Kid-Friendly Holiday Side Dishes: 7 Easy Recipes

Don Lalo

0 0

Kid-Friendly Holiday Side Dishes: 7 Easy Recipes

Encourage kids to take part in holiday meal prep with these fun and easy recipe ideas.

When the holidays arrive, the kitchen becomes the heart of the home. Involving children in creating holiday recipes for kids not only turns meal prep into a shared adventure, but also gives kids a sense of pride and independence. Research shows that children who participate in cooking are more likely to try new foods and develop lasting healthy habits (NIH). Holiday side dishes are the perfect place to start—simple enough for little helpers, yet essential to every festive table. This list features seven easy, Montessori-inspired recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, and New Year’s, designed to build confidence and family connection.

Learn more about fostering independence in the kitchen with Montessori Cooking Activities.

Thanksgiving Recipes for Little Chefs

Kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipes are perfect for little hands to help prepare.

Thanksgiving is an ideal time to welcome kids into the kitchen. Not only does it make meal prep more fun, but involving children in cooking has been linked to improved executive function and self-confidence (Harvard School of Public Health). Here are two delicious thanksgiving recipes for kids that balance creativity and safety:

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallow Topping

Ingredients:

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions:

Boil sweet potatoes until tender. Let kids mash them in a large bowl.
Stir in butter, milk, cinnamon, and salt.
Transfer to a baking dish. Kids can sprinkle marshmallows on top.
Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until marshmallows are golden.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Ingredients:

1 package refrigerated pie crusts
1 can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Instructions:

Cut pie crusts into circles with cookie cutters. Press into muffin tins.
Mix filling and let kids spoon it into the crusts.
Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Safety Tips for Kids in the Kitchen:

Assign young children to washing vegetables, mashing, or stirring.
Let older kids use cookie cutters or assist with rolling dough.
Always supervise when using the oven or sharp utensils.

“Giving children simple, supervised kitchen tasks teaches responsibility and sparks creativity,” says Chef Maria Lopez, culinary educator (Harvard EdCast).

Encourage kids to help set the Thanksgiving table with homemade place cards or napkin rings for an extra touch.

For more sweet ideas, check out Easy Kid Dessert Recipes.

Christmas Recipes Kids Will Love

Make Christmas magical with these easy-to-make recipes kids can help create.

Christmas brings excitement—and the perfect chance to try christmas recipes for kids that look as festive as they taste. Simple, hands-on dishes are ideal for Montessori-style learning, which emphasizes independence and practical life skills (American Montessori Society). Here are two crowd-pleasers:

Christmas Tree Veggie Platter

Ingredients:

Broccoli florets
Cherry tomatoes
Sliced yellow bell peppers
Pretzel sticks
Ranch dip

Instructions:

On a large platter, kids arrange broccoli in a tree shape.
Use cherry tomatoes as “ornaments” and bell pepper strips as garland.
Form a trunk with pretzel sticks. Place ranch dip at the base.

Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats

Ingredients:

4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
3 tbsp butter
1 bag mini marshmallows
Pretzel twists
Candy eyes and red candies for noses

Instructions:

Melt butter and marshmallows over low heat.
Remove from heat, mix in cereal, and press into a pan.
When cool, cut into rectangles. Kids decorate with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and noses.

Tips for Safety and Fun:

Use holiday-themed molds or cookie cutters for shapes.
Teach children to handle kitchen tools with care—Montessori cooking sets are ideal.

Encourage kids to decorate their own Christmas cookies, fostering creativity and fine motor skills.

Explore more No Bake Recipes for Kids to keep the holiday stress-free.

Halloween Punch Recipe for Kids

Create a spooky Halloween punch with your kids that's both fun and safe.

Halloween is all about treats and creativity. This halloween punch recipe for kids delivers both—without caffeine or artificial dyes.

Witches’ Brew Punch

Ingredients:

1 liter lemon-lime soda (or sparkling water)
2 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
Gummy worms for garnish

Instructions:

In a large bowl, kids pour juices and soda together.
Add gummy worms for a spooky twist.

Spooky Effects:

For fog, add a small piece of food-grade dry ice to the punch bowl just before serving. (Adults only: Dry ice should never be handled by children, and pieces should not be served in cups.)
Decorate the punch bowl with spider rings, or let kids tape paper bats to the table.

Safety Note: Always supervise children around dry ice and remind them never to touch or ingest it (CDC Halloween Safety).

For a hearty Halloween dinner, try our Kid-Friendly Chili Recipe.

New Year's Eve Party Snacks for Kids

Ring in the New Year with delightful snacks kids can create.

The best holiday recipes for kids are those that double as fun activities. For New Year’s Eve, focus on snacks that are healthy, easy to assemble, and encourage creativity.

Mini Cheese Ball Bites

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar
1/4 cup chopped chives
Pretzel sticks

Instructions:

Mix cream cheese, cheddar, and chives.
Kids roll mixture into small balls and insert pretzel sticks as handles.
Chill before serving.

Fruit Kabobs with Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

Assorted fruit: grapes, strawberries, melon
Wooden skewers (cut to child-safe length)
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

Kids thread fruit onto skewers.
Stir honey into yogurt for dipping.

Tips for a Festive Snack Table:

Use “countdown” labels or arrange snacks in clock shapes.
Talk with kids about the importance of healthy options—fruits, cheese, and yogurt provide nutrients and energy (USDA MyPlate).

Invite kids to help arrange the snack table or design a New Year’s “menu” for guests.

Try more Crock Pot Recipes for Kids for easy, hands-off party food.

Encouraging Kids to Cook: A Holiday Tradition

Involving kids in holiday cooking fosters independence and joy.

When children help create holiday recipes for kids, they learn essential life skills: measuring, mixing, and working together. Studies show that kids who cook gain confidence, improve math and reading skills, and are more likely to try new foods (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). Making cooking a holiday tradition strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories.

Consider enrolling your child in Kids Cooking Classes to build skills year-round. Each recipe shared above is a step toward independence, creativity, and a lifelong love of food.