How to Host a Cookie Decorating Party for Children

If you are looking for a fun child's party idea, consider hosting a cookie decorating party. Whether you are celebrating a holiday, birthday or just having a child's gathering for fun, you can keep your little guests occupied with this idea. The activity will engage creativity and give them a yummy treat to take home. Read on to learn how to host a cookie decorating party for children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pre-baked cookies
• Icing
• Sprinkles
• Miniature candies
• Wax paper
• Carryout boxes
• Plates and cups
• Drinks

Party Preparation

1. Determine your invitation list and send invitations to your party. When reviewing the age group you will host, consider whether you should work with uncooked dough for decoration or pre-bake the cookies. Younger children may be unable to roll out the cookie dough, cut out cookies, decorate and wait while the cookies bake. Instead, you may opt to pre-bake the cookies and have the children decorate them. For simplicity, we will assume you pre-baked or purchased pre-baked cookies.
2. Assemble a clean, flat surface for your cookie decorators. Create a separate drying table where the children can place their decorated cookies. Arrange a clean-up station with moist towels to wipe sticky fingers.
3. Prepare cookie-decorating stations with individual bowls of sprinkles and miniature candies, and individual tubes of icing. Set out an equal number of cookies per station.
4. Label decorating and drying stations with each child's name for personalization. Labeling stations is especially helpful in knowing the names of the children attending if you are unfamiliar with them.
5. Make a separate area for snack time so the children can enjoy a cookie or two with some juice, punch or water.
6. Purchase carryout boxes so that the children may take their masterpieces home with them.

Party Time

7. Gather the children and direct them toward their decorating stations.
8. Demonstrate how to decorate each cookie with icing, sprinkles and candies. Show the children where to place their decorated cookies and where to wash their hands when they have finished.
9. Encourage their creativity to use different colors and designs on the cookies. Help children if they appear to struggle with any part of the decorating. Reassure them of their great decorating skills.
10. Wash sticky fingers after decorating the cookies. Select one or two cookies per child and serve with drinks.
11. Place extra cookies in carryout boxes to serve as your party favors and send them on their way.

Tips & Warnings

• Invite the parents or guardians of the participants to stick around for the party if you like. The extra hands may cut down on some of the chaos.
• Consider placing your decorating table and chairs on easy-to-clean flooring, and using a plastic tablecloth that is easy to wipe down after your party.
• For a child with special needs, dedicate one person to helping that child and be sure that all materials are accessible and easy to use.
• Take photos of your party so that you can either provide prints or emailed photos of the occasion.

Who Can Help:

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