Holiday food traditions don’t just magically appear out of thin air — they’re created, one messy kitchen moment at a time. If you’re looking for a great way to spend some time with your grandkids that doesn’t involve screen time or explaining why you can’t install TikTok, starting a few new food traditions might be perfect. It’s a great excuse to pass down recipes, stories, and, let’s be honest, make a fun mess while you’re at it.
Bake cookies together
Baking cookies is one of the most classic holiday traditions, for good reason — kids love it. It’s a chance for them to get creative while learning simple baking skills. Whether you choose sugar cookies, gingerbread, or even classic shortbread, the best part is letting the grandkids decorate them however they like.
Each year, you can have a “cookie decorating day,” where you spend the afternoon baking, icing, and covering cookies in sprinkles. You could even challenge them to come up with new designs or themes every holiday season. Plus, nothing beats the smell of freshly baked cookies in the house!
Tip: Make this a fun annual competition with prizes for the most creative cookie! Take photos of each year’s creations and create a holiday photo album to reflect on the evolving designs.
Make popcorn garlands
Popcorn garlands are a timeless holiday craft that’s simple and fun for kids of all ages. It’s a perfect way to involve the grandkids in holiday decorating while keeping their hands busy with a creative, low-stress project.
All you need is a bowl of plain popcorn, a needle, and some thread, and you can start stringing the popcorn into a garland to hang on the tree or around the house. To add a colorful twist, include cranberries, dried oranges, or even small candies between the popcorn. The grandkids will love the hands-on activity, and the result is a beautiful decoration you made together.
Tip: Make it an annual tradition to add a new section to your popcorn garland each year. Over time, you’ll have a long, beautiful string that tells the story of each holiday season spent together. Be sure to snap a photo of your garland hanging proudly to add to your holiday memory book.
Create a homemade hot chocolate bar
Nothing is cozier than a cup of hot chocolate when the weather gets cold. Turn this classic treat into a fun holiday tradition by setting up a homemade hot chocolate bar for your grandkids. It’s simple to do and something you can easily repeat year after year.
Set out different types of hot chocolate (white, milk, or dark) and all the fixings: whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, sprinkles, and chocolate chips. Let the grandkids create their own perfect cup. This is an easy, no-bake activity that gives everyone something sweet to enjoy during a cozy night in.
Tip: This could be the perfect tradition to pair with holiday movie nights or after a fun day of playing outside in the snow. Snap pictures of the kids with their creations and include them in a holiday drinks scrapbook.
Teach a signature family dish
One of the most meaningful ways to bond over the holidays is by teaching your grandkids a beloved family recipe. Whether it’s grandma’s famous casserole, a favorite pie, or a hearty holiday stew, passing this tradition along gives the kids a chance to connect with the family’s history through food.
You can pick a dish that’s easy for kids to help with — like stirring, seasoning, or adding ingredients. Write down the recipe together and start a family cookbook that can be added to year after year. Over time, this recipe book will become a treasured keepsake that grandkids can pass on to their own families.
Tip: Choose a dish meaningful to your family and simple enough for young kids to contribute. Don’t forget to snap photos or record videos of the cooking process to add alongside the recipes in your family cookbook.
Build a gingerbread house
If there’s a holiday activity that guarantees lots of laughs and some (hopefully!) sweet results, it’s building a gingerbread house. This tradition is all about fun, imagination, and a little bit of friendly competition. You can build a different theme each year, like a gingerbread village or a winter wonderland.
The best part is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. You can use gingerbread kits or bake your own, then let the grandkids go wild with candy decorations. Bonus: it’s also a great way to keep little hands busy during the holiday hustle and bustle.
Tip: Get creative by adding a new twist every year, like a gingerbread train or holiday-themed characters. Take pictures of each house and create a gingerbread gallery showcasing your yearly masterpieces.
Host a holiday cookie decorating contest
Turn your typical cookie baking session into an annual holiday cookie decorating contest. Bake a batch of simple sugar cookies in various holiday shapes, then set up a decorating station with icing, sprinkles, and candies. The grandkids can decorate their cookies however they like, and at the end, everyone can vote on the most creative, colorful, or festive cookie.
Tip: Award fun prizes for different categories like “most colorful” or “best holiday theme.” Capture photos of the cookies each year and document the winners in a special holiday memory book.
Start a holiday breakfast tradition
Start the holiday off on the right foot with a special breakfast tradition that the grandkids will look forward to each year. Whether Christmas morning or New Year’s Day, a festive breakfast can become a cherished part of your holiday routine.
Think pancakes shaped like reindeer, a special cinnamon roll recipe, or even holiday-themed waffles. Kids love helping in the kitchen, so let them get involved with mixing, flipping pancakes, or adding toppings. It is a great way to start the day and sets the tone for a fun and festive celebration ahead.
Tip: Create a signature breakfast dish that’s easy but fun to make every year. The grandkids can help choose their favorite toppings and flavors. Write down the recipe and snap photos of your special breakfasts to add to your holiday scrapbook.
Host a “Make-Your-Own” dinner night
One of the best ways to get the grandkids involved in holiday cooking is to set up a make-your-own dinner night. This can be as simple as a taco bar, build-your-own pizza station, or even a nacho night. It lets the kids get creative while making their own customized meals.
This is a perfect activity when you want a low-stress meal that’s still fun and interactive. The grandkids can add their own favorite toppings or create something new each year, making it a tradition they’ll look forward to. Plus, you can make it holiday-themed by using festive ingredients or setting up the dinner with holiday decorations.
Tip: Use holiday-themed plates, cups, or napkins to keep the festive mood throughout the meal. You can also take a picture of each grandkid’s creation and document it in a “Holiday Dinners” family scrapbook.
Make holiday-themed snacks for movie night
Holiday movie nights are already a big hit with kids, so why not turn them into a fun snack-making tradition? You can create holiday-themed treats like snowman-shaped popcorn balls, reindeer pretzels, or festive fruit platters. Let the grandkids help prepare the snacks, making them part of the holiday fun.
You can even make it an annual tradition to pick a different movie and snack each year, keeping things fresh and exciting. The snacks can be themed to match the movie you’re watching, making this a tradition that’s as delicious as entertaining.
Tip: Make this a cozy, family-only event, complete with fuzzy blankets, popcorn, and holiday lights twinkling in the background. Document each year’s movie and snack pairing with photos to look back on over the years.
Make holiday candies
Making homemade holiday candies is a sweet and simple way to get the grandkids involved in holiday preparations. From chocolate truffles to peppermint bark, creating your own candies is fun, and the treats can also be gifted to friends, family, or neighbors.
Choose easy, no-bake recipes or candy-making kits that kids can help with. They’ll love being able to stir, roll, or shape the candies, and you’ll have plenty of sweet treats to share at the end. These candies can be wrapped in festive bags or tins, making them perfect for holiday gift-giving.
Tip: Start a tradition where the grandkids help make candy for holiday gift baskets each year. You can even experiment with different candy recipes every season to keep it interesting. Keep track of your favorite recipes and candies with photos for a family holiday candy album.
Cook for a holiday dinner potluck
Getting the grandkids involved in cooking for a holiday potluck is a great way to teach them the joy of contributing to a family meal. Let them help choose a dish to make, and then guide them through the process of preparing it, from picking out ingredients to cooking it together.
You can pick a simple dish, like a casserole, salad, or dessert, that’s easy for kids to help with. Whether stirring, measuring, or decorating, they’ll feel proud knowing their creation will be shared at the family dinner. This tradition gets them excited about cooking and teaches them the importance of sharing food with others.
Tip: Make it a tradition to let each grandkid pick a different dish every year. Rotate who’s in charge of which course — whether it’s an appetizer, main dish, or dessert — so everyone feels included. Document the dishes and who made them each year in a family recipe log.
Set up a build-your-own sandwich station
A build-your-own sandwich station is another fun, easy tradition that will have your grandkids eagerly gathering around the table. This simple meal idea is perfect for holiday lunches or casual family gatherings. Lay out a variety of bread, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments, and let the grandkids design their own sandwiches.
This tradition encourages creativity while allowing each family member to put their own personal touch on their sandwich. Whether they want to stack it high or keep it simple, the grandkids will love having the freedom to make their own meal. To tie it into the season, you could even introduce special holiday sandwich ingredients, like cranberry sauce or leftover turkey.
Tip: Turn this into an annual holiday lunch event, where everyone makes a sandwich, and then you can have fun rating or naming each one. Add holiday-themed sandwich wraps or cookie-cutter shapes to make it even more festive! Capture each creation in photos for a holiday sandwich memory board.
Plan and shop for a holiday meal
Sometimes, the fun is in the preparation. Getting your grandkids involved in planning and shopping for a holiday meal can be a great bonding experience. Whether it’s a large family gathering or a more intimate dinner, let them help with choosing recipes, writing out the grocery list, and going to the store to pick out ingredients.
It’s a perfect way to teach them about budgeting, selecting quality ingredients, and thinking about what makes a meal special. Plus, kids love participating in the process and seeing their efforts come to life in the final meal. This tradition is less about cooking and more about learning the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a holiday celebration.
Tip: Make a game out of the shopping trip by giving them small tasks like finding certain ingredients or comparing prices. It’s a fun way to keep them engaged while teaching valuable lessons about meal planning. Snap a picture of your grocery list and favorite meals to add to a holiday planning album.
Leave a Reply