So your kids are off from school and you want them entertained. What better way to keep them busy than to cook or bake with them? It may seem like a stressful activity, but with the right mindset it can actually be a lot of fun for both your kids AND you! Yes, really.

Cooking and baking is a great fine motor and sensory activity, and for your bigger kids it’s an amazing way to express some creativity! And if your kids are up for the task, have them cook dinner.

Enlist your kids in making some amazing Shabbat foods too!

Jump to sweets recipes to make with kids.

Savory:

1. Ramen Pizza by Tova Wolbe

No adults calling the shots today—just Tova Wolbe, a pizza pan, and a brilliant ramen crust that’ll make you rethink everything you know about pizza.
For more delicious food by Tova, watch Tova Does It!

2. Yeshiva Week: How To Make The Best Beef Jerky (Plus Storing Tips) by Menachem Goodman

Why make your own jerky instead of buying it, you may ask? I’ll tell you why. Making your own beef jerky allows you to try new flavors, cut the meat how you want, and pick at it while you are packing it away.

3. Kids’ Best Chicken Lo Mein by Mirel Freylich

Seriously—and an adults’ favorite too!

4. Loaded Sheet-Pan Nachos by Chaya Suri Leitner

This makes a great light, fun supper that the kids can eat quickly before running off to play.

5. Sheet Pan Quesadillas by Tova Wolbe

When everyone wants a quesadilla at the same time, Tova’s got the hack: one huge, melty, sheet pan version you can slice and share.

For more great easy cooking, watch Tova Does It!

6. Lasagna Soup by Bruchy Duschinsky

Want a recipe that easily pleases the entire family? You’re looking at it. It is literally a full meal in one bowl (make that two or three bowls; no one will stop at one), vegetable, starch, and protein included.

Think of your favorite marinara sauce, just thicker, mixed with soft pasta pieces, and add creamy, melted cheese: It literally has the classic lasagna flavors in a bowl. Oh, the delight!

The ingredients are mostly pantry staples you already have on hand, and it’s super simple to make. If you have family members who are allergic or don’t do dairy, they can enjoy the pasta and sauce minus the cheese; it’s delicious and tasty on its own.

7. One-Pot Mac and Cheese by Sara Goldstein

Who doesn’t love a comforting pot of mac and cheese? This version tastes incredible and is made in one pot. That’s right, no separate pots for boiling noodles and making cheese sauce. Meet your new Thursday-night staple.

8. Cheesy Garlic Knots by Gitty Friedman

These are so delicious, and the smell brings everyone running into the kitchen!

9. Easy Pizza Babka by Nechama Norman

Everyone’s favorite classic pizza flavors, served up in a fresh new way! This is a great recipe to prepare with kids. They’ll love to mix up the cheese mixture, spread it on the dough, and help to squish the rolls into the pans.

10. Pretzel Dogs by Esty Wolbe

Why bother with crumbly, defrosted hot dog buns when you can wrap your hot dogs in fluffy, salty pretzel buns?

11. Rainbow Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Sara Goldstein

Grilled cheese is that classic comfort food that kids and adults both love! This rainbow version is a fun way to jazz it up! The only problem with these? Kids won't want to leave your house once the play date is over.

12. Nachos with Extra Cheesy Sauce by Michal Frischman

Everyone likes their nachos a little differently. To make everyone happy and feel a little creative, I put all the toppings out bar-style so everyone can mix and match on their own.

13. Crispy Mexican “Cheese Dogs” by Chavi Feldman

Quick and easy… check. Kid friendly… that’s two checks… and in my seven-year-old’s words, “Seriously heaven!” These adorable, fried meal-in-ones get supper on the table fast. For those with a less sophisticated palate (as in, most of the Feldman kids), you can swap out the Mexican flavors for a simple grilled cheese filling or whatever foods your family enjoys.

14. Pizza Bourekas by Tamar Teitelbaum

Pizza Bourekas are flaky little pockets of cheesy pizza goodness. They take only 40 minutes to prepare and are great for a grab and go.

Sweet:

15. Yeshiva Week: Easy And Fun Pancake Art by Sara Goldstein

Pancake art has taken the world by storm! There are some incredibly intricate designs out there that will amaze you, but anyone can have fun with a few basic supplies. I had so much fun testing out different shapes, I know the kids (and you) will too!

16. Yeshiva Week: Cozy Hot Chocolate Board (+2 fun DIYs) by Sara Goldstein

It’s the time of year where indulgent hot chocolate drinks are not only allowed, they are encouraged! Especially after a day of fun in the snow!

Create a fun little board with all the fixings to make some over-the-top delicious hot chocolates. It's very simple and takes minutes to create, but has huge impact- perfect for a vacation day!

17. No Measuring Allowed: S’mores Trifle by Victoria Dwek

18. Berry Brightness Smoothie by Faigy Reiner

The tangy taste of the berries combined with the filling and thickening spinach will fill you up and give you a burst of energy.

19. Fully Loaded Cereal Mix by Faigy Murray

I started making Muddy Buddies 14 years ago and never stopped; it’s a weekly Shabbos staple in my house. When I have extra treats lying around that I want to use up, I add it to the mixture for a snack that’s even more fun.

20. Marshmallow Brownie Blizzard by Estee Kafra

This recipe is for all those who “like it sweet.” It’s a s’mores/brownie/cookie riot all in one pan. Top it with toasted marshmallow ice cream, and we go straight to fluffy marshmallow heaven.

21. Fruit Leather by Chanie Nayman

My favorite fruits for this recipe are strawberries, mango, apricot, and kiwi. Mix and match as you please.

22. Cinnamon Palmiers by Paula Shoyer

A classic cookie that you can make super-duper easy by using store-bought puff pastry.

23. Everything Cookie Dough Truffles by Michal Frischman

You and I know the best part of baking cookies is eating the dough. Don’t tell anyone- I’ve even bought boxes of frozen cookie dough to keep in my freezer and eat raw! This dough recipe I have for you today is designed to be eaten raw; it doesn’t have any eggs or leavening agents. Adjust the add-ins to your taste: nuts, toffee, and crumbled granola bars, whatever, they all work great!

24. Sweet Sisters’ Shabbat Treats: Challah Cookies by Shoshi and Tzippy Newman

Ready to get baking?! We are going to make sugar cookies in a braid, just like challah. Yeah, super cool! it looks stunning when it comes out and tastes just as good!

25. The Ultimate Chanukah Hot Chocolate Bombs! by Esther Ottensoser

This activity is a cool and fun activity for teenagers.

26. Cookie Dough Stuffed Pretzels by Shoshi and Tzippy Newman

This week on Sweet Sisters’ Shabbat Treats, we’re making something easy and so delicious that they will disappear faster than you can turn around!

27. Baked Churros by Shoshi and Tzippy Newman

We loooove churros, or really anything fried, but we love the cinnamon flavor of churros especially. The thing is, our mother is not the biggest fan of deep frying on a regular basis, so we had so come up with a way to make her say yes to this one. We present…baked churros!! All the fun of churros, minus the smell and frying mess. They are pillowy and soft and coated in delicious sugar.

Have fun with it!

28. Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes by Leah Klein

These soft and moist cupcakes are exceptional! I guarantee this will become your kids’ favorite recipe for their Siyums and parties.

29. Classic Sprinkle Cookies by Sara Goldstein

There was no way I could write an article about cookies and not include sprinkle cookies! These are only eight ingredients and loaded with sprinkles.

30. Mini Babka Muffins by Shoshi and Tzippy Newman

This week on Sweet Sisters Shabbat Treats we are going to be making … mini babka muffins! Everyone loves a good piece of babka, right? Well, we are going to make a dessert that is super easy because you don’t even have to take out a mixer!

31. Homemade Oreo Cookies by Sara Goldstein

Everyone loves Oreo-style cookies! Have you ever tried making them at home? They are easy and fun for the kids. You don’t even need a special cookie cutter; just use a glass with a two-inch diameter.

32. Dubai Chocolate Bark by Shoshi and Tzippy Newman

We wanted to make our own super easy version of the super trendy Dubai Chocolate bars. The tiny little problem was that we don’t really like pistachio cream so much, and we also don’t think it’s super kid-friendly. So we decided to use peanut butter, and it came out fantastic.

33. Sweet Sisters’ Shabbat Treats: Candy-Covered Cookies by Shoshi and Tzippy Newman

This week we are making something insane because its so cute and YUM! Basically it’s a candy-covered cookie. How heaven does that sound? It doesn’t need to sound yum because guess what, it is yum!

This time, we used crushed sandwich cookies and chocolate lentils. So just follow the easy steps and you’ll have these insane cookies in no time.

34. White Chocolate Cookie Butter Nutty Buddies by Chaia Frishman

Did you know that another name for muddy buddies is puppy chow? Hmmmm. I would never share my personal version on these with any canine.  With white chocolate,  cookie butter and a dash of cinnamon, welcome to this game-changer for snack time.

35. 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cheesecake by Naomi Elberg

Looking for a no bake cheesecake recipe that makes your life a lot easier... and sweeter? Forget the water baths and cracking- we'll tell you how to make a perfect cheesecake in minutes. 

36. Mini Cheerio Donuts by Shortcuts by Family Table

Donuts that the kids can make themselves? It's true! These fun minis can be done with any frosting and any sprinkles.

37. Jelly Doughnut Mug Cake by Sara and Yossi Goldstein

Takes minute to make and doesn't yield an abundance of donuts that you won't know what to do with. It's perfect for when you're looking for a quick sweet treat!

38. Personal Dessert Pizzas by Rylee

Mini easy dessert pizzas that are easy for kids to make and, more importantly, to enjoy. Watch Rylee make these on Nosh and Nibble! 

39. S'mores Cookies by Gitty Wolf

Who doesn't love a yummy gooey s'more – in a cookie! These are always a hit.

40. 3-Ingredient Nut Butter Cookies by Nathalie T.

These cookies are super fun, tasty, and easy to make! You can make them with almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, or even peanut butter.

41. Bumblebee Sandwich Cookies by Esther Ottensoser

42. No-Bake Cinnamon-Pecan Pretzels by Michal Frischman

These pretzels are seriously addictive! I love them straight from the freezer, but if you’re like me, they may not last long enough to get there. 

43. Stained Glass Rings by Clara Fatal

These gorgeous window-like cookies are almost too pretty to eat!

44. Chocolate-Covered Cookie Truffles by Sweet Moments: Rega Matok

Something sweet to prepare with the children – chocolate chip cookie truffles on a stick, covered with chocolate and colored candies. 

45. Hot Cocoa Sticks by The Peppermill

Perfect for cold winter nights and warm family gatherings!

46. Frozen Hot Chocolate by Jenna Grunfeld

Delicious and dead easy hot chocolate slushie. Yum!

47. Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches by Victoria Dwek

The perfect size for the mini people in your life! Watch more 4 Amazing Things!

48. Mini Sprinkle Cookies by Leah Nagel

These soft, chewy one-bite vanilla sprinkle cookies are easy to make and even easier to pop into your mouth repeatedly. Kids and adults alike will adore these tiny sprinkle cookies, which are the size of a large button. And if you want, you can use the recipe to make regular-size sprinkle cookies. 

49. Sheet Pan S’mores by Rachel Kor

Crazy easy 1-minute sheet pan s'mores! No smoke, no bonfire, just delicious s'moresy goodness right in the comfort of your kitchen.

50. Nutella Smoothie by Victoria Dwek

This healthyish chocolate hazelnut smoothie is a great breakfast for chocolate lovers.

51. Confetti Mug Cake by Miriam (Pascal) Cohen

If your kids need a special treat that can be ready in minutes, here’s the one! This confetti mug cake has a delicious vanilla base, so feel free to play around with other mix-ins instead of sprinkles, like fruit, flavored chips, or nuts.

52. S’mores French Toast by Esty Wolbe

S'mores French Toast is the decadent snack dreams are made of! Spread with Gefen Marshmallow Fluff and Elite Chocolate Spread, then breaded with graham cracker crumbs and fried.

53. Dunkaroos Trifles by Sarah Botwinick

This whimsical treat packs all the flavors of the iconic, kid-favorite Dunkaroos snack with an upgraded presentation.

54. Jello Slush by Victoria Dwek

A new and fun way to serve jello. One of the cool things about jel desserts is that they don’t get rock-solid when you freeze them. They work as-is, as a shaved ice, and you only need to blend once for a fun slush.

Originally published December 2021. Updated and improved January 2026.