Take time out of the busy holiday season and get your kids into the kitchen for some cookie baking. Fun for them, you’ll get some cookies in the bargain, and it may start a family tradition they’ll remember forever.

No matter how old (or young) your kids may be, we’ve got a job for them… adding a pretzel antler to a reindeer cookie, making a cookie-dough rope turn into a snowman, or pressing a peanut butter candy into a just-baked cookie.  The cookies on the scroller above are just what you need to get a family tradition started. 

Before you grab the baking sheets, look over a few tips to help get through the day safely and with a smile on your face.

• Don’t take on too much.  Maybe one cookie pizza is enough!  Dial down your expectation for perfection – and dial it up for a super memory-maker with the kids.
  
  
• If attention spans are an issue (and we’re not just talking about the kids), break up the cookie baking over two days:  Mix up the dough on one day, and bake the cookies the next day.
  
  
• Make sure everyone knows the rules:  Wash your hands, don’t touch the stove, keep little ones away from hot baking sheets and knives.
  
  
• Think about what you want to DO with the cookies, and plan for it.  If you’re giving them away, have containers ready.  If you want to freeze the cookies, have plastic wrap and airtight containers handy.  If you want to eat them, stock up on milk!
  
  
• Set up the kitchen before the kids are around. Make sure you have a cooling rack for the just-baked cookies, and that all the bowls, measuring cups, utensils and ingredients are out and within reach for the kids.
  
  
• Clean up as you go.  You can even rotate the dreaded cleanup roll: For every step in a recipe, take turns putting away the ingredients and putting used bowls and spoons in the sink.
  
  
• If there are ingredients in the cookies that are better prepped by a grown-up, do it ahead of time so the kids don’t have to sit and wait for the chopped walnuts.
  
  
• Don’t eat the dough.  It’s really tempting, but it’s not a good idea.
  
  
• If you’re slicing Pillsbury cookie dough, make sure it’s good and cold. Chilled dough slices easily.
  
  
• Stand back and let the kids do what they can.  Take pictures or a video.  They won’t be young forever!

HERSHEY’S® KISSES® conical figure is used under license.