Christmas Party Snack Ideas For Kids
As a mom, one of my favorite things about the holiday season is watching the excitement build in my kids.
But let’s be honest — planning a Christmas party for little ones can feel like juggling tinsel, wrapping paper, and sugar rushes all at once. Last year, our family hosted a holiday party for the neighborhood kids.
My youngest, who was four at the time, insisted on setting up a “cookie station” that quickly turned into a glittery, frosting-covered extravaganza.
Kids ran around with reindeer antlers and sticky fingers, laughing and sneaking extra candy canes. It was beautiful chaos!
But I learned something valuable — snacks are the heart of a holiday party, and with the right ones, you can keep little hands and tummies happy.
Here are 15 Christmas party snack ideas that kids will love, and yes — all are tried, tested, and mom-approved. Some of these snacks can double as fun activities to keep those kiddos entertained during the party, too!
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Snack Ideas For Kids Christmas Parties
1. Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
Turn broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers into a festive Christmas tree. Add a star-shaped piece of yellow pepper on top, and serve with ranch or hummus. Here is a kid friendly hummus recipe to follow.
2. Reindeer Pretzel Rods
Dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate and add candy eyes and red M&M noses to create edible Rudolphs. You’ll also need candy melts and decorative sprinkles to make these look extra festive. Here is a recpe to follow.
3. Snowman Cheese Sticks
Take string cheese sticks and draw snowman faces on the packaging with a marker. Add a tiny felt scarf for extra cuteness! Here is a tutorial if you need.
4. Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Pops
Stick marshmallows on lollipop sticks, dip them in melted chocolate, and sprinkle with peppermint bits. Serve them alongside a hot cocoa mix gift set for an interactive cocoa station. Recipe here.
5. Santa Hat Strawberries
Top a strawberry with whipped cream and a mini marshmallow for an adorable (and healthy!) Santa hat snack. Recipe here.
6. Grinch Fruit Kabobs
Create mini skewers with a grape, banana slice, strawberry, and marshmallow to resemble the Grinch’s hat. These are perfect for sneaking in a healthy snack between sugar treats. Recipe here.
7. DIY Gingerbread Cookies
Set up a decorating station with pre-baked cookies, cookie cutters, frosting, and sprinkles. Kids love personalizing their own treats! (Pro tip: Grab a gingerbread decorating kit to make setup a breeze.) Recipe here for homemade cookies!
8. Elf on the Shelf Popcorn Mix
Combine popcorn with red and green M&M’s, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips for a snack that’s as mischievous as the elf himself. Bonus points if you serve it in Christmas-themed popcorn buckets.
9. Candy Cane Fruit Cups
Arrange raspberries and banana slices in clear cups to resemble candy cane stripes. Add a mini candy cane on top for fun. Here is a fun recipe to try!
10. Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
Shape Rice Krispie treats into triangles and add pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and red M&Ms for noses. You’ll need a non-stick baking tray and Christmas-themed molds to create them easily. Try this recipe here.
11. North Pole Cupcakes
Bake simple vanilla cupcakes and decorate them with white frosting, crushed candy canes, and a cute sign that reads “North Pole” using a striped candy stick. Recipe here.
12. Christmas Tree Brownies
Cut brownies into triangles and decorate with green frosting, sprinkles, and a candy star on top. Use a piping bag for precise decorating. Recipe here.
13. Holiday Cheese and Cracker Reindeer
Use round crackers, cheese slices, pretzels, and olives to make cute reindeer faces. These savory snacks are great for balancing out the sweets. Recipe here.
14. Frozen Banana Snowmen
Dip banana slices in white chocolate, stack them on a skewer, and add tiny edible accessories like hats and scarves made from edible candy decorations. Recipe here.
15. Peppermint Bark Bites
Use silicone molds to create individual servings of peppermint bark, perfect for little hands. Pair this with a Christmas treat box to send kids home with their own festive goodies.
Bottom Line
Hosting a Christmas party with snacks like these takes the pressure off moms and lets us focus on what matters — seeing the joy on our kids’ faces.
Whether you’re serving sweet treats or sneaking in healthy options like veggie platters, there’s something magical about food at holiday gatherings.
Looking back on last year’s party, I remember standing in the middle of the cookie station, surrounded by crumbs and giggles, thinking, “This is what Christmas is all about.”
With these snack ideas (and a few Christmas paper plates and napkins), you’ll be well on your way to hosting a holiday party full of joy — and fewer messes to clean up!
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