Baking Holiday Cookies with Kids | Family Economics

By Erin

Memories that last a lifetime are often made in the kitchen.

As a kid, many moments with my mom and grandma burned the happy memories into my mind – the time investment, the teaching, the mess, the bowl licking or watching cookies transform from dough to baked. I can’t choose a favorite memory – perhaps it was a combination of them all. One thing I do know is that these memories will last a lifetime.

When you get into the holidays, and the days fly by at warp speed, it’s so easy to “get in, get it done” while the kids play out in the snow, or watch their favorite holiday movie in the other room. But if you really, really want to create some lasting memories, both for your kids and for yourself, toss the “get in, get it done” notion aside, put on your Mrs. Claus apron, roll up your sleeves and prepare to make a mess in the kitchen.

Never mind that you’ll be sweeping up sprinkles from the floor for the next three weeks, or the flour dust that you have to vacuum out from around the baseboards in the kitchen or the pile of dishes left behind in the sink.

Younger kids (ages 2-4) can help with frosting and sprinkling, older kids (ages 4-8) can help with making and rolling out the dough. Everyone will surely help taste test the final products!  

What special memories from the kitchen do you remember from your childhood? What kinds of baking memories are you creating with your children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews?