stencils	To make designs
Flat knife or spatula	To spread icing
Food coloring	To make icing different colors
Small bowls	To mix colors
Parchment paper	To keep the table clean

How to do it

1. Get the cookies ready

• Put white royal icing on the cookies
• Make it smooth
• Let it dry overnight

2. Set up

• Put cookies on parchment paper
• Pick stencils that fit the cookies
• Make thick colored icing

3. Use the stencil

• Put the stencil on the cookie
• Hold it down or use magnets

4. Make the design

• Spread colored icing over the stencil
• Use a flat knife to remove extra icing
• Lift the stencil straight up

5. Let it dry

• Wait for the design to dry
• Add more details if you want

Kids will like seeing their cookies look fancy. This way of decorating is easy and fun. Make sure to help young kids and use only things that are safe to eat.

8. Cookie Pizza Party

Kids will enjoy making mini pizzas out of cookies. This fun idea works well for parties or family baking time.

What you need

Item	Use
Sugar cookies or shortbread	Pizza base
Strawberry jam	"Sauce"
Shredded coconut	"Cheese"
Yellow food coloring	To color "cheese"
Red fruit snacks	"Pepperoni"
Green fruit snacks	"Peppers" (optional)
Mini M&Ms	Extra toppings
Hole puncher	To make "pepperoni"

How to make cookie pizzas

1. Make the "sauce"

   • Spread a thin layer of jam on each cookie

2. Add "cheese"

   • Mix yellow food coloring with most of the coconut
   • Add some plain coconut for a mixed look
   • Put the coconut mix on top of the jam

3. Put on "pepperoni"

   • Use a hole puncher to make circles from red fruit snacks
   • Place about 7 "pepperoni" pieces on each cookie

4. Add more toppings

   • Cut green fruit snacks into thin strips for "peppers"
   • Sprinkle on some mini M&Ms

5. Finish up

   • Let kids add toppings how they like
   • Wait a bit before eating so toppings can set

This cookie pizza idea is tasty and lets kids play with their food. It's a good way to make cookie decorating more fun for all ages.

9. Rainbow Layered Icing

Kids will enjoy making colorful cookies with rainbow layered icing. This easy method creates pretty swirls that look fancy but are simple to do.

What you need

Item	Use
Vanilla buttercream frosting	Main ingredient
Gel food coloring	To make colors
Plastic wrap	To make frosting roll
Piping bag	To put frosting on cookies
Large star tip	To make swirls
Cookies or cupcakes	To decorate

How to make rainbow icing

1. Make colored frosting

• Put frosting in six bowls
• Add different food coloring to each bowl
• Mix well

2. Make a frosting roll

• Put plastic wrap on the table
• Put each color of frosting on the wrap
• Roll it up and twist the ends

3. Get ready to decorate

• Cut one end of the roll
• Put the roll in a piping bag with a star tip

4. Put frosting on cookies

• Squeeze the bag to make swirls on cookies
• Colors will mix as you squeeze

5. Finish up

• Add sprinkles if you want
• Wait a bit before eating

This way of decorating is fun and lets kids play with colors. It's good for parties or just making treats at home. The cookies will look nice and taste good too.

10. 3D Cookie Sculptures

Kids can make fun 3D cookie sculptures that stand up. This activity mixes baking and art to create cookies that look cool and taste good.

What you need

Item	What it's for
Sugar cookie dough	Making the cookies
Cookie cutters (animal shapes)	Cutting out body parts
Royal icing	Decorating and sticking parts together
Food coloring	Making icing different colors
Piping bags	Putting icing on neatly
Small spatula	Spreading icing

How to make 3D cookie sculptures

1. Make the dough

• Use a sugar cookie recipe
• Roll the dough out flat

2. Cut out shapes

• Use animal-shaped cookie cutters
• Make matching legs and body pieces

3. Bake the cookies

• Follow the recipe for baking
• Let cookies cool before decorating

4. Add icing

• Put royal icing on each cookie part
• Use the shapes on the cookies as guides

5. Put the cookies together

• Once icing is dry, fit body and leg cookies together
• Use extra icing to stick pieces if needed

6. Show and eat

• Put your 3D cookie animals on a plate
• Let kids show their cookie art before eating

Making 3D cookie sculptures is fun for kids. It's good for birthday parties, school events, or any time kids want to make special cookies. They can make, decorate, and eat their own cookie animals.

Helpful Hints

Here are some tips to make cookie decorating with kids fun and easy:

Set Up for Success

Step	What to Do
Cover the table	Use paper or cheap tablecloth, tape edges down
Protect the floor	Put paper under the table for easy cleanup
Use ready-made cookies	Buy frozen pre-cut cookies to save time
Bake cookies longer	Harder cookies are easier to decorate

Icing and Decorating Tips

1. Use piping bags or squeeze bottles

• Less messy and easier for kids
• If using Ziploc bags, cut a small hole in one corner

2. Make icing the right thickness

• Not too thick for kids to squeeze
• Not too thin or it will run off the cookie

3. Smart sprinkle use

• Buy cheap sprinkles (many will fall on the floor)
• Avoid round sprinkles that roll easily
• Put out small amounts at a time to control mess

Running the Activity

• Let kids work at their own speed
• Show which colors are for big areas and small details
• Tell kids icing tastes better when it's dry

Clean-Up and Safety

Keep these things nearby:

Item	Use
Paper towels	For quick cleanups
Paper plates	To hold cookies (write names on them)
Wax paper	To put under cookies while decorating
Cleaning wipes	To clean hands and surfaces
Old shirts	To protect clothes from stains

Wrap-up

Cookie decorating with kids is fun and helps make good memories. It's not about making perfect cookies, but about spending time together.

Let kids get messy and be creative. Each cookie shows what your child likes and can do. As one parent said, "You learn a lot about your kids when you decorate cookies with them."

Cookie decorating is a good way to talk with your kids. You can do it in steps if you're busy. Take pictures to remember these times.

Here's why cookie decorating with kids is great:

Reason	Explanation
Makes memories	You'll look back on these times happily
Helps kids be creative	They can make any design they want
Good for talking	You can chat while you work
Fun for all ages	Even teens and adults enjoy it

Even after many years, families still like to decorate cookies together. It brings everyone closer.

So get your things ready, be ready for a bit of mess, and start decorating cookies with your kids. The memories you make will be better than any icing!

FAQs

How to make cookie decorating easy for kids?

Here are simple ways to make cookie decorating fun for kids:

Tip	Description
Use shaped cookies	Pick cookies with easy shapes
Color icing with fruit	Make natural colors from fruits
Paint with food brushes	Use food-safe brushes to paint designs
Make characters	Use snacks to create fun faces
Thin icing	Use a spray bottle to make icing easier to spread
Use food markers	Draw small details with food-safe markers

These ideas help kids of all ages enjoy decorating cookies.

What to use for decorating cookies with kids?

Here's what you need for cookie decorating with kids:

Item	Description
Royal icing	Made with meringue powder
Simple icing	Mix powdered sugar, lime juice, and water
Toppings	Sprinkles and small candies
Food coloring	Gel or natural colors
Tools	Piping bags or squeeze bottles
Spreaders	Small spatulas or spoons

Pick easy-to-use items that let kids be creative without making a big mess.