20 Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas for Kids That Make Holiday Memories

Decorating Christmas cookies is more than just a holiday tradition—it’s a joyful way for kids to dive into creativity and make lasting memories. Whether it’s adding a peppermint swirl or dotting a snowman’s smile, every cookie becomes a mini masterpiece.

Cookies shaped like reindeer with chocolate faces, black eyes, red noses, and pretzel antlers arranged on a white surface.

In this post, you’ll find 20 easy Christmas cookie decorating ideas that are perfect for little hands and big imaginations. From candy cane stripes to jolly Santa faces, these fun designs make baking together even sweeter.

Googly-Eyed Reindeer

Closeup of several decorated Rudolph sugar cookies with brown frosting and detailed icing on a clean background.

Big eyes and red noses turn these cookies into cartoon-worthy reindeer. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to get giggles from little bakers!

Pretzel Reindeer

Closeup of several decorated reindeer sugar cookies with pretzel antlers arranged on a clean surface.

Crunchy pretzel antlers top off these cute reindeer cookies. They’re the kind of fun, hands-on treat that makes decorating feel like playtime.

Happy Gingerbread

Closeup of several gingerbread men shaped sugar cookies decorated with colorful icing on a clean background.

With white icing smiles and squiggly trims, these cheerful gingerbread people are full of personality. Let kids get creative with buttons, bows, or mini candy accents!

Jolly Snowmen

Closeup of several snowman sugar cookies decorated with colorful icing faces arranged on a clean surface.

Kids will love these friendly snowmen with big buttons and colorful hats. Simple faces and fun details make decorating them both easy and adorable.

Candy Cane Stripes

Closeup of several candy cane shaped sugar cookies decorated with red and white icing on a clean background.

Bright and bold, these candy cane cookies bring instant cheer with classic red swirls. The thick stripes are perfect for little hands to decorate without the mess.

Color Dot Fun

Close-up view of several decorated sugar cookies with colorful piped dots on a clean background.

Bold, fun dots in holiday colors make these cookies a total crowd-pleaser. The design is fun, fast, and perfect for decorating with little helpers.

Snowflake Sparkle

Closeup of several snowflake-shaped sugar cookies decorated with blue and white icing on a plain background.

With crisp blue and white icing, these snowflakes are a wintry dream. They look intricate but are surprisingly easy with a squeeze bottle and a steady hand!

Tree Light Cookies

Closeup view of several Christmas tree sugar cookies decorated with green icing and colorful candy decorations on a plain background.

Decorated with string-light icing and candy ornaments, these trees are a holiday classic. They’re simple enough for tiny hands but festive enough to shine on any tray.

Smiley Face Cookies

Close-up view of several sugar cookies decorated with smiley faces using edible markers, arranged on a clean background.

Nothing beats a batch of cheerful cookies topped with happy grins! These colorful smiley faces are super kid-friendly and bring instant joy to the decorating table.

Peppermint Crunch

Close-up view of several decorated sugar cookies with smooth white icing and crushed candy cane pieces on top, arranged on a clean surface.

Topped with crushed candy canes, these cookies bring a burst of minty magic. Just sprinkle and press—easy enough for even the tiniest bakers to join in!

Holiday Words

Round cookies decorated with colorful icing, featuring the words 'Joy' and 'Noel' in festive fonts on different colored backgrounds, including pink, red, and green.

“Joy” and “Noel” get a sweet twist with playful piping on bright backgrounds. These cookies feel cheerful and make a great edible craft for kids learning to spell.

Snowman Faces

Simple and sweet, these round snowman faces need just a few dots and a carrot nose. They’re quick to decorate and guaranteed to bring smiles.

Triple Leaf Holly

Closeup of several holly leaf sugar cookies decorated with green icing and red candy berries on a clean background.

These bold green holly cookies with red berry centers are bursting with holiday cheer. Their simple shapes make them perfect for little decorators with big imaginations.

Holly & Snowflakes

Close-up view of several decorated sugar cookies with colorful icing on a clean background.

Bright holly leaves and icy snowflakes pop against bold backgrounds. These cookies combine classic holiday shapes with kid-friendly color combos for easy festive flair.

Classic Gift Cookies

Closeup view of several Christmas present-shaped sugar cookies decorated with colorful bow-shaped icing on a clean background.

Bright red, green, and gold icing gives these present-shaped cookies a festive pop. They’re great for decorating parties—just pick your ribbon color and go!

Star Sprinkle Cookies

Star-shaped cookies with colorful icing in pink, blue, white, and yellow, decorated with small star sprinkles in various colors.

Covered in tiny candy stars, these pastel treats are bursting with whimsy. A quick press of sprinkles makes them both easy and magical for young bakers.

Gingerbread Hearts

Closeup of several gingerbread heart cookies decorated with white icing on a clean background.

With just a swirl of white icing, these gingerbread hearts feel charming and cozy. Let kids freestyle their designs for a personal touch on every cookie.

Pink Present Cookies

Closeup of several decorated sugar cookies shaped like gift boxes with colorful fruit leather ribbons on a clean background.

Soft pink frosting and bold red bows make these gift cookies feel extra sweet. They’re simple, festive, and fun for kids who love all things colorful!

Santa Face Cookies

Close-up of several decorated sugar cookies shaped like smiley Santa faces with candy cane noses arranged on a clean surface.

Smiling Santas with peppermint noses and piped hats make these cookies pure holiday joy. They’re full of personality and perfect for little ones to help assemble.

Swirled Icing Cookies

Closeup of several decorated sugar cookies with marbled icing patterns on a clean background.

Red and green icing swirls together for a playful, peppermint-inspired look. Just a few gentle swirls with a toothpick turn simple icing into a stunning marbled design.