Okay, let’s be real. Thanksgiving is bustling, chaotic, and wonderfully overwhelming. You’re juggling turkey, stuffing, and a mountain of sides, and the last thing you need is a kitchen full of bored, restless kids. Enter: these ridiculously cute and unbelievably easy Thanksgiving treats! They’re perfect for little hands, guaranteed to keep them entertained, and will add a dash of holiday charm to your spread. Plus, who doesn’t love a little help in the kitchen (even if it slightly increases cleanup time)? Let’s get started!
1. Turkey Pretzel Sticks
These aren’t going to win any Michelin stars, but they will win smiles. Seriously, how adorable are little turkey pretzels? They’re practically begging to be devoured.
Ingredients:
- Pretzel Rods – About a bag!
- Candy Corn – For the turkey’s feathers (obviously!)
- Candy Eyes – At least 20 pairs!
- Red M&Ms – For the wattle (the googly bit under the beak)
- Chocolate Candies (like Reese’s Pieces) – For the beak (think autumn colors!)
- Melted Chocolate or Candy Melts – To hold everything together (dark, milk, or white – your choice!)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Lay out your pretzel rods on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Dip the top of each pretzel rod into the melted chocolate.
- Immediately attach two candy eyes and a red M&M wattle.
- Add a chocolate candy for the beak.
- Press candy corn pieces onto the chocolate to resemble feathers.
- Let the chocolate set completely before serving. Pop them in the fridge for a quicker set!
Why You’ll Love It: It takes about 15 minutes, requires minimal effort, and the kids get to unleash their inner artist! FYI, even I managed to make these without making a huge mess (a personal victory!).
2. Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups
Okay, hear me out – dirt cups for Thanksgiving? Absolutely! These are like a super cute, edible autumn landscape. Prepare for miniature earthworms…of gummy variety!
Ingredients:
- Chocolate Pudding Cups – Individual or a large tub
- Crushed Oreo Cookies – To mimic dirt (the blacker, the better!)
- Candy Pumpkins – Small ones are ideal
- Gummy Worms – Because every patch needs worms!
- Pretzel Sticks – To serve as fences!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Open your pudding cups (or pour pudding into individual cups).
- Sprinkle a generous layer of crushed Oreos over the pudding.
- Add a few candy pumpkins and a couple of gummy worms.
- Stick a pretzel stick into the “dirt” to act as a little fence.
- Repeat steps 2-4 until desired level of decoration is achieved.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s practically no-bake and takes about 5 minutes per serving. I once accidentally used regular cookies instead of Oreos…let’s just say it wasn’t the same. Stick to the Oreos, trust me. 🙂
3. Acorn Donuts
These little fellas are surprisingly simple and incredibly charming! Plus, donuts are always a win, right?
Ingredients:
- Mini Donuts (store-bought or homemade!)
- Chocolate Candies/Melts – For dipping and drizzling
- Mini Chocolate Chips – For the “cap”
- Pretzel Sticks – Broken into small pieces for the stem
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt your chocolate candies/melts according to package directions.
- Dip each donut into the melted chocolate.
- Immediately place two mini chocolate chips on top to resemble an acorn cap.
- Add a small piece of pretzel stick as the stem.
- Let the chocolate set on parchment paper.
Why You’ll Love It: Super fast and the kids will love dunking the donuts! IMO a simple chocolate drizzle is just as good as full submersion. It keeps the mini donuts lighter.
4. Pilgrim Hat Cookies
These adorable hats are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—adults included! And no, you don’t need to be a decorating wizard.
Ingredients:
- Round Fudge Stripes Cookies – The trusty base!
- Rectangle Graham Crackers – For the brim
- Yellow Icing – For the buckle
- Melted Chocolate – To attach the graham cracker
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Using melted chocolate, attach a graham cracker to the bottom of each fudge stripe cookie. This is your pillow hat brim!
- Add a tiny dot of yellow icing to the front of the brim as the buckle.
- Let the chocolate set before serving.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s ridiculously easy and uses ingredients you likely already have. I once tried making these with Oreos and… well, let’s just say the texture wasn’t ideal. Fudge Stripes are the way to go!
5. Candy Cornucopias
A simple way to incorporate that classic Thanksgiving candy while still delivering a cute treat.
Ingredients:
- Waffle Cones
- Candy Corn – Lots and lots!
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Nuts (optional – just check for allergies!)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Fill each waffle cone with candy corn.
- Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using).
- Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s literally just dumping candy into a cone – maximum fun, minimal effort. They are a great option if you’re short on time!
6. Leafy Graham Cracker Bites
Simple treats that are perfect for little hands.
Ingredients:
- Graham Crackers, broken into small squares
- Green Candy Melts
- Sprinkles (fall colors)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt the green candy melts according to package directions.
- Dip the graham cracker squares into the melted candy.
- Immediately sprinkle with fall-themed sprinkles.
- Let set on parchment paper.
Why you’ll Love It: These are fun to eat as well as easy to make, and the bright green color is perfect for Autumn.
7. Turkey Rice Krispie Treats
Elevate the classic Rice Krispie treat with a Thanksgiving twist!
Ingredients:
- Rice Krispies Cereal
- Marshmallows
- Butter
- Candy Corn
- Candy Eyes
- Red Candy
- Chocolate Candies
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt butter and marshmallows over low heat.
- Stir in Rice Krispies cereal until well coated.
- Press mixture into a greased pan.
- Let cool slightly, then cut into squares.
- Decorate squares with candy corn feathers, candy eyes, a red candy wattle, and a chocolate candy beak.
Why You’ll Love It: A fun take on a classic!
8. Apple Smiles
A healthier (well, comparatively!) and incredibly cute treat that kids adore.
Ingredients:
- Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well) – sliced into rounds
- Peanut Butter or Sunflower Seed Butter (check for allergies!)
- Mini Marshmallows – For the “teeth”
- Strawberry Slices – For the tongue
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Spread peanut butter on one apple slice.
- Place mini marshmallows in a row on the peanut butter to resemble teeth.
- Top with another apple slice.
- Add a slice of strawberry to the side to act as a tongue.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s a relatively healthy and fun snack! Plus, who doesn’t love a smiling apple?
9. Pumpkin Shaped Fruit Pizza
This is a little more involved, but the results are totally worth it.
Ingredients:
- Sugar Cookie Dough (store-bought)
- Cream Cheese
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Orange Slices
- Strawberries
- Kiwi Slices
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Bake the sugar cookie dough into a large circle.
- Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the cooled cookie crust.
- Arrange orange slices, strawberries and kiwi in a pumpkin shape on top of the cream cheese layer.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s colorful, festive, and a tasty way to get some extra fruit.
10. Fall-Themed Chocolate Bark
Breakable treats that look complex but are actually super simple.
Ingredients:
- Chocolate Bark (dark, milk or white)
- Pretzel Sticks
- Candy Corn
- Dried Cranberries
- Chopped Pecans
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt the chocolate bark in the microwave until smooth.
- Spread toast the chocolate evenly on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet.
- Immediately sprinkle chopped pretzels, candy corn, cranberries, and pecans.
- Let set in the refrigerator. Break into pieces.
Why You’ll Love It: A quick and impressive-looking treat!
11. Corn on the Cob Fruit Skewers
Unexpected and so cute!
Ingredients:
- Pineapple chunks
- Yellow grapes
- Wooden skewers
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Thread the pineapple chunks and yellow grapes onto the wooden skewers, alternating between the two.
- These fun skewers look like little corn cobs!
Why you’ll Love It: Surprisingly healthy and super fun to eat.
12. Festive Cheese and Cracker Turkeys
Savory treat with a touch of creativity.
Ingredients:
- Round Crackers
- Cheese Slices
- Pretzel Sticks
- Grape Halves
- Olive Slices
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Cut the cheese slices into turkey body shapes.
- Attach pretzel sticks for the feathers.
- Use grape halves for the eyes and olive slices for the beak.
Why You’ll Love It: A simple savory snack that’s always a hit with kids.
13. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Individual desserts that are bursting with flavor.
Ingredients:
- Mini Graham Cracker Crusts
- Cream Cheese
- Pumpkin Puree
- Brown Sugar
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Mix the cream cheese , pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Pour into graham cracker crusts.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Why You’ll Love It: Small portion sizes are nice for kids!
14. Candy Pumpkins
Fun, easy, and delicious – what more could you ask for?
Ingredients:
- Large marshmallows
- Candy Melts (orange)
- Candy eyes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Dip marshmallows entirely in melted orange candy melts.
- Attach candy eyes.
- Let dry, and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love It: Kids particularly love the simple gesture of melting!
15. Spiced Apple Chips
A healthier alternative to sugary treats
Ingredients:
- Apples (Honeycrisp or Gala)
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Slice apples thinly using a mandoline slicer
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg
- Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through
Why You’ll Love It: A delicious, crispy and less-sugary way to snack!
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
There you have it – 15 adorable and easy Thanksgiving treats your kids can practically make on their own! These recipes are all about having fun, getting creative, and enjoying the simple joys of the holiday season. So, gather your little helpers, put on some festive music, and get ready to create some sweet memories (and a whole lot of deliciousness!). Happy Baking!
