What are good Christmas Cookies to make with a kid that is 4 1/2 years old?

If he is new to baking, the break and bake are perfect. I do this with my 2 year old grandson -- he breaks them off, puts them on the cookie sheet, then I distract him while I place them evenly on the pan. He loves to watch them rise as they bake. We ice them ( I do, he "helps"), then I put them on a big platter so he can put the sprinkles on.

My four year old grandson has been helping in the kitchen since he was two, so he is a little more advanced. He can roll dough pretty good and has his own cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and he is a little more coordinated to help with the icing.

Don't forget about the slice and bake cookies with the decorations in the middle -- kids are so fascinated by that! Also, I got one of those $10.00 Gingerbread House Kits at Walmart during Thanksgiving and all the kids, age 2 to 30 had a great time with it.

Have fun!

M & M Cookies

http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com/images/2007/03...

http://us.mms.com/us/baking/recipes/cookies/recipe...

I posted this to someone last night it is realla lot of fun t do with kids.

This one is pretty basic and is good for younger kids as well.

Holly Leaf Cookies:

1 stick butter

3 cups miniature marshmellows

2 tsp vanilla

4 cups cornflakes

1 bag red hots

green food coloring

Melt the butter and marmellows. Stir in the vanilla and green food coloring. Gently fold in the corn flakes and drop by medium sized spoon fulls onto waxed paper. Press 3 red hots onto each drop to look like holly leafs.

You could also make a flour and salt play dough, color and add scent by using koolade and the roll out and press with cookie cutters. Use a straw to make a hole for string and bake. Then paint with poster paints, markers etc...

Sugar cookies are also good as well, as would be making gingerbread men.

He can make a gingerbread house with graham crackers. Use icing for the glue. Canned icing works ok, but add a little more powered sugar to make it stiffer. Any cheap candy will do for decorations. Use throw a away plate for him to take it home. That way he can do all his bouncing at home. My kids this every year for Christmas.

Any really. They just like to help...and get messy. But that's the fun!

Let him mix things in the bowl or poor in the chocolate chips.

Kids just like to spend time with adults and do things with them. The kind really doesn't matter. Chocolate chip cookies are easy. Need flower, sugar, eggs and chocolate. Most chocolate chip bags have recipes right on them. Have fun.

Oh this is the perfect cookie recipe for kids...my kids love helping me make it. CHUNKY MONKEY BITES...here is the recipe link:

http://cheapfamilymeals.info/2008/12/12/chunky-mon...

Happy Cooking -Machelle at Cheap Family Meals

Make bar cookies like the blonde brownies with chocolate chips added, or chocolate brownies. There's always the good old rice krispiee treats.

when i was that age i used to make sugar cookies with my grandma. She mixed up the batch and i got to used the cookie cutters and sprinkles to do the rest and each year i got to help more. I am 36 now and it is still one favorite memories with grandma watching mixed them up waiting till it was my turn lol

Holy wreaths are a very easy no bake holiday treat. Both of my kids loved making them when they were younger.

I've included 2 links because the pictures show 2 different ways to make them. The clump/leaves are of course easier for a 4yr old but the wreaths are really pretty

http://www.recipezaar.com/Holly-Leaves-No-Bake-171...

http://www.recipezaar.com/Holly-Wreaths-149366

Sugar cookies with christmas pictures in them. You can buy them at the store pre-made and kids love 'em!

Have fun!