Getting the kids involved in Thanksgiving preparations can be a blast, but let’s be honest, the main kitchen is often a chaotic, off-limits zone. That’s where these Cute & Easy Thanksgiving Treats for Kids come in! We’re talking about five incredibly simple, no-bake recipes that are perfect for little hands to assemble while you’re busy with the turkey. From adorable Oreo turkeys to sweet little pilgrim hats, these treats are more than just desserts; they’re a fun activity that creates wonderful holiday memories.
These Thanksgiving Desserts For Kids are designed to be stress-free. You won’t need to turn on the oven or use complicated equipment. With just some store-bought cookies, candies, and melted chocolate, you and your little ones can create a platter of festive goodies that will impress everyone at the dessert table. It’s the perfect way to keep them entertained and feeling like an important part of the holiday celebration.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a recipe that’s both a delicious treat and a fun craft project? These Easy Thanksgiving Treats are a parent’s dream during the busy holiday season. They require absolutely no baking, which means your oven stays free for the main event—the turkey and side dishes. The cleanup is minimal, and the ingredients are simple, easy-to-find items you can grab on any grocery run.
The biggest win? This is a fantastic way to engage your kids. They can take charge of assembling their own little creations, boosting their confidence and letting them contribute to the Thanksgiving feast in a meaningful way. Plus, the results are just so adorable! These Cute Thanksgiving Treats look fantastic arranged on a platter and are guaranteed to get smiles from guests of all ages. They are the perfect, low-stress activity to bring some extra joy to your holiday.
Ingredients
Oreo Turkey Cookies
- 24 Oreo cookies
- 24 mini Oreo Cookies
- 96 candy corns
- 24 yellow or orange M&M’s
- 48 candy eyes
- 1 cup chocolate chips or melting wafers
Pilgrim Hats
- 24 striped cookies (like Fudge Stripes)
- 24 mini peanut butter cups
- 24 yellow M&M’s
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or melting wafers
Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
- 24 Nutter Butter Cookies
- 24 striped wafer cookies
- 144 candy corn
- 24 yellow or orange M&M’s
- 48 candy eyes
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or melting wafers
- 1 cup red melting wafers
Fall Teepees
- 24 sugar cones
- Fall sprinkles
- 48 pretzel sticks
- 2 cups chocolate chips or melting wafers
Acorn Cookies
- 32 mini Nilla Wafers
- 32 Hershey’s Kisses
- 1 cup chocolate chips or melting wafers
Step-By-Step Instructions
Oreo Turkey Cookies
First, melt the chocolate chips in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s completely smooth. Carefully twist open one of the large Oreo cookies. On the side with the cream, press 4 candy corns into the filling along the top edge to look like feathers. Add a small dab of melted chocolate to the other cookie wafer and press it back on to seal it. Next, put a dab of melted chocolate on the front of the sealed Oreo and attach a mini Oreo for the turkey’s head. Use tiny dots of chocolate to stick on the two candy eyes and the M&M for the beak. Finally, if you’re feeling extra creative, you can melt some red wafers to pipe a tiny wattle next to the M&M. Set them on wax paper to dry completely.
Pilgrim Hats
This one is super simple! Start by melting your white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth. If you have a piping bag, pour the melted chocolate into it; if not, a small plastic baggie with the corner snipped off works just as well. Place your striped cookies chocolate-side up. Squeeze a ring of melted chocolate around the center hole of the cookie and gently press a mini peanut butter cup (upside down) onto it. Then, squeeze a line of white chocolate around the base of the peanut butter cup to create the hat band, adding a small dot on one side to act as the buckle. Place a yellow M&M onto that dot. Let them sit until the chocolate is fully set.
Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
Let’s make another kind of turkey! Melt the white chocolate chips until creamy. Take a striped wafer cookie and add a dot of melted chocolate on the bottom to act as glue, then stand a Nutter Butter cookie on it. This is your turkey’s body and tail! Now for the feathers. Squeeze 6 small lines of melted chocolate across the top of the wafer cookie and press a candy corn onto each line. Back on the Nutter Butter, use dabs of chocolate to attach the candy eyes and an M&M for the beak just below them. Lastly, melt the red wafers and pipe a little red wattle next to the M&M. These look so festive and fun!
Fall Teepees
These are a unique and charming addition to your treat platter. First, pour your fall-themed sprinkles onto a small plate. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth and pour the melted chocolate into a piping bag or baggie. Gently cut or break the very tip off each sugar cone. Squeeze a ring of chocolate around the bottom edge of the cone, then immediately dip it into the sprinkles to coat the rim. To finish the teepee, stick a small piece of a pretzel stick into the opening at the top. Let them dry completely before serving.
Acorn Cookies
Could these get any easier? Simply add a small dot of melted chocolate onto the flat side of a mini Nilla Wafer and press a Hershey’s Kiss onto it. That’s the main part of your acorn! For a cute little stem, flip the cookie over so the Nilla Wafer is on top. Place a tiny dot of chocolate in the center and attach a mini chocolate chip. That’s it! These are so quick to make, you can assemble a whole batch in just a few minutes.
How To Store Leftovers
If you somehow have any of these treats left over, storing them is a breeze. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, be sure to place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together or smudging the designs. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. I wouldn’t recommend refrigerating them, as the cookies can become soft and the chocolate might develop a little condensation.
Conclusion
And there you have it—five wonderfully Cute & Easy Thanksgiving Treats for Kids that are as much fun to make as they are to eat. These recipes prove that you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create memorable Thanksgiving Desserts For Kids. The joy is in the process: the laughter, the slightly messy fingers, and the pride on your kids’ faces when they show off their creations. So this year, set up a little decorating station and let your kids’ creativity shine. It’s a perfect way to build new family traditions and make the holiday even more special.
FAQ
Can I Use Different Candies or Cookies?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative. You could use different types of cookies for the bases, or swap out the M&M’s for other small candies like Reese’s Pieces or Skittles. This is a great opportunity to use whatever you have on hand or cater to your family’s favorite flavors.
How Can I Get My Toddler Involved Without a Huge Mess?
For very young children, focus on the simplest tasks. You can pre-assemble the main parts and let them do the final decorations, like placing the candy eyes or adding sprinkles. Using a large tray or baking sheet to contain their workspace can also help minimize the mess significantly.
My Melted Chocolate Is Too Thick. What Should I Do?
If your melted chocolate or candy wafers seem too thick for piping or dipping, you can stir in a tiny bit of coconut oil or vegetable shortening (about half a teaspoon at a time) until it reaches a smoother, more fluid consistency. Be careful not to add any water, as that will cause the chocolate to seize up.
