Tips for baking with kids

Stop Trying to Channel Martha Stewart

First and foremost, when baking with children, you have to ditch your Martha Stewart dreams and embrace the world of Where the Wild Things Are. Once you've accepted the fact that you are going to have to spend the next three hours scrubbing substances akin to paper mache off your ceiling and drapes, you will have a much better time.

Plan Ahead

With throngs of little children in the house, it's not always easy. But if at all possible, try and plan your baking experience ahead of time. Crack the eggs. Set out the ingredients. Line up the measuring cups and bowls. That way, little Timmy won't be tempted to go digging through your cabinets searching for a spatula, while leaving a trail of chocolate handprints on everything he touches.

Choose Forgiving Recipes

Don't try to make your Great Grandma's perfect pound cake that even she couldn't succeed at making unless the stars were aligned. Choose simple family favorites like roll-out cookies, muffins, brownies or Rice Krispies Treats. If your kids are very young, don't even worry whether they are edible. Because in all honesty, you probably weren't going to eat that sugar cookie with two pounds of glitter sprinkles on it anyway.

Enjoy the Moment

Throw on some fun holiday jams, have some hot cocoa, break out the Kitchen Aid and let the fun begin! Help your older kids take turn measuring ingredients and have the young ones toss them in the mixer. Yes, your kitchen is going to end up looking like a winter wonderland -- and not in a good way -- but you've given up on channeling Martha Stewart and it's all good. Enjoy these precious moments with your little ones. You are making memories that will last a lifetime.

If you are looking for a "clean" good time with your kids, check out our Kids' Activity Center, where you'll find lots of fun, like our Christmas and Hanukkah coloring pages.

Read more about holiday baking

Healthy holiday cookie recipes
Secret ingredients for healthy holiday treats
Chocolate peppermint cookies: A perfect holiday cookie