Cookie Decorating Kids Cooking Party

A cookie decorating kids cooking party gives kids hands-on experience rolling dough, cutting shapes, decorating cookies, and enjoying the treats they created.

You can make the dough ahead of time and let kids roll, cut, and decorate, or you can bake the cookies before guests arrive and make the party a decorating-only activity.

This is a great option for a kids cooking birthday party, dessert cooking activity, classroom celebration, homeschool lesson, or weekend family cooking event.

For more dessert party ideas, try the Cookie Pizza Party, Supreme Sundae Party, Cone Cakes Party, or try a savory option like a Pizza Cooking Party.

Kids Cooking Activities Teaching Materials

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Planning a themed cooking party? Start with the Kids Cooking Party Hub, or explore the larger Fun Food Activities Hub.

On This Page

5 Simple Hosting Steps
Cookie Decorating Party Supplies
Party Planning Timeline
Cookie Decorating Recipe
12 Cookie Decorations
Cookie Pops
What Kids Learn
How to Run the Party
More Dessert Cooking Party Ideas
Cookie Decorating Party FAQ
More Fun Food Resources

5 Simple Steps to Hosting a Kid's Cookie Decorating Party

This cookie decorating party is one of the easiest dessert cooking party ideas for kids because it can be adapted for all ages and skill levels.

1. Pick a Party Date

Choose your date and make a grocery list for sugar cookies, frosting, sprinkles, and decorations. Extra paper towels are helpful for sticky fingers and frosting messes.

2. Send Invitations

Invitations always make kids excited for the party. You can use printable or digital cooking party invitations.

3. Plan a Few Games

A couple of games can help fill the time while cookies bake and cool. Try these kids cooking party games.

4. Make the Cookie Dough

Make cookie dough the day of the party or a couple of days before. For a simpler party, bake the cookies before guests arrive so children can focus on decorating.

5. Set Out Decorations

Place frosting, sprinkles, candies, and decorations in separate bowls. This makes the decorating table easier for kids to use.

Items Needed for a Cookie Decorating Kids Cooking Party

2 to 3 cookie sheets
Mixing bowl and mixer, or bowl and wooden spoon
Measuring teaspoons
Measuring tablespoons
Measuring cups
Cookie recipe ingredients
Frosting and cake decorations or sprinkles
Paper plates, cups, napkins, and eating utensils
Several rolling pins
Extra flour for rolling out dough
Cookie cutters
Recipe cards or printed recipe sheets for kids to take home

Cookie Decorating Kids Cooking Party Planning Timeline

Two Weeks Ahead

Send out invitations.
Order, sew, or buy aprons or chef hats.
Decide whether kids will roll and cut dough or only decorate baked cookies.

One Week Ahead

Make your shopping list for the party.
Buy nonperishable items, goody bags, and craft supplies for decorating aprons or hats.
Prepare chef hats ahead of time if using them.

Several Days Ahead

Put your goody bags together.
Get a final count of how many children are coming.
Check that you have enough cookie sheets, bowls, rolling pins, and decorating supplies.

One to Two Days Ahead

Do your grocery shopping for the remaining items.
Make dough ahead if desired.
Prepare decorations and labels.

Morning of the Party

Line kitchen tables with a plastic tablecloth or white butcher paper.
Set table with ingredients or baked cookies.
Set out frosting, decorations, and take-home plates or boxes.

Cookie Decorating Recipe

Use one of the cut-out cookie recipes from our cookie recipes page: basic sugar cookie dough, simple sugar cookie recipe, or brown sugar and spice cut-out cookies.

When preparing the recipe, allow kids to take turns adding and stirring ingredients in a large mixing bowl so everyone gets a turn.

Decorated cookies for kids cooking party

Ingredients

Prepared sugar cookie dough
Extra flour for rolling dough
Frosting
Sprinkles
Cookie decorations

Directions

Prepare sugar cookie dough or use cookie dough made ahead of time.
Give each child a portion of dough.
Have kids roll dough on a floured surface.
Cut out cookies with cookie cutters.
Place cookies on cookie sheets.
Adults bake the cookies and allow them to cool completely.
While waiting for cookies to bake and cool, prepare another recipe, decorate aprons, make chef hats, or play cooking games.
Set table with frosting, table knives, sprinkles, and decorations.
Let kids decorate cookies.
Place decorated cookies on a paper plate or shallow box to take home.

Learn more about decorating sugar cookies.

12 Decorations to Use on Your Cookies

Set up small bowls with different decorations so kids can build colorful cookie designs.

Sprinkles in different colors and shapes
Pretzels cut into tiny pieces
Chocolate chips
Butterscotch chips
Andes mint pieces
Marshmallows cut into smaller pieces
Raisins
Mini M&M's
Oreo cookies diced into fine pieces
Licorice cut into small pieces
Red Hots
Candy bars cut into small pieces

Cookie Decorating Kids Cooking Party: Cookie Pops

For a simpler cookie party, have kids prepare cookie pops and decorate them after they cool.

Cookie pops are easy to make using the same cookie dough recipes suggested above. Cut circles out of rolled dough and place them on a cookie sheet, leaving room for sucker sticks. Press a stick into each cookie and bake. The cookie will rise over the stick and hold it in place. Allow cookie pops to cool and decorate. Place the decorated cookies in a sandwich baggie tied with ribbon to take home.

Cookie pops are fun to decorate and easy to take home as party treats.

You can also make a cookie bouquet with your cookies.

What Kids Learn at a Cookie Decorating Party

Measuring: Kids measure cookie dough ingredients and decorations.
Rolling: Kids practice rolling dough and using flour.
Fine motor skills: Kids use cookie cutters, spread frosting, and place small decorations.
Kitchen safety: Kids learn handwashing, oven safety, and safe decorating setup.
Creativity: Kids design their own decorated cookies or cookie pops.

For more skill-building cooking ideas, visit Kids Cooking Lessons and Kitchen Safety Rules for Kids.

How to Run the Cookie Decorating Party

Step 1: Start with Handwashing

Have kids wash their hands and review basic kids kitchen safety rules.

Step 2: Roll and Cut Cookies

Give each child a portion of dough to roll and cut, or start with baked cookies for a decorating-only party.

Step 3: Bake and Cool

Adults bake the cookies and let them cool completely before decorating.

Step 4: Decorate

Set out frosting, table knives, sprinkles, candies, and decorations. Kids decorate their cookies or cookie pops.

Step 5: Pack Treats to Take Home

Place decorated cookies on plates, in shallow boxes, or in treat bags tied with ribbon.

More Dessert Cooking Party Ideas

Cookie Pizza Party

Make giant cookie pizzas and decorate with frosting, fruit, and candies.

Supreme Sundae Party

Make cookie cups, scoop ice cream, and build a toppings bar.

Cone Cakes Party

Bake cupcakes inside ice cream cones and decorate them.

Mini Fruit Pies Party

Make individual fruit pies with dough, filling, and top crusts.

Cake Decorating Party

Decorate cakes with frosting, sprinkles, and creative designs.

Cookie Decorating Kids Cooking Party FAQ

Is a cookie decorating party good for kids?

Yes. A cookie decorating party is great for kids because they can roll dough, cut shapes, decorate cookies, and take home what they made.

Can I bake the cookies before the party?

Yes. Baking cookies ahead of time makes the party simpler and lets kids focus on decorating.

What decorations work well for cookie decorating?

Good cookie decorations include sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini candies, pretzel pieces, marshmallows, raisins, cookie crumbs, licorice pieces, and frosting.

What are cookie pops?

Cookie pops are cookies baked on sucker sticks so kids can decorate them and take them home like a cookie bouquet or treat-on-a-stick.