Homemade Christmas baking with kids

Article author: Iveta Bartošová

If a woman has never baked cookies before having her children, that usually changes once they arrive. It is a great opportunity for making things together, getting into the Christmas mood, but also for spending much more time in the kitchen and doing a lot more cleaning. What can children do during baking, and what will be useful to help you?

How children can help

Some children handle many tasks perfectly even as toddlers, while others mainly enjoy being able to touch everything, taste everything, and leave a mess behind. So adapt the activities to your child’s age and abilities. Children can:

• help with preparing the dough - weigh it on the scale, add more, mix it, crack an egg;
• cut out shapes - gingerbread, Linzer cookies;
• decorate gingerbread - with icing or by sprinkling something on top;
• shape balls and/or coat them in coconut, cocoa, nuts;
• spread jam on Linzer cookies;
• dip cookies in chocolate;
• help with cleaning up.

What is good to have on hand

• Children’s apron, or a chef’s hat - less dirty clothes.
• Learning tower or step stool so the child can reach the counter and help or simply watch.
• High chair or bouncer, where you can sit your little one so they can see you well, and you can give them a wooden spoon to play with.
• Christmas carols to create a festive atmosphere.

Above all, enjoy it

When baking with children, it is important to expect that it will not be perfect, quick, or mess-free. For many mothers, it can be a big step outside their comfort zone, but the time spent together with the children will surely be worth it. What is more, each attempt like this will get better and better. If your children help in the kitchen throughout the year with baking or cooking, then it will be a breeze. Set aside enough time for baking so you are not stressed about running late. Put on some carols and let time just flow.

In short

Christmas spirit certainly includes baking cookies, and with children it can sometimes be quite a challenge. If you have an apron and a step stool or learning tower for your child, invite them into the kitchen to help you. They can stir, add ingredients, cut out shapes, spread, coat, or do whatever they can manage, or they can simply watch so they know how to do it next time. With children, you will certainly clean up more, the cookies will not be perfect, and there will probably be more mess than we think, but that does not matter. What matters more is that you will spend time together and the child will learn something new.

How does baking with children go in your home? When did you first invite your child into the kitchen?